Alcatel-Lucent's (ALU) Chinese subsidiary, Alcatel Shanghai Bell, and Datang Mobile have been tasked to deploy half of the TD-SCDMA expansion project China Netcom is launching in Qingdao.

This win builds on another TD-SCDMA contract the two companies recently secured with China Mobile. Under the project, Alcatel Shanghai Bell and Datang will provide China Netcom with core and radio equipment to expand the TD-SCDMA network. In addition, Alcatel Shanghai Bell will provide China Netcom with intelligent network and streaming media service platforms. All macro node B and distributed node B (base station) equipment will be manufactured by Alcatel Shanghai Bell. Upon completion of the project, China Netcom will be able to provide a broad suite of advanced 3G (third-generation) services to subscribers in central business districts, government, tourist locations and sites related to the 2008 Olympic Games.

"This successful bid is another powerful testimony to the strength of our strategic partnership with Datang in TD-SCDMA," said Gerard Dega, president of Alcatel Shanghai Bell. "With our proven industrialization capability and global experience in 3G deployment, we will be able to support China Netcom in its effort to satisfy end-users with new, high-quality, next-generation mobile services."

TD-SCDMA, initially developed by Datang Mobile, is officially recognized as an international standard for third-generation mobile communications. Alcatel Shanghai Bell has made a long-term commitment to the development and promotion of TD-SCDMA within China and worldwide. In 2004, Alcatel Shanghai Bell entered into a strategic partnership with Datang Mobile to further the development of TD-SCDMA. In April 2007, Alcatel Shanghai Bell and Datang Mobile jointly announced their success in China Mobile’s TD-SCDMA trial network expansion in the cities of Shanghai and Guanghzou in China.