Alcatel-Lucent selected by EMTS to deploy a turnkey mobile cellular network in Nigeria

Alcatel-Lucent will also provide network deployment and integration services, as well as related infrastructure such as towers, masts and power systems.

The contract was secured through Alcatel-Lucent's flagship company in China, Alcatel Shanghai Bell.

The new network will enable EMTS to offer mobile voice and broadband data services -- with enhanced coverage and capacity - in the western region of Nigeria, including the main city of Lagos.

Nigeria is the second largest mobile telecommunication market in Africa with 30 percent mobile penetration by the end of 2007.

This contract underscores Alcatel-Lucent's strong position as a key telecom supplier in Nigeria and across Africa.

"This agreement further confirms EMTS/Etisalat's confidence in Alcatel-Lucent's industry-leading solutions and service support capabilities, and highlights our strong partnership for a variety of fixed and wireless communications projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, West Africa and now Nigeria."

said Vincenzo Nesci, President of Alcatel-Lucent for Middle East and Africa.

"We have devoted all our efforts to delivering the best-in-class, turnkey solution to EMTS/Etisalat to help it establish the high quality of service it is committed to providing its subscribers."

Alcatel-Lucent's radio access solution is cost-efficient because it can accommodate multiple standards -- including GSM/GPRS/EDGE/EDGE+ and W-CDMA/HSPA/HSPA+ and ultimately LTE -- using the same radio equipment, making it ideal for high-growth markets such as Nigeria.

Furthermore, service providers can increase the capacity of their platform as and when necessary by introducing new radio access technologies on the same platform, supporting their evolution through simple software upgrades.

Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide a turnkey, nation-wide GSM/EDGE/W-CDMA/HSPA network.

Alcatel-Lucent provides effective GSM/EDGE+ solutions designed to help operators such as EMTS dramatically reduce the total cost of network ownership - taking into account such critical factors as site acquisition and leasing costs, civil engineering requirements, as well as power consumption, transmission, and operating and maintenance costs.

Globally, Alcatel-Lucent is a leading player in the GSM/EDGE market with more than 180 customers in over 90 countries, and a global leader in the development and deployment of third-generation (3G) networks, having deployed commercial 3G (UMTS/HSPA and CDMA/EV-DO) systems for more than 70 operators worldwide.

Alcatel-Lucent is also a global leader in the provision of design, deployment, installation and maintenance of complex networks.