Networking Players Make Connections

Lucent Technologies has a won a contract from repeat
customer Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) for network management software, the Murray Hill, N.J.

The deal involves Lucent’s VitalSuite Network Fault Management software, which identifies, manages and correlates critical problems to their root causes. Lucent’s services arm will also provide system integration, training and support.

“Saudi Telecom is an important Lucent customer,” Jenn McManus, a Lucent spokeswoman, told internetnews.com. “We’ve made previous announcements, dating back to the late ’90s, with them in the switching, optical, data and wireless space.”

Citing a confidentiality clause with STC, McManus would not disclose the terms of the contract.

Lucent’s network fault management software is part of its network and
service management portfolio that’s used by more than 200 telecom service providers and 1,500 government and enterprises.

The Lucent-STC deal was is one of several in the network equipment or
services industry today.

AT&T said Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), an agricultural giant, will use Ma Bell’s networking services to connect more than 500 locations across 60 countries.

AT&T will deploy an IP Virtual Private Network for ADM facilities in North America, Europe, Asia- Pacific and Latin America that will handle voice, data and business continuity services.

And Qwest announced a 5-month $1.1 million pact with the U.S. Department of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The contract includes nine one-year options that could bring the value of the relationship to more than $19 million.

The project, awarded through the primary contractor Lockheed Martin , is aimed at improving data tranfers between nearly 100 field locations and six regional offices more efficiently.

For Qwest, it’s the second government project award in as many weeks. The Denver company recently won a 10-year contract with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), a Department of Defense (DoD) unit that supports the military operations worldwide.