Lucent Boosts Cingular Capacity

MURRAY HILL, N.J. -- Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless carrier, has selected the PacketStar(R) (PSAX) Multiservice Media Gateway from Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) to more efficiently move voice and data traffic on its network. Deployed in what is known as a wireless backhaul solution, the PacketStar(R) (PSAX) 1000 will enable Cingular to increase capacity on its nationwide mobile network facilities, while at the same time reducing its operating expenses. The PacketStar(R) (PSAX) 1000 is being deployed at thousands of Cingular cell sites throughout the United States, where it enables Cingular to collapse multiple leased lines into one, increasing overall network capacity for voice and data traffic and reducing leased line facilities costs significantly. Significant initial deployments have been completed throughout the network and the remaining deployments are planned for this year and next. "This wireless backhaul solution demonstrates how Lucent is leveraging its comprehensive product portfolio to address the needs of mobile operators," said Joe McCarthy, sales vice president for Lucent Technologies. "Lucent has long demonstrated leadership in data and mobility products and we're pleased to build on our relationship with Cingular with this solution designed to help make their current network more efficient and profitable while reducing their operating costs." Lucent Technologies Inc. Cingular Wireless