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Maroc Connect selects Alcatel for Euro 25 million phase one contract for fixed next-generation network


WEBWIRE

Paris, October 3, 2006 - Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced that it has been selected by Maroc Connect, a Moroccan supplier of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, for the deployment of a next-generation network (NGN). The first phase of this agreement, which is worth more than 25 million euros, foresees a network deployment in five major Moroccan areas. The services will be commercially deployed in early 2007.

The resulting network will help Maroc Connect lower costs, reduce customer churn and generate additional revenue from new services like voice over IP (VoIP) and virtual private networks (VPN).

Under the terms of the agreement, Alcatel is the systems integrator and primary contractor and will assist the operator in the development, operation and maintenance of the network.

“Alcatel is our partner of choice, from its innovative technologies and broad portfolio leadership (WiMAX, NGN, IP and IN) to its extensive experience in integrating and deploying complex solutions”, said Mr. Karim Zaz, CEO of Maroc Connect. “Alcatel’s solution will bring us a competitive advantage, with a network that offers better overall performance”.

“I am glad to see that the major alternative operator in Morocco, with a strategy built on technological leadership, has chosen to partner with Alcatel,” said Olivier Picard, President of Alcatel for France, Africa, the Middle East, the South and Central Asia. “This contract further reinforces Alcatel’s position as a leader in integrating complex and state-of the art technologies. Furthermore it confirms our major position as a trusted partner with NGN and IP expertise and leadership”.

Alcatel’s complete turnkey solution includes its 7515 Media Gateway (MG) and 5020 Softswitch. These products, which are part of Alcatel’s extensive IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-compliant NGN portfolio, provide end-to-end quality of service (QoS) and security functionality that enables service providers to bring innovative, value-added services to their customers. Leveraging the power of IMS, the Alcatel solution enables service providers to quickly develop, test, and launch innovative new user-centric applications - independent of the access technology used.

About Maroc Connect
ONA (Omnium of North Africa) subsidiary Maroc Connect has won Morocco’s third fixed-line licence, paying around MAD 306 million (EUR 27.5 million), reports the country’s telecom regulator, ANRT. Maroc Connect is one of Morocco’s main ISPs and IP VPN operators. Its new licence includes limited mobility services within an up to 35 km diameter. Maroc Connect must invest MDH 1 billion in the first year. ANRT plans to liberalise the telecoms sector entirely by 2008. The body expects there to be over three million fixed lines, seven million new mobile phone accounts and 500,000 new internet users by 2015. It expects mobile and fixed networks to generate MAD 20 billion and MAD 15 billion of revenue in the same period.

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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