Press release KDN selects Alcatel-Lucent for its next-generation optical transport network across Kenya and neighboring countries
Nairobi, June 17, 2009 — Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Kenya Data Networks (KDN), the leading data communications carrier in Kenya and one of the largest in Africa, have further strengthened their cooperation by signing a 3-year frame agreement valued at Euro 15 million. The agreement covers the supply, integration, installation and deployment for Alcatel-Lucent’s advanced optical networking and optical switching solutions for KDN’s transport network across Kenya and neighboring countries. The new optical network will enable KDN to significantly increase the capacity, efficiency and intelligence of its existing infrastructure to deliver advanced IP-based services to its end-users. Additionally, it will allow KDN to enhance its wholesale bandwidth offering for Kenya’s transit traffic The deployment of the Alcatel-Lucent solution, operating up to 140 Gbit/s, will start from Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city, to Nairobi, the country’s capital, and will then extend to the major links connecting Kenya with neighboring countries. By providing unprecedented data transport capacity and traffic aggregation capabilities, this new optical network will help KDN strengthen its leading position as a major transit data provider linking Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia. In addition, this network will also provide the backhaul capacity needed to transport the bandwidth made available by submarine cable networks in the region. “Our objective is to continue providing our business and residential customers with a wide range of beneficial, easy-to-use broadband latest services,” said Kai Wulff, CEO of KDN. “AlcatelLucent’s unique network expertise and the high technical competence of their local team will provide us with a cost-effective transmission solution without service interruptions; and this will enable us to offer our customers innovative services with the highest quality standards.” “Our long-term successful relationship with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) enabled us to understand their developing network needs and work together to provide the best solution to help meet Kenya’s growing Internet and mobile traffic demands,” said Vincenzo Nesci, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s business in Middle East and Africa. “The advanced flexibility, capabilities and scalability offered by our optical solutions will support KDN accomplishing its market ambitious objectives, also providing a clear migration strategy towards packet transport and intelligent networks whenever required”.
About the Alcatel-Lucent solution The Alcatel-Lucent solution is based on it 1626 Light Manager addressing operators’ demands for increased capacity, flexibility and manageability to support a faster time-to-market for a new breed of blended Internet, video and triple play services. Meeting operators’ requirements for scaling their networks from 10G to 40G seamlessly, the 1626 LM provides a unique fully-tunable and reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplex architecture, enabling operators to design, plan and operate their networks with dramatically enhanced agility For traffic backhauling, Alcatel-Lucent will also deploy its 1678 Metro Core Connect providing network simplification and seamless connectivity, while maximizing operational efficiency and reducing capital expenses,”
About Kenya Data Networks (KDN) Kenya Data Networks (KDN), a Member of Altech Group, is a Full Service, Data Communications Carrier that was licensed by the Communications Commission of Kenya in January 2003 as a Public Data Network Operator. KDN is a local company and has a stated policy to use local investors and local expertise to build world-class infrastructure in Kenya. KDN believes that we have the ability to build our own future and we are investing over US$ 300 million in that future. KDN has established itself as a leader in Commercial Leased lines, Frame Relay and Metro Ethernet based Services in the Kenyan market. KDN has laid fibre cables in Nairobi and other major cities/towns with an aim to establish the first fiber backbone for Kenya. The company at present has an international gateway license and is able to offer internet backbone and related services. Plans are also underway to have a presence beyond the borders of Kenya, provide total communication solutions to businesses and be the infrastructure provider of choice for operators and users alike. For more information, visit KDN on the Internet: http://www.kdn.co.ke/ About Alcatel-Lucent Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, AlcatelLucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 16.98 billion in 2008 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com Alcatel-Lucent Press Contacts Régine Coqueran Mark Burnworth Alcatel-Lucent Investor Relations Rémi Thomas Tom Bevilacqua Tony Lucido Don Sweeney
Tel: + 33 (0)1 40 76 49 24 regine.coqueran@alcatel-lucent.com Tel: + 32 (0)3 240 3881 mark.burnworth@alcatel-lucent.com Tel: + 33 (0)1 40 76 50 61 Tel: + 1 908-582-7998 Tel: + 33 (0)1 40 76 49 80 Tel: + 1 908 582 6153 remi.thomas@alcatel-lucent.com bevilacqua@alcatel-lucent.com alucido@alcatel-lucent.com dsweeney@alcatel-lucent.com