Lucent, Sprint sign $1.5 b 3G deal

BANGALORE: Lucent Technologies and Sprint have had a contract renewal agreement - expected to exceed $1.5 billion over three years - to enhance Sprint's nationwide PCS wireless network and support the deployment of third-generation (3G) CDMA2000 1xEV-DO (Evolution - Data Optimized) technology. This deal enables Sprint to increase the capacity and coverage of its PCS voice and data network as needed and includes future broadband data upgrade options to 1xEV-DO Release A or 1xEV-DV Release D technologies, states a press release.

According to the release, Lucent will upgrade Sprint's existing Lucent-supplied base stations to support EV-DO service by simply adding an additional RF (radio frequency) carrier where needed. This will help protect Sprint's existing investment in infrastructure because its equipment does not need to be replaced. Lucent also will provide key elements of its IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) solution, a service delivery platform from its Accelerate Next-Generation Communications Solutions portfolio, that will enable Sprint to simply and cost-effectively introduce new voice over IP (VoIP) and multimedia services that can be delivered across mobile, wireline and converged networks.

Lucent will provide several key elements of its IMS solution from its 'Accelerate' portfolio including the Lucent Network Controller (softswitch technology), Lucent Network Gateway, and Lucent Super-Distributed Home Location Register (S-DHLR). The Lucent Network Controller is a next-generation softswitch platform for both wireless and wireline networks that manages voice and multimedia communications on IP networks and supports a wide array of legacy networks and standards, easing the transition of existing networks to the new multimedia services model.

Sprint expects to initiate EV-DO service in many top metropolitan markets in the United States in 2005. As part of the EV-DO network deployment, Lucent also will provide its Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) and enhance Sprint's Tier 1 (T1) backhaul network with Juniper Networks M-series routing platforms to support reliable and secure mobile high-speed data services, including quality of service and high performance packet processing for premium services. Lucent Worldwide Services will provide installation, integration, optimization and Customer Technical Support services for Sprint's network upgrade.

Lucent also will continue to support Sprint through its Lucent Market Advantage Program (MAP), which offers a comprehensive set of support tools, information and consulting services including market data, sales training and co-marketing plans designed to help accelerate revenue, differentiate and enhance offers, and deploy services more quickly.