Alcatel Wins $685 Million Contract in Nigeria

Alcatel has signed a contract valued at US$685 million with Globacom, Nigeria's second national operator, to deploy the latest mobile and fixed multimedia services. Under the terms of the agreement, Alcatel will expand Globacom national mobile network capacity from its current 2.5 million subscribers to 10 millions by the end of 2005. This deployment includes the Alcatel multi-standard Evolium radio access and core network solutions as well as transmission solutions. Alcatel's Intelligent Network (IN) solution and Messaging Suite have already enabled Globacom customer's access to enhanced mobile voice and data services, making Globacom the first Nigerian operator to offer 2.5G high-speed data rates and Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS).



The contract also includes IP and optical transmission equipment, which will enable Globacom to pioneer Triple Play (voice video, data) services in Africa. Globacom plans to offer voice and symmetric DSL services, as well as high-speed Internet access, Video -on Demand, videoconferencing and broadcast TV. These services will be offered initially in 10 major cities.



Alcatel will also deploy a 8,600km submarine cable for Globacom, connecting Nigeria to England.
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