Zain Saudi, a leading mobile operator in the Kingdom, has signed up Alcatel-Lucent to deploy its IP/MPLS-based mobile backhaul solution to boost the telco's bandwidth requirements and transform the networks to all-IP.

The Alcatel-Lucent solution offers a converged, scalable, multi-access and all-IP network allowing dynamic service creation and delivery at the lowest cost per bit while enabling broadband accessibility to Zain Saudi subscribers, delivering service innovation, streamlining network operations and generating new revenues for the operator.

Saudi is the largest telecommunications market in the Middle East region, with growth in this sector currently estimated at about 30 per cent per annum.

A recent report by the Riyadh-based Economics Studies House, commissioned by the MTN Group, showed that the penetration rate of mobile phones in Saudi could grow from the current 32 per cent to 60 per cent by 2014, with over 20 million subscribers.

The report noted that this would not only require a rapid rollout of capacity to service almost 13 million new lines over the coming nine years, but would also require dramatic increases in network coverage and service availability to meet demand in the Kingdom.

As part of Alcatel-Lucent’s High Leverage Network architecture, the solution will offer to Zain an increased capacity at lower cost while providing the necessary service reliability and quality of experience that subscribers expect.

It will also help strengthen the ability of Zain Saudi to offer its customers the best possible quality of experience and also prepare its network infrastructure to immediately launch next generation communication and data services, said a senior official.

On the partnership, Dr Saad Al Barrak Zain Saudi CEO & managing director said, “Zain Saudi looks forward to working with Alcatel-Lucent on this important network evolution project designed not only to improve the customer experience with a reliable and stable network, but also to take our customers to the next level of mobility and beyond.”

“Through our competitive vendor selection process, Alcatel-Lucent demonstrated that they are ready to deliver innovative, cost-effective, state-of-the art technology and deliver financial value to Zain Saudi.” 

Amr El Leithy, head of Alcatel-Lucent’s activities in the Middle East and Africa said: “Through Alcatel-Lucent IP/MPLS mobile backhaul solution, Zain will dramatically simplify operations, reduce operating expenditures, as well as offer its customers the highest quality and most advanced wireless IP services.'

'Our industry-leading mobile backhaul solution, which has helped service providers worldwide transform their networks to all-IP, will enable Zain KSA to economically and efficiently upgrade its infrastructure”.

As part of this project, Alcatel-Lucent is deploying its 7750 Service Router (SR) and 7705 Service Aggregation Router (SAR) along with the Alcatel-Lucent 5620 Service Aware Manager (SAM) and the Alcatel-Lucent 5650 Control Plane Assurance Manager (CPAM).

The Alcatel-Lucent IP portfolio will make it possible for Zain Saudi to deliver scalable, evolvable, cost-efficient and fully managed IP-based transport able to adapt to the expected increase in core traffic for years to come and to the advances brought about by the introduction of fourth-generation mobile technology, said El Leithy. 

Also Zain Saudi has selected Alcatel-Lucent to provide comprehensive turnkey network-related services, including consulting, design, software integration, installation and commissioning, within the frame of this contract.-TradeArabia News Service