Alcatel-Lucent has been selected by Vodacom to build a gigabit passive optical networking (GPON) solution to expand the service provider’s customer base in the enterprise and residential markets.
According to Alcatel-Lucent, the converged fibre to the home (FTTH) network enables Vodacom to provide consumers with ultra-broadband needed to access bandwidth-hungry services and applications such as online gaming and streaming video.
Vodacom will deploy Alcatel-Lucent’s end-to-end GPON solution, as well as the Motive customer experience platform to provide, according to both parties, high-quality network performance through advanced performance management capabilities across both wired lines and wireless communication devices.
According to Vodacom, it expects to reach about 150,000 homes and 100,000 businesses within the next three years.
Andries Delport, Vodacom Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO) said: “We first began talking with Alcatel-Lucent about expanding Vodacom’s business into the fixed access market five years ago. This was a significant move for us and required a great deal of consideration. Over time, the Alcatel-Lucent team was able to show that it was the right move for us and that their solution was the best for our needs.”
Willem Hendrickx, President of Alcatel-Lucent Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) concluded by stating: “This effort represents a significant and bold move by Vodacom into the fixed network space and allows them to take advantage of new, revenue-generating business models. We are excited that our technology, expertise and knowledge are helping take Vodacom to the next level of converged communications.”
Staff Writer