TMN (Portugal Telecom)selects Alcatel as supplier of UMTS/3G Technology
Paris, France, January 3, 2001 -- Alcatel has been selected as a key supplier of new,
multimedia UMTS/3G technology by TMN (Portugal Telecom's mobile business), the largest mobile
operator in Portugal. According to a letter of intent, Alcatel will deliver and install the infrastructure
for the UMTS network of TMN in the greater Lisbon area. Alcatel will ship and install about 1000
sites in 2001, comprising the hardware, the software, installation and commissioning of the UMTS
base stations (Node B)and the Radio Network Controller (RNC). Wide-ranging tests will be
conducted during the course of the year, guaranteeing the launch of the service on December 1,
2001.
Alcatel's EvoliumTM UMTS/3G network solution will enable TMN to offer new high-speed,
high-quality mobile UMTS services. Thanks to Evolium SAS-an Alcatel-Fujitsu company-Alcatel's
industry-leading UMTS technology will allow TMN to continue its role as an innovator in mobile
services and applications.
"Alcatel has been expanding rapidly with TMN over the last years as a supplier
of mobile radio technology. Most recently Alcatel has delivered its complete
EvoliumTMGPRS end-to-end solution to make TMN the first GPRS network
operating commercially in Europe. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to
be first in Lisbon with UMTS," says Michel Rahier, President of Alcatel's Mobile
Communications activities.
"Our cooperation with Alcatel provides a solid base for the building of efficient
and reliable UMTS networks," says Iriarte Esteves, TMN's CEO. "Alcatel's network
expertise is an excellent complement to our vision, which emphasizes services
and customer benefit."
Alcatel is the most recent supplier to TMN . In addition to supplying GSM mobile equipment, Alcatel
has deployed its EvoliumTM GPRS end-to-end solution including all radio and core network
infrastructure.
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Alcatel's EvoliumTM solutions meet the requirements of mobile operators such as TMN, whether
for the deployment of new networks or the optimization of existing infrastructures. These
solutions ensure an efficient evolution towards 3G, minimizing the migration costs and protecting
operators' investment.
Today, Alcatel has a UMTS end-to-end solution offering, including radio systems (UTRAN),
network systems (CORE), services platform and the mobile terminals. The presence of Alcatel
development and support teams throughout Europe will contribute to the fast roll-out and the
competitiveness of 3G mobile networks.
Alcatel's offering in UMTS is also prominent in the field of applications and services. Its Open
Services Platforms, in which Alcatel is the world leader, provide a suite of applications that allow
customers to migrate efficiently from GSM to the next generation of value added services.
Alcatel's Nextenso software house enjoys an advanced position in the creation and the
management of new-generation Internet portals and content. Alcatel, which played a vital part in
developing the mobile Internet market, in particular through the successful roll out of GPRS
commercial networks worldwide, has today a timely UMTS offering.
About Alcatel Mobile
By creating Evolium SAS, an Alcatel-Fujitsu company, Alcatel clearly reinforces its position in both
mobile infrastructure and mobile Internet. Evolium SAS combines Alcatel's expertise in GSM, GPRS,
and EDGE as well as in ATM and IP technologies, with the advanced experience of Fujitsu as
supplier of NTT DoCoMo. By the end of 2000, NTT DoCoMo will have twenty million i-Mode
subscribers in Japan and will start the commercial operation of its 3G mobile communication
service in the spring of 2001.
About Alcatel
Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data
networking solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers
worldwide. With 120,000 employees and sales of EURO 23 billion in 1999, Alcatel operates in more
than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: alcatel.com
About TMN
TMN - Telecomunicações Móveis Nacionais, S.A., is Portugal Telecom's mobile operator and the
mobile market leader in Portugal, with over 45% market share.
Using GSM 900 technology since 1992 and DCS 1800 radio technology since 1998, TMN is one of
the first worldwide mobile operators to commercialize high-speed WAP added value services as
well as fast access to Internet over GPRS.
Having been the first mobile operator launching the pre-paid card concept in 1995 - Mimo -, a
concept soon adopted worldwide, TMN played a unique role in pioneering the large scale use of
mobile phones in Portugal, a role to be repeated in the creation of the information society and in the
equally large-scale use of UMTS technology and related services.
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