Alcatel-Lucent to expand AT&T's network

BARCELONA, SPAIN: Alcatel-Lucent today announced that it has signed an agreement with AT&T to support the expansion of AT&T’s UMTS/HSPA (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service/High Speed Packet Access) wireless network.

As part of the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent would deploy its UMTS/HSDPA Distributed NodeB solution, which enables the deployment of third-generation (3G) radio network.

The deployment would help AT&T expand its capacity of services. It would also help decrease AT&T's operating expenditures due to the cost saving features of the solution.

The agreement builds on Alcatel-Lucent’s November 2004 UMTS/HSPA supply agreement with AT&T.

Alcatel-Lucent has expanded the turnkey UMTS/HSPA solution, including messaging, voice switching and network applications and services.

Previously Alcatel-Lucent had supplied AT&T with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) service delivery solution - TDM, ATM and MPLS networking solutions, as well as ADSL/VDSL broadband access and optical advanced platforms.

Alcatel-Lucent has deployed commercial 3G (UMTS/HSPA and CDMA2000) systems for more than 70 operators worldwide.