Oi's GlobeNet and Alcatel-Lucent complete upgrade of 22,000 kilometer submarine network linking the Americas

Tuesday, Mar 09, 2010

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and GlobeNet, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oi (Bovespa: TNLP3, TNLP4, TMAR3, TMAR5, TMAR6 and NYSE: TNE), completed the upgrade of the 22,000 kilometer submarine cable system linking the United States with Latin America. This project, the second upgrade in approximately 18 months, enables GlobeNet to deliver more than 110 Gbit/s of capacity, meaning it could carry as many as 13.75 million of voice calls at one time.

GlobeNet's customers now benefit from enhanced connectivity and reliability as well as faster access to applications and services. Leveraging Alcatel-Lucent's state-of-the-art submarine technology, GlobeNet can expand its wholesale service offering to include broadband, carrier Ethernet, fixed and mobile IP-based and traditional voice services as well as applications such as hosting, video conferencing and international private line services.

In addition to the submarine sections, Alcatel-Lucent upgraded the landing points in Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza (Brazil), Maiquetia (Venezuela), St.David's (Bermuda), Boca Raton and Tuckerton, Fla. In Rio de Janeiro, the submarine network integrates with the terrestrial optical infrastructure of GlobeNet's parent company, Oi. Alcatel-Lucent also managed the installation, deployment and commissioning of the system.

'GlobeNet's commitment is to enhance the capacity and capabilities of the network to serve our customers even better with new reliable services, while leveraging the investment made in our existing infrastructure,' said Eric Contag, Chief Operating Officer, GlobeNet.

'Alcatel-Lucent continues to be a valued partner, helping us further innovate and expand our global capabilities while respecting our tight schedule requirements.'

'This network upgrade provides GlobeNet with the extra capacity needed to support advanced services, while keeping its network easy to manage,' stated Philippe Dumont, General Manager of Alcatel-Lucent's submarine network activity.

'This project further confirms our close and successful relationship with GlobeNet to assist them in offering end-users the best possible service experience.'

About GlobeNet

GlobeNet provides network transport services for carriers and service providers via the most advanced fiber-optic cable system connecting North and South America. The network spans more than 22,000 kilometers and offers a network availability of 99.99%. GlobeNet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oi (formerly Brasil Telecom) with its headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida, USA.For more information on GlobeNet please visit us on the Internet at www.globenet.net

About Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted transformation partner of service providers, enterprises, strategic industries such as defense, energy, healthcare, transportation, and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 15.2 billion in 2009 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris.

 

Source: Trading Markets