Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has selected Alcatel-Lucent to conduct an end-to-end LTE trial, to begin in the second half of 2010. Alcatel-Lucent has said that it will be leveraging its LTE expertise to provide an end-to-end integrated solution including LTE base stations (eNodeBs), the evolved packet core, IP service routing network elements as well as operation, administration and maintenance systems. Alcatel-Lucent will also provide a range of professional services including project management, planning, installation, integration and commissioning, and testing. Zeyad Al-Otaibi, vice president for networks at STC, said: “As a major operator, STC is committed to providing its customers superior service. It is clear to us that LTE has evolved to being more than just a promising technology. As STC and Alcatel-Lucent are both on the edge of innovation, we are confident that this trial will help us fulfill our customers' needs for innovative mobile broadband services.” The STC deal follows a similar agreement between Alcatel-Lucent and French mobile operator, SFR, to expand and upgrade the latter's 2G and 3G mobile networks, as well as conduct LTE trials. Alcatel-Lucent recently unveiled its next-generation wireless platform. The equipment maker's Ultimate Wireless Packet Core is a range of products designed to help operators migrate their 2G and 3G networks to 3G LTE.
