Callino selects Alcatel to supply broadband wireless access network
valued at Euro 65 Million
Alcatel to Supply LMDS network for Switzerland
Paris, France, January 23, 2000 - Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today
announced that Callino (Switzerland) Ltd., a new generation service provider, has selected
the Alcatel LMDS (local multipoint distribution service) solution for deployment throughout
Switzerland.
Callino, a wholly owned subsidiary of Formus, purchased a national wireless local loop
licence in the auctions that took place in Switzerland in 2000. In an order worth up to Euro 65
million, Alcatel LMDS equipment will enable Callino to offer advanced broadband wireless
services, which it will primarily target at small and medium enterprise (SME) customers.
This win follows other recent major Alcatel LMDS contracts including Cable and Wireless
Optus in Australia, Sky Point and Retevision in Spain, and further network extensions with
Hanaro Telecom in Korea. The win also follows Alcatel's selection by Callino sister
companies, including announced contracts in Poland and Germany, and reinforces Formus'
confidence in Alcatel as a reliable and future-proof partner in LMDS deployment.
The Alcatel LMDS solution, comprising both products and supporting services, is a high
frequency broadband wireless system that enables Callino to cost-effectively deliver
high-speed Internet, data and voice services to its SME customers.
Peter Waser, CEO of Callino (Switzerland) said: "As well as standard telephony services,
we can offer our customers high speed, always-on Internet access and value added data
services. We are principally targeting the SME marketplace. For these customers, the
advantage of wireless technology is not only the fast transmission of data, but also the fast
deployment of the necessary infrastructure which avoids the difficult and time-consuming
task of laying cables."
Jean-David Calvet, Executive Vice President, fixed wireless at Alcatel said: "Competitive
service providers - such as Callino - clearly recognise the value in deploying an Alcatel
broadband wireless access network. It enables them to quickly and cost-effectively support
the rapidly growing demand for broadband services."
About Alcatel LMDS
Supporting Alcatel's leadership in the broadband access market -- including DSL and DLC --
Alcatel is currently the LMDS broadband wireless access market leader with over 6000
base station sectors shipped and more than 100 customers in commercial and trial
deployments.
Alcatel's success in LMDS broadband wireless access can be attributed to:
Reliable, high-performance products available NOW for mass commercial
deployment;
Availability of end-to-end networking solutions including products for Core,
Edge, Transmission, and Network & Service management;
Global turnkey deployment experience combined with strong local/in-country
presence and deployment support;
Full range of pre- and post-licence support services, including business
case analysis, network design & engineering, and customised financing
assistance, where applicable.
The comprehensive Alcatel LMDS solution is a multiservice broadband wireless network
comprised of base station and customer premises equipment, and network and service
management. A base station, consisting of digital modulation equipment with optional
switching capabilities and point-to-multipoint transmitters and receivers, is the central
location that collects all traffic to and from customers within a given wireless coverage area.
The base station is also the linking point between the customer and the network backbone.
Customer premises equipment includes radio termination (RT) transceivers and network
termination (NT) units, which support a full range of services. The network and service
management suite supports complete end-to-end management of both the wireless and
wireline portions of the network, providing a full range of VPN capabilities, billing and
performance information, statistics and maintenance support.
About Callino
Callino (Switzerland) Ltd., based in Zurich, was created in 1999 and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Formus Communications Inc, Denver, Colorado, a global communications
company. Callino (Switzerland) Ltd. has a wireless local loop licence and is in the process of
deploying high speed broadband services throughout Switzerland. It aims to offer its
customers high-speed Internet access, value-added data services as well as voice and
multimedia services. In addition, Callino (Switzerland) Ltd. offers a large range of standard
telephony and Internet services. For more information, go to: www.callino.ch"target="_top
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 116,000 employees and sales of EURO 23 billion in 1999, Alcatel
operates in more than 130 countries.
Contact press@www.alcatel.com |
