Oi taps Alcatel-Lucent for broadband upgrade, OTN projects

In a move to increase efficiency of services to its landline and mobile broadband customers and reduce infrastructure costs, Oi Brasil Telecom has begun implementation of a new broadband data communications network architecture using equipment from Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE:ALU). The goal is faster downloads, higher quality HD video channels, and improved voice and video calls through efficient use of all bandwidth available during peak consumption periods.

Oi's implementation of a "single edge" architecture began late last year as part of a technology partnership with Alcatel-Lucent. Deployment of Alcatel-Lucent's 7750 Service Router at the network edge enables providers to offer access network services such as mobile, broadband, IPTV, and B2B from a single platform. By eliminating the need for individual management of each type of access network, the single edge architecture helps Oi solve problems faster as well as minimize maintenance and operation costs, cutting nearly half of the equipment currently installed at Oi's IP access-network plant, Alcatel-Lucent asserts.

Implementation of the new architecture began in cities designated as priority markets, but the entire project aims to serve 167 municipalities by 2016, reaching approximately 6 million Oi broadband subscribers and more than 9,000 of the company's corporate customers.

Meanwhile, Oi and Alcatel-Lucent also are collaborating on another structural project: implementation Optical Transport Network (OTN) technology that the partners expect will increase the streaming data ability of Oi's telecommunications network backbone by 57%. The OTN deployment will leverage 100-Gbps wavelengths over 30,000 km of fiber-optic network. That project will further strengthen Oi's network backbone as it prepares to meet the growing data consumption.

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