PTCL to introduce VDSL2 bonding; speeds to rise to 50Mbps

Pakistan’s fixed line incumbent and dominant broadband operator, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL), is to enhance the high speed internet services it offers via the introduction of VDSL2 bonding technology across its network. According to the operator it expects to boost download speeds to up to 50Mbps as part of a project which will see it partner with French-US vendor Alcatel-Lucent, with work on the network to be concluded by the end of the second quarter of 2011. Under the terms of the deal between the two companies Alca-Lu is providing PTCL with its Intelligent Services Access Manager (ISAM) IP access platform, which commercially supports VDSL2 bonding, while the vendor will also supply bonding-ready customer premises equipment (CPE). Further, Alca-Lu will act as the project’s master network integrator, and has agreed to provide a range of professional services including project management, installation and commissioning, integration and technical support. Commenting on the development, Walid Irshaid, PTCL’s president and CEO, noted: ‘Alcatel-Lucent’s VDSL2 bonding technology and comprehensive services and network integration expertise is helping us to keep pace with the increasing bandwidth requirements of our customers, while capitalising on the existing copper infrastructure. This will enable us to quickly deliver high quality, high speed and high availability business and residential services – even in areas where it was not possible before.’