Alcatel-Lucent said on Monday at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that it has joined with other companies to form a consortium to encourage the development of the next generation of wireless communications technology.
Called NG Connect--the "NG" stands for "next generation"--the consortium will bring together device manufacturers with content providers, application developers, and other interested parties, the Alcatel-Lucent said.
The consortium will be looking at different next-generation technologies, such as 4G, long-term evolution (LTE), and other ultra high-bandwidth technologies, Alcatel-Lucent said in a statement.
Other companies that have joined the consortium include Samsung, HP, Buzznet, Chumby, Connect2Media, Total Immersion, TuneWiki, and Words & Numbers.
According to Alcatel-Lucent, the benefits the consortium will bring include "a seamless broadband experience" for users of mobile phones, cars, and computers. The aim is to enable users to stream more content, run more applications on the move, and communicate more easily, the company said.
Alcatel-Lucent admitted that the development of this technology would also help the network operators to make more money by helping them, and other suppliers, to "expand the revenue base."
This expansion will partly occur through the promotion of a variety of "pre-integrated" or ready-to-run systems that incorporate new applications and use new devices and software technology, the company said.
Commenting on the initiative, Tim Krause, chief marketing officer for Alcatel-Lucent, said: "The establishment of the NG Connect program is an important step in our strategy to create an open ecosystem, so that the trusted capabilities of service providers can be combined with the innovation of the Web."
Colin Barker of ZDNet UK reported from London.
Alcatel-Lucent on Friday announced a significant restructuring, including layoffs, as it tries to position itself for a post-recession future flavored with new technologies.
For both 2009 and 2010, the Paris-based telecommunications equipment maker aims to reduce its break-even point by 1 billion euros per year. But that's not likely to be easy--the company says it expects the market for the types of gear and services it provides to shrink by between 8 percent and 12 percent.
The cost-cutting entails layoffs, among a number of other steps. Alcatel-Lucent will be eliminating the jobs of approximately 1,000 managers and approximately 5,000 contractors.
It will also seek to reduce costs in the areas that include manufacturing, procurement, support, and real estate. At the same time, it plans to "enhance R&D efficiency" by focusing on four areas: optical, IP, broadband, and applications enablement.
Toward that latter point--applications--Alcatel-Lucent devoted a good chunk of its Friday press release toward matters of the Web. For example:
Alcatel-Lucent's plan is to combine the trusted capabilities of the network environment with the creative communications services of the Web (Web 2.0, Web 3.0 and beyond).
It's this Web 2.0 spin that Larry Dignan, of our sister site ZDNet, found baffling.
I have no idea what Alcatel-Lucent is talking about. Cisco talks the Web 2.0 talk, but also walks it with acquisitions like WebEx. Cisco is also deploying this Web 2.0 stuff internally (see video of Cisco CIO Rebecca Jacoby's implementation).As for Alcatel-Lucent, the vision is a bit fuzzy. Is Web 2.0 the real deal for the telecom equipment maker or just a throwaway line?
My guess is that it's the latter. After all, Alcatel-Lucent said it will shift to next generation platforms such as IP Optics, CDMA EV-DO, and "open application enablers" while consolidating its maturing product lines. Sounds a lot like the same Alcatel-Lucent to me.
Troubled Franco-American telecom Alcatel-Lucent has tapped two new top executives in a bid to turn its fortunes around, according to reports out Monday.
Patricia Russo
(Credit: Alcatel-Lucent)Philippe Camus, a former aerospace executive at EADS, will serve as the new chairman, while Ben Verwaayen, former head of BT Group PLC, will be chief executive. The Wall Street Journal said the announcement could be made as early as Tuesday morning. Alcatel-Lucent had no comment, according to the Journal.
It came as no surprise in July when Alcatel-Lucent announced that CEO Patricia Russo and Chairman Chairman Serge Tchuruk would depart later this year. Since former rivals Alcatel and Lucent started operating as a single entity in December 2006, the combined company has lost more than half its value and faces increased competition from Asian suppliers.
While Alcatel-Lucent said the two executives had stepped down of their own accord, angry shareholders had urged the shakeup for months.
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