French telecom equipment producer Alcatel-Lucent opened yesterday its biggest global network operating center in Timisoara, western Romania.

The company has invested EUR 2 million in setting up the new center on the site of a former electronics factory. The investment covered the setting up of the 5,200 sqm of office space as well as the IT and operational infrastructure.

The new center employs over 550 people who serve over 20 companies worldwide, in seven languages. In the last three months, 65 persons have joined the team. The company, however, still has 75 open positions for service analysts or different types of engineers.

Alcatel-Lucent has about 1,600 employees in Romania, most of which work in Timisoara, where the company also has a strong research & development center. The group mainly works for international clients, but plans to increase its business with local customers.

Finnish company Nokia has announced its intention to acquire Alcatel-Lucent this year. The proposed combination is still subject the successful public exchange of Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia shares.

editor@romania-insider.com