French vendor Alcatel has signed a multi-million dollar contract with Malaysian operator Celcom to expand the company's GSM network and upgrade it with an advanced Mobile NGN solution. This new solution will allow Celcom to provide new multimedia services to its subscribers. The contract covers both radio access network and IPbased NGN solutions including Alcatel's new-generation HLR, as well as professional services such as network audit and optimisation to improve network performance. Once the project is completed, Celcom will be able to improve the quality of service across the Malaysian peninsula as well as Sabah and Sarawak, expand coverage in urban areas, and serve previously underserved rural areas.