Sprint Picks Lucent for DSL

MURRAY HILL, N.J. -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) has been named a supplier of digital subscriber line (DSL) systems for Sprint's Local Telecommunications Division (LTD), the company announced today. The Lucent Stinger(r) Access Concentrators will enable Sprint to significantly expand its Sprint FastConnect(r) DSL service. Sprint FastConnect DSL provides users with high-bandwidth Internet access and an "instant-on" broadband connection to eliminate multiple dial-ups. Sprint FastConnect DSL also allows customers to use the Internet and talk on the telephone or send a fax at the same time - all over a single, existing telephone line."Our customers have told us that they want faster and more reliable access to the Internet for email and other applications," said Marce Maatsch, director-national engineering standards and processes for Sprint. "Lucent's Stinger(r) MRT access platform will help us considerably expand our service footprint, allowing more of our customers to receive the kind of DSL service they're requesting." The scaleable Stinger(r) DSL access concentrator will enable Sprint to extend the reach of its high-speed DSL service into rural and urban areas. The Stinger(r) DSL solution gives Sprint more capacity than any other DSL platform currently available.Sprint LTD will deploy the Stinger(r) FS+, RT and MRT platforms throughout its entire DSL network. The Stinger(r) FS+ platform enables service providers to significantly reduce their DSL equipment footprint and power consumption in their central offices where space and power are typically at a premium. The Stinger(r) RT DSL solution is a hardened version of the Stinger(r) chassis and is designed for use in outdoor cabinets, while the Stinger(r) MRT is a compact, hardened DSL system that is deployed at the edge of the access network, enabling DSL service to be deployed to remote customers. Lucent Technologies Inc.Sprint Corp.