Alcatel Wins Kazak Contract

Alcatel has signed a US$23 million frame agreement with KaR-Tel, Kazakhstan's second largest mobile operator, for the supply of an end-to-end mobile solution. As a result, the mobile operator's transmission capacity will increase to almost one million users, while the capacity of the wireless network is to be doubled. Under the terms of the agreement, Alcatel will supply KaR-Tel with a complete Base Station Subsystem (BSS), an Operation and Maintenance Center and the full Evolium Toolchain. It also includes the extension of the core network sub-system (NSS) and a GPRS Core solution. Furthermore, Alcatel will provide power supply units, microwave links and associated antennas, cables and installation materials.

Alcatel will manage the global project from the first stages of implementation, taking responsibility for installation and integration, network testing and commissioning as well as the associated training of KaR-Tel's staff. The operator plans to start commercial operation in Almaty with the new Alcatel equipment in October 2003. By the end of 2003, further commercial service operating under the brand names 'K-Mobile' and 'Excess' is planned in six of the country's major cities."

Posted to the site on 26th September 2003