KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, FTTH Council APAC, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced it has been selected by Suo Cable Net, a Japanese cable-TV operator, to design, integrate and deploy a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) solution. This new network, which will enable Suo Cable Net to begin rolling out high-speed Internet and video services this month, will be the first commercial GPON deployment in Japan.

With more than 10 million fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) subscribers, Japan is one of the most advanced countries in terms of high-speed broadband coverage. GPON technology will elevate Japan's end-user broadband experience, supporting downstream capacities of up to 2.5 Gbps. This will significantly outpace the widely used Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network (GEPON) 1 Gbps downstream bitrates, enabling much faster delivery of content and the ability to handle extremely large files such as full-length movies.

"With Alcatel-Lucent's industry-leading GPON solution, we will be able to offer our customers broadband capacities that support the delivery of high-definition TV and high-speed Internet services," said Tetsuaki Kanai, Vice President of Suo Cable Net.

Alcatel-Lucent will deploy its 7342 Intelligent Services Access Manager Fiber-to-the-User (ISAM FTTU) solution, leveraging GPON technology to multiplex video and data services onto a single fiber. This solution supports a 2.5 Gbps downstream capacity, which will enable the highest bandwidth mass-market offering, allowing the service to deliver more content at higher speeds. Alcatel-Lucent's 7342 ISAM FTTU solution is complemented by the widest range of optical network terminals (ONTs) - supporting FTTH, fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) and mobile backhaul. By selecting Alcatel-Lucent to integrate, test and manage the deployment of the network, Suo Cable will lower their deployment risk.

"We are very excited to be part of the first-ever commercial deployment of GPON technology in Japan," said Frederic Rose, President of Alcatel-Lucent's activities in Europe, Africa and Asia. "FTTH architectures are clearly the end-game of any planned or ongoing access network transformation. GPON stands out as the optimal and most cost-effective FTTH technology option - thanks to its stability, scalability, flexible management and operations, as well as its guaranteed evolutionary path. GPON will allow Japanese end-users to truly experience the power of next-generation triple-play services."

Alcatel-Lucent is engaged in more than 80 FTTx projects worldwide, over 60 of which are with GPON. Leading service providers such as Verizon, France Telecom, Neuf Cegetel, Hanaro Telecom and Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited have adopted Alcatel-Lucent's GPON solution. Alcatel-Lucent's GPON has also been selected by utility companies (a.o. NRGi Fibernet, Jönköping Energi, Bristol Virginia Utilities), municipalities (a.o. Arvidsjaur, Tidaholm (Sweden)), and regions such as Asturias (Spain).

About Suo Cable Net

Suo Cable Net is in charge of providing Cable TV services in Yanai City. Cable TV is a key measure for the city to aim the information-oriented society with better Internet connectivity and to respond demands for receiving digital TV programs which are in line with the country's "e-Japan" initiatives.

About Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprise and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work and on the move. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The company has the most experienced global services team in the industry, and one of the largest research, technology and innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 17.8 billion in 2007 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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