Alcatel cuts wireless deals in China

French communications equipment maker Alcatel has received $27 million worth of orders from two subsidiaries of China Mobile, the mainland's dominant cellular operator. Under the agreements, Alcatel will supply and install its Evolium family of products, which includes base stations and mobile switching gear, to expand Gansu Mobile and Jilin Mobile's cellular networks, Alcatel said in a statement. By October, the subsidiaries will be able to support 2.1 million and 4.6 million subscribers, respectively.

With more than 1,500 sales personnel throughout the mainland, Alcatel Shanghai Bell, a joint venture between Alcatel and Chinese telecommunications company Shanghai Bell, is one of several mobile technology providers--including Qualcomm, Ericsson and Nokia--vying for a piece of China's wireless market.

CNETAsia's Irene Tham reported from Singapore.

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