Alcatel Telecom demonstrates SONET interoperability for MCI and cross connect optical port capability with Nortel.

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 29, 1996--In recent testing conducted at MCI Network Engineering Labs in Richardson, Alcatel Telecom has confirmed that its 1633 SX SONET (synchronous optical network) broadband digital cross connect can interoperate via optical port OC-12 intra-office facilities with the Nortel OC-48 SONET multiplexer. The Alcatel 1633 SX provides optical intra-office (drop) interfaces at both the industry-standard OC-3 (155 Mbit/s) and OC-12 (622 Mbit/s) speeds; OC-48 refers to a 2.4 Gbit/s transmission rate.

Alcatel and MCI demonstrated interoperability between the two systems at the OC-12 rate. Optical intra-office interfaces can be used to greatly simplify office cabling and administration versus traditional DS3 (electrical) coaxial connections. In particular, OC-12 intra-office interfaces between high-capacity SONET transmission products such as Nortel's multiplexer and the Alcatel 1633 SX are attractive for network simplification as well as to enable provisioning of new services at higher bit rates than DS3. Alcatel and others already have demonstrated such configurations using both OC-3 and OC-12 intra-office interfaces between the 1633 SX and the Alcatel 1648 SM, Alcatel's OC-48 transmission product. Alcatel is MCI's exclusive supplier of broadband cross connects.

The result of this testing and related activities demonstrate again Alcatel's industry-leading position in SONET interoperability, which affects network efficiency, reliability and the ability to create new services. Realizing the SONET's vast potential for improved telecommunications services depends upon network elements functioning as one cohesive unit.

Engineers from Alcatel's interoperability Lab have participated recently in several interoperability tests using equipment from different manufacturers. Further, Alcatel has demonstrated in these tests that it has successfully implemented network management application standards specified by the SONET Interoperability Forum (SIF). By meeting the SIF specifications, Alcatel allows other vendors to access their network elements remotely through the complete line of Alcatel SONET multiplexers and cross connects.

Alcatel Telecom activities in North America include the design, manufacture and service of a full line of voice, data, video and multimedia telecommunications products -- such as ATM switching systems, digital cross connects, fiber optic transmission systems, optical amplifiers, microwave radios, wireless communications switches, video codecs, and network management systems. The telecommunications and broadcast industries, private operators and corporations use these products to create high performance networks. The worldwide operations of Alcatel Telecom make it one of the world's leading communications equipment manufacturers. Alcatel Telecom is part of the Alcatel Alsthom group, which maintains its headquarters in Paris. Alcatel Alsthom trades on the NYSE as ALA.

CONTACT: Alcatel

Michael Newsom, 214/996-7896

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