Lucent said it has signed a new network integration and program management contract with KPN to manage the deployment and integration of KPN's All IP Next Generation Network (NGN), based on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) service architecture.
As part of the agreement, Lucent will take responsibilities in the migration of KPN's existing services and customers to the new All IP network to meet KPN's announced marketing objectives.
KPN's All IP network will be deployed across The Netherlands and will support the introduction of new advanced 'triple play' multimedia services, while meeting a targeted multi-hundred-million annual cost savings by the year 2010.
KPN has earlier announced that it will be spending between Euros 1 to 1.5 billion on its All IP program. Following the successful migration of customers and services, the legacy networks and buildings will be phased out.
'We have given the prime multi-vendor integration role to Lucent because of its intimate knowledge of the KPN network and proven multi-vendor services capabilities,' said Eelco Blok, Board Member of KPN and responsible for the Fixed Division.
'This is one of the world's first major Network Transformation projects that includes a transition of legacy voice services to a next generation broadband IMS based network, and also includes a major overhaul of the access network,' said John Meyer, President, Lucent Sales and Services organisation. 'This agreement is a strong endorsement of our ability to help customers transform their networks and of Lucent's strength as a provider of managed and professional services.'
In support of KPN's network transformation, Lucent will be establishing a new Next Generation Network Transformation Global Center of Excellence (CoE) in The Netherlands to deliver services focused on complex network migration challenges. The center will serve KPN and future customers as the starting point for planning and coordinating Network Transformation and Migration projects. The CoE will utilize local and virtual support, and will include a fully functional next generation equipment laboratory. The center will also provide hands-on training, and help support the creation of methods, procedures and best practices for network transformation and migration operations.