More France IP Communications Stories

Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert) and INEO, GDF SUEZ group signed the “RDIP-Air” (for air force base Internet Protocol service networks) Partnership Agreement with the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the French defense agency.

“We are pleased to support, on a long-term basis, the Ministry of Defense in its modernization effort, thanks to this innovative public-private partnership,” said Pascal Homsy, CEO Alcatel-Lucent France in a statement.

Alcatel-Lucent and INEO Defense will serve as industrial partners and they will enjoy the support of financial partners: Caisse des Dépôts and the SEIEF investment company (South Europe Infrastructure Equity Finance). This Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is valued at Eur 350 million and it includes a 16-year contract, revealed officials.

Alcatel-Lucent in its capacity as the consortium lead is entailed to coordinate the design, deployment, financing, management and maintenance of IP (Internet Protocol)-based telecommunication networks at French metropolitan air force bases.

It was revealed that these networks will carry general air force base data besides information on military air control and airspace protection over metropolitan France.

Also INEO, through its subsidiary INEO Defense will be in-charge of designing the service and security architectures besides also the equipment integration in this infrastructure. INEO is also responsible for the deployment, maintenance and co-management of this project with Alcatel-Lucent.

According to officials the installation will cover 106 metropolitan sites which encompass more than 36,000 access points and around 1,500 to 2,000 buildings. An operations, maintenance and security supervision body is expected to maintain continuity of service as required by a military environment with the flexibility to match future demands from the French government.

The solution leverages standard high-tech civilian equipment for serving military security requirements. The deployment of an all-IP technology is expected to offer compartmentalization and security for different network components with greater flexibility to handle changes in speed and topology, noted company sources.

This partnership involves experienced professionals who are well informed about the challenges of defense. Hence particular care was taken to propose very innovative and reliable solutions to meet the need of air force operational teams, commented Guy Lacroix INEO CEO.

In October 2010 Teleste signed an agreement with INEO (GDF Suez Group) to provide a video surveillance system for Paris police organization (Paris Préfecture de Police). The implementation of the urban video protection system (public areas) provides a decision tool to facilitate traffic management, maintenance of law and order, fight against crime, rescue operations and fight against terrorism.

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