Kyivstar selects Alcatel-Lucent for all-IP network transformation in Ukraine

Kiev, Ukraine, Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has been selected by Kyivstar GSM, the largest operator in Ukraine, to design, install, and maintain a country-wide Metropolitan transmission packet based IP/MPLS network as part of its larger IP network transformation.

Alcatel-Lucent will deliver its next generation solution that will enable Kyivstar to pave the way for a fully converged IP network and support its evolution to possible 3G and LTE networks. With this Alcatel-Lucent-powered all-IP network Kyivstar will also be able to offer innovative IP services such as IPTV and enhanced communications services to both its residential and enterprise customers with maximum quality of service while realizing CAPEX and operational savings due to the efficiencies of IP-based technology.

“We will benefit from Alcatel-Lucent‘s worldwide experience in network transformation and state of the art IP networking technologies to smoothly and rapidly migrate to an all IP infrastructure,” said Alexander Dorofiy, Kyivstar Deputy CTO. “Alcatel-Lucent’s solutions and services give us the business and technology tools we need to compete and to offer subscribers a full scope of converged services.”

“By converging all services over a unified IP-based infrastructure, Kyivstar can build new revenue streams as well as customer loyalty while creating the platform to deploy next generation mobile technologies, such as 3G and LTE, as well as the advanced IP services that run over them,” said Alexander Tikhonov, Head of Alcatel-Lucent business in CIS.

Alcatel-Lucent will supply products from its industry leading Service Router (SR) portfolio including the 7750 SR, 7210 Service Access Switch and the 5620 Service Aware Manager to address the access, aggregation and core network layers. To offer a full end-to-end solution, Alcatel-Lucent will also supply its next generation Enterprise product, the Omni Switch 6250, to deliver residential access and 3G backhauling. Alcatel-Lucent will also provide professional services.

The network transformation will be performed in two phases: phase one will cover the needs of end-users services (HSI, VoIP, IPTV) and up-coming 3G mobile traffic. During the second phase 2G traffic will be gradually moved from SDH to the converged IP network.

Over 270 service providers in more than 100 countries around the world have selected the Alcatel-Lucent IP/MPLS portfolio as key elements of their IP transformation. According to Ovum RHK, Alcatel-Lucent holds the #2 position in the IP/MPLS Edge market segment.

The national mobile communications operator Kyivstar – the leader of Ukrainian mobile market, provides services for 21,9 million subscribers (as of 01.12.09). Kyivstar network covers all the cities and towns and more than 28 thousand rural settlements, all main national and regional roads, most of the sea and river shores of Ukraine. Kyivstar provides EDGE/GPRS services all over its coverage territory in Ukraine. In total for contract subscribers Kyivstar provides roaming services in 195 countries on 5 continents. Kyivstar provides Ukrainian people with modern telecommunication technologies at affordable prices.

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 16.98 billion in 2008 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris.

Source: Alcatel-Lucent