PALTEL selects Alcatel-Lucent's optical solution to transform backbone network in the Palestinian territories

Based on Alcatel-Lucent's most innovative optical networking technology and professional services expertise, this network modernization will provide PALTEL with enhanced capacity, flexibility and scalability to address the bandwidth needs of its growing end-user base for advanced mobile and fixed IP-based services.

Additionally, it will allow PALTEL to enhance its wholesale bandwidth offering for national traffic transit within the Palestinian territories.

With completion expected by the second quarter of 2010, this new project will enable PALTEL to respond to end-users' demands for high-speed data access with unprecedented flexibility and efficiency, while minimizing capital and operational expenditure. Based on its innovative Zero Touch Photonics and packet optical transport value proposition, the Alcatel-Lucent optical solution fulfills PALTEL's diversified requirements by offering a versatile and easy-to-operate infrastructure for provisioning services on-demand, enhancing mobile backhaul capacity and raising the service quality benchmark

"With this backbone transformation, we will strategically take a significant step to meet our end-users' increasing demand for broadband Internet and mobile data services," said Mohannad Heajawi - Paltel General Manager. "We are confident that Alcatel-Lucent's state-of-the-art optical solution will give us the resiliency, scalability and outstanding service performance necessary to deliver innovative broadband services, along with the ability to leverage the investment we have in our existing network."

"This new contract further confirms our commitment to support PALTEL in advancing its backbone infrastructure to the benefit of its end-users,"

said Vincenzo Nesci, vice-president of Alcatel-Lucent's activities in Middle East and Africa.

"Our market-leading optical solutions and comprehensive professional services will help PALTEL achieve the network flexibility and reliability to efficiently address new bandwidth needs now and in the future, while enhancing the speed of the return on investment."

Alcatel-Lucent will deploy its 1830 Photonic Service Switch (1830 PSS) satisfying service providers' new requirements for controlled investment in next generation photonic infrastructures using 40G wavelengths and advanced planning tool capabilities. In addition, 1850 Transport Service Switch (1850 TSS), switching up to 100 Gbit/s, will be implemented for multiple traffic aggregation and backhaul. As part of the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will also supply PALTEL with comprehensive professional services including design, installation, project management, and commissioning.