March 31, 2005 Paris, France -- Alcatel today announced it has been selected by China's State Council Information Office (SCIO) to upgrade and optimize the office's communication network using the company's Next Generation Network (NGN) solution. The contract was won through Alcatel Shanghai Bell, Alcatel's flagship Chinese company.
The company will provide its 5020 Softswitch platform to build a nationwide network for SCIO, covering more than 50 branches in major cities and provinces including Beijing, Shanghai, Xinjiang, and Tibet. The network will be deployed in conjunction with the company's OmniPCX Enterprise, which the company calls an integrated communications platform that enables traditional voice telephone systems and advanced IP telephony, as well as user-centric unified communications applications. According to a press release, upon completion of the project in June 2005, SCIO staff will be able to access innovative services, including video conferencing and voice VPN, using any terminal, such as a PC, softphone, desk phone, mobile handset, or PDA.
"As China's state information agency, timely and reliable communication with internal and external parties is of the utmost importance," remarks Zhao Qizheng, director of SCIO. "Thanks to Alcatel's NGN solutions, we are confident we will be able to enhance our work quality and efficiency while reducing our expenses on telecommunications."
"This contract represents another major milestone for Alcatel's NGN business in China and reaffirms our strong capabilities in delivering user-centric broadband services in both carrier and vertical market segments," adds Alan Mottram, president of Alcatel's fixed solutions activities "As consumers, enterprises and public agencies in China increasingly demand multimedia services, Alcatel's comprehensive solutions portfolio and extensive, end-to-end integration skills will ensure our continued success in the Chinese market."
In a related announcement, the company also today announced that it has signed a turnkey contract, valued at more than 14 million euros, with Ethiopia Telecommunications Corporation (ETC), that country's leading fixed and mobile operator, to extend the existing transport network in the eastern and southern parts of the country. The project, which is scheduled to be completed this summer, will enable ETC to expand the delivery of fixed, mobile, Internet, and multimedia services to its subscribers.
Alcatel will deploy its optical multi-service solution to link the country's eastern and southern cities, including Nazareth, Dire Dawa, Debrezeit, Shashemene, and Awasha, as well as to connect these cities to the national network. Furthermore, the network will link Addis Ababa to Dijbouti Port, connecting the ETC network to international submarine cables serving the African continent. Once completed, the project will increase the current network capacity, enabling ETC to cope with the growing subscriber demand for fixed, mobile and Internet services.
"This contract further strengthens Alcatel's long-term relationship with ETC and presence in the African continent," states Olivier Picard, Alcatel's COO for Africa, France, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.