SaskTel Picks Lucent Gear

MURRAY HILL, N.J. -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced a deal with SaskTel, a leading Canadian service provider, to provide optical networking equipment that will allow SaskTel to increase network capacity and offer faster, more sophisticated services.

The agreement supports SaskTel's ongoing deployment of its high-speed network that offers advanced services, such as MAX(TM) Interactive Services -- Internet Protocol (IP) video over digital subscriber loop (DSL) -- and provides a platform for enhanced Ethernet services. It also supports SaskTel's high-speed Internet service, which currently reaches more than 192 communities throughout Saskatchewan and is on track to reach a total of 237 communities by the end of 2003.

Lucent will supply products from the Metropolis(R) DMX family of access multiplexers and optical amplifiers from the Metropolis(R) Wavelength Extension Solution to build regional transport rings in the province of Saskatchewan. The company will also supply the new Navis(R) Optical Management System (OMS) to provide SaskTel with advanced network management for its optical networks.

"SaskTel leads the way in Canada, and possibly North America, in deploying high-speed Internet service, particularly in rural areas," said Kym Wittal, SaskTel chief technology officer. "Lucent's portfolio of products will allow us the flexibility to provide better reach to our customers for future high-bandwidth services."

The seamless integration of the new solution into the existing network means SaskTel can cost-effectively offer its customers the most efficient, scaleable, reliable and technologically advanced network possible.

"Our customers expect innovative solutions that will enable them to create new, profitable services and reduce operational costs," said Alex Giosa, president of Lucent Technologies Canada. "We're pleased to be partnering with an innovator like SaskTel to offer our proven DMX and wavelength extension products, along with our newest optical network management solution, to ensure quality of service, operational efficiency and fast connection speeds."

SaskTel

Lucent Technologies Inc.