PARIS -- Alcatel (NYSE: ALA and Paris: CGEP.PA) today expanded its world-leading portfolio of broadband access technologies by introducing the Alcatel 7340 Fiber-to-the-User (FTTU) solution. Alcatel's 7340 solution delivers high quality voice, interactive video supporting hundreds of analog and digital channels, and Internet access at speeds up to 3000 times faster than traditional dial-up modem schemes. Fiber to the user is suited for service providers to deploy in new-build residential communities or overlay networks as a complement to Alcatel's world-leading digital subscriber line (DSL) and digital loop carrier solutions. The Alcatel 7340 FTTU solution offers the carrier yet another powerful opportunity to reclaim and retain customers with a triple play of voice, video and data from the same provider. "Alcatel's experience as a leading broadband access provider gives it the edge in providing a fiber-to-the-user solution," said Jean-Christophe Deverines, Senior Analyst with Frost & Sullivan. "Alcatel can leverage that broadband access position with its strengths in optical transmission, ATM and network management to provide a carrier-class alternative that equips service providers to compete directly with cable operators." In a separate releaseAlcatel (Paris : CGEP.PA and NYSE : ALA), the world leader in optical networking, announced today it has shipped over 30,000 new-generation SDH multi-service transmission systems to 135 operators worldwide in 2001, a vast majority of which for metro applications. This performance further reinforces Alcatel's leadership in the SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) transmission market."Again Alcatel demonstrates its commitment to its customers. Reducing ongoing operational expenditures is a top priority of service providers.rdesigning systems that share common plug-in modules, Alcatel realizes the need of service providers to reduce sparing costs and maintenance overhead," said Marian Stasney, Sr. Analyst from leading analyst firm The Yankee Group. "This modular approach allows service providers to address their transport needs today and grow their service offering gracefully over time." In a separate releaseAlcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced that it has been selected by Verizon to provide the network infrastructure for the company's new FlexGrow( service. As a result of the contract, Alcatel's 3624 MainStreet Intelligent Channel Bank (ICB) will be deployed across the Eastern seaboard of the United States to support service delivery from Maine to Virginia.With Alcatel's 3624 MainStreet ICB acting as an T1 integrated access device, Verizon can now offer customized service packages that address the individual voice and dedicated Internet access requirements of SME customers from a single platform. Alcatel's 3624 MainStreet ICB also supports delivery of multiple revenue generating services including PBX, transaction data traffic, and video. Alcatel SA