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Nextgen Networks deploys Alcatel IP solution to offer Australia’s first premium performance national VPLS network


WEBWIRE

Paris, August 1, 2006 - Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced it has been selected by Nextgen Networks, a specialist provider of high performance data services, to provide Australia’s first national Ethernet VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service) network which will offer Australian businesses the benefits of advanced virtual private network (VPN) technology. The Alcatel-based VPLS network allows businesses to operate quality-controlled voice, video and data services across an IP/MPLS-based infrastructure.
Customer benefits of Nextgen’s VPLS service include: the flexibility of a single service at any location, with any-to-any connectivity in a national, secure, multipoint VPN (Virtual Private Network); support for the widest range of IT applications because the Layer 2 Ethernet VPN is protocol transparent to any Layer 3 IP application; customer control of how the network connects to a VPN and how the IP network layer is configured; support for real time and mission critical applications with packaged and standard offering of Quality of Service (QoS) profiles; and the lowest cost of ownership and operational simplicity with Ethernet connectivity and bundled pricing which is inclusive of most features.

The new network incorporates Alcatel’s industry leading IP/MPLS-based solutions, including the Alcatel 7750 Service Router, across the seven capital cities of Australia, and setting a new market standard for enabling the delivery of profitable national Ethernet services and high-density aggregation over IP/MPLS-based networks.

“Offering these new VPLS services demands an infrastructure that is architected from the ground up with a focus on services and not the traditional ports-based focus of previous generation routers,” said Peter Harrison, Nextgen Networks General Manager. "We are looking to the Alcatel equipment to support a service-rich architecture, provide the highest levels of service assurance, and enable rapid service introduction and innovation.

“Based on the Alcatel solution, we will be able to deliver a range of services that provide improved features and control for data network owners and operators,” added Mr. Harrison. "With our new national VPLS services, we are now entering the corporate market with what we believe to be the most advanced corporate data networking product in Australia.

“Moving to IP is an essential and inevitable step toward ensuring that companies can be competitive,” said Basil Alwan, resident of Alcatel’s IP activities. “VPLS is the first in a new wave of Ethernet connectivity for businesses in Australia, leading to significant cost savings, greater control of end-user networks and increased levels of service and security.”

Worldwide, the Alcatel IP portfolio has been selected by more than 130 service providers in 55 countries, including AT&T, BT, Telia Sonera, Telefonica and China Telecom. According to Synergy Research Group, Alcatel is #2 in the Services Edge Router category in Q1 2006, with 18% market share, following four consecutive quarters of market share gain.

About Nextgen
Nextgen Networks is an Australian carrier that is a specialist provider of high quality data services for other carriers, service providers and corporate and government customers. Nextgen owns and operates Australia’s third largest long haul fibre network and a national VPLS data switching network. Nextgen products include custom fibre network builds, high capacity national data transmission services, carrier grade co-location facilities and national Layer 2 VPN services. For more information, visit: http://www.nextgennetworks.com.au

About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 13.1 billion and 58,000 employees in 2005, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com

Contact press@alcatel.com



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