Alcatel-Lucent  expects return to growth in Asia, according to Rajeev Singh-Molares, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s Asia-Pacific operations, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Alcatel-Lucent  expects return to growth in Asia, according to Rajeev Singh-Molares, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s Asia-Pacific operations, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Alcatel-Lucent’s first quarter revenue decreased 9.8% year-over-year and decreased 18.1% sequentially to Euro 3.247 billion. For 2010, Alcatel-Lucent expects nominal growth (defined as between 0% and 5%) for the telecommunications equipment and related services market.

“We expect pretty significant growth in India, given the 3G auction there. The core network, the mobile backhaul will need to be built and deployed” said Mr. Singh-Molares.

On a question about Chinese operator’s investment direction, Mr. Singh-Molares said “They are investing in the backhaul, fiber and beginning to prepare themselves for LTE. “

Further on LTE Mr. Singh-Molares told that Alcatel-Lucent has a bunch of different LTE trials going on in China and as these trials play out, eventually infrastructure will get built.

Alcatel-Lucent has announced several new LTE trials this year including SFR in France, Telecom Italia in Italy, STC in Saudi Arabia and MTS Ukraine, highlighting the good traction experienced by its LTE solution.

See interview details for more.