Alcatel Telecom facilitating highly-reliable, broadband networks with cross connect optical port capability.

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 1996--Alcatel Telecom is announcing optical port capability throughout its wideband and broadband digital cross connect lines at Supercomm '96.

Optical port technology allows carriers of all types to build highly reliable 100 percent optical networks by eliminating unprotected electrical facilities between network elements. Optical ports also increase the capacity of facilities from 50 to 155 or 622 Mbit/s and allow the implementation of broadband and ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) services.

"We see a tremendous demand for optical ports, both at the OC-3 (155 Mbit/s) and at the OC-12 (622 Mbit/s) rates, and expect that most of our 1996 deliveries will include optical ports," said Ken Lewis, Alcatel Vice President and General Manager - Cross Connect Products. "This technology positions our customer base to build a more reliable and future-proof network infrastructure. We look forward to a very broad implementation in all of our customers' networks for domestic and international requirements."

To meet international service requirements, Alcatel announced recently that it has demonstrated complete SONET (synchronous optical network) OC-3c (155 Mbit/s) and SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy) STM-1 (155 Mbit/s) traffic payload compatibility over its complete line of multiplexer and cross connect products.

Alcatel's family of cross connects provides application-specific solutions for a variety of telephone company and private network requirements. Alcatel uses a common platform of hardware and software and each product is optimized for a specific network function.

Alcatel's Flexpoint feature supports both DS3 loaded and VT loaded SONET OC-N signals on a single module, allowing software provisioning of the payload type without changing modules. Support of both DS3 and VT SONET mappings provides true SONET gateway between asynch and SONET networks, and can dynamically adjust to a network's asynchronous-to-SONET evolution and growth.

In addition, Alcatel has the largest cross connect matrix sizes in the industry. The 1633 SX has an architecture that supports 8192 DS3 ports. The 1631 SX (Large Matrix Configuration) currently offers 1344 DS3 ports and will grow to 2688 DS3 ports. Alcatel's approach results in greater cost efficiency and flexibility to accommodate network growth.

Alcatel Telecom is exhibiting at Supercomm '96 in Dallas, June 25-27, Booth 7266, Hall A.

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 Telecom, Richardson

Michael Newsom, 214/996-7896

or Internet: [e-mail]