Alcatel Announces Qualification for Most Complete Bluetooth Solution; Alcatel Baseband Qualification Paves Way to Ad hoc Networking Capability Through Bluetooth Technology.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

BRUSSELS, Belgium & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 2002

Alcatel (NYSE: ALA)(Paris: CGEP.PA) announced today that its' Bluetooth(TM) baseband chip, the MTC-60180, has received Bluetooth qualification.

The Alcatel baseband is the world's first chip with complete V1.1 Bluetooth functionality that has been qualified by the Bluetooth Qualification Body, the body overseeing the compatibility of Bluetooth devices. Functionalities such as full data rate potential, point-to-multipoint -- for piconets where a Bluetooth-enabled device talks to several other devices -- and scatternet capability, allowing equipment manufacturers to develop Bluetooth-enabled devices that can offer the ad hoc networking capability to all types of electronic devices.

Qualification of the MTC-60180 was performed by 7 layers, a Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility in Germany. The qualification process demonstrated that Alcatel's test data comply with the requirements defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. The Alcatel baseband combined with a radio from an Alcatel partner -- with a reference design kit available, provides a complete pre-tested and qualified solution to customers. This reduces the time-to-market for all new applications. Alcatel's MTC-60180 was qualified for the most extensive list of functionalities up until now and has been added to the Bluetooth Qualified Products List on the Bluetooth Qualification Program website, http://qualweb.bluetooth.org.

Andreas Grunwaldt from 7 layers stated: "More than 50% of all Bluetooth chips qualified up until today, are done at 7 layers -- Baseband chips as well as complete solutions up to HCI. The Alcatel baseband offers a comprehensive variety of functionalities -- including Piconet and Scatternet capabilities -- and will therefore be an important step to make Bluetooth the wireless technology of choice."

The MTC-60180 evaluation kit, available for several radio chips on the market, includes the evaluation board with radio and baseband, all necessary evaluation software, full documentation as well as a headphone for audio testing.

Alcatel designs and manufactures leading-edge system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for telecom equipment manufacturers, various application specific standard products (ASSPs) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for automotive and peripheral customers. Alcatel is the number one supplier of ADSL chipsets worldwide and is the fourth-largest semiconductor supplier in Europe, with 28 offices worldwide. More information about Alcatel's semiconductor solutions can be found on www.alcatel.com/microelectronics.

About Alcatel

Alcatel builds next-generation networks and the chips that power them, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data communications solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With 110,000 employees and sales of EURO 27 billion in 2000, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information visit the Alcatel website at www.alcatel.com/microelectronics.

About 7 layers

7 layers is an engineering company for the wireless communications industry with broad expertise in development, testing and qualification for Bluetooth, GSM and other wireless technologies. The services range from optimization of technology and product development to customized solutions for testing with the help of our InterLab(R) system to worldwide qualification. The InterLab(R) system stands for highly cost-effective, professional testing and gives everybody involved in the test process easy access to all information and support necessary. 7 layers is a BQTF and has BQB's in Germany and U.S.A.