Alcatel-Lucent introduces optical monitoring and connectivity features in its market-leading fiber to the home (FTTH) system

Paris – Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has added three new features to its 7342 ISAM Fiber-to-the-User (FTTU) system, covering optical monitoring, metro Ethernet connectivity and remote synchronization capabilities that will further strengthen the company’s FTTH solution.

The inclusion of new optical monitoring features enables critical parameters to be measured and recorded for analysis over time. This allows early detection of degradation of optical components and optical fiber in the outside plant, often before service-affecting failures arise and customer satisfaction is impacted.

In addition to optical performance monitoring, the Alcatel-Lucent FTTU platform is now able to connect with metro Ethernet networks by providing a robust set of options for virtual private networking and Ethernet connectivity. This enables service providers to generate new revenue from Ethernet services using fiber to the home andbusiness connectivity.

The third feature added relates to IEEE 1588 timing. This feature provides the necessary synchronization for remote placement of gigabit passive optical network (GPON) systems in outside plant and connectivity of DS1 services. Typically, DS1 connections are used for business termination and mobile backhaul. The addition of a robust set of business services options now enables providers to terminate business and residential subscribers over the same passive optical network.

"The new 7342 ISAM FTTU system capabilities, such as Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) optical test and measurement enhancements, support of emerging Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF)-based services, and IEEE 1588 timing for remote GPON OLT synchronization applications, demonstrate that Alcatel-Lucent continues to effectively meet the evolving challenges of operators in the highly competitive FTTx equipment market segment”, said Ron Westfall, Research Director, Current Analysis. “Moreover, the new capabilities reinforce and sustain Alcatel-Lucent’s proven ability to competitively differentiate its 7342 ISAM FTTU against rival offerings.”

Alcatel-Lucent will be highlighting these capabilities and demonstrating the ability to transfer data at near gigabit rates during the North America FTTH Council’s annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee, September 22-24 (Booth 907). This demonstration will illustrate GPON’s capability to transfer a full-length HDTV DVD in approximately 2 minutes.

Alcatel-Lucent is engaged in more than 85 FTTx projects around the world, over 65 of which are with GPON. Leading service providers have adopted Alcatel-Lucent’s GPON solution, including Verizon, France Telecom, Neuf Cegetel, Hanaro Telecom and Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited. Alcatel-Lucent is the uncontested market leader in broadband access with more than 173 million DSL lines shipped to date, a 39% market share according to industry analyst firm Dell’Oro, and ISAM deployments with more than 190 customers worldwide.

About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprise 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 revenues of Euro 17.8 billion in 2007 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