Alcatel-Lucent to provide equipment maintenance services to BT Global Services’ Network Infrastructure

Alcatel-Lucent to provide comprehensive global single point-of-contact maintenance support to BT Global Services, bringing significant operating cost savings, improving quality of service and simplifying procedures

London and Paris, December 5, 2006 – BT and Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE:ALU) have announced that they have signed a major managed services contract under which Alcatel-Lucent’s Services will assume responsibility for the majority of BT Global Services’ equipment maintenance and spares management contracts. The eight-year contract covers First Line Maintenance, Second, Third and Fourth Line Support and Spares Management. The contract is worth approximately Euro 263 million (USD 350 million) and BT expects to derive cost savings in excess of Euro 75 million (USD100 million) over the lifetime of the contract.



“By moving to a single-point-of-contact supplier, we will be able to benefit from having one primary interface for support services rather than having to manage a large number of service vendors, while service level agreements will remain at the current high level, or be improved where needed. This innovative approach is in line with our strategy and commitment to combine ambitious cost reduction programmes with improvements in customer service. Alcatel-Lucent’s innovative thinking and its experience in delivering best in class services is widely recognised in the industry" said Roel Louwhoff, President of Customer Service and Network Operation in BT Global Services.



“We are delighted to be working with BT Global Services on this ground-breaking managed services contract, which draws on our strengths in delivering high levels of service in a multi vendor environment, as BT transitions it’s legacy networks over to the all IP platform being created by the 21 CN programme, and strive to drive more costs out of their business” said Andy Williams, President, Global Network Operations, for Alcatel-Lucent’s services activities.


About BT

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.In the year ended 31 March 2006, BT Group plc’s revenue was £19,514 million with profit before taxation of £2,040 million.British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit external link www.bt.com/aboutbt

BT Global Services Press Contact
Alan Ball
+32 2 7003425
alan.ball@bt.com


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 79,000 employees and 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 proforma combined revenues of Euro 18.6 billion in 2005, and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

Contact Information

Régine Coqueran

Press Contact

Alcatel-Lucent

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