We are implementing a converged core network

What made Alcatel-Lucent Bell Labs to form a global consortium for green?

Our research arm, Bell Labs has launched an initiative known as 'green
touch'. The growth and development of Internet and the consequent increase in
network capacity are the fundamental drivers of this initiative. We find
ourselves socially responsible, and therefore green initiatives are at the top
of our company's agenda. The 'green touch' initiative is an open concept, and
all the players in the ICT industry are conscious of the energy consumption of
networks. The agenda of this initiative is clear, that is to formulate a
blueprint of the next generation networks. One of the fundamental change
required in the network architecture is to incorporate more use of optics as
optics is more efficient. The 'green touch' initiative will also allow customers
to be more efficient.

How are you driving the network efficiency in India?

To drive network efficiency in a country like India, our company is
implementing what is referred to as a 'converged core' network, for instance,
for Bharti Airtel. We have also implemented an optics & IP based network that
provides more bandwidth, and at the same time provides power savings.

What are the R&D efforts undertaken to explore renewable energy options?

Alcatel-Lucent has a renewable energy laboratory in Paris where trials are
being conducted to employ solar panels for energy. The common refrain from the
telecom operators in India is how to have opex savings and reduction in energy
consumption costs. To address the same, Alcatel-Lucent offers its dynamic power
saving solution. Our company is also at the forefront of innovating to provide
solutions for the emerging markets. For instance, it has developed Mango for
content distribution which is more energy efficient than the conventional
methods.

What are the mobile Internet banking solutions that are being offered by
you?

Alcatel-Lucent is building infrastructure for mobile plus Internet access.
For instance, the 'ng Connect Program'-of which Alcatel-Lucent is a part-has
different players including infrastructure providers. This provides an ecosystem
for broadband mobile smart device for connecting to the Internet. LTE is the
network technology backbone for the same. A proliferation of devices like ebooks
and smart tablets are also driving the growth of the LTE network. A car, which
is being launched in India, could be LTE connected to become an interface of the
user for various applications.

Archana Singh

archanasi@cybermedia.co.in