Alcatel Introduces ADSL-based Instant Internet and Other New Features in Its Wireline Access Portfolio With Litespan-1540.

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 1999--

Alcatel at Telecom Geneva - Hall 4, stand n(degree) 210

Today, Alcatel unveiled a new feature package in its wireline access portfolio for ETSI markets, with its Litespan-1540.

Alcatel's Litespan-1540 seamlessly builds on the Alcatel 1540 MSAN permitting telecom operators to serve both their business and residential customers from a single node. This modular platform provides high-quality traditional voice and data services in addition to Instant Internet and multimedia in a flexible, future-safe environment.

With the introduction of this new feature package, telecom operators now have a real solution for their customers requiring narrowband and broadband services. "Litespan-1540 is a tailored solution for today's telecom operators who want to be ready to meet all of tomorrow's challenges," confirms Luis Martinez Amago, Vice President of Alcatel's ETSI wireline access activities. "ADSL integration, greater capacity and flexible configurations make the Litespan-1540 the best multiservice access solution on the market today."

Alcatel's Litespan-1540 combines in the same shelf the most advanced ADSL technology for instant Internet with the usual narrowband services on a board per board basis. The equipment is gaining in compactness also incorporating an Add/Drop Multiplexer reduced to a single board. Its subscriber capacity has doubled, with 30 subscribers to every POTS card and 16 subscribers to every ISDN card.

Litespan-1540 is extremely flexible and supports many different network topologies on the backbone side, including SDH STM-1/4, HDSL and optical PDH as well as multiple capacities (from tens to thousands of subscribers per node). Depending on the network's size, Litespan-1540 can be managed with a simple laptop or as an element of a 3-layered integrated management system with full interoperability.

Litespan-1540 is a future proof solution with the necessary bandwidth and ease-of-upgrade to allow the operator to introduce any service upon demand.

A pioneer in wireline access systems, Alcatel consolidates its Multiservice Access offering in a single family, Litespan, featuring specific characteristics to meet all market requirements for ETSI specs (Litespan-1540) and ANSI specs (Litespan-2000). Backed by the largest installed base with more than 20 million installed access lines on the five continents, Alcatel is recognized as the worldwide market leader in the wireline access segment.

Note:

Litespan-1540: Added Value for Telecom Operators

he new feature package in the Litespan-1540 lets telecom
operators provide multiservice offerings with clear advantages like
the following:

     -- Flexibility The Litespan-1540 provides any combination of
voice and data services in both the residential and business sectors
serving the narrowband and broadband needs of the subscribers.

     -- Scalability The "invest as you grow" philosophy allows the
operator to introduce new services upon demand. Boards are
interchangeable without traffic interruption allowing the operator to
replace POTS boards with ADSL boards, for example, as broadband
service demand grows. Thanks to this "universal slot" concept, each
system can gracefully evolve to meet future needs as the service mix
changes over time.

     -- Ease Ease of installation, operation and maintenance, thanks
to a modular equipment concept and a reduction at minimum of the
number of spares.

     *The new feature package also affects the operators' bottom line
reducing both the CAPEX and the OPEX:

     *Reduction in the copper plant, ducts and buildings by providing
indoor, outdoor and underground cabinets thus reducing floor space
requirements.

     *Optimal use of bandwidth due to the use of fiber as well as
multiplexing and concentration technologies.

     *Integrated network management with an intuitive and easy-to-use
graphical interface, simplifying the daily management of the network.

     *The reach of broadband services is extended, making the
"Fiber-to-the-Economical-Point" concept (i.e. to-the-curb,
to-the-home, etc.) real and allowing for optimal "bandwidth
management".

     *Full interoperability with other vendor's equipment is ensured,
employing the V5.1 and V5.2 for narrowband and, in the near future,
VB5.1 and VB5.2 for broadband interfaces.

     Litespan-1540: What's New?

     ADSL in the access node

     The most advanced ADSL technology for Instant Internet access is
now combined in the same shelf together with the usual narrowband
subscriber services. Any combination of services is available by
simply plugging in the ADSL board alongside the narrowband boards.

     Improved subscriber capacity

     Litespan-1540 services more subscribers with fewer boards. Now,
line card capacity for POTS service is extended to 30 subscribers; 16
for ISDN. This increase translates into less equipment and greater
savings for the telecom operators.

     ADM on a single board

     The Add/Drop Multiplexer has been reduced to a single board in
the Litespan-1540 node. This compact and powerful solution brings the
advantages of SDH closer to the end-user.

     Flexible configurations for every situation An access network
needs to be tailored to the demographics and telecommunication service
demands of each operator's service area in order to keep investment
and operational costs to a minimum. This is why the Litespan-1540
supports many different network topologies on the backbone side,
including SDH STM-1/4, HDSL and optical PDH as well as multiple
capacities (from tens to thousands of subscribers per node). This
compact equipment can be configured as indoor or can be housed in
robust outdoor (and even underground) cabinets.

     Integrated Network Management

     The integrated vision of management of the various levels of
access, transport and switching is an added value in Alcatelys
networks. As such, the Litespan-1540 also includes a Network
Management solution that is compliant with the ITU TMN standards and
enhanced with additional advanced features that configure the Alcatel
Management Platform (ALMAP). Depending on the network's size,
Litespan-1540 can be managed with a simple laptop or as an element of
a 3-layered integrated management system.

     A future proof solution

     New functionality is constantly being introduced to the
Litespan-1540 portfolio such as VoIP, Fr-to-ATM conversions, VDSL and
intelligent MDFs. The future's technologies have yet to be defined but
the Litespan-1540, with the necessary bandwidth and ease-of-upgrade,
is ready to meet all of tomorrow's challenges.

     About Alcatel

     Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated
end-to-end voice and data solutions to established and new carriers,
as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With 120,000 employees
and sales of EURO 21.3 billion ($25.0 billion), Alcatel operates in
more than 130 countries.

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