Alcatel-Lucent partnership connects Southern Africa and the global community

16 Nov 2012

Alcatel-Lucent and Angola Cables, a consortium of Angolan telecommunications operators, are to expand the availability of high-speed internet access and data services throughout Angola and to the rest of world.

Angola Cables is establishing a terrestrial fiber-optic link with the West African Cable System (WACS), the submarine communications network connecting the countries of West Africa with Europe. The new fiber-optic network in Angola - established using 100 gigabit-per-second (100G) optical coherent technology from Alcatel-Lucent - will support Internet services for customers of communications service providers in Angola as well as in neighboring countries, dramatically increasing internet availability in this underserved region.

The 100G network will enable the transport of vast volumes of data traffic throughout Angola, contributing to the revival of the economy in the region which has struggled to recover after decades of conflict. The new network will bring the high-capacity broadband connectivity needed for business, public sector and consumer services of all kinds.

Antonio Nunes, CEO of Angola Cables, said "Angola has already connectivity to the outside world, but this new connection to the WACS through the establishment of this 100G link, consumers and businesses in Angola and throughout the region will benefit from a dramatic increase in the availability of communications services, and stronger connections with the global community."

Daniel Jaeger, vice-president of Alcatel-Lucent Africa, added "Alcatel-Lucent is deeply committed to the vision of digital inclusion, and we are gratified by the opportunity to help bring world class communications services to the people of Angola and their neighbors. Communications networks have a vital role to play in the economic growth and social development of all countries. We are pleased to join with Angola Cables in this worthy project.

The technology being supplied

Alcatel-Lucent is supplying Angola Cables with 100G next-generation coherent technology, supported by the 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS). Designed to address booming demand for bandwidth, driven by video streaming, web applications and cloud services, Alcatel-Lucent 100G technology offers exceptional performance, resilience and reliability in existing and 'greenfield' optical transmission networks.

The 1830 PSS is a key element of the Alcatel-Lucent High Leverage Network (HLN) architecture, which is designed to provide massive capacity while slashing transport costs and dramatically reducing operational complexity in core networks.