Telecoms company Alcatel-Lucent has been selected by South African mobile phone operator Vodacom to build a gigabit passive optical networking (GPON) solution to expand Vodacom's customer base enterprise and residential markets.

A media statement claims the new converged network will enable Vodacom to provide customers with ultra-broadband needed to access bandwidth-hungry services and applications such as online gaming and streaming video.

"Vodacom will deploy Alcatel-Lucent's comprehensive end-to-end GPON solution, as well as the Motive customer experience platform to provide high-quality network performance through advanced performance management capabilities across both wireline and wireless. Vodacom expects to reach about 150,000 homes and 100,000 business within the next three years," the statement reads.

Information supplied to the media states that Vodacom will deploy the new converged network in key regions throughout the country, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.

As a result of the network deployment Vodacom intends offering mobile, voice, video and data services to 250,000 homes and businesses within the next three years.

The project also includes Professional Services, Operations Support Systems (OSS) deployment and Managed Services.

Andries Delport, Vodacom Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO) said: "We first began talking with Alcatel-Lucent about expanding Vodacom's business into the fixed access market five years ago. This was a significant move for us and required a great deal of consideration. Over time, the Alcatel-Lucent team was able to show that it was the right move for us and that their solution was the best for our needs."

Willem Hendrickx, President of Alcatel-Lucent Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA), also commented saying, "This effort represents a significant and bold move by Vodacom into the fixed network space and allows them to take advantage of new, revenue-generating business models. We are excited that our technology, expertise and knowledge are helping take Vodacom to the next level of converged communications."