Alcatel-Lucent and UN-ESCWA publish a joint report on broadband for socioeconomic development in Western Asia

Amman, February 28, 2007 – Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and the United Nations Economic and SocialCommission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) based in Beirut, Lebanon promoting economic and social activities of 13 Middle-Eastern countries, made public today a joint report on “Broadband for Development in the ESCWA Region; Enhancing Access to ICT Services in a Global Knowledge Society”.

The first dimension of the report is an analysis of the status of broadband deployment in the ESCWA region, substantiated by specific country case studies. The second is an assessment of lessons learnt from international experience, focusing on what has made broadband a success in other countries. The third dimension consists of an evaluation of technologies and business cases that may support broadband for socioeconomic development in the region, for which broadband availability is widely perceived as a powerful catalyst.
Youssef Nusseir, Chief of ICT Division at ESCWA, declared: "We are pleased to be here today to launch the joint report entitled “Broadband for Development in the ESCWA Region”. The report highlights the vast development potential in the ESCWA region as it moves towards the broadband revolution. It is meant to help stakeholders in the development of broadband in the ESCWA region, including governments, regulators, operators, service providers and civil society at large.”
Thierry Albrand, Vice President Digital Bridge for Alcatel-Lucent, added “This report is the result of collaborative efforts between a worldwide leader in telecommunications, particularly in broadband equipment manufacturing, and a United Nations organization in charge of regional economic and social development. This collaboration fits perfectly our “broadband for all” vision and is an illustration of the multi–stakeholder approach advocated by the outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) dedicated to reduce the digital divide and bring the benefits of information and communication technologies to all.”


The report is available on the following websites:

external www.escwa.org.lb/divisions/lib/Uploads/ESCWA_ALCATEL_2007.pdf
www.alcatel-lucent.com/digitalbridge


About ESCWA
ESCWA promotes economic and social development through regional and sub-regional cooperation and integration and serves as the main general economic and social development forum within the United Nations system for the ESCWA region. It formulates and promotes development assistance activities and projects commensurate with the needs and priorities of the region and acts as an executing agency for relevant operational projects. More information can be found on: external linkhttp://www.escwa.org.lb/



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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Mark Burnworth

Alcatel-Lucent

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