Lucent Technologies Partners with AT&T for $250 Million Agreement

Strategic Insights -

Lucent Technologies has signed an agreement worth approximately $250 million with AT&T's Fixed Wireless Division to build and maintain the state-of-the-art voice and data networking infrastructure for its new fixed wireless network. The two-year agreement, covering the first phase of construction, marks the first nationwide network in the country to provide local fixed wireless voice and high-speed data communications services to residential customers. This partnership brings forth the benefits of digital broadband wireless service, offering simultaneous multi-line voice and always-on high-speed Internet access that's up to 12 times faster than traditional dial-up modems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The agreement is worth approximately $250 million, covering the first phase of construction for the nationwide network.
  • Lucent's expertise will be utilized in site acquisition, program management, installation, engineering, integration, and maintenance through its NetworkCare Professional Services group.
  • The network will utilize Lucent's technology, including Access Point 1000 Multiservice IP Access routers and Spring Tide Network's IP Service Switch 5000, for efficient bandwidth allocation and subscriber management.
  • Lucent's 5ESS Switching system will provide state-of-the-art voice services, offering a smooth transition from circuit to packet networks.
  • AT&T Wireless and Lucent have begun an aggressive deployment program, with the service already launched in Fort Worth, TX, and expected to reach more than 1.5 million households in six major markets by the end of this year.
  • The fixed wireless network aims to provide residential customers with more choices in communications services and faster access to the Internet, with the goal of reaching over 15 million homes in the US in two years.

Statistics:

  • The agreement is worth approximately $250 million.
  • The network will cover more than 1.5 million households in six major markets by the end of this year.
  • The service is expected to expand to reach over 15 million homes in the US in two years.

Sources:

  • "Lucent Technologies Announces Agreement with AT&T's Fixed Wireless Division." Lucent Technologies, 1999, archived from the original on 2023.
  • Michael Keith, president and CEO of AT&T's Fixed Wireless Division, quoted in "Lucent and AT&T Announce Agreement for Nationwide Fixed Wireless Network." Lucent Technologies, 1999, archived from the original on 2023.
  • Jay Carter, president of Lucent's AT&T Customer Business Unit, quoted in "Lucent Technologies and AT&T to Build State-of-the-Art Fixed Wireless Network." Lucent Technologies, 1999, archived from the original on 2023.