Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced a 10 years contract with the Federal Agency for Digital Radio of Security Authorities and Organisations (BDBOS) to operate the digital voice and data communication system for all security authorities and organizations within the Federal Republic of Germany: the police forces of the Federation and the Bundesländer, fire brigades and rescue services, Technisches Hilfswerk (THW, Federal Agency for Technical Relief), customs authorities and intelligence services.
The BOS (Behörden und Organisationen mit Sicherheitsaufgaben) digital radio network, expected to have some 500,000 users, is considered to be the largest of its kind in the world. It is of central importance for the country and its people as it is set up to ensure inter-authority communication both in daily operations and for crisis and emergency situations. Its failure or functional impairment would lead to severe communication bottlenecks, significant disruption of public security or other dramatic consequences.
Alcatel-Lucent will leverage its expertise in network operations and its experience in modernizing public safety networks operating this critical infrastructure over the next 10 years ensuring its constant availability.
Thus, Alcatel-Lucent has established a dedicated company (Alcatel-Lucent Digitalfunk Betriebsgesellschaft mbH) domiciled in Berlin. Beginning April 1st, this subsidiary will manage the transition from the current system supplier temporarily operating the network in roll-out. From July 1st subject to the most stringent security requirements employed, Alcatel-Lucent’s subsidiary will be fully responsible for the regular operations of the whole infrastructure.
Alcatel-Lucent will be responsible for the operation of the nationwide public safety network composed of base stations, switching centers and network administration centers. This network is based on the professional TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) mobile communication standard. The company will also be responsible for testbed operations and will support the tactical-operational needs of the control centers directly managed by the Bundesländer.
Alcatel-Lucent will closely work with two partners: IBM Deutschland GmbH, providing and operating the IT system ínfrastructure, and Industrieanlagen-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH (IABG) responsible for security management.
"This contract is a major step for Alcatel-Lucent in the public safety sector. We are committed to provide the excellence that such a reliable, mission critical network requires. We will make the most of our extensive experience in the security network area which, combined with our track record in managing large and complex networks, ensures this public-private partnership benefits to the German citizens," said Alf Henryk Wulf (photo), head of Alcatel Lucent’s activities in Germany.
About the Federal Agency for Digital Radio of Security Authorities and Organisations (BDBOS)
The task of the BDBOS is to set up, operate and ensure the operability of a digital voice and data communication system for the police forces of the Federation and the Länder, fire brigades and rescue services, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, customs authorities and intelligence services.The Federal Agency guarantees the nationwide uniformity of the new radio system that is based on the TETRA standard, which is step by step replacing the technically obsolete analogue radio network. Under the strategy for the introduction of BOS digital radio pursued by the Federation and the Länder, the BDBOS is responsible for the overall coordination of this modernisation project.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted transformation partner of service providers, enterprises, strategic industries such as defense, energy, healthcare, transportation, and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 15.2 billion in 2009 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
