Qatar-backed cellco Tunisiana has signed a four-year contract with French-US vendor Alcatel-Lucent to roll out a nationwide fixed broadband access network. The deal will see Alca-Lu design, build, manage and maintain the network, which is due to become operational in 2013. The network will be based on GPON and VDSL2 technology and Alca-Lu will also provide its Motive Network Analyzer and Motive Home Device Manager to ensure high quality performance and advanced troubleshooting options.
Hatem Mestiri, CTO of Tunisiana added: ‘Our mobile customers have come to expect a very high level of service quality and innovation. As we considered the challenges of building and managing a wireline network, we sought a solution that is as efficient as possible and keeps complexities to a minimum.’
As noted by TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Tunisiana was awarded a combined 3G and fixed licence in May this year and went on to launch a W-CDMA/HSPA+ network in July. At launch, local reports claimed that by virtue of its use of both the 900MHz and 2100MHz bands, indoor coverage of Tunisiana’s network was noticeably better than its two established rivals Tunicell and Orange Tunisia.