Alcatel-Lucent has said that it would deploy an IP-based mobile backhaul network to support LTE-Advanced services for SK Telecom, Korea’s largest mobile operator.

The Internet Protocol/Multiprotocol Label Switching-based (IP/MPLS) mobile backhaul solution, to be deployed in October, will link SK Telecom cell sites. With this new solution SK Telecom will supportLTE-Advanced, LTE, WiBro(WiMAX), and Wi-Fi mobile data traffic as well as improve the quality of its mobile IPTV service named ‘B tv mobile’, andimprove customer satisfaction by offering new mobile services.

SK Telecom was the first service provider in the world to commercialize LTE-Advanced when it launched service in June 2013, and expanded its LTE-Advanced service tothe main areas of 84 cities nationwide in late July.

LTE-Advanced offers ultra broadband network speeds of up to 150 Mbps, which is two times faster than that of LTE, and up to 10 times faster than 3G networks.  LTE-Advanced users can download an 800MB movie in just 43 seconds.

Chi IlYoo, Head of Alcatel-Lucent Korea,said: “With this award, we are strengthening and expanding our position in IP-related areas such as Data Center, Cloud, Network Function Virtualization, and Software Defined Networking in local markets.”