Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) has been selected by Vodacom, South Africa's largest mobile service provider, to build a gigabit passive optical networking (GPON) solution to expand Vodacom's customer base enterprise and residential markets.

The new converged network enables Vodacom to provide customers with ultra-broadband needed to access bandwidth-hungry services and applications such as online gaming and streaming video.

Vodacom will deploy Alcatel-Lucent's comprehensive end-to-end GPON solution, as well as the Motive customer experience platform to provide high-quality network performance through advanced performance management capabilities across both wireline and wireless.  Vodacom expects to reach about 150,000 homes and 100,000 business within the next three years.

Key Facts:

  • Vodacom will deploy the new converged network  in all major centers in South Africa, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.
  • The converged network will enable Vodacom to offer mobile, voice, video and data services to 250,000  homes and businesses within the next three years.    
  • Alcatel-Lucent is providing its 7360 ISAM FX for GPON services, as well as Customer Experience Management Platform using Motive Home Device Manager and Network Analyzer Fiber.
  • The project also includes Professional Services, Operations Support Systems (OSS) deployment and Managed Services. 

Quotes:

Andries Delport, Vodacom Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO) said: "We first began talking with Alcatel-Lucent about expanding Vodacom's business into the fixed access market five years ago. This was a significant move for us and required a great deal of consideration. Over time, the Alcatel-Lucent team was able to show that it was the right move for us and that their solution was the best for our needs."

Willem Hendrickx, President of Alcatel-Lucent Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA)  said: "This effort represents a significant and bold move by Vodacom into the fixed network space and allows them to take advantage of new, revenue-generating business models.  We are excited that our technology, expertise and knowledge are helping take Vodacom to the next level of converged communications."

ABOUT VODACOM

Vodacom is a leading African mobile communications company providing a wide range of services including mobile voice, messaging, data and converged services to more than 60 million customers. From our roots in South Africa, we've grown our mobile operations to include networks in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Lesotho.  We also offer business managed services to enterprises in over 40 countries across Africa. Vodacom is majority owned by Vodafone, one of the world's largest mobile communications companies by revenue. We're listed on the JSE Limited and our head office is in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Vodacom (Pty) Ltd's core business is to build and manage a GSM cellular network and to provide bulk airtime to service providers in South Africa. For more info please visit: http://www.vodacom.com/com/main/whoweare

Vodacom Media Relations:

Media Relations - Corporate Communications Office: Vodacom Group Limited

E-mail: mediarelations@vodacom.co.za

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