FirstMark Communications France awards Alcatel a 100 million Euros contract
as part of its broadband wireless local loop deployment in France
Alcatel LMDS and wireless IP turnkey solutions to be deployed nationwide
Paris, 18 July, 2000 - FirstMark Communications France, the wireless local loop operator and
broadband Internet service provider, has awarded Alcatel, the world leader for broadband wireless
local loop, a 100 million Euros frame-contract. The contract follows FirstMark's choice of Alcatel as
their exclusive supplier for broadband wireless access equipment. The contract includes the provision
and the installation of Alcatel LMDS (Local Multipoint Distribution Services) and Alcatel Wireless IP
(Internet Protocol) throughout France. FirstMark Communications France was recently proposed the
award of a national license by the French Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ART).
Alcatel will provide an end-to-end solution including the installation of base stations, site search and
installation as well as network design. By the end of 2000, the Alcatel equipment will be deployed in
several major French cities. Since March 1999, FirstMark Communications France had already
completed extensive testing of the Alcatel equipment quality in its pilot installation in Lyon, including trial
customers. The Alcatel LMDS and Alcatel Wireless IP solutions will enable FirstMark to cost-effectively
deliver voice, data, high-speed Internet, and multimedia services to business customers using
broadband wireless systems operating in the 26 GHz and 3.5 GHz spectrum.
Tim Samples, President and Chief Operating Officer of FirstMark Communications Europe, commented :
"We are very pleased to partner with Alcatel as we are building our end-to-end broadband network
throughout France and Europe."
Thierry Mileo, CEO of FirstMark Communications France, stated: "Our decision to select Alcatel's
LMDS technology was driven by the results of the pilot network deployed in Lyon as well as by their
capability to provide turnkey solutions and build long-term partnership."
Gérard Dega, Alcatel's President for France, said:"Our strong local presence in France combined
with our close cooperation with FirstMark has helped us meet their specific constraints and
objectives in a timely and professional manner. "
Jean-David Calvet, Alcatel's Executive Vice-President for the Fixed Wireless activities, said: "This
new success confirms that Alcatel offers the most complete broadband wireless access solutions
today."
Alcatel broadband wireless solutions enable service providers to quickly and conveniently connect
end users, cost-effectively extending the reach of their broadband networks. The point-to-multipoint
technology offers dynamic bandwidth allocation for Internet applications at speeds up to 8 Mbit/s and
allows telephone connections at 2 Mbit/s. The only equipment required by the end user is a very small
outdoor antenna (less that 30 centimetre diameter) and indoor network termination device.
With more than 2500 sites already installed for more than 100 companies around the world, Alcatel is
the world leader in the broadband wireless local loop.
About Alcatel
Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data
communications solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers
worldwide. With 120,000 employees and sales of EURO 23 billion in 1999, Alcatel operates in more
than 130 countries.
About FirstMark Communications France :
FirstMark Communications France is a consortium composed of Suez-Lyonnaise des Eaux (18 %),
Groupe Arnault (18 %), Rallye (10 %), BNP-Paribas (10 %),Francarep (Groupe Rothschild) (10 %) and
FirstMark Communications Europe (34 %), which applied on 31 January 2000 for a national WLL
license, as well as for each of 22 regional licenses, in the framework of the appeal to tender launched
by the French Telecommunications Regulation Authority.
About FirstMark Communications Europe :
FirstMark Communications is building the largest and most pervasive end-to-end broadband Internet
network infrastructure throughout Europe, connecting more than 150 cities in 18 countries. The
company currently has operations and business development activities in twelve major European
countries including Germany, Spain, Portugal, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, United
Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, and Finland. FirstMark is based in Luxembourg.
Further information is available from www.firstmark.net
Contact press@www.alcatel.com |
