Alcatel, Vinci Team on French Broadband

PARIS -- Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) and VINCI Networksannounced today that the two companies have entered into a strategic partnership to providelocal French communities with communication networks and broadband solutions. Thispartnership is part of the commitment from the European Union to encourage its member statesto accelerate broadband access services penetration in their respective territories.

Alcatel and VINCI Networks will enable local French communities to provide their citizens andenterprises with the capability to benefit from high-speed access services via telecommunicationoperators and Internet service providers, thus reducing the Internet divide. Alcatel and VINCINetworks will supply the entire communication solution including network design, building,installation, integration and commissioning, as well as training, operation and maintenanceservices.

Alcatel brings to the partnership its complete expertise in telecommunication networks, as well asa global service organization capable of providing local French communities with a full range ofoperation and maintenance services. VINCI Networks brings civil engineering and optical fiberdeployment skills, key project management expertise and a strong market position in offeringservices to local communities complimented by an extensive experience in concessions (PFI)management.

“Local communities are in the process of acquiring the legal right to become carriers’ carriers.Alcatel and VINCI Networks have decided to support the local communities in this new challenge.As the world leader in DSL, Alcatel is in the best position to boost broadband penetration inFrance and we believe that VINCI is the right partner in this endeavor,” said Frederic Rose,President of Alcatel’s integration and services activities.

“Our two companies have acquired a good reputation in their respective market segments inFrance. VINCI Networks has a recognized expertise in telecommunications network installationacquired with such projects as the Telia Project -a contract to lay more than 1,400 kilometers ofoptical fiber linking Paris and Hendaye and, more recently, through the first outsourcedmanagement of a telecommunications network for a community of municipalities. For its part,Alcatel, leader in broadband access, is the telecommunication network provider best positionedto meet local community’s needs. Our partnership will reinforce our mutual capabilities in orderto respond jointly to local community’s requirements, ” said Thierry de Severac, President ofVINCI Networks.

Alcatel SA