Alcatel-Lucent extends microwave product leadership to help service providers meet the capacity crunch

Düsseldorf, Germany, September 23, 2013 – Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is building on its leadership in microwave transmission technology with the addition to its portfolio of the ETSI-optimized 9500 Microwave Packet Radio (MPR) long-haul system.

The 9500 MPR long-haul system delivers more than eight times the capacity in a third of the footprint of traditional systems. As a result, it addresses demand for high-bandwidth, long-haul connectivity for both traditional and IP-based services, including IP video and 4G LTE, in Europe and in other parts of the world.

As more people access high-bandwidth cloud, video and other data over mobile devices, service providers are shifting to IP-based networks to more effectively manage traffic. Faster speeds and smarter devices fuel further demand, placing greater pressure on microwave links. To remain competitive and offer new services, operators need to adopt optimized packet microwave systems that offer increased capacity and reliability while reducing maintenance and operations costs.

The new ETSI-optimized 9500 MPR long-haul system builds on Alcatel-Lucent’s market-leading 9500 MPR solution which is currently deployed in over 235 networks around the world. Alcatel-Lucent packet microwave solutions augment IP/MPLS and optical transport networks by meeting demand for network connectivity where fiber is too difficult or costly to deploy. The 9500 MPR has become a mainstay of long-haul networks in the North America region and Alcatel-Lucent continues to lead this market[1].

Key Facts9500 MPR long-haul system has been ETSI-optimized to meet deployment requirements in Europe and other parts of the world.

ETSI-optimized 9500 MPR long-haul system offers a smooth transition from TDM and hybrid microwave networks to satisfy increased demand for data by providing a path to 10 gigabit-per-second (10G) capacity between microwave towers.

Flexible configuration allows service providers to address deployment constraints even in the most remote sites.

9500 MPR long-haul systems support Alcatel-Lucent’s ultra-broadband strategy, as it helps customers meet the growing demands for data across their networks.

Quotes:

Emmy Johnson, founder of Sky light Research said: “This is an exciting launch and should help to strengthen Alcatel-Lucent’s leading[2] position in the global long-haul microwave market. As service providers in Europe ramp-up their LTE network roll-outs, the ability to support much greater capacity in a smaller footprint will be key as it has a positive impact on site planning, costs and efficiency.”

Mr George Onopas, Access & Transmission Director of Cosmote in Greece said: “We are interested in the transformation to IP (IP trunk radios) given the trends we see in our market and the evolution in network demands in general. Beyond the technology benefits, IP transformation opens new directions and challenges around our network transformation strategies that require deep techno-economical analysis. This proof of concept trial gives us an opportunity to do that deeper research and confirm our strategy.”

Francois Allain, General Manager, Alcatel-Lucent Wireless Transmission Business, EMEA said: “Alcatel-Lucent has proven expertise in the packet microwave market with more than 235 customers worldwide. As an ultra-broadband specialist we want to help our customers meet the growing demand for data across their networks. With the addition of our ETSI-optimized 9500 MPR long-haul system, we will help operators around the world be more competitive by enabling the efficient and reliable delivery of more microwave capacity.”

Additional informationMicrowave Transmission WebsiteProduct photos Podcast of Francois AllainBlog by Francois Allain

[1] Dell’Oro Group report: Microwave Transmission Report 2Q13: Market Summary & Vendor Information - TDM Microwave, Packet Microwave, Hybrid Microwave - Worldwide & Regions, August 30, 2013

[2](Sky Light Research 2Q 13 Microwave Report)

ABOUT ALCATEL-LUCENT (EURONEXT PARIS AND NYSE: ALU)

Alcatel-Lucent is at the forefront of global communications, providing products and innovations in IP and cloud networking, as well as ultra-broadband fixed and wireless access to service providers and their customers, enterprises and institutions throughout the world.

Underpinning Alcatel-Lucent in driving the industrial transformation from voice telephony to high-speed digital delivery of data, video and information is Bell Labs, an integral part of Alcatel-Lucent and one of the world’s foremost technology research institutes, responsible for countless breakthroughs that have shaped the networking and communications industry. Alcatel-Lucent innovations have resulted in the company being recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Top 100 Global Innovator, as well as being named by MIT Technology Review as amongst 2012’s Top 50 “World’s Most Innovative Companies”. Alcatel-Lucent has also been recognized for innovation in sustainability, being named Industry Group Leader for Technology Hardware & Equipment sector in the 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices review for making global communications more sustainable, affordable and accessible, all in pursuit of the company’s mission to realize the potential of a connected world.

With revenues of Euro 14.4 billion in 2012, Alcatel-Lucent is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges (Euronext and NYSE: ALU). The company is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.

For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.