Submarine cable

Alcatel is to deploy a new, turnkey submarine cable network for Orascom Telecom, the largest GSM network operator in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

Scheduled for service in the second half of 2005, the new submarine cable network will connect Marseille in France to Algiers and Annaba in Algeria, spanning nearly 1,300 km, improving the connectivity between Algeria, European and all international networks.

Alcatel and Orascom Telecom have worked together in the past to deploy several GSM networks and the first broadband EDGE (Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution) services ever provided in the African continent.

Under the terms of the new contract, Alcatel will install its submarine line terminal and Optical Multi-Service Node equipment at the cable network's landing points. The deployment will also enable Orascom Telecom to benefit from new bandwidth for backhauling regional mobile traffic.

Both the submarine and terrestrial equipment will be managed by Alcatel's 1350 management suite, which will monitor network operations. Additionally, Alcatel will provide marine and terrestrial installation, commissioning and integration, as well as training services.