Alcatel and Telemar Sign $275 Million Contract for GSM 1800/GPRS Network in Brazil; By 2002, the 2.5 GHz Network Will Allow a Capacity for More Than 830,000 Subscribers
BusinessWire, 07/19/2001 09:31
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 2001--Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE:ALA) today announced it has signed a US$275 million contract with Telemar, the largest telecommunications operator in Brazil, to provide a turnkey GSM 1800/GPRS network.
The agreement is for the entire management of the project, including network planning and implementation, site acquisition and construction as well as network operation and maintenance. The network will be deployed in Brazil's northern region, covering more than 70 cities in the states of Piaui, Ceara, Maranhao, Para, Amazonas, Amapa and Roraima.
Under the contact, Alcatel will supply Telemar with its Evolium solution, composed of its radio access network (base stations and base station controllers) and mobile switching centers, together with Alcatel's microwave radio systems. The Evolium solution will allow Telemar to connect both its mobile- and fixed-communication subscribers using the GSM technology.
In addition, Alcatel will supply its complete GPRS end-to-end solution including a GPRS core network infrastructure. The Alcatel's GPRS network and services are a natural part of the migration path to 3G. Alcatel will also provide its worldwide-proven carrier grade voice messaging solution for the entire Region 1 (Amazonas, Roraima, Para, Amapa, Ceara, Piaui, Paraiba, Maranhao, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo) by Telemar's license.
"We are keen on helping Telemar reach the capacity of over 830,000 new subscribers in the northern part of Brazil," said Michel Rahier, president of Alcatel's mobile communication activities. "Our focus is to meet all our customers' needs, and I am confident that this network is the start of a long and mutually rewarding relationship with Telemar."
"With the 2.5G network Telemar is building in Brazil, we will offer our customers a range of GPRS advanced communications as well as state-of-the-art GSM services and products that will transform the Brazilian mobile marketplace," said Manoel Horacio Francisco da Silva, president of Telemar.
"Through our complete services portfolio, local presence and experience in deploying end-to-end solutions in Latin America, we are committed to meet Telemar's tight schedules," said Jonio Foigel, president of Alcatel's activities in Brazil. "Telemar's customers will enjoy the benefits of the region's most advanced 2.5G network as well as innovative end-user services." 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 110,000 employees and sales of EURO 31 billion in 2000, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, alcatel.com. About Telemar
Telemar is the largest telecommunications company in Brazil, with vast experience in long distance and local fixed telephony services. Today, Telemar operates in 64% of the Brazilian territory, covering more than half the Brazilian population, and adds to its offering, Internet, data and video transmission, as well as video-conference services. Telemar's 15.2 million fixed line subscribers number is expected to grow to 18 million in 2001. The company will have invested US$3.36 billion in telecommunications infrastructure for Brazil in 2001, the biggest investment ever made in a year by a private Brazilian company. For more information, telemar.com.br.
CONTACT: Alcatel
Brian Murphy, 972/519-6677
Brian.d.murphy@usa.alcatel.com |
