Portugal's Cabovisão chooses Alcatel's optical multi-service platform

July 25, 2005 Paris, France -- Alcatel today announced that it has signed a contract with Cabovisão, a privately-owned cable operator in Portugal, to migrate the provider's existing transport network infrastructure toward a multi-service network. The company says its optical networking platform will enable the operator to enhance the delivery of triple play services to its residential users, while offering high-speed Ethernet services to enterprises throughout the country.

The operator serves over 230,000 residential customers and 12,000 enterprises in Portugal, and says that the platform will allow it to introduce Ethernet line and Ethernet Local Area Network (E-LAN) services, as well as traditional voice services. The operator says the platform's high-speed broadband aggregation capabilities will also enable delivery of bundled, residential voice, cable TV, and high-speed Internet access services.

"Alcatel's leadership in the multi-service optical segment and its compelling vision in technology innovation were our key criteria of choice to re-tool our existing network with advanced functionality, and address the evolving needs of current customers and new markets," comments Jorge Patrício, marketing director of Cabovisão.

"Alcatel's optical technology is aligned with Cabovisão's need for a future-proof platform that enables them to further enhance broadband service delivery and end-user satisfaction," adds Romano Valussi, president of Alcatel's optical networking activities.

Based on its Optical Multi-Service Node (OMSN) systems, the company says the platform will guarantee the delivery of all services over a reliable, converged optical-data platform. The network will be managed by company's Alcatel1350 management suite.