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Alcatel today announced that it has successfully rolled out an advanced optical multi-service system for. The Alcatel optical multi-service solution enables 3 to enhance its Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) by remotely managing the equivalent of more than 3.5 million simultaneous mobile calls on a single platform. Optimizing 3's network efficiency, the project will allow for the faster delivery of innovative third-generation (3G) services, such as video.

Alcatel's optical multi-service solution will enable 3 to adapt its network capacity and flexibility. It will also allow 3 to smoothly evolve its existing mobile infrastructure by aggregating Ethernet, ATM and TDM traffic. The Alcatel solution includes its advanced Multi-Service Metro Gateway and next generation SDH Optical Multi-Service Node (OMSN) systems equipped with the Integrated Service Adapter cards. These cards enable a service provider to efficiently handle expanded data traffic.

In addition, Alcatel supplied Network Operations Center (NOC) support and a fully managed support service, which enabled 3 to maintain first class service provisioning during the initial implementation phase. Secure and cost-effective control of the transport network is guaranteed by the Alcatel 1350 management suite, a modular and highly scalable management portfolio that matches the specific operator needs in terms of transported services and network size.

"This project enhances 3's network performance and is aligned with a 'pay-as-you-grow' deployment strategy that will reduce its operational costs while minimizing the initial investment," said Romano Valussi, President of Alcatel's optical networks activities. "The new deployment consolidates the cooperation between Alcatel and 3, which builds on the successful completion of backbone and metro projects in Austria, Italy and Hong Kong."