PARIS -- Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) todayannounced that it has entered into a one-year agreement with Telenor,Norway’s leading operator, for a field trial of the Alcatel 1000Softswitch. Based on the trial results, Telenor will decide on theirstrategy to transition their network towards Next Generation Network (NGN)architecture.

The pilot program consists of three phases in which Alcatel will graduallyprovide new products and services : a proof of concept trial followed by atoll bypass and a local services application. In addition to the Alcatel1000 Softswitch, Alcatel will deliver access products, such as MediaGateways, for testing in the pilot network. The field trial began inJanuary in the Oslo region. Results will be used to evaluate the Alcatel1000 Softswitch applications in a real operating environment and shouldlead to the development of Next Generation Network in Norway.

Berit Svendsen, Chief Technology Officer of Telenor, said: "The field trialwill give Telenor valuable experience regarding the development andpossibilities provided through the Alcatel NGN solution. It is essentialfor Telenor to provide new services to our customers as well as to look forcost-saving technical solutions. This is the motivation for Telenor to worktogether with Alcatel to explore how Alcatel’s NGN solutions can achievethese goals.”

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