Alcatel-Lucent and Dutch Network Operator OONO Deploy the First Open GPON Network in The Netherlands

PARIS - BROADBAND WORLD FORUM EUROPE - Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and “Onafhankelijke Open Network Operator BV” (OONO) have created the first gigabit passive optical networking (GPON)-based open network in The Netherlands. Alcatel-Lucent supplied the GPON technology for the network, which was configured by OONO. The network was built for the Owners Association of the Red Apple, an apartment building situated on Wijnhaveneiland in Rotterdam. The new network offers apartment owners a 1Gbps connection and a variety of next generation services. Over ninety percent of the 154 apartment owners have subscribed to the network.

“Because OONO facilitates the connection to any service provider, a truly open layer 2 network is being operated in Rotterdam. The GPON equipment of Alcatel-Lucent is perfectly suitable to operate an open layer 2 network,” explains Oscar Kuiper, CEO of OONO.

“With this first Dutch GPON network, we underline that this technology is as open as point-to-point and offers maximum choice in services and service providers,” says Adolfo Hernandez, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s activities for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Alcatel-Lucent supplies point-to-point as well as GPON technology. Both technologies have their specific areas of application. In this way, we offer our customers maximum freedom of choice, enabling them to deploy the technology which best meets the requirement of a specific project. This first GPON network in The Netherlands benefits from our successes in other countries and is going to make the most of the advantages this technology offers: lower energy consumption, less fiber, a smaller footprint and easier and more transparent management. This lowers operational cost and simplifies installation.”

Whereas it is already well established in other parts of the world, GPON is only now emerging in The Netherlands. Dutch fiber initiatives typically used to have a point-to-point approach. The main difference between the two technologies is that GPON does not require a separate connection between an exchange and each individual dwelling, as point-to-point does. The signal is divided among users through an optical splitter. These splitters are passive devices that do not need power or cooling. Therefore, a GPON solution has extremely little downtime and results in a lower operational cost because of reduced power consumption and maintenance. In addition, GPON technology is easier to install.

OONO itself takes care of the maintenance and management of the GPON network. A separate services broker, Wireless Campus, is the link between service providers and apartment owners. At present, Level Four offers fixed telephony, Intermax offers internet services and the county of Albrandswaard provides cable TV and radio. In the near future, mobile data services and security will be added.

Alcatel-Lucent’s GPON solution enables operators to address the constantly increasing need for bandwidth. Alcatel-Lucent is now involved in more than 95 FTTH projects - 80 of which are based on GPON technology. Alcatel-Lucent’s GPON customer base not only consists of leading operators (such as Verizon, France Telecom, Portugal Telecom and Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited), but also includes a considerable number of utility companies as well as municipalities and regions around the world. In the last 12 months, Alcatel-Lucent has extended its GPON customer reference list at a rate of 30%.

About OONO

OONO is an Open and independent network operator which provides connectivity between service providers and customers. Because OONO operates independent it is possible to get access to the glass fibre network of which OONO is the operator on equal and transparent conditions. Via one network connection multiple service providers can do business at the same time. This offers space for innovative services. We provide a transparent layer 2 network on privately owned fiber networks for building owners, business parks, recreational parks etc.

For more information: www.oono.nl.

About Alcatel-Lucent

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. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: www.alcatel-lucent.com

Source: Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent Press Contacts: Régine Coqueran-Gelin, Tel: +33(0)1-40-76-49-24, regine.coqueran at alcatel-lucent.com; Valérie La Gamba, Tel: +33(0)1-40-76-12-28, valerie.la_gamba at alcatel-lucent.com