Alcatel at SUPERCOMM '97 -- State-of-the-art solutions from networks to cables, chips, components and power supplies.

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 1997--Alcatel is demonstrating the worldwide breadth and depth of its total telecommunications solutions at SUPERCOMM '97 (Booth 149), June 2-5, in New Orleans.

Alcatel Network Systems (Headquarters -- Richardson, Texas):

ADSL Group -- Alcatel will participate in two live ADSL demonstrations of its 1000 ADSL (asymmetrical digital subscriber line) system. Alcatel will demonstrate a complete ADSL over ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) network incorporating the DMT-base (discrete multitone) Alcatel 1000 ADSL system, ATM switching from Alcatel Data Networks (see below) and SONET transport in a joint operation with BellSouth. Alcatel also will provide the Alcatel 1000 ADSL technology to illustrate the latest in remote residential/SOHO applications as part of Microsofts multi-vendor ADSL interoperability demonstration.

Digital Cross Connects -- Alcatel introduces Maxxis(TM) and several "highlights" for the industry's most-advanced product line. Maxxis combines ATM and SONET (synchronous optical network) functionality in order to meet the exploding demand to carry Internet and other data traffic. Each Alcatel cross connect in the narrowband, wideband and broadband categories has the industry's largest capacity for circuit management and performance monitoring. Come learn about features such as: far end performance monitoring, FlexPoint(TM), and optical ports.

Lightwave Products and Optical Networks -- Alcatel is featuring several key technologies -- including its successful flat-gain optical amplifier used in many DWDM systems -- to assist carriers with the implementation of the all-optical network layer. Also, the Alcatel 1603/12 SM (155/622 Mbit/s rate), 1648 SM (2.4 Gbit/s) and 16192 SM (10 Gbit/s) SONET multiplexers will demonstrate a number of network topologies, including advanced ring applications. The new Alcatel 1603 SE answers the desires of carriers and others to provide SONET protection up to the OC-3 rate for the last mile to customer premises, within corporate environments and in sparsely-populated rural areas.

Alcatel proves industry-leading SONET interoperability capabilities -- Alcatel is demonstrating its proven industry leadership in two live demonstrations, one sponsored by the SONET Interoperability Forum and the other a joint effort involving Lucent Technologies and NEC America.

Network management -- The Alcatel 1320 NM network manager (release 4.0) has two key advantages over competing products: the ability to manage a broad range of SONET lightwave transport systems and cross connects from a single platform and the ability to manage at both the network level and at the level of the network's constituent parts -- the network elements.

Microwave radio -- Alcatel will highlight the new FCC rules and Alcatel's latest radios which together allow low cost, immediate responses to loop competition. Alcatel will display small, rugged, reliable, easily-installed and field tunable radios that meet the latest FCC regulations, promote quick deployment and afford the interference protection available only with an FCC license.

Mobile switching -- The Alcatel 1000 S12-based mobile switching center (MSC) is a cutting-edge solution for the wireless industry's changing needs. The Alcatel 1000 S12 is specifically designed to meet both the digital and analog requirements of the 800 and 1900 MHz bands in the U.S. market and is a component of AMPS, TDMA (IS-136) and CDMA (IS-95) systems. In addition, the Alcatel 1000 S12 offers low start-up costs, reliable service, flexible features and a scaleable architecture.

Alcatel Data Networks (Ashburn, Virginia): Alcatel Data Networks will demonstrate the Avanza(TM) multiservice networking architecture. The Alcatel 100 HSS(r) Multiservice Switch, the cornerstone of the Avanza family, will perform the Frame Relay and ATM switching functions for the ATM over ADSL network demonstration between the Alcatel and BellSouth booths. The Alcatel 1100 HSS performs independent Frame Relay and ATM switching, with interworking between the two, offering unparalleled broadband networking options. Alcatel Data Networks is the broadband switching company of Alcatel Alsthom. The company, which has built more than 325 major data networks worldwide, including 60 national carriers, recently announced a major contract win from Sprint to upgrade its Frame Relay network (based on ADN's equipment) to ATM backbone.

Alcatel Mietec (Antwerp, Belgium): The microelectronic division of Alcatel will show a new family of data communications access solutions in silicon: single chip ISDN network terminator chip, four-channel ISDN U Interface chip (LT), dual-channel CODEC + SLIC chipset for short haul (<500m) POTS, and the new ADSL DMT modem chipset. A live demonstration of the ADSL chipset will show TCP/IP throughput on the ATM transport for variable line lengths. Developer support tools, including NT reference design cards, POTS splitters, PC terminator cards and Windows-compatible software, will be displayed.

Alcatel Optronics (Nozay, France): The optical component subsidiary of Alcatel will exhibit an impressive array of new products for wave-division multiplexing (WDM), cable television (CATV), optical fiber amplifiers, pump lasers and integrated modules for SONET applications. Optronics is emphasizing "power." Product highlights include new higher power (10/20mW) versions of the very successful laser modules for WDM applications. New high power (50mW), narrow linewidth variants of the DFB laser modules for CATV and a new high power EDFA developed expressly for WDM applications.

Alcatel Telecommunications Cable (ATC -- Claremont, N. Carolina): ATC is highlighting AFC3(TM) with ColorLock(TM) optical fiber. ColorLock combines color with the coating, so customers receive the strength and resiliency of Alcatel AFC3 fiber coating with consistent, distinguishable and dependable color. ATC also introduces EZ Prep(TM), the loose tube cable product line combining dry core, ROL switchback marking, ABM2(TM) buffer tubes, and AFC3 with ColorLock. For the third consecutive year (1994-1996), ATC has received GTE Telephone Operations "Best in Class" award for suppliers in the outside plant category as part of GTE's President's Leadership Awards program.

Saft Nife (Scarborough, Ontario): Saft Nife will highlight 25- and 50-amp rectifier modules. The 25-amp equipment, used with DC distribution power plants, is convection-cooled and designed to work in harsh environments. Saft Nife supplies it to the personal communications services industry and as the front end of power support for other microwave networks.

Technology Tutorials at the Alcatel Booth Theater: Alcatel offers to the service provider community and technology partners four 30-minute tutorials on the following topics: End-to-End ATM Networks, Optical Networks, Unbundled Networks, and Access Solutions on Silicon (chip technologies). Each presentation will last approximately 20 minutes, with an additional 10-minute discussion period. Visit the booth or web site www.ans.alcatel.com for schedule information.

The telecommunications and broadcast industries, private operators and corporations use Alcatel products to create high performance networks. The global operations of Alcatel make it one of the world's leading communications equipment manufacturers. Alcatel is part of the Alcatel Alsthom group, which maintains its headquarters in Paris. Alcatel Alsthom trades on the New York Stock Exchange as ALA.

CONTACT: Alcatel, Richardson

Michael Newsom, 972/996-7896

Internet: [e-mail]