Verizon Wireless deploys Alcatel-Lucent’s small cells to help boost 4G LTE coverage in dense high-traffic environments

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced the deployment of its small cell solutions in the Verizon Wireless network.  The Alcatel-Lucent small cells are being deployed in indoor and outdoor locations to help ensure subscribers have the LTE coverage and capacity they demand at popular outdoor venues and in dense metropolitan areas.

Small cells are a critical component of LTE ultra-broadband deployments as they enable operators to boost coverage and capacity in busy areas such as shopping malls, sports stadiums and high-traffic areas. By bringing the connection closer to the end user, small cells assure an exceptional mobile ultra-broadband experience including enriched multimedia services wherever consumers are located.

Verizon Wireless’ deployment of Alcatel-Lucent’s small cells solution is a primary example of an industry transformation in network architecture that will include large scale integration of small cells as part of a heterogeneous network (Hetnet).

Key Facts:

• Verizon Wireless is deploying small cells to enhance localized capacity and coverage, such as in a business district or stadiums where traffic can be highly concentrated.
• Alcatel-Lucent is supplying Verizon Wireless the lightRadio™ 9764 Metro Cell Outdoor (MCO) and the 9768 Metro Radio Outdoor (MRO) products as well as its 5620 SAM (Service Aware Manager) that provides end-to-end network and service management across all domains.
• Alcatel-Lucent’s small cell portfolio has over 65 commercial contracts, in more than 45 countries, with over 20 ongoing trials.
• This selection of Alcatel-Lucent reinforces their leadership as a specialist in IP Networking and Ultra-Broadband Access, and underscores the company’s capabilities in advanced networking and access technologies.

Quotes:

Mike Haberman, Vice President-Network Technology for Verizon Wireless, said: “For Verizon, small cells are part of a balanced approach to deliver network coverage and capacity so that our customers receive the rich user experience they have come to expect from us.  Alcatel-Lucent’s small cells enable us to strategically add coverage and capacity to high-traffic and hard-to-reach areas, both indoors and outdoors.”

Steve Marino, Vice President of Alcatel-Lucent’s Verizon Customer Team, said: “We are pleased to be working with Verizon Wireless whose leadership has helped define the operational processes required for scaled deployment of small cells. This deployment represents not only a vote of confidence in the technology of small cells to deliver improved capacity and coverage, but also the ability of operators to overcome deployment challenges such as site selection, backhaul, and installation.”