CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A technology and IP backhaul solution is included in deployment
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) and Alcatel-Lucent announced an agreement today valued at more than USD $30 million for equipment, services and software to upgrade Shenandoah Personal Communications Company’s network in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The network upgrade includes the deployment of third-generation (3G) CDMA2000® 1xEV-DO Revision A (Rev. A) technology, which will enable Shenandoah Personal Communications Company, a Sprint PCS Affiliate of Sprint Nextel, to provide an enhanced mobile data customer experience. This upgrade will give Shentel’s PCS customers increased data capacity and speed for faster uploads and downloads, as well as new, enhanced mobile broadband data services, including mobile video telephony, high-quality music, and other multimedia applications. To further expand voice and data coverage and capacity throughout the network, Shentel also will deploy new cell sites in the upgraded network and increase existing cell site capacity.
“Advances in technology are moving faster than ever before, and Shentel is committed to continuing to provide customers the progressive telecommunications services they need and expect,” said Chris French, President of Shentel. “With this upgrade to our network, we will be able to give our customers access to some of the most advanced wireless technology available today, technology that will provide unequalled quality and reliability for both their voice and data communications.”
In addition, Shentel will deploy Alcatel-Lucent’s IP backhaul solution throughout their network to increase network capacity and reduce operational expenses. Installation, engineering, and network integration work will be done by Alcatel-Lucent.
“Alcatel-Lucent has been a key infrastructure provider to Shentel and this agreement underscores the confidence they have in us to help lay the groundwork for an all-IP network in the future,” said Phillip Rosenthall, vice president of sales for Alcatel-Lucent.
EV-DO Rev. A continues the evolution of CDMA2000 technology, bringing increases in efficiency, data speeds, and capacity to existing CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO networks.
About Shenandoah Personal Communications Company
Shenandoah Personal Communications Company is the exclusive provider of wireless mobility communications network products and services on the 1900 MHz band from Harrisonburg, Virginia, to Harrisburg, York and Altoona, Pennsylvania. Shenandoah PCS has offered wireless service since 1995 and currently is a Sprint PCS Affiliate of Sprint Nextel.
About Shenandoah Telecommunications Company
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (NASDAQ: SHEN) is a diversified telecommunications holding company that, through its operating subsidiaries, provides both regulated and unregulated telecommunications services to end-user customers and other communications providers in the southeastern United States. The Company offers a comprehensive suite of voice, video and data communications services based on the products and services provided by the Company’s operating subsidiaries.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprise and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data, and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed, mobile, and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work, and on the move. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The company has the most experienced global services team in the industry, and one of the largest research, technology, and innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 17.8 billion (as of today, about USD $26.2 billion) in 2007 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris.
For more information, please visit their website: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com