Reliance awards Alcatel-Lucent CDMA, GSM network expansion deal

Mumbai, July 11 (UNI) In one of the largest telecom expansion plan, Anil Ambani promoted Reliance Communications today awarded a deal worth US 400 million dollars to telecom equipment major Alcatel- Lucent, to expand its wireless network to more than 20,000 towns and 60,000 villages across the country.

Commenting on the development, Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani said ''The expansion of our wireless CDMA and GSM network would further enhance our competitive edge in the telecom domain in effectievly participating in the achievement of our national teledensity.'' Reliance has set a teledensity target of 500 million by 2010.

In the framework of the contract, Alcatel-Lucent will upgrade Reliance's CDMA and GSM network with additional mobile switching centres and base station. Alcatel-Lucent will also provide a comprehensive suite network integration services, including network optimization, system support and general project management.

It may be mentioned here that just a week ago Reliance has also signed a deal with CDMA technology provider Qualcomm for the expansion of their wireless technology in rural areas.

UNI