PARIS -- Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced that it has signed a contract with Columbus Communications Inc. to deploy a new submarine optical cable network in the Caribbean. The new network, to be known as the FibraLink Network, will connect Jamaica to the ARCOS* network, providing seamless connectivity to the telecommunications infrastructure in the United States. In addition the FibraLink Network will provide festoon and terrestrial connectivity in Jamaica from Kingston to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.

Columbus' subsidiary, FibraLink Jamaica Limited was issued a license by the Government of Jamaica as part of Jamaica's comprehensive telecommunications deregulation initiative. The deployment of the FibraLink Network will allow Jamaican telecommunications providers to benefit from the additional capacity required to cope with end-users' needs for enhanced delivery of broadband traffic in a more cost-effective manner.

Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel will design, manufacture, install, and commission a submarine optical cable system to Jamaica with design capacity of 160 Gb/s. The contractual ready for service date is December 2005.

"By completing the FibraLink Network and the acquisition of New World Networks, Columbus will be delivering international connectivity to over 80% of the population base in Central America and the Caribbean. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to add Jamaica to the list of countries where Columbus is providing robust broadband bandwidth services at cost effective prices" said Brendan Paddick, chief executive officer of Columbus.

"Submarine telecom networks are now acting as massive data highways not only linking continents, but also many smaller islands," said Jean Godeluck, president of Alcatel's submarine network activity. "With the most successful track record on the market, Alcatel brings proven submarine technology and a turnkey approach to DWDM optical networks which enable operators and service-providers to support the delivery of a diversified mix of services reliably and cost-efficiently."

Alcatel