Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Alcatel (ALA) and France -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: zbyslaw owczarczyk who wrote (1993)	6/15/2000 4:52:00 PM
From: zbyslaw owczarczyk	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 3891

AVANTEL-MCI WORLDCOM SELECTS ALCATEL'S TO BUILD AN OPTICAL BACKBONE Paris, June 15, 2000 - Alcatel, the world leader in optical networking, today announced the signature of a USD 72 million contract with Avantel-MCI Worldcom, the Mexican long-distance telecommunications carrier, to build a terrestrial fiber optical backbone network along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The award further demonstrates Alcatel's ability in offering breakthrough optical networking technology and positions the Company as prime supplier of SDH core systems to Avantel-MCI Worldcom. The new high-speed optical network - 1,370 kilometers long - will link 10 cities from Veracruz to Cancun and will be connected to Miami (Florida) through the Cancun node, forming a ring that transports and distributes voice and data traffic between Mexico and the US. This turnkey project will enable Avantel-MCI Worldcom to undertake a major expansion of its telecommunications infrastructure in Mexico and to continue meeting the growing demand for fast data transmission services. Alcatel will supply, install, commission and maintain the new Optinex Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) core system, which offers a wide range of cost-effective solutions including the latest IP services, as well as the new generation fiber, Teralight, an optimized dispersion fiber technology for high-capacity, long-distance applications. "We recognize our customers' need for an extensive and competitive portfolio of services, either voice and data and we want to give them access by using innovative and competitive solutions", said Miguel Calder•n, Vice President of Avantel-MCI Worldcom. "This contract demonstrates our ability to provide turnkey integrated solutions from fiber-optic to transmission and network management systems", stated Christian Reinaudo, President of Alcatel's Optics Group. The link is based on the Optinex SDH multiservice platform, operating at 2.5 Gbps - upgradable to 10 Gbps - which allows the transmission of more than 120,000 telephone conversations simultaneously. The whole network is supervised by an integrated network management system, which provides efficient traffic control and routing throughout all network levels. An armor cable, buffer-tube designed with 24 fiber optics Teralight, initially transmitting data and voice at a speed of 2.5 Gbps will also be deployed. The Teralight fiber is designed for future high bit-rate technologies as DWDM with potential transmission rate up to 240 x 10 Gbps. About Avantel-MCI Worldcom Avantel is a telecommunications joint venture formed by MCI WorldCom and Grupo Financiero Banamex-Accival (Banacci), one of Mexico's largest financial services holding company. Avantel provides long distance and other telecommunications services in Mexico. The company is owned 55% by Banacci and 45% by MCI WorldCom and was the first Mexican company to apply for and receive a license to compete in the country's long distance market. Avantel, incorporated in October 1994, serves business and residential customers in the $4 billion Mexican long-distance market and provides global telecommunications services and state-of-the-art products. The total number of lines in Mexico is expected to almost double from 9.9 in 1998 to 18.1 by 2003; the LD market is growing annually at an average of 11 percent and is projected to reach US$5 billion by 2003. The company is the first new concessionaire in Mexico to offer some of the first competitive voice, data, Internet and global products and services, has about 900,000 active customers and carries over 10 percent of the country's long distance traffic. Avantel Servicios Locales was recently awarded a concession to offer local telephony services in Mexico. As reported by Pyramid Research's, Telecoms and Wireless Markets and Strategies: Mexico, February 1999 About Alcatel In November 1999, RHK, a leading telecommunications analyst firm, said that Alcatel holds a 21% share - the number one position - of the world's total transport market, which comprises submarine and terrestrial transmission systems. RHK noted that Alcatel's market-leading 37% market share in the submarine networks segment helped secure the top position in the total transport market. In addition, RHK found that Alcatel commands a 37% share of the digital cross-connect systems (DCS) segment. Cross-connect systems contain the enabling technology for operators to offer high bandwidth services. Alcatel is also cited as the global leader in terms of DWDM market share for the global market encompassing both terrestrial and submarine applications. 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. Contact press@www.alcatel.com