Far EasTone Telecom selects Alcatel-Lucent

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Alcatel-Lucent today announced that it has been selected by Far EasTone, one of Taiwan’s leading mobile service providers, to deploy a Universal WiMax network – based on the IEEE 802.16e-2005 (or Rev-e) standard -- along a major freeway linking Taipai city with Taoyuan International Airport.

The new network will enable users in vehicles to access the Internet and take advantage of multimedia applications such as video streaming and voice over IP (VoIP). This contract follows a successful field trial conducted in July 2007 and represents a major step toward the introduction of mobile WiMax services in Taiwan, Alcatel-Lucent said in a statement.

According to the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide Far EasTone with its WiMax Rev-e solution including base stations, access controllers, core network and operation and maintenance center. Alcatel-Lucent also will provide network design, installation, commissioning and optimization services for the project. The network is expected to be in operation in early 2008.

“The Mobile-Freeway project is a critical part of the larger Mobile Taiwan (M-Taiwan) program and the ability of Alcatel-Lucent’s WiMax solution to support high-speed transmission in a mobile environment will enhance the value of this important initiative to the people of Taiwan,” said Jeffey Gee, executive vice president of Far EasTone Telecom.

Alcatel-Lucent’s Universal WiMax solution integrates the latest technological innovations, such as beam forming and MIMO. Beam forming enables a service provider to dramatically reduce the number of radio sites needed to provide coverage. MIMO helps make radio links more robust, nearly doubling the capacity delivered in dense urban environments.

Alcatel-Lucent has over 70 WiMax pilots and deployments across the world and 15 commercial contracts signed since the beginning of 2007.