NEW YORK and PARIS, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) have formed a strategic alliance to help communications service providers (CSPs) and large enterprises implement integrated ultra-broadband solutions to address the challenges of rising costs and increased data consumption caused by high demand from digital customers and applications.

The agreement calls for the two companies to form the Accenture Alcatel-Lucent Business Group. Its initial offerings will include solutions where the companies team to design, build and run scalable, cost effective customer care operations for all-IP networks that will enhance mobile broadband accessibility and improve digital customers' experiences.

The companies will dedicate sales and delivery resources to jointly provide solutions and services for customer care for mobile devices based on Alcatel-Lucent's Motive line of products and explore small cell wireless network solutions with a focus on integrating cellular technology and WiFi between service providers and large enterprises.

The new group will be able to deliver unique value to clients by combining Alcatel-Lucent's leading IP networking software platforms and products with Accenture's systems integration and transformation capabilities.

The Accenture Alcatel-Lucent Business Group will develop sales and delivery capabilities focused on Alcatel-Lucent technology, and Accenture will be Alcatel-Lucent's preferred supplier for software and network integration services. Alcatel-Lucent will also be a preferred technology provider for Accenture's customer care and small cell solutions needs.

"Consumers and businesses expect any network they are on to provide sophisticated services that support multiple devices, combined with fast, reliable access," said Michel Combes, CEO, Alcatel-Lucent. "Our collaboration with Accenture is strategic to our growth as we work to enable our clients to deliver on those expectations. By combining our outstanding IP platforms with Accenture's consulting, systems integration, delivery, and process optimization skills, we will be well-positioned to significantly and measurably improve the world's communication experience."

"We look forward to working with Alcatel-Lucent to help fulfill the increasing demand for broadband services over wireless networks," said Pierre Nanterme, chairman and CEO, Accenture. "The collaboration is consistent with our strategy of working at the heart of the digital ecosystem and growing our network services to enable communications service providers to undergo the transformation they need to thrive."

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 305,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$30.0 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2014. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)
We are at the forefront of global communications, providing products and innovations in IP and cloud networking, as well as ultra-broadband fixed and wireless access to service providers and their customers, and to enterprises and institutions throughout the world. Underpinning us in driving the industrial transformation from voice telephony to high-speed digital delivery of data, video and information is Bell Labs, an integral part of the Group and one of the world's foremost technology research institutes, responsible for countless breakthroughs that have shaped the networking and communications industry. Our innovations have resulted in our Group being recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Top 100 Global Innovator, as well as being named by MIT Technology Review as amongst 2012's Top 50 "World's Most Innovative Companies". We have also been recognized for innovation in sustainability, being named Industry Group Leader in the Technology Hardware & Equipment sector in the 2014 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices review, for making global communications more sustainable, affordable and accessible, all in pursuit of the Group's mission to realize the potential of a connected world.

With revenues of Euro 14.4 billion in 2013, Alcatel-Lucent is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges (Euronext and NYSE: ALU). The company is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.

For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.

SOURCE Alcatel-Lucent