Alcatel Offers Network Investment Protection Through Multi-protocol Interoperability

Latest test results validate Alcatel's edge and core platforms

DALLAS -- Dec. 5, 2001 -- Alcatel (NYSE: ALA) today announced successful third-party multi-vendor interoperability testing of Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) on the Alcatel 7670 Routing Switch Platform (RSP) and the Alcatel 7411 Broadband Access Server (BAS). The European Advanced Networking Test Center (EANTC), an independent equipment test facility, conducted the test.

Following the recent announcement of the new release of the Alcatel 7670 RSP, the multi-protocol platform demonstrated interconnection with core Internet Protocol (IP) routers using its STM-16/OC-48 packet over SONET interface. The Alcatel 7411 BAS introduced the dynamic setup of Border Gateway Protocol/MPLS virtual private networks (VPN), a critical factor to the commercial success of broadband remote access servers.

The tests proved the platforms' interoperability in the areas of:

• Label Distribution Protocol/Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) Signaling
  
• RSVP-TE and Traffic Engineering with CR-LDP (Constraint-based Router Label Distribution Protocol)
  
• VPN based on RFC 2547bis (Request For Comment)
  
• Label Edge Router and Label Switch Router applications

"The purpose of EANTC's testing is to ultimately improve the quality and compatibility of different vendors' equipment," said Carsten Rossenhövel, managing director, research and manufacturer testing, EANTC. "By participating in this process, Alcatel demonstrates its commitment to multi-vendor interoperability and international standards as well as its desire to proactively meet customer needs on a global basis."

Successful interoperability results were also recently achieved in North America at the Advanced Internet Laboratory of George Mason University and the University of New Hampshire's Interoperability Laboratory, strengthening Alcatel's global leadership in MPLS interoperability.

"Tier one vendors can't hide behind lab coats and locked doors. It's vital that we participate in public third-party testing to deliver hardened, fully interoperable products," said Michel Rahier, president, Alcatel Broadband Networking division.

The Alcatel 7670 RSP and the Alcatel 7411 BAS are part of Alcatel's carrier-class, high performance product portfolio that enables service providers to continue to grow existing revenue generating services while supporting an evolutionary approach to building their next generation core and edge networks. The products also provide the architecture to enable new IP-MPLS/VPN based services that are deliverable with absolute quality of service to protect high-value service level agreements.

About EANTC
The EANTC was founded in 1991 and has been running group testing events since 1995. Primary business areas include testing services for network equipment manufacturers and network operators (carriers, service providers and enterprises). EANTC is well known for superior quality assurances among network operators in Europe and equipment manufacturers worldwide. www.eantc.com

About Alcatel
Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data networking solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With sales of Euro 31 billion in 2000 and 110,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, www.alcatel.com