PARIS, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has been selected by Telefonica, one of the world's leading communications service providers, to upgrade the operator's Internet protocol (IP) networks, initially in Argentina and the Czech Republic, with one of the industry's most powerful core network routers, the Alcatel-Lucent 7950 Extensible Routing System (XRS).

This agreement makes Telefonica one of the first service providers in the world to deploy the recently announced core router. This comes as Telefonica prepares for the explosive growth in data traffic expected over the next decade with the rapid uptake of smartphones, tablets and bandwidth-hungry services such as video and gaming. Following the deployment Telefonica will have a high-capacity IP network in these markets to support all of its service offerings, including fixed and mobile broadband and IPTV.

Enrique Blanco, Telefonica's Global Chief Technology Officer said: "This collaboration with Alcatel-Lucent is part of a far-reaching network modernization effort which will give us one of the most powerful and efficient IP networks. In order for us to dramatically increase our network capacity and intelligence to address our customers' fast evolving demands we needed the support of a new, truly disruptive solution. The Alcatel-Lucent XRS met this requirement."

Rapidly rising demand for online video and data is being driven by smartphones, tablets, connected TVs and other devices, and enabled by faster wireless, fiber and copper broadband access networks. These dynamics are prompting network operators such as Telefonica to increase capacity upgrades in the core of their networks, while also increasing intelligence and capability at the edge. At the same time, the emergence of cloud-based services and personalized content is driving the need for more flexibility in these networks to quickly adapt to the requirements of consumers and businesses.

Federico Guillen, President Alcatel-Lucent Spain and Global Account Manager for Telefonica said: "We are gratified that Telefonica has turned to Alcatel-Lucent to play such an important role in the transformation of their IP networks around the world. With the introduction of the 7950 XRS core router, our IP portfolio offers truly best-in-class capabilities across the board, and we look forward to the opportunity to take Telefonica's IP network to the next level." 

Alcatel-Lucent's technology solution for Telefonica

For the deployment Alcatel-Lucent is supplying Telefonica with its new 7950 XRS family - based on the 400G FP3 chipset – which brings a huge boost in capacity, efficiency and flexibility to the heart of IP networks, while slashing power consumption and total cost of ownership. Representing a new generation of IP core routers, the 7950 XRS is based on a compact, highly efficient system design that is built with the future in mind. The 7950 XRS family supports five times the density of today's core routers and, using the latest techniques in silicon and system design, slashes power consumption by 66 percent compared to typical core routers.

Telefonica also will benefit from a common operating system (SR OS) across the Alcatel-Lucent router portfolio - a highly available, feature-rich and field-proven software infrastructure that is trusted by more than 450 service providers worldwide. The solution also features a common network management system – the 5620 Service Aware Manager (SAM) – offering seamless support across the 7950 XRS family and the Service Router portfolio.

About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)

The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leading innovator in the field of networking and communications technology, products and services. The company is home to Bell Labs, one of the world's foremost research centers, responsible for breakthroughs that have shaped the networking and communications industry. Alcatel-Lucent was named one of MIT Technology Review's 2012 Top 50 list of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" for breakthroughs such as lightRadio™, which cuts power consumption and operating costs on wireless networks while delivering lightning fast Internet access. Through such innovations, Alcatel-Lucent is making communications more sustainable, more affordable and more accessible as we pursue our mission - Realizing the Potential of a Connected World.

With operations in more than 130 countries and one of the most experienced global services organizations in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The Company achieved revenues of Euro 15.3 billion in 2011 and is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.

For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.

SOURCE Alcatel-Lucent