Alcatel-Lucent signs $1 billion agreement with world's largest mobile phone operator China Mobile

17 June 2008

China and India have been acknowledged the fastest growing nations of mobile phone subscribers, and hence, the announcement by French telecommunications equipment giant Alcatel-Lucent that it has signed a $1 billion agreement with China Mobile to provide mobile communication equipment and services should not come as a surprise.

Incidentally, China Mobile is the world's largest mobile phone operator ranked by number of subscribers, with over 380 million customers. In terms of revenue, it comes second only to global giant Vodafone, which owns 3.3 per cent of the former.

Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide mobile communication equipment and services. The contract was secured through Alcatel Shanghai Bell based in China.

Alcatel-Lucent will provide China Mobile with mobile core network solutions, wireless network solutions, TD-SCDMA equipment, applications, transmission and IP router equipment and the related services.

These products and solutions are expected to enhance China Mobile's network capacity and performance to help China Mobile provide high-quality services for its end-users.

"The strategic frame agreement with China Mobile reinforces Alcatel-Lucent's position as a trusted partner, as China Mobile relies upon our network solutions and services to meet their growing demand for mobile and now fixed services and in advancing China's telecommunication industry," Alcatel Shanghai Bell president Olivia Qiu said in a statement.