3G in the Middle East

Alcatel has been selected by the UAE's Etisalat to carry out part of its 3G/UMTS deployments in the UAE. Alcatel has already supplied Etisalat with its Evolium mobile infrastructure solution for the radio portion of its GSM and GPRS commercial service. Introducing the UMTS capability in Etisalat network will be carried out as an extension of selected coverage areas of the operator's existing GSM/GPRS network.

In the frame of this award, Alcatel will provide Etisalat with 3G solutions including radio systems, circuit switched core network systems as well as associated application platforms. The Evolium UMTS radio equipment is designed and developed by Evolium SAS, the joint venture between Alcatel and Fujitsu.

"This is Alcatel's first 3G/UMTS contract in the Middle East region", stated Marc Rouanne chief operating officer of Alcatel's mobile activities, "Etisalat is a highly innovative operator, a real pioneer for multimedia services in the region, and we are therefore very proud to be chosen as one of Etisalat suppliers for this unique technology"."

Posted to the site on 30th April 2004