Libya Telecom Technology Selects Alcatel-Lucent to Build Libya´s First WiMAX Rev-e Network

PARIS, May. 05 /PRNewswire/ --

PARIS, May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alcatel-Lucent today announced that it has been awarded a contract by LTT (Libya Telecom and Technology), the national Internet Service Provider in Libya, to deploy the first commercial WIMAX network based on the 802.16e-2005 WiMAX standard, in Libya. LTT plans to launch the commercial service on the network in September 2008.

The new network will support voice over IP (VoIP) and high-speed internet access, enabling the delivery of advanced broadband multimedia services, such as video streaming, through a variety of end-user including modems and WiMAX terminals. It will also accommodate stationary, nomadic and mobile applications and complement the carrier's existing fixed-based broadband services.

Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide a complete WiMAX infrastructure solution, including the radio access network, microwave backhaul and IP routers and will deploy around 120 sites in a first phase. LTT has an aggressive schedule for additional deployments.

"We want to provide our residential and business customers a wide range of beneficial, easy-to-use wireless broadband services," said AbdulMajeed Husain the Planning and Projects department Manager of LTT. "Alcatel-Lucent's WiMAX solution will enable us to better serve customers in major urban centers such as Tripoli. Alcatel-Lucent's unique expertise and ability to set up a wireless broadband network quickly and economically will enable us to begin offering these new services to our customers in just a few months."

Alcatel-Lucent's solution offers a cost-effective way to augment wireline deployments in emerging market countries.

"In economies such as Libya, our WiMAX solution is a valuable tool for rapidly and cost-effectively increasing penetration of high-speed Internet access," said Philippe de Jarnieu Chomel, Alcatel-Lucent's Vice President for the Mediterranean, West & Central Africa. "In addition to being able to offer new revenue-generating services, LTT will benefit from additional operational efficiencies because this solution offers one of the most advanced technologies in terms of radio frequency management."

Thanks to Alcatel-Lucent's Open CPE (customer premises equipment) Program, the infrastructure supports a wide range of terminals from various terminal equipment partners. This program is designed to promote an open device ecosystem, ensuring that customers have access to the widest possible range of interoperable end-user devices at attractive pricing.

With 24 commercial contracts and more than 70 trials around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is the undisputed leader in the WiMAX market.

Alcatel-Lucent's Universal WiMAX solution integrates the latest technological innovations, such as "beam forming"* and MIMO**. Beam forming enables a service provider to dramatically reduce the number of radio sites needed to provide coverage - in some instances by as much as 40 percent - while reducing interference and ensuring better indoor penetration of the radio signal. MIMO helps make radio links more robust, nearly doubling the capacity delivered in dense urban environments.

About WiMAX:

WiMAX (802.16e-2005) stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It enables Voice and Broadband connectivity for fixed, nomadic or mobile use in urban, suburban and rural areas. For more information about WiMAX: please visit http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/wimax.

* "Beam forming" is an Advanced Antenna Technology (AAT) that ensures that radio power is concentrated where the WiMAX terminals are, adjusting the beam automatically as the terminals move around the coverage area.

** "MIMO" (Multiple Input - Multiple Output) is an Advanced Antenna Technology (AAT) that combines the radio signals transmitted and received on separate antennas. The technique takes advantage of the multiple paths and reflections of a radio signal to strengthen radio communications, particularly in densely populated areas where signals can be degraded by buildings and other physical obstacles.

About LTT

Libya Telecom and Technology, welcome to Libya's gateway to world of Communications & Internet. LTT is the pioneer of Libyan companies working in the field of Internet and communications and information technology, and that's ever since 1997 when the company began undergoing various scientific studies to lay down the foundations for a number of projects in the field of communications and information technology. For more information visit Libya Telecom and Technology website: http://ltt.ly

About Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work and on the move. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The company has the most experienced global services team in the industry, and one of the largest research, technology and innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 17.8 billion in 2007 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com