Verizon Selects Alcatel to Provide Additional Networking
Options for Its Large Business, Government Customers
Company Will Be Largest North American Distributor Offering Alcatel
Technologies for Internet Protocol-based Voice and Data Networks
NEW YORK and CALABASAS, Calif., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon, one of the world's leading
providers of communications services, and Alcatel, a global leader in communications and Internet
technology, have signed an agreement calling for Verizon to distribute Alcatel's products to
support the communications requirements of large business and government customers. The pact,
which covers Alcatel's Internet protocol-based (IP) voice and data networking products, makes
Verizon the largest North American distributor for Alcatel.
Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group will market Alcatel's products to Fortune 1000, government,
education and healthcare customers throughout the United States, as well as provide complete
technical and customer service support. Alcatel will provide Verizon with training, sales and
proposal assistance, as well engineering and technical consultation.
``This agreement with Alcatel strengthens the portfolio of voice and data equipment that Verizon
offers, providing customers more options as they upgrade their existing networks,'' said Edward F.
McGuinness, senior vice president, marketing, Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group. ``Many
companies are seeking to combine separate voice and data networks into one. They come to
Verizon for our network integration expertise and quality customer service and now can also enjoy
the benefits of Alcatel's product line. Verizon will work with customers to help them successfully
implement their convergence strategies.''
Initially, Verizon will offer and support Alcatel's Internet protocol-private branch exchange
(IP-PBX), the OmniPCX 4400 IP-PBX. The product is a customer premises-based communications
server that simultaneously supports analog, digital and IP telephony. This is advantageous for
companies seeking to selectively introduce convergence capabilities into their networks, while
maximizing investment in current equipment.
Throughout this year, Verizon will introduce Alcatel's Omni family of convergence-optimized data
products, including the OmniSwitch family of switches, OmniStack platforms and OmniAccess
branch office and virtual private network (VPN) security products.
``This agreement leverages Verizon's national presence and Alcatel's award-winning product sets
to serve multi-site customers throughout the United States,'' said Tom Wilburn, senior vice
president, Alcatel North America enterprise business. ``This agreement also complements Verizon's
call center services business, including products from Genesys, enabling Verizon to offer integrated
solutions to large business and government customers.''
According to a report issued by InfoTech in January, the IP local area network (LAN) telephony
systems market for equipment, related applications and services will increase by 32 percent
annually through 2006 when combined revenue is expected to exceed $17 billion. InfoTech is a
leading industry research firm specializing in market intelligence for the telecommunications and
information technologies industries.
The agreement with Alcatel also supports Verizon as the company expands its international
presence and follows its customers around the world. Verizon currently offers call center services
in the United Kingdom and provides international transport services over a global network
operated by Verizon Global Solutions Inc.
Throughout 2002, Verizon has plans to increase the scope and breadth of the services offered internationally, beginning with call
center services and managed network solutions. Alcatel is the market leader for IP-PBX sales in Europe and is the parent company
of Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc., a leading provider of customer contact center solutions and collaborative
customer relationship management applications.
Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group manages the design, operation and maintenance of end-to-end total network integrated
solutions for large business and government customers across the United States. With 14,500 employees in 46 states, Verizon
Enterprise Solutions Group offers a complete range of basic and advanced communications products and services to meet the
voice, video, data and IP-related needs of its customers. For more information on products and services available through Verizon
Enterprise Solutions Group, please visit verizon.com.
About the Omni Family of Convergence Products
Alcatel's award-winning Omni family of networking solutions meets the needs of enterprises converging voice and data networks.
Based on a client/server UNIX architecture, the Alcatel OmniPCX 4400 is an IP-PBX with dual IP-TDM capabilities that supports
scalability from 50 to 50,000 users, innovative telephone handsets, one-number mobility, unified messaging and voice-over IP
networking. Alcatel's Omni-family of data switches and VPN security solutions provide the network foundation that supports the
quality of service, security and management requirements of converged networks.
Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ - news) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon
companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 132.1 million access line
equivalents and 29.4 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company
with more than $67 billion in annual revenues and approximately 247,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more
than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit verizon.com.
Alcatel (NYSE: ALA - news) designs, develops and builds innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling carriers,
service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as voice, data and multimedia, to any type of customer,
anywhere in the world. Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio, stretching from end-to-end
optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile networks to broadband access, Alcatel's customers can focus on optimizing their service
offerings and revenue streams. With sales of $22 billion in 2001 and 99,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130
countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: alcatel.com.
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SOURCE: Verizon Communications and Alcatel |
