Verizon Wireless and Alcatel-Lucent announced a four-year agreement expected to be worth US$4 billion for Alcatel-Lucent wireless network architecture and services to support Verizon Wireless' ongoing 3G network expansion and 4G/LTE network build out.

“Constant network improvement is in our DNA,” said Tony Melone, chief technology officer at Verizon Wireless.  “Network reliability is a top reason business and consumers choose and stay with us.  With Alcatel-Lucent’s strong support, we continue to optimize our networks and will remain the most reliable in the nation for years to come.”

Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide infrastructure solutions spanning its entire portfolio, including end-to-end CDMA and LTE radio network solutions, IP, optical and microwave backhaul and transport and complete portfolio of professional and network integration services.

“Verizon Wireless and Alcatel-Lucent have enjoyed a strong history dating back to the introduction of CDMA, which remains a viable technology today as we’re now enabling Verizon to evolve to the next generation that is 4G/LTE,” said Robert Vrij, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s Americas Region.  “What’s more, this agreement underscores Verizon Wireless’ confidence in our ability to support both the existing 3G and the new 4G/LTE networks with an integrated, flexible and service-aware architecture that runs the gamut from radio access to IP backhaul and transport, core and applications.”