ICE in Costa Rica Selects Lucent Technologies to Deploy MPLS And IMS-Ready
Solutions for Advanced, Value-Added Services
Solution featuring platforms from Lucent and key partners will enable ICE to rapidly
develop and launch capabilities such as voice over IP and virtual private networks
San Jose, Costa Rica -- May 10, 2006 -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today
announced that Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), the sole telecommunications
provider in Costa Rica, has awarded Lucent a contract to deploy elements of Lucent's
IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) service architecture and a Multiprotocol Label Switching
(MPLS) solution to offer next generation voice and data services. ICE initially
will use the Lucent solutions to provide voice over IP (VoIP) calling, pre-paid
services and virtual private networks targeting the international segment for both
business and residential customers.
In addition to VoIP services, ICE is preparing to offer its customers a comprehensive
set of IP-based services, including high-speed Ethernet connectivity, and the Lucent
platform will allow it to rapidly develop and launch these new value added services.
"Lucent's IMS-ready solution will help us reduce the introduction costs and time-to-market
for new services by leveraging a common applications infrastructure," said Claudio
Bermudez, ICE's Telecommunications Manager. "This initiative is part of our commitment
to continue to offer our customer advanced services in a timely and cost-effective
manner."
As part of the agreement, Lucent will supply ICE with a comprehensive solution that
includes products from Lucent Technologies and partners. Lucent Worldwide Services
will provide multivendor network integration services for the project.
"Through this portfolio, Lucent will provide a broad range of Value over IP™ solutions
designed to help ICE to introduce multimedia services that combine voice, data and
video capabilities," said Javier Falcon, regional vice president for Lucent Technologies
in Latin America.
Lucent's IMS-ready VoIP solution for ICE includes the Lucent Compact Switch, which
provides the media gateway and gateway control functions, the Lucent Feature Server,
which is an IMS compliant server that offers call session control and Class 5 telephony
applications and the Lucent Communication Manager, a next generation applications
web portal solution, and Lucent Ethernet Routers (formerly of Riverstone Networks).
Lucent's solution for ICE also includes technology from Lucent partners, including
Juniper Networks' M320 routers, Acme Packet's Net-NetŪ Session Border Controllers,
Dorado Software's RedCell™ MPLS Manager and VPN Service Center, and BayPackets'
Agility Platform. Network security features are based on the Lucent VPN Firewall
BrickŪ as well as the Lucent Security Management Server (LSMS).
The Lucent Compact Switch permits seamless interaction between IP networks and traditional
wireline and wireless networks and can serve as a building block for carriers that
choose to migrate to an the IMS architecture.
About ICE Telecomunicaciones
ICE is the sole supplier of telecommunications and energy services in Costa Rica.
It is a state entity that has distinguished itself in Central America as a leader
in the development and implementation of new technologies. It offers a wide variety
of services in Costa Rica and has several technological platforms that allow it
to diversify the service options for its customers, both
residential and corporate. Visit www.grupoice.com.
About Lucent Technologies
Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services and software that
drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and
development, Lucent uses its strengths in mobility, optical, software, data and
voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating
opportunities for its customers, while enabling them to
quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Lucent's customer base includes
communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For more
information on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in Murray Hill, N.J.,
USA, visit www.lucent.com.