Alcatel-Lucent Wins $38m WANA Network Upgrade Deal

France-based Alcatel-Lucent has signed a two-year agreement with Morocco-based fixed and mobile services operator WANA for approximately $38m, to extend and upgrade its telecommunication network in Morocco to meet demand for advanced broadband services.

WANA offers CDMA2000-based fixed-wireless and limited mobility telephony as well as internet access, and plans to move into the nationwide cellular mobile telephony market this year.

Alcatel-Lucent’s wireless transmission will support data and time-division multiplexing (TDM) services. It will supply its 9500 MXC high-capacity platform supporting a range of applications including DSL and WiMAX backhauling, 9400 AWY system for microwave links, 9600 LSY long-distance and high-capacity transmission system, and 1350 management software suite to supervise all components.

Alcatel-Lucent said that the network extension will enable WANA to offer broadband internet access in remote areas and broaden its customer base, which currently includes more than 1 million subscribers.

“This new contract further strengthens our cooperation with WANA and our local presence as a key telecom supplier in Africa and the Middle East,” said Frederic Rose, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s business in Europe, Africa, and Asia.