Alcatel Wins GSM in MaliAlcatel Wins GSM in Mali

PARIS -- Alcatel (Paris: CEGP.PA and NYSE: ALA), and Ikatel, the second GSM operator of Mali and a subsidiary of Sonatel/France Telecom, today announced that they have signed a contract for the delivery of a nationwide GSM-network in Mali. The first phase of the network installation will start in Bamako by end-2002. When completed, the network will be the largest-capacity network in Mali. Alcatel will supply Ikatel with its industry leading Evolium? solution. It comprises a radio Base Station Subsystem (BSS), a core Network Sub System (NSS). As an industry-leading solution, the Alcatel Evolium? family can support GSM, GPRS, EDGE and UMTS technologies that can integrate future 3G mobile data applications. In addition to the network infrastructure, Alcatel will deliver a complete IN (Intelligent Network) solution, built on its proven Open Services Platform (OSP) and consisting of prepaid services for fixed and mobile, roaming, mobile originated SMS (Short Message Service), and call forwarding. Cheikh Tidiane MBAYE, General Manager of Sonatel declared "This contract stresses for us the choice we made to invest in quality and to put value before volume in order to offer our customers the best possible network with a wide range of advanced services." Marc Rouanne, President of Alcatel's Mobile Networks activities added, "Building a solid telecommunication infrastructure is a priority in the economic development plan of a country such as Mali. And we are happy in Alcatel to leverage our experience to the benefit of Ikatel's telecommunication development. This new success confirms our strong commitment to the African mobile market" Alcatel SA