Alcatel-Lucent Signs Network Ops Contract with BT
Alcatel-Lucent has announced a seven-year extension of its partnership
with BT to support BT's global network operations. The agreement is
aimed at further enhancing the services delivered to BT Global Services'
customers and at optimising BT's non-UK, non-IP network.
Under
the contract, Alcatel-Lucent will manage most of the legacy networks
serving BT Global Services' customers. This will enable BT to focus on
its Global 21CN Platform. The contract is built on the two companies'
Multi-Vendor Managed Services contract signed in November 2006.
"This
contract will help us to better serve our customers. BT will be free to
focus on its global 21st century platform, while Alcatel-Lucent can
concentrate on further improving standards of service for those using
our legacy networks," said Hanif Lalani, the newly appointed CEO of BT
Global Services. "BT expects to derive significant cost savings and
accelerated network optimisation over the lifetime of this contract."
"BT has
offered us a complex challenge and we are excited to be expanding our
trusted partner relationship. It draws on our strengths as a global
services player, ready to partner with its customers in their business
transformation programmes," said Andy Williams, president of
Alcatel-Lucent's Services business activities.
During
the first phase of the project Alcatel-Lucent will assume operations for
five legacy global and domestic networks in 27 countries outside the UK,
along with the BT Global Managed Platform legacy transport network.
A few
hundred BT employees will transfer to Alcatel-Lucent within the scope of
the project.
Alcatel-Lucent already operates more than 70 networks on behalf of
service providers around the world, covering more than 140 million
subscribers, says the company.
