Alcatel-Lucent announced it is deploying a 3G/HSPA network for Bouygues Telecom in four of the mobile carrier's operational regions in France. The network will enable Bouygues Telecom to offer its customers high-speed wireless Internet access and advanced services such as high-definition video-on-demand.

Under the five-year agreement, Alcatel-Lucent is responsible for installation and deployment of UMTS/HSPA (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service/ High Speed Packet Access) solutions. The solution encompasses the Alcatel-Lucent Radio Access Network solution, management and associated installation services.

"This UMTS/HSPA deployment highlights the success of our acquisition of the 3G UMTS access activities of Nortel," said Alain Ferrasse-Palé, Vice President France of Alcatel-Lucent. "Alcatel-Lucent is currently supplying the three largest mobile operators in France with its 3G/HSPA solutions. This new reference consolidates our position as worldwide leader in the mobile broadband market and further confirms the value of Alcatel-Lucent's compelling technology and strategy to support its customers as they evolve their networks."

Bouygues Telecom is the third largest wireless operator in France with a nationwide GSM network, a UMTS license and more than 8 million subscribers. The 3G network being deployed by Alcatel-Lucent covers the West, South-West, North-East and Mediterranean regions.

"We want to provide our customers innovative mobile services that they can depend on and that will help them in their business and personal life," said Serge Goldstein-Desroches, Senior Vice President, Purchasing & Networks of Bouygues Telecom. "We trust in the support of a reliable partner like Alcatel-Lucent because of its experience in the 3G mobile broadband market and their ability to leverage the investment we have in our existing network to enable it to accommodate the demands of our customers for innovative, reliable and high-quality services."

The 3G/HSPA deployment reinforces the partnership between Bouygues Telecom and Alcatel-Lucent. Alcatel-Lucent already provides Bouygues Telecom with mobile backhauling of existing GSM and UMTS packet-based mobile technologies. To date, Alcatel-Lucent has deployed commercial 3G systems for more than 70 operators worldwide.