DALLAS -- Alcatel (NYSE:ALA - News) announced today it will provide DSL (digital subscriber line) equipment to BellSouth to complete 100 percent coverage for all of BellSouth's central offices in the State of Mississippi. Alcatel will supply the Alcatel 7300 Advanced Services Access Manager (ASAM) DSL platform to BellSouth to equip and enable the remaining BellSouth central offices in Mississippi with DSL.

"BellSouth is deploying DSL capabilities to 100 percent of its Mississippi central offices as a result of the leadership shown by the Mississippi state legislature," said Bill Smith, chief product development and technology officer of BellSouth. "Now, more businesses and households will have access to the speed and power of broadband by way of this increased deployment. BellSouth currently leads the industry in DSL deployment with more than 70 percent of its nine-state region having access to DSL service."

DSL is a very competitive alternative to cable broadband, and significant advances in technology now allow for simple provisioning and installation. More Mississippi customers will have increased access to BellSouth® FastAccess® DSL Internet service as a result of this additional build-out.

Alcatel SA

BellSouth Corp.