Lucent Grabs Verizon Deal
Lucent
(LU)
surged 5% early Tuesday after the company snagged a $5 billion multiyear deal to upgrade the
Verizon Wireless
network.
The companies said the agreement calls for Lucent to supply a wide variety of network equipment, software and services for Verizon Wireless' national next-generation voice and data network. Verizon, the nation's leading wireless service provider, is a joint venture of New York telco
Verizon
(VZ) - Get Verizon Communications Inc. Report
and British wireless giant
Vodafone
(VOD) - Get Vodafone Group Plc Report
.
The deal is an important win for Lucent, the struggling New Jersey telecom gear maker, because it was the incumbent supplier for Verizon Wireless. Even so, the contract could be seen as a setback for wireless equipment rivals such as
TheStreet Recommends
Nortel
(NT)
,
Nokia
and
Ericsson
(ERICY)
.
Lucent will provide infrastructure and technology spanning its entire portfolio, including Bell Labs-developed wireless, optical and data networking equipment along with network management and applications software. Among the products to be supplied are Lucent's Flexent Modular Cell 4.0 base stations. Lucent Worldwide Services will perform network optimization, integration, planning and design, and deployment services.
TheStreet.com
reported last year that Lucent would snatch the closely watched contract. Even with Tuesday's win, however, the company continues to face a tight telecom spending market and numerous internal challenges.
On Tuesday, Lucent added 16 cents to $3.54.
