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Paris, March 9, 2007 — Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)
has signed a turnkey contract with the East Africa Submarine Cable System
(EASSy) consortium to lay the first ever optical submarine cable network
landing in East Africa. Based on Alcatel-Lucent’s submarine and terrestrial
optical solutions, EASSy will provide connectivity across the continent to
support the increase in local traffic from both traditional and new broadband
services. Additionally, with interconnection to other submarine cable systems
to the North and South, this project will provide an international gateway,
crucial for the economic development of the region.
With completion scheduled by the end of 2008, the EASSy submarine network
will deliver a regional capacity of 320 Gbit/s. Governments, public
administrations and businesses will leverage advanced technology to support new
applications such as remote medical diagnosis and international call centers.
Consumers will benefit from accessible and affordable broadband Internet.
The EASSy submarine network will span nearly 10,000 km linking eight
countries from Sudan to South Africa, via Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania,
Madagascar and Mozambique. Landings will be located in Port Sudan, Djibouti
(Djibouti), Mogadishu (Somalia) Mombasa (Kenya), Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania),
Toliary (Madagascar), Maputo (Mozambique) and Mtunzini (South Africa). By
interconnecting with Sea-Me-We 3, Sea-Me-We 4, SAS1, Falcon and SAT3/ WASC
/SAFE, the EASSy submarine cable system will also serve as a supporting
infrastructure for these networks.
“This project represents a milestone in the development of the African
communication infrastructure, where there is a strong need for optical
connectivity” Sammy Kirui, Chairman of the EASSy Project Management Committee
and Managing Director of Telkom Kenya “Alcatel-Lucent is recognized as one of
the key turnkey suppliers in the submarine cable market and was selected
through a competitive tendering process”
“Globalization of the economy and the Internet have enhanced communications,
and submarine networks contribute greatly by connecting almost every corner in
the world,” said Jean Godeluck, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s submarine network
activity. “Our turnkey approach to projects allows consortia like EASSy to
continue breaking barriers and extending communications capabilities to those
areas which are not adequately served.”
The Alcatel-Lucent submarine solution will be based on its 1620 Light
Manager next-generation DWDM submarine platform, and will also include cables
and submarine repeaters. Branching units will ensure direct connectivity to
landing stations where Alcatel-Lucent will deploy its 1678 Metro Core Connect
(MCC) for terrestrial interconnection. The Alcatel-Lucent 1350 management
system will supervise all the equipment supplied. A comprehensive suite of
professional services, including project management, engineering, marine
operation, and installation testing and commissioning, is part of this turnkey
project.
About the EASSy Consortium
EASSy is a project set up by 22 licensed telecommunications operators in the
Eastern and Southern African region and a few international carriers.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that enable
service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver voice,
data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed,
mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications, and
services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling
communications services for people at home, at work and on the move. With
operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with
global reach. The company has the most experienced global services team in the
industry, and one of the largest research, technology and innovation
organizations in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved
adjusted proforma revenues of Euro 18.3 billion in 2006 and is incorporated in
France, with executive offices located in Paris. [All figures exclude impact of
activities to be transferred to Thales]. For more information, visit
Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
Contact the Alcatel-Lucent Press Office: press@alcatel-lucent.com
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