Alcatel scores new contract with Global Crossing to upgrade the Mid-Atlantic Crossing submarine cable network

Paris, February 22, 2006 - Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced that it has signed a turnkey contract with Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBC), which owns and operates the world’s first integrated global IP-based network, to upgrade its Mid Atlantic Crossing (MAC) submarine cable network linking North America, Latin America, Europe and the Pacific. The project will deliver Global Crossing extra-capacity to support the accelerating pace of growth in bandwidth-intensive data services and applications such as IP VPN Service, VoIP Service and IP Video.

The MAC submarine cable system runs between Brookhaven - New York, Hollywood - Florida and St. Croix in Virgin Islands. It connects to Global Crossing’s Atlantic Crossing systems (AC 1 and AC 2), in Brookhaven and Hollywood, as well as to its South American Crossing (SAC) and Pacific Crossing (PAC) systems in St Croix. The overall core infrastructure delivers uninterrupted, high-bandwidth connectivity to these business-intensive regions.

“We’re focused on managing our capacity for maximum effectiveness, in order to best serve our customers with a broad range of solutions, including our suite of converged IP services,” said John Legere, Global Crossing’s chief executive officer. “Alcatel continues to be a valued partner and contribute strongly to our industry-leading network performance and global capabilities.”

“We are pleased to work again with Global Crossing in this new project that will offer end-users new communications capabilities with enhanced efficiency,” said Jean Godeluck, president of Alcatel’s submarine network activity. “Alcatel reconfirms its ability to deliver advanced solutions and services that meet specific customer’s requirements and its reliability as partner of choice for managing turnkey submarine projects.”

Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel will supply a turnkey, end-to-end solution based on the most advanced submarine optical networking equipment, including its new-generation DWDM submarine line terminal, the Alcatel 1620 Light Manager. The Alcatel 1350 management suite will manage the new equipment. Alcatel will also be in charge of the installation, testing and commissioning.

The award further strengthens the long-lasting and successful cooperation between Global Crossing and Alcatel dating back to 1998. Projects deployed for Global Crossing include the MAC submarine cable system spanning over 6,000 km, the over 18,000 km long SAC submarine cable system connecting seven South American countries, and most recently, the implementation of a metropolitan network in Paris, France, to support the requirements for increased capacity from new bandwidth-consuming broadband services in the area.

About Global Crossing
Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBC) provides telecommunications solutions over the world’s first integrated global IP-based network. Its core network connects more than 300 cities and 30 countries worldwide, and delivers services to more than 600 cities, 60 countries and 6 continents around the globe. The company’s global sales and support model matches the network footprint and, like the network, delivers a consistent customer experience worldwide.
Global Crossing IP services are global in scale, linking the world’s enterprises, governments and carriers with customers, employees and partners worldwide in a secure environment that is ideally suited for IP-based business applications, allowing e-commerce to thrive. The company offers a full range of managed data and voice products including Global Crossing IP VPN Service, Global Crossing Managed Services and Global Crossing VoIP services, to 36 percent of the Fortune 500, as well as 700 carriers, mobile operators and ISPs. Please visit www.globalcrossing.com for more information about Global Crossing.

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.

Contact Information

Régine Coqueran

Alcatel

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