Alcatel Solutions Conform to MSF's Architecture Implementation Guidelines; Alcatel's Next Generation Network Solutions Proven to be Open, Interoperable and Multiservice.

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2002

Alcatel (NYSE:ALA) today announced that its next generation network solutions support the Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF) Release 1 architecture Implementation Guidelines. Alcatel's philosophy is to deliver products based on open standards-based interfaces and protocols, an approach that helps ensure its customers can deploy a cost-effective multiservice and interoperable network architecture.

"Adoption of the Release 1 Implementation Guidelines makes a statement about Alcatel and their support for a truly interoperable switching architecture," said Roger Ward, president of the MSF. "Forward-looking companies recognize that, as the industry moves beyond the current economic downturn, carriers will be looking for interoperable solutions. We feel that equipment that conforms to the MSF Release 1 Architecture will have a head start in the race for new customers."

Companies ratifying MSF Guidelines provide a full set of services, including telephony, IP/Internet Services, frame relay and asynchronous transfer mode. The network architecture adheres to the underlying principle of the physical separation of the multiservice switching systems and the use of multivendor protocols. These implementations enable greater network flexibility and will improve the industry opportunities for service providers and vendors.

"We understand our customers' requirements for multiservice and multivendor systems," said Martine Lapierre, CTO for Alcatel's Carrier Network Group. "Our main objective is to provide the best-in-class next generation network solutions to operators and enable them to offer revenue generating services. We fully support the work developed in the MSF. Consisting mainly of services providers and carriers, the MSF members play a crucial role in providing us with key competitive elements to implement our future-proof NGN solutions."

Alcatel's main next generation solutions supporting the MSF guidelines include softswitches, media gateways, access gateways and the Open Service Platform (1).

The MSF expects to release revised sets of guidelines as the industry matures and successive Implementation Agreements are deployed.

(1) Alcatel 5000 Softswitch, Alcatel 5020 Softswitch, Alcatel 7505 Media Gateway, Alcatel 7510 Media Gateway, Alcatel 7670 Routing Switch Platform Media Gateway, Alcatel 7310 Loop Voice Gateway, Alcatel 7300 Advanced Services Access Manager, Alcatel Litespan 1540 multiservice access platform and the Alcatel Open Service Platform.

About the MSF

The MSF is a global association of service providers and system suppliers committed to developing and promoting open-architecture, multiservice switching systems. Founded in 1998, the MSF is an open-membership organization composed of the world's leading telecommunications companies. The MSF's activities include developing implementation agreements, promoting worldwide compatibility and interoperability, and encouraging input to appropriate national and international standards bodies. For more information about the MSF and its members, http://www.msforum.org

About Alcatel

Alcatel designs, develops and builds innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the world. Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio, stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile networks to broadband access, Alcatel's customers can focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of Euro 25 billion in 2001, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, http://www.alcatel.com