Taiwan-based Asia Pacific Telecom (APT, formerly Asia Pacific Broadband Telecom) on December 22 signed with Alcatel-Lucent to procure CDMA2000 EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) 3.5G equipment of next-generation core network and base stations worth NT$3.128 billion (US$103.6 million), according to the company.

APT will start installing the equipment as soon as possible and expects to begin operation of 3.5G mobile Internet-access service in the second half of 2012, the company indicated, adding it may make additional procurement of such equipment.