access provider in Italy, as prime supplier for building and maintaining a nation-wide wireless broadband network based on WiMAX 802.16e-2005 (Rev-e) technology. This first nationwide commercial WiMAX network in Italy will be one of the largest WiMAX networks in Europe.The first 130 sites will be deployed by Alcatel-Lucent in Puglia and Veneto Regions.

“Our strategy is to bring broadband rapidly all over Italy,  as we want to help develop economic activities, improve our citizen’s quality of life and reach underserved areas,” said Mario Citelli, ARIA’s CEO. ”We chose Alcatel-Lucent as our technical partner and we are launching our commercial offer at the same time. This agreement will enable us to offer high quality services, thanks to Alcatel-Lucent’s large scale project management capabilities and its quick-to-deploy wireless WiMAX.”

This new network will enable ARIA to provide municipalities, businesses, small office/home office (SoHo) and residential users with high-speed access to the Internet as well as advanced broadband multimedia services, such as video streaming. In a second phase of the project, ARIA plans to introduce voice over IP (VoIP) and virtual private network (VPN) services.

“Alcatel-Lucent is fully committed to helping ARIA in its strategy to bridge the digital divide in Italy, providing broadband connections to people that have long been underserved, in turn promoting the economic and social development of these communities,” added Pierre Barnabé, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s activities in France, Iberia & Italy. “This contract illustrates how WiMAX Rev-e technology has moved into a new phase of commercial maturity, and offers an attractive, economical way for service providers to deliver broadband services.”

In the framework of the contract, Alcatel-Lucent will act as network integrator with a wide range of services such as network planning and engineering, site & technology implementation to provide a turnkey WiMAX Rev-e solution, including base stations, wireless access controllers, backhaul transport microwave equipment as well as an operations and maintenance center (OMC).

About ARIA

ARIA S.p.a., founded in 2005, became one of the most important Italian WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider) in only 2 years. In October 2007, thanks to new partners entry and new company structure, Aria became more competitive. In January 2008, Aria won the auction of the WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) 3.5GHz radio frequencies in all Italian regions.

Information Source:    Alcatel-Lucent