DEN Networks, Alcatel-Lucent join hands to launch ultra-broadband services

NEW DELHI: The Indian cable operator DEN Networks joins hands with Alcatel-Lucent to launch ultra-broadband Internet connectivity to homes and businesses using Alcatel-Lucent GPON fixed access, IP routing and aggregation technologies.

Broadband penetration in India is predominantly wireless-based today – with only 18.9 million people accessing the Internet via fixed connections – a fraction of the country’s 85 million broadband and 267 million total Internet users. Increased uptake of video is driving demand for higher speed broadband connectivity in the home and enterprises too want faster data delivery.

DEN Networks is offering services in the fast-growing broadband market, where cable and satellite pay-TV subscribers are estimated to rise to 175 million by 2019, from 139 million today. With a customer base for its cable TV service of 13 million throughout 200 cities, DEN Networks plans to use fiber-optic access technology to expand its ‘DEN Boomband’ broadband service to 8.5 million city homes within three years.

Since September 2015, Alcatel-Lucent has been deploying its GPON (gigabit passive optical networking) fiber-to-the-home, Ethernet aggregation and Broadband Network Gateway IP routing technologies with DEN Networks, delivering services to new customers as well as those already served by the existing DOCSIS-based network.

This agreement highlights Alcatel-Lucent’s growing momentum in addressing the needs of cable MSOs, a key focus of the company’s diversification strategy and marks an important commercial breakthrough for Alcatel-Lucent in the cable market in India.

“With Alcatel-Lucent’s fiber and IP routing solutions we now extend our high-speed Internet connectivity and services superfast surfing experience to more people and businesses around the country,” said Pradeep Parameswaran of DEN Networks.

“Under The Shift Plan we identified how, as leaders in IP networking and ultra-broadband access, we could help MSOs transform their networks. Working with the DEN Networks on an in-depth study and trials, we were able to show how our IP routing and GPON technology would help it scale to better meet the growing demands of their customers.” said Srini Sundararajan of Alcatel-Lucent.