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Slovak Telecom Selects Alcatel for Next-Generation Network to Deliver Multimedia and Voice Services Over IP

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 April 2004, 06:00 CDT

DALLAS, April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alcatel today announced that Slovak Telecom, Slovakia's leading telecommunication supplier and majority-owned by Deutsche Telekom, has selected a next-generation multimedia/VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) network solution from Alcatel. This contract, worth approximately Euro 25 million, is the largest in Eastern Europe, and signifies a move to upgrade aging analog infrastructure for new- generation applications.

The Alcatel IP-based Next Generation Network (NGN) solution enables Slovak Telecom in the future to completely replace its Class 5 voice network infrastructure and immediately begin delivering innovative new broadband services such as VoIP; multimedia conferencing; unified messaging including gaming and music downloads; enhanced Internet service; and integrated personal computer and phone applications. The Alcatel solution also will allow Slovak Telecom to deliver these applications over a fully unified platform, enabling them to diversify their service offering, expand their customer base and reduce potential customer churn.

In 2001, the Slovak government permitted the majority purchase of Slovak Telecom by Deutsche Telekom based on the condition that the entire network would undergo digitalization by the end of 2004. This included the replacement of 309 locations equipped with small analog switches and 211,000 subscriber lines.

"We chose the Alcatel solution because we feel that an NGN infrastructure is the basis for future efficiency leading to a decrease OPEX in operation and maintenance costs. In addition, by essentially skipping the digitalization stage, we are able to very quickly begin introducing high-value broadband multimedia services -- far more quickly than we had anticipated," said Herbert Muller, chief operating officer of Slovak Telecom. "We can meet our objective to continuously grow the business by achieving the highest level of customer satisfaction while providing the most innovative products and services."

"Slovak Telecom exemplifies the Eastern European vanguard to enhance their network infrastructure and benefit by merging traditionally separate voice and data networks," said Michel Rahier, chief operating officer of the Alcatel Fixed Communications activities. "This unified NGN core infrastructure is easier to maintain and allows a variety of new services. Slovak Telecom, its affiliates and its broad customer base will all gain from this successful multimedia/VoIP implementation."

The Alcatel NGN solution to be delivered to Slovak Telecom includes: the Alcatel 5020 Softswitch and 7505 Media Gateway, which provide the necessary bridges between the voice and data worlds; the Alcatel 1540 Litespan for consolidation of phone and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) access; IP/MPLS data network equipment, based on the Alcatel 7670 Routing Switch Platform; and the Alcatel network and service management portfolio.

About Slovak Telecom

Slovak Telecom (ST) is the leader in the area of telecommunications services in the Slovak Republic. The company owns and operates a telecommunication network, covering the territory of the Slovakia. ST provides national and international telephone services, online services and wide portfolio of data services. The company also provides distribution and transmission of radio and television signals, and offers a wide range of value added services. The shareholders of ST are Deutsche Telekom AG (51 percent), Ministry of Transport, Posts and Telecommunications of the Slovak Republic (34 percent), and the National Property Fund of the Slovak Republic (15 percent). For additional information, http://www.telecom.sk/ .

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 to their employees. Alcatel leverages its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services to bring value to its customers in the framework of a broadband world. With sales of Euro 12.5 billion in 2003, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, http://www.alcatel.com/ .

About Alcatel OPEN

With the largest global installed base of both circuit switched voice lines and DSL, Alcatel has a wealth of experience in working with all types of service providers in all types of networks. The Alcatel Open Path to Enhanced Networking (OPEN) program is designed to enable enhanced broadband services, while protecting current voice revenues with a staged migration to a converged packet infrastructure. The OPEN portfolio for next-generation networks (NGN) consists of a comprehensive set of standards-based building blocks including broadband access, media gateways, softswitches, application and media servers, as well as the data backbone and end-to-end management and integration capabilities service providers need.

Photo: Newscom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031111/ALALOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Alcatel

CONTACT: press, Amy MacLeod, +1-613-784-1980, orAmy.macleod@alcatel.com , or investor relations, Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane,+1-703-668-3571, or Charlotte.laurent-ottomane@alcatel.com , or industryanalysts, Julie Buckley, +1-707-792-7820, or Julie.buckley@alcatel.com , allof Alcatel

Web site: http://www.alcatel.com/http://www.telecom.sk/

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