Telstra signs network pact with Alcatel-Lucent

Telstra has revealed an R&D deal with a major telecoms kit maker to improve its network.

Telstra and Alcatel-Lucent have announced today an agreement that will see the pair working together to dream up improvements for Telstra's network over the coming three years.

The deal will see the twosome work on a joint research and development plan to be regularly reviewed, with the equipment maker ensuring its products are in tune with Telstra's development plans. The companies will also work to create shared technology roadmaps.

Staff will also be seconded between Telstra and Alcatel-Lucent to work on projects together and the pair will also contribute shared intellectual property and R&D resources.

According to Telstra's CTO, Hugh Bradlow, the partnership will help bring innovation to Australia faster. "This agreement will drive considerable advancements in Telstra's network transformation," he said in a statement.

Current plans for network transformation will see Telstra's CDMA network shut off early next year as the company focuses its efforts on its Next G equivalent.

The network, which now offers a downlink of up to 14.4Mbps, will see speeds boosted over the coming years with 20 to 28Mbps scheduled in for 2008 or 2009, and the 40Mbps threshold breached one to two years later.