PARIS -- Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced that it will upgrade the access network of Telenet, a leading Belgian cable and data operator, in Northern Belgium. Alcatel's optical transmission solution will enable Telenet to increase its network capacity and expand its triple play service offering for enterprise and residential users in the Flanders region.

Under the terms of the existing frame-agreement, Alcatel will deploy its coarse dense wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) system, the 1692 Metro Span Edge (MSE), to support Telenet in accelerating the widespread deployment of new digital TV services. CWDM is a transport technology that provides extra capacity on optical fiber from the access part of the network to the metro area, meeting the demand for voice, data, storage and multimedia service delivery. Using Alcatel’s CWDM technology, Telenet can extend the reach of traditional broadcast and other high-speed data services to a broader set of end users.

The Alcatel 1692 MSE offers an optimized solution for the video distribution, offering drop & forward feature that enables distribution of the video signal to many sites using a single wavelength, thus reducing digital video bandwidth requirements. The new equipment will be supervised by the integrated Alcatel 1350 management suite allowing operators like Telenet to optimize bandwidth usage to meet end-users' demands for fast and reliable broadband service rollout.

"Telenet is committed to continuously opening up new opportunities for its business and residential customers to enjoy reliable broadband services,“ said Piet Spiessens, Vice-President Network and Application Services of Telenet. "Leveraging Alcatel’s global leadership and expertise in optical networking, we will be well positioned to give our customers access to the most advanced services and technologies available."

"The deployment of Alcatel's CWDM technology will bring higher flexibility and reliability in Telenet network to address end-user increasing service demands" said Romano Valussi, president of Alcatel's optical network activities. “The award confirms the successful cooperation with Telenet in supporting the seamless introduction of new technological developments into its existing network.”

Alcatel SA

Telenet