Alca-Lu to build new super-fast broadband network in Tunisia

Tunisiana, the largest provider of wireless communication services in the north African country of Tunisia, has awarded a four-year contract to build, manage and maintain a high-speed wireline broadband network to Paris-headquartered equipment vendor Alcatel-Lucent.

To support Tunisiana (part of the Qtel Group of Qatar) in building its nationwide wireline access network, Alcatel-Lucent is providing a complete network solution – including designing, building, managing and maintaining the network.

Included in the package are Alcatel-Lucent’s gigabit passive optical networking (GPON) and VDSL2 broadband access products, which will provide Tunisian households with high connection speeds and reliable services.

On top of its fixed access products, Alcatel-Lucent will also provide elements of its Motive customer experience solution (CXS): the Motive Network Analyzer which ensures high-quality network performance through its advanced troubleshooting capabilities, and the Motive Home Device Manager which allows service personnel to remotely manage a wide range of broadband devices in customers’ homes.

Tunisiana plans to launch commercial services on the new network later in 2013.

Qtel increased its stake in Tunisiana earlier this month from 75 per cent to 90 per cent, paying $360m for the additional 15 per cent share – more details here.