BTC Selects Lucent Technologies to Deploy 3G Mobile Voice and High-Speed Data Network in the Bahamas.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Lucent to Supply CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO Equipment, Mobile Switching Centers, and Data Networking Solutions from Juniper Networks and Riverstone Networks 

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited (BTC), the leading wireless telecommunications operator on the island chain, today announced it has selected Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) to deploy a third-generation (3G) mobile network based on CDMA2000(R) 1X and 1xEV-DO technology. The network will be used to provide roaming voice and mobile high-speed data services such as high-quality video-on-demand (VoD), downloading of large files, and Internet and intranet access at speeds of up to 2.4 Megabits per second to the growing number of tourists and business people that visit the Bahamas each year.

The Lucent-supplied CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO network will be deployed on the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahamas, Bimini, Eleuthera and Exuma covering the main towns, hotels, resorts and airports with voice and mobile high-speed data services.

"We are very excited by the opportunity to offer advanced, high-quality mobile voice and high-speed data services to visitors coming to our beautiful islands carrying their CDMA phones, PDAs and laptop PC cards," said Antonio Stubbs, vice president of planning and engineering for BTC.

Tourism is the Bahamas' most important industry. According to the Bahamas Tourism Board, over four million tourists visit the Bahamas each year, with over 80 percent of them originating from the United States and Canada. The CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO network will provide these tourists with the ability to utilize the same services available in their own country.

In addition to Lucent's CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO solution, Lucent also will supply Juniper Networks' M-series Multiservice Edge routing platforms and Riverstone Networks' MPLS-based carrier Ethernet routers. Lucent Worldwide Services will provide network integration, deployment and management services.

"BTC's selection of Lucent's solution to deploy the first 3G network in the Bahamas is quite an honor," said Javier Falcon, vice president, Lucent Technologies for the Caribbean, Southern Cone and Central America. "Our state-of-the-art solution will allow BTC to expand their services offerings and deliver on their commitment to offer the highest quality services to their subscribers and visitors to the Bahamas."

"We are very proud to have won this project based on strong customer relationships, product quality, dedicated support and perseverance," said Heidy Frank, Lucent's regional sales director for the Caribbean. "We feel that this is the beginning of a long and very fruitful business relationship with BTC. We'll continue to work closely with BTC to ensure the successful completion of the network and provide them the required support as they roll out new 3G services. Lucent's solution provides BTC with a cost-effective and easy way to manage the network and introduce new capabilities and services."

Lucent's Network Solutions Group is dedicated to helping wireline, mobile and converged service providers capture the market opportunities being created by the growing demand for "blended lifestyle" services. A global leader in the development of commercial 3G spread-spectrum solutions, Lucent's Network Solutions Group has deployed CDMA2000 and W-CDMA/UMTS networks with more than 35 customers on the continents of North and South America, Asia, Europe and in the Australia/New Zealand region. Lucent has deployed more than 140,000 spread-spectrum base stations for mobile operators worldwide, of which 90,000 are already supporting 3G services.

About BTC

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company Limited (BTC) is the sole service provider for both wireline and wireless in the islands of the Bahamas, providing services to both business and residential customers. BTC has been in operation since 1966. The Government of the Bahamas currently owns 100 percent of the shares of BTC. BTC currently employs 1,180 persons, has approximately 133,000 wireline subscribers, and 125,000 wireless subscribers of which approximately 60 percent use the prepaid service. Additional revenue streams come from Internet service provision, directory advertising as well as coin/debit card phones.

About Lucent Technologies

Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services and software that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, Lucent uses its strengths in mobility, optical, software, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for its customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Lucent's customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For more information on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, visit www.lucent.com.

Juniper Networks and the Juniper Networks logo are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Riverstone Networks is a registered trademark of Riverstone Networks, Inc. CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.