Alcatel Signs Multimillion Dollar Contract to Provide Statewide Microwave System to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Business Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2000

Alcatel announced that it has signed a $33 million contract to engineer, furnish, install and maintain a statewide microwave system to interconnect the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's public safety voice and data radio network.

As part of the agreement, Alcatel will provide its MDR-8000 Digital Microwave Radios, 1630 CSX Digital Cross Connects, Antennas, Transmission Lines and a Network Management System to Pennsylvania for its statewide Public Safety Radio Project. This advanced network will create a dependable and uniform wireless communications system linking 22 state agencies.

Typically, microwave radio links are used to integrate a broad range of networks from fixed and mobile communications networks in rural, suburban, and urban environments, to corporate and private networks. Microwave technology provides wide bandwidths for transporting crucial voice and data information where network coverage is inadequate or in need of rapid expansion.

"Alcatel has extensive experience in providing fixed wireless access solutions, including microwave technology, to a host of public service and government organizations," said Dave Kimzey, vice president and general manager, Alcatel USA Wireless Access. "These systems carry critical traffic for the public safety organizations. These agencies routinely are involved with life-saving activities, and it is paramount that these systems operate superbly. We're pleased that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania selected Alcatel for such an important application."

According to Don Appleby, project director for Pennsylvania's Radio Project Office, "Alcatel's microwave solution will provide critical infrastructure so that state agencies can communicate across our vast Commonwealth on a day-to-day basis and during times of crisis, when well-coordinated and rapid response communications are critical."

About Alcatel's Digital Microwave Expertise

Alcatel is the number one worldwide leading supplier of digital radio technology. Alcatel has the broadest portfolio of digital microwave in the industry and has deployed more than 500,000 transmitter/receivers (T/R's) worldwide into the telecommunications, video and data markets. MDR range of Digital Microwave Radios, mainly dedicated to the North American market, is part of the EVOLIUM(TM) Microwave Solutions developed by Alcatel.

EVOLIUM(TM) is the brand name of a whole range of fixed and mobile radio solutions dedicated to ILECs, CLECs and GSM operators and specially designed to adapt to the constantly changing realities of fixed and cellular networks.

    The EVOLIUM(TM) range of solutions includes:

EVOLIUM(TM) GSM Solution
EVOLIUM(TM) LMDS Solution
EVOLIUM(TM) Wireless IP Solution
EVOLIUM(TM) Microwave Solution
EVOLIUM(TM) WLL Solution
EVOLIUM(TM) 3G Mobile Solution

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. For more information, visit Alcatel at http://www.alcatel.com or the US Web site at www.usa.alcatel.com.