Central to IP network transformation are "service richness, assurance and velocity," underlined Basil Alwan, President, IP Activities, Alcatel, as he reported that his company continues to innovate and invest in these key features.

He added, "Alcatel is setting the pace in the IP networking industry, providing transformation solutions, best of breed products, a global commitment, and flawless service execution."

In Asia Pacific, Alcatel has began to undertake IP network transformation projects in China, Australia and New Zealand. Example, under project name "Project CN2", announced in 2004, 200 cities in China will be connected by

IP backbone and access, and premium voice, video, and data services will be delivered to corporate customers.

Alwan reported, "Alcatel IP products are now deployed in 24 Chinese provinces."

Last year, in this country, Project Telstra lifted off the ground after Alcatel was chosen as Telstra’s fixed network IP and FTTN network transformation partner. Project Telstra aims to service 5 million households by 2010 and to deliver voice and data to support high performance business applications.

"We as human beings do not want to be fiddling with technology ," said Hugh Bradlow, Chief Technology Officer, Telstra.

Agreeing with him, Matt Crokett, General Manager, Wired Division, Telecom New Zealand, said, "The customer imperative today is ‘make it simple and complete."

For its part, he said Telecom New Zealand is shifting all its customers to (utilize) IP voice (technology).

Simple as it seems, people’s basic core needs are to communicate, to access the Internet and to be entertained. That’s five to ten years ago. Today, these three remains. Only now, people satisfy their needs for these three by way of "how I want, when I want, and wherever I want", no longer on the black fixed or landline telephone, film rolls or video tapes, etc. but on their laptops, mobile communication devices eg. cellfones and PDAs, and including television sets.

Christian Reinaudo, Alcatel Executive Vice President and Asia Pacific President, cited the top three end-user trends they see in Asia Pacific.

Namely, demand for multi-media/video services, expectation of the same service on any device, driven by demand for simplicity and mobility, and highly price conscious consumers.

"The (big industry) shift on the consumer side is driving the shift on the technology and in the business model," he underscored.

Speaking to business and information and technology journalists from 12 countries gathered at this year’s edition of Alcatel Asia Pacific Media Conference, Reinaudo stated. "The trend is clear across the world. An increasing number of leading operators are convinced that the traditional silo approach to building and upgrading networks is untenable in the long term and that their viability and success depends on a comprehensive approach that is based on simplification."

The transformation challenges are not limited to incumbent telecom operators who no doubt are subject to higher pressure to change, as they are more used to the traditional business model of providing connectivity services.

In countries like the Philippines and emerging countries, five Alcatel differentiators stand out at the conclusion of the twoday media briefing.

These are:

One. An understanding of the specific end-user services (user-centric services) required to be successful.

Two. The widest portfolio of access technologies that combines wireless and wireline technologies to deliver the services, for various environments.

Three. An innovative design-to-cost strategy. Alcatel, said Tony Cullen, Director for Market and Business Development in Asia Pacific, has taken the lead to drive cost out of the network.

Four. Solutions developed specifically to meet the needs of operators in emerging countries, to help them meet new price points; and

Lastly, the ability to act as business partner and as a network and services integrator.