Alcatel Wins 3G Contract

Alcatel has won a contract with Wave Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jersey Telecom, to supply a GSM/GPRS and 3G/UMTS mobile network in the island of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. Following the successful rollout by Alcatel of a GSM/GPRS mobile network and services platform in Jersey, Jersey Telecom Group has now selected Alcatel technology for its first 3G/UMTS network. Wave Telecom will launch 3G/UMTS services in Guernsey by April 2004 while GSM/GPRS services will be available in November 2003.

Launched in December 2002, Wave Telecom is the only mobile operator to apply for and receive a 3G licence from Guernsey's Office of Utility Regulation. Wave Telecom's licence also covers the provision of GSM/GPRS and 3G/UMTS services for the surrounding Channel Islands of Alderney and Sark.

Under the terms of this contract, Alcatel will supply and install a complete and integrated set of GSM/GPRS and UMTS features and network configurations. The Alcatel's Evolium solution features the GSM/GPRS and the UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) radio systems, the mobile circuit and packet switch core network systems, as well as the Radio Network Controllers (RNC) and a Home Location Register (HLR). Furthermore, Alcatel will implement its LMDS solution to provide broadband wireless transport of mobile data and voice traffic, instead of expensive leased lines within Guernsey with mircrowave being used as transport technology between the islands of Jersey and Guernsey. Alcatel's LMDS is a flexible, fast and cost-effective mobile backhaul solution.

Charles Matthews, CEO, Alcatel UK said: "We are proud to have helped Wave Telecom realise its vision of a 2G, 2.5G and 3G network. The fact the Jersey Telecom Group wants to extend its relationship with Alcatel underlines the quality of our technology and the expertise of our employees. I am confident that the solution provided to Wave Telecom will give it the competitive edge it needs to be successful in the Guernsey market."

No financial details were disclosed."

Posted to the site on 16th June 2003