The city of Paris has chosen Alcatel-Lucent to deploy the first urban WiFi network in France

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) announced today that the city of Paris has jointly awarded Alcatel-Lucent and SFR, the second largest mobile telecommunications operator in France, a contract to supply and integrate the first urban WiFi network in France. Alcatel-Lucent will integrate and deploy the turnkey WiFi network. SFR, with Alcatel-Lucent as its WiFi technological partner for the past three years, will be responsible for the operation, monitoring and maintenance of the WiFi network, as well as the customer service and the Web portal. The launch of this network will take place in the third quarter of 2007.

The WiFi network enables the city of Paris to offer broadband wireless access to Internet in 400 new access points. Citizens and visitors will benefit from access to WiFi services, free of charge.

“We are very pleased to have been selected for this unique initiative. Our success confirms Alcatel-Lucent’s leading position as turnkey provider of broadband access solutions to Cities and Regions, and as the leading network integrator worldwide.” said Olivier Picard, President of Alcatel–Lucent’s Europe and South activities.