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28th November 2003 - Alcatel announced it signed an
agreement in Italy with Pirelli to integrate the innovative
optoelectronic module developed by Pirelli Labs and
Telecom Italia Lab in its Evolium? multi-standard remote
radio units solution. This solution will reduce the
deployment costs of 3G networks while taking into account
the electromagnetic environment.
Evolving from a centralized Base Station platform architecture
to the concept of multiple distributed radio access
points all connected to one common central unit, the
Alcatel Evolium? multi-standard radio solution will
integrate the optoelectronic module developed by Pirelli
labs. It will allow a smooth physical split between
the central unit and multiple remote radio access heads
by re-using existing optical fiber transmission.
As a natural precursor of such initiatives as OBSAI*
and CPRI**, the Alcatel Evolium? multi-standard base
station architecture already integrates today a digital
interface between the Processing part and the Radio
part. This agreement is part of the Alcatel co-operation
initiated early 2003 with Pirelli, aiming at the re-use
of existing optical infrastructure in Italy for UMTS
deployment.
Integrating the "Radio over Fiber" solution of Pirelli
will provide Alcatel with a significant competitive
advantage when compared with other available solutions
in the marketplace, allowing increased cost efficiency
and easier combination of multiple access technologies
in mobile networks. In addition the Alcatel Evolium?
solution will make site acquisition easier, allowing
to re-use existing 2G sites for 3G, while simplifying
the operation and maintenance of hybrid networks.
"This solution was developed thanks to intuitions and
skill of our Labs: it's a worldwide innovation and it
represents first commercial product originating from
the laboratories," said Mr. Mauro Sacchetto, Chief Executive
Officer of Pirelli Telecom Systems. "This new optoelectronic
module, developed in strict cooperation with Alcatel,
will enable mobile operators using Evolium? solution
to benefit from more efficient equipment, that will
reduce their deployment costs and help them take into
account the electromagnetic environment of the stations."
Samy Gattegno, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Alcatel in Italy adds "This is a solution that will
allow Alcatel to help mobile operators to more flexibly
expand their 3G networks. The solution we developed
together with Pirelli provides operators with more adaptable
ways to take into account the base stations environment
when deploying their networks. It also paves the way
for future mobile networks combining multiple access
technologies."
OVUM and the main mobile operators estimated the market
of UMTS access networks in 500 million euros in the
next three years, and some of the main international
mobile operators have been interested by this new solution,
which will be available on the market in 2004.
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