Paris, July 27, 2004 – Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced its investment in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada based metro-area optical networking supplier, Tropic Networks. Alcatel will be represented on Tropic Networks’ board of directors. In addition to the financial investment, Alcatel has also entered into a global agreement to market and distribute Tropic Networks products and technology.
As a manufacturer of metro-area optical networking equipment, Tropic Networks combines the intelligence of Wavelength Tracker™, an advanced optical layer management technology, with the flexibility of Reconfigurable OADM (ROADM). ROADM technology enables service providers to remotely reconfigure add and drop capacity at each node, delivering the enhanced functionality operators require to cost-effectively upgrade their network without affecting in-service traffic. The combination of these advanced technologies delivers more flexibility and versatility in network operation and provides today’s service providers with increased operational cost savings.
“Alcatel is continuously looking for the best ways to meet the demands of our customers,” said Romano Valussi, President of Alcatel’s optical networks activities. “By partnering with Tropic Networks, Alcatel will be able to immediately satisfy the ROADM market requirements, while continuing to develop advanced solutions that meet the future needs of the service provider community.”
“Tropic Networks is pleased to collaborate with the global leader in optical networking,” said Kevin Rankin, CEO, Tropic Networks. “We feel that this relationship will allow both Tropic Networks and Alcatel to leverage our combined strengths to successfully address new opportunities, while also serving the needs of our existing customers.”
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About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or to their employees. Alcatel leverages its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services to bring value to its customers in the framework of a broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.5 billion in 2003, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com
Contacts Presse Alcatel
Aurélie Boutin / HQ
Tel :+ 33 (0)1 40 76 11 79
Aurelie.Boutin@alcatel.com
Mark Burnworth / HQ
Tel :+ 33 (0)1 40 76 50 84
Mark.burnworth@alcatel.com
Relations avec les investisseurs Alcatel
Pascal Bantegnie
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 76 52 20
Pascal.bantegnie@alcatel.com
Peter Campbell
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 76 13 11
Peter.campbell@alcatel.com
Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane
Tel : +1 703 668 3571
Charlotte.laurent-ottomane@alcatel.com