Alcatel-Lucent to Deploy Powerful IP Core/Edge Router for NTT DOCOMO to Address Rapid Growth of Mobi

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is to deploy its powerful IP core/edge routing platform – the 7950 Extensible Routing System – for Japan’s largest mobile operator, NTT DOCOMO, INC., enabling it to manage rapidly rising data demand being generated by its 68 million¹-plus subscribers.

NTT DOCOMO is experiencing a dramatic increase in 4G LTE mobile service adoption which, in turn, is generating a significant increase in data traffic generated by customers. Furthermore, with the ‘Internet of Things’ taking a hold across myriad ‘things’ connecting to the network, NTT DOCOMO is expecting data traffic to expand and diversify further.

To meet these rapidly changing network demands, Alcatel-Lucent’s 7950 XRS core/edge platform will enable NTT DOCOMO to both increase the operational performance of its mobile network while reducing the cost of operations. It flexibly and dynamically expands the operator’s IP network capabilities, as customers access new technologies and content, in a smaller real estate footprint, while reducing energy consumption compared to core routing platforms deployed today.

Japan is one of the most advanced telecommunications markets in the world with a long history of early technology adoption and use of multimedia applications. 

In 2016 it will commence test broadcasts of 8K-resolution television services, and will host a major global sporting event in 2020, for which NTT DOCOMO plans to launch commercial 5G services. Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has also predicted that data traffic will double year-over-year², resulting in a thousandfold increase between now and 2020.

Key Facts:

• Deployment of the 7950 XRS core/edge router strengthen a long-standing relationship between Alcatel-Lucent and NTT DOCOMO, particularly in the supply of IP technology, having provided the 7750 Service Router series and 7450 Ethernet Service Switch for the Border GateWay Router and Radio Access Network Switch projects.
• Alcatel-Lucent’s 7950 XRS is deployed in every major region and with more than 50 customers. Hosting a suite of powerful core and edge routing capabilities, it delivers scale, efficiency and versatility without compromise for applications including IP core network evolution, metro core, and datacenter interconnectivity.
• The 7950 XRS is based on Alcatel-Lucent’s Service Router Operating System (SROS) which is the foundation for a consistent, simplified and reliable operating environment across Alcatel-Lucent’s entire IP portfolio.
• 7950 XRS supports the move to network virtualization and enables the network automatisation and the cost efficiency improvement.

Quotes:

Kazuo Sugiyama, Managing Director of Core Network Development Department, NTT DOCOMO said: “Customer demand for data continues to accelerate and we are committed to providing the best service experience for every one of our subscribers. Alcatel-Lucent has proven the performance of its IP routing technologies and its IP core/edge router will allow us to increase performance even as that demand continues in the future.”

Nicolas Bouverot, President of Alcatel-Lucent Japan said: “NTT DOCOMO is a company that is well-known for its emphasis on quality and reliability to offer the most innovative services to customers. As such, we are very pleased to be able to deliver our powerful IP core/edge router to help NTT DOCOMO support the increasing mobile traffic and the introduction of 5G.”

¹ Source: Telecom Carriers Association, September 2015

² Source : Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications​