Today, end-users expect to run video, voice and Internet via their mobile, with applications such as video streaming, interactive gaming and high-speed Internet access. SK Telecom is facing a huge demand for new data-oriented services from all segments of the market. The deployment of Alcatel-Lucent’s hybrid mobile backhaul solution willenable SK Telecom to benefit from empowered flexibility and scalability and address its subscribers’ growing needs for advanced IP-based mobile applications on top of existing services. And the solution will also provide the high speed connectivity, network availability and backhaul capacity required by SK Telecom to enhance its customers’ experience.

Alcatel-Lucent will deploy its 1850 Transport Service Switch (TSS) implementing innovative features like T-MPLS with alignment with MPLS-TP*, to optimize traffic transport and aggregation from the base stations to the core networks. As multiple traffic types – from TDM to Ethernet to packet – are handled onto the same platform, SK Telecom is taking a significant step in network simplification for minimized operational expenditures. The 1850 TSS is part of Alcatel-Lucent’s Mobile Evolution Transport Architecture (META), the industry’s most comprehensive solution for evolving mobile backhaul networks to all-IP.

“This project with SK Telecom further endorses our customer focus and capability to closely work with them in supporting their IP network transformation,” said Sean Dolan, President, Asia-Pacific, Alcatel-Lucent. “Our pioneering packet optical transport technology offers service providers a seamless transformation path over their transport networks for maximizing end-users experience.”

*The emerging Multiprotocol Label Switching-Transport Profile (MPLS-TP) standard is meant to help carriers exploit their installed base of SONET/SDH and IP/MPLS networks to forge a seamless infrastructure. The MPLS-TP approach allows to provide service providers with the service richness of IP/MPLS and the secure, robust performance of optical transport networks.

Alcatel-Lucent

The introduction of digital technology, together with the addition of the latest information system innovations will help improve operations and will provide better service quality. Alcatel-Lucent will deploy its GSM-R solution across the entire Eurotunnel network, improving voice and data communications for operations staff and enabling better service for customers. Alcatel-Lucent will also provide a set of professional services including end-to-end integration, deployment, testing and maintenance. These solutions will facilitate the management of increasingly dense rail traffic and will further improve safety.

Jacques Gounon, chairman and chief executive officer of Eurotunnel, said: “The state of the art communications technology that we are installing in the Tunnel will help us not only to improve safety, but also to manage cross Channel traffic even more efficiently. Eurotunnel is accelerating the modernization of its infrastructure and integrating future signaling requirements in order to be able to offer a reliable service and to shape its development in a European context.”

Among the important applications enabled by the new communications system are track to train radio communications between the Railway Control Centre and the train driver, and communications recording. The interoperability provided by GSM-R is vital to the project, as Eurotunnel interacts with different rail operators and numerous countries. GSM-R is a key component of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), a European standard that ensures cross-border train control and command.

“The new communications infrastructure will enable Eurotunnel to safely accommodate the expected traffic growth in the Tunnel,” commented Tom Burns, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s enterprise activities. “In addition to its innovative transportation solutions, Alcatel-Lucent will leverage its services suite and delivery capabilities from both France and the UK to provide a highly available security network.”

Full commercial system including interoperability with on-board equipment will be ready by the end of 2012.

Eurotunnel is the leader in cross-Channel transport and provides passenger and freight services between Great Britain and France.

Eurotunnel is committed to sustainable development. Its rail service between the United Kingdom and France is environmentally-friendly, producing a significantly lower carbon footprint than maritime alternatives.

With 30 years of experience, Alcatel-Lucent is a global leader in implementing integrated communications solutions for railways. In 2009, Alcatel-Lucent has been selected for major projects in Spain, Kazakhstan, the Chinese cities of Beijing, Wuhan and Guangzhou, Sweden and Turkey. In 2008, Alcatel-Lucent was selected by the Gotthard Base Tunnel, for a major project in Switzerland. More information about Alcatel-Lucent solutions for the railway industry is available online.

Alcatel-Lucent

Founded in 1991, CNCF is an international organization dedicated to helping children in need with education, medical care, social opportunities and job placement. Since its inception, CNCF has helped more than 400,000 children through a wide variety of projects in Vietnam and Mongolia. The Social Centre for Disadvantaged Children was established to provide healthcare to underprivileged children who cannot afford treatment and therapy services. The centre has enhanced the living standards of hundreds of children over the past 19 years, and helped thousands more to be rehabilitated and recover their health.

AT&T has been supporting CNCF for five consecutive years. In 2005, AT&T donated US$10,000 to a team that conquered Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, to raise money for CNCF and to enhance its awareness. In 2006, AT&T Vietnam doubled the donation to US$20,000 to support the Educational Assistance Programme in Vietnam. Additionally, AT&T made a US$20,000 contribution to CNCF in both 2007 and 2008 to help improve the lives of impoverished children in Vietnam.

“AT&T is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives,” said Raymond Ng, AT&T Vietnam country manager. “We strive to help make the communities in which we live and work as strong and vibrant as they can be. We are honoured to continue supporting CNCF to improve the lives of underprivileged children in Vietnam.”

“CNCF is delighted to have AT&T’s ongoing financial support,” said Nicolas Pistolas, director of CNCF Vietnam. “AT&T’s support enables CNCF to continue to help more underprivileged children in Vietnam to maximise their potential, providing them with basic needs and ensuring they have access to education and vocational opportunities.“

AT&T announced the commercial launch of business in Vietnam in 2007, in collaboration with one of the country’s leading telecommunications carriers, Viettel Corp. In addition to its Hanoi office, AT&T also set up another representative office in Ho Chi Minh City in 2007 to serve the rapidly growing communication needs of its MNC customers in Vietnam.

AT&T

Communities that will see enhanced wireless coverage include, Strasburg, Toms Brook, Woodstock, Edinburg, Rileyville, Mount Jackson, Luray, Flint Hill, Linden, Markham, Chester Gap, Huntly, Hume, Fishers Hill, Cross Junction, Middletown, Star Tannery, Quicksburg, Orkney Springs, Bentonville, and Basye.

These investments complement AT&T’s recently announced 3G expansion in the central Virginia communities of Culpeper, Locust Dale, Syria, Haywood, Orange and Louisa, as well as 3G launches in Roanoke, Harrisonburg, and Blacksburg. In addition to extending mobile broadband coverage across Virginia, AT&T has added 77 cell sites in the state this year.

“Demand for wireless bandwidth while on the go is growing, whether it’s for sharing video and photos with friends, watching a movie, checking the latest scores, or listening to music on a mobile device,” said J. Michael Schweder, President, AT&T Mid-Atlantic Region. “With this expansion, our customers can continue to ride the leading edge of mobile broadband with emerging devices and thousands of mobile applications.”

The network extension is part of AT&T’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation and investment to deliver the benefits of smartphones and mobile broadband for customers. More smartphone customers have chosen AT&T over any other U.S. competitor, and AT&T is committed to driving continual enhancement of network capabilities to meet these customers’ ever-growing mobile broadband needs.

“Delivering dependable wireless coverage to Shenandoah Valley residents is our ultimate goal,” added Rob Forsyth, vice president and general manager for AT&T in northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. “This 3G network expansion boosts wireless experiences for consumers, helping to better connect them to work, family, and friends.”

AT&T matches its network investment with unsurpassed choice in the range of devices, services and applications compatible with its 3G network – the nation’s fastest, according to independent testing. AT&T offers a wide variety of devices from more than a dozen manufacturers, including handsets that are compatible with six different operating systems and five different e-mail applications. Our Media Mall 2.0 offers more than 90,000 content options, and customers can download additional applications over the Internet. Additionally, AT&T supports a community of more than 20,000 application developers via its devCentral portal.

Recently, AT&T announced plans to further upgrade its 3G network nationwide with HSPA 7.2 technology to deliver considerably faster mobile broadband speeds. The upgrades are planned to begin in the fourth quarter, with completion expected in 2011. Supporting this initiative is AT&T’s ongoing deployment of additional backhaul capacity to cell sites, which will support today’s unprecedented growth in mobile data traffic as well as the future demands of next-generation networks.

AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most open and widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T’s 3G network is available in more than 350 major metropolitan areas. AT&T also offers 3G data roaming in more than 185 countries, as well as voice calling in more than 215 countries.

More information about AT&T’s 3G coverage in the Front Royal area or anywhere in the United States may be found at http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/, which indicates quality of coverage based upon a street address, intersection, ZIP code, or even a landmark.

AT&T

New customers who bundle U-verse TV (U200 or higher), U-verse Internet (Pro or higher) with Wireless 450 (or higher) or U-verse Voice Unlimited will receive $200 back — which could be put toward one of this year’s most popular devices. Additional savings are available for customers who shop online at www.att.com/u-verse.

“We’re offering holiday shopping that puts a smartphone in your pocket or more in your wallet — it’s your choice,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We know shoppers have tight budgets this year, and we’re hoping to make it simple for you to put presents under the tree by giving you significant savings — just for making the switch to U-verse TV. And why wouldn’t you want to give yourself the gift of AT&T U-verse? U-verse offers an advanced Total Home DVR, more HD channels than cable, many features and apps available at no extra charge, and a sweet bundle that delivers a great value, at the time when you need it.”

For shoppers purchasing a new HDTV this holiday season, AT&T U-verse is an excellent option to get the most out of their new TV set. U-verse TV HD customers enjoy access to an extensive High Definition (HD) channel lineup with more than 110 HD channels, and can watch and manage recordings from a single DVR on any U-verse connected TV in the house with U-verse Total Home DVR. AT&T U-verse TV ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the South and West Regions Two Years in a Row,” according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 and 2009 Residential Television Service Provider Satisfaction StudiesSM.

U-verse TV also offers several advanced apps that improve the TV-watching experience, including the award-winning Multiview, which lets you view up to four channels on your TV screen at one time; and Santa Tracker, which lets families visit the North Pole to play holiday games, listen to sing-a-longs, follow Santa around the globe on Christmas Eve and more. The app is now available to all U-verse TV and High Speed Internet customers at no extra charge on channel 98 for the holiday season.

All AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet packages include wireless home at no extra cost, and access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network with on-the-go connectivity at more than 20,000 hot spot locations. Professional standard installation is included, and you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

AT&T