First Mark Comm. and Alcatel:
FirstMark Communications Europe SA Selects Alcatel's Wireless PDH and
SDH Technology
This contract Follows a Significant Order for Alcatel's LMDS Solution in July 2000
Paris, 22 August, 2000 - Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced it has won
a contract valued at EURO 100 million from FirstMark Communications for the turnkey delivery of
PDH/SDH microwave systems.
The contract announced today for Alcatel's PDH/SDH microwave systems now enables FirstMark
to connect LMDS base stations to the appropriate nationwide transmission network. Alcatel will be
deploying its PDH/SDH technology for FirstMark throughout Europe over the next three years.
Alcatel is supplying SDH and PDH microwave systems from the Optinex(TM) family for the link
between the LMDS base stations and each country's nationwide fiber-optic network. Alcatel 9600
USY microwave systems can be supplied for the frequency range 6GHz to 38GHz and can
therefore be used practically anywhere - in metropolitan as well as rural areas. Alcatel 9600
systems enable the best possible utilisation of the frequency spectrum through 128 QAM
(Quadrature Amplitude Modulation). The Alcatel solution includes a powerful end-to-end network
management system covering the operation of the network at all levels.
Dr. Dieter Finke, senior vice president of FirstMark Communications Europe SA said: "We
selected Alcatel because of the high quality of the systems, its worldwide
presence and its support for new high speed networks."
"We are pleased to support FirstMark Communications in the deployment of its
European network," said Bruno Piacentini, President of the Wireless Transmission Division of
Alcatel's Optics Group. "By using these Alcatel competitive solutions, FirstMark
Communication achieves the aim of fast, efficient communications, anytime,
anywhere and creates new value for its customers" he added.
Note to Editors
In July 2000, Alcatel in France received an order for its LMDS (Local Multipoint Distribution Service)
solution for "last mile" access. This Alcatel LMDS solution enables FirstMark Communications to
cost-effectively deliver high-speed Internet, ISDN and leased-line services to small and
medium-sized businesses using a high frequency broadband wireless system.
The comprehensive Alcatel LMDS solution is a multiservice broadband wireless network
comprised of base station and customer premises equipment, and network and service
management. A base station, consisting of digital modulation equipment with optional switching
capabilities and point-to-multipoint transmitters and receivers, is the central location that collects all
traffic to and from customers within a given wireless coverage area. It is also the linking point
between the customer and the network backbone. Customer premises equipment includes Radio
Termination (RT) transceivers and Network Termination (NT) units, which support a full range of
services. The network and service management suite supports complete end to end management
of both the wireless and wireline portions of the customers network, providing a full range of
billing, statistics and maintenance support.
About Alcatel
Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data
networking 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
FirstMark Communications is building the largest and most pervasive end-to-end broadband
Internet network infrastructure throughout Europe, connecting 170 cities in 18 countries. Today,
FirstMark operates a nationwide high-speed optical fibre network in Germany that extends more
than 3,500 kilometres, connecting 23 cities.
A leading provider of Broadband Internet Services in Europe, FirstMark will offer a full suite of
communications, hosting and applications services for commercial businesses and Internet
solution providers.
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.
Contact press@www.alcatel.com
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 |
