In a significant contract win, Lucent Technologies Inc. will provide MmO2 with UMTS gear, including packet technology and services for voice and data.
Many industry watchers had counted out Lucent as a UMTS contender in Europe, and the announcement reinforces the view that the move to packet technology is forcing operators to re-examine their third-generation contracts, which are mostly memorandums of understanding and letters of intent.
MmO2 also has signed deals with Nokia Corp., Nortel Networks and L.M. Ericsson. The Lucent deal is a three-year commitment valued at $45 million and covers Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
“We selected Lucent because they offered a high level of technological capability and experience, cost-effective solutions and the ability to offer us ongoing support and expertise as we carry out this project,” said Dave Williams, group chief technology offer at MmO2.
