Alcatel (NYSE: ALA), the world leader in optical networking, has been awarded a contract by CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power), a major utility company in Hong Kong supplying electricity to business and residential users, to deploy a Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) system.

The network is the first of its kind in Asia's utility sector, and project implementation will begin in March 2002.

Alcatel's 1696 Metro Span DWDM metro system is a flexible and modular platform, which enhances customers' network operational ability to cope with the increasing demand for high-bandwidth data communications. Because the Alcatel 1696 Metro Span can be installed in any environment, CLP Power will also be able to minimize the environmental impact and maintain its service delivery at the highest level anytime. "With ever-increasing use of faster and more efficient electrical equipment, CLP Power's data transmission requirements are expanding," said CK Law, manager of CLP Power's Technical Services Department. "The deployment of DWDM technology is an effective alternative to magnify the capacity of our existing optical fiber network. We will also be able to save costs and bring environmental benefits to the public with no interruption to their daily lives."

Alcatel SA (NYSE: ALA; Paris: CGEP:PA)