SBC Signs Supply Deal For Broadband Network

SBC Communications Inc. on Tuesday said it has entered a four-year agreement in which Alcatel will supply the telecommunications company with equipment for high-speed fiber-optic connections for homes and small businesses.

The agreement enables San Antonio, Texas-based, SBC to move forward in further lab testing and field trials for its "fiber-to-the-premises" initiative. Final deployment of the technology will depend on results of the testing and trials, as well as any government regulations that would apply to FTTP networks, SBC said. Field trials are set to begin in the first half of next year.

FTTP technology promises to be the foundation of next-generation broadband networks, capable of providing nearly limitless voice, video and data bandwidth. The technology is capable of supporting a number of demanding applications, such as video conferencing, premises surveillance and other video services that would be delivered on demand and in high-definition.

The SBC selection of Alcatel is a non-exclusive agreement. Financial terms were not disclosed.