T-Mobile and Alcatel-Lucent push the speed limit in transmission networks with one of Europe´s first 100G lines in a commercial network

Paris, September 26, 2011 - T-Mobile Czech Republic and Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) have jointly crossed another threshold during the roll-out of fibre-optic networks in the Czech Republic. Select portions of T-Mobile's fibre-optic backbone network can now support transmission speeds of 100G (gigabits per second). 

The operator is the first company in the Czech Republic that is prepared to provide individual services connecting data centres and international transit traffic at such a speed. T-Mobile's new infrastructure is intended for use by corporate clients, and will serve as the backbone for T-Mobile’s 3G network, supporting T-Mobile’s broadband vision of providing “The Fastest Network” to its customers. 

“Development of fibre-optic communications has always been one of T-Mobile's priorities. Our fibre-optic backbone network now covers communication between more than 60 of the largest cities and towns in the Czech Republic,” says Frank Meywerk, Technology Director at T-Mobile Czech Republic, adding: “In view of the trend of continuously growing transmitted data volumes, 100G technologies are crucial for satisfying the needs of our customers and also have the potential to reduce the costs of our network operation.” 

T-Mobile has put the 100G services into operation in its fibre-optic backbone network between Prague and several other big cities. The network is supported by dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical technology provided by Alcatel-Lucent, which is equipped with the latest generation of fibre-optic elements developed by Bell Labs and is capable of transmitting the 100 G service on these 600 km routes without the need of optical signal regeneration. Alcatel-Lucent 1626 Light Manager enhanced with 100G next-generation coherent technology through the 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) is a step towards a fully optical network, bringing improved network performance and reducing the costs of network operation. 

With the purchase of high performance technology from Alcatel-Lucent, T-Mobile has confirmed its long-term strategy to be an important integrated operator. The operator is fulfilling this objective through significant investments in its own infrastructure and introduction of technological innovations; for example, T-Mobile's 3G network is the only network in the Czech Republic using the HSPA+ technology, which allows data transmissions at speeds of up to 21 Mbps (megabits per second). Alcatel-Lucent is the global leader in fibre-optic communications and is the only supplier offering 100G systems connecting fibre-optic and IP routing technologies. 

David Grundel, Managing Director of Alcatel-Lucent Czech, highlights the company’s position as the global leader in fibre-optic communications: “New types of cloud services and particularly high-definition video are leading to a 35% year-on-year increase of transmitted data volumes. This trend is forcing us to continuously develop technological innovations, one of which is undoubtedly the 100G. Thanks to deployment T-Mobile Czech Republic is now prepared to respond to the new trends and is able to transmit traffic at speeds of nearly 10 Tbps (terabits per second), which, to give you an idea, represents 300 standard DVD movies per second.”

About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)
The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises, strategic industries and governments around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leader in mobile, fixed, IP and Optics technologies, and a pioneer in applications and services. Alcatel-Lucent includes Bell Labs, one of the world's foremost centres of research and innovation in communications technology.

With operations in more than 130 countries and one of the most experienced global services organizations in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. 

The Company achieved revenues of Euro 16 billion in 2010 and 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.

Alcatel-Lucent Press Contacts
SIMON POULTER                            simon.poulter@alcatel-lucent.com                     T : +33 (0)1 40 76 50 84
                                                   

ALCATEL-LUCENT INVESTOR RELATIONS
FRANK MACCARY                        frank.maccary@alcatel-lucent.com                    T : + 33 (0)1 40 76 12 11
DON SWEENEY                             don.sweeney@alcatel-lucent.com                     T : + 1 908 582 6153
TOM BEVILACQUA                        thomas.bevilacqua@alcatel-lucent.com             T : + 1 908-582-7998
CONSTANCE DE CAMBIARE         Constance.De_Cambiaire@alcatel-lucent.com   T : +33 (0)1 40 76 10 13

 

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.