SFR Picks Alcatel-Lucent and NSN for Network Upgrade and LTE Trial

SFR of France has selected Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia Siemens Networks for a major network upgrade and an LTE trial.


Alcatel-Lucent said it will provide its Converged RAN (radio access network) solution to SFR. As part of the project, Alcatel-Lucent will provide an end-to-end LTE solution including base stations (eNodeBs), Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and associated management systems enabling SFR to evaluate the performance of LTE services and opportunities to introduce new multimedia applications. Alcatel-Lucent will also provide critical professional services such as the installation and commissioning for all of the equipment involved in the deployment and will provide the resources to operate the various network elements, including configuration, performance monitoring and fault management.


Nokia Siemens Networks said it is upgrading SFR's radio network and will provide, operate and maintain new all-IP packet core technology ready to support 4G LTE services. Nokia Siemens Networks will deploy its compact, energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station for the radio network upgrade. This will enable SFR to reuse the GSM900 MHz frequency band, previously used for 2G services, in order to expand advanced 3G broadband services coverage into rural areas, simplify its network and reduce operating costs.


The mobile packet core solution being provided by Nokia Siemens Networks under a three-year agreement includes the company's LTE-ready, ATCA-based, Flexi Network Gateway for handling growth in data traffic and for ensuring uninterrupted mobile broadband services. In addition, Nokia Siemens Networks will implement, operate and maintain SFR's mobile packet core and its associated IP network to deliver improved network quality and efficiency.

SFR will also deploy Nokia Siemens Networks' NetAct network management system and the company's charge@once mediate solution to simplify the collection and processing of charging and billing data, providing SFR with a variety of sophisticated services, including differentiated billing.


SFR and Nokia Siemens Networks will collaborate on piloting LTE services using Flexi Multiradio base stations that can be software upgraded to enable HSPA+ and LTE capability, as well as Nokia Siemens Networks' Evolved Packet Core for LTE.
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