Lucent nabs AT&T wireless deal

With an eye toward evolving to third generation wireless networks, AT&T last week handed Lucent Technologies a $1 billion contract. The four-year deal will allow AT&T to bolster existing markets that are experiencing strain from the popular Digital One Rate plans and build out new 1900 MHz markets.

"It's for the continued buildout of PCS markets and for some expansion within existing cellular markets," said Bill Wiberg, president of Lucent's AMPS/PCS wireless networks business.

Although much of the contract will go toward expanding AT&T's existing network, the operator chose Lucent with an eye to the future. "Our decision was not based on who could build capacity and coverage, but who could evolve the network for 3G," said Umesh Amin, director of new technology and planning for AT&T.

As part of the contract, AT&T will take advantage of Lucent's new time division multiple access (TDMA) platform, which is part of its Flexent product line. The platform is designed to allow for transition into 3G networks and will support high data rate capabilities, including general packet radio system (GPRS) and enhanced data for global evolution (EDGE).

Implementing capabilities such as EDGE and GPRS is the first phase of the evolution TDMA network operators have charted toward 3G. That move begins with a convergence of TDMA and GSM technologies.

"We've spent a lot of time over the last 12 months sharing views on how the TDMA network will evolve toward 3G," Wiberg said.

AT&T will begin to introduce the high data rate capabilities when the market is ready. "The time line is tied to how fast the market develops and matures," Amin said.

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