Alcatel Expertise Helps to Secure USD 750,000 National Science Foundation Grant DALLAS, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alcatel (NYSE: ALA; Paris: CGEP.PA) today announced that City College of San Francisco (CCSF) has deployed an advanced Voice over IP (VoIP) networking solution using Alcatel's OmniPCX Enterprise communications server. The Alcatel solution, along with a 30 mile optical fiber ring and a grant from the National Science Foundation, are part of CCSF's efforts to advance institutional and academic accomplishment utilizing 21st century communications technology. CCSF's network utilizes approximately 2,000 Alcatel handsets in facilities dispersed throughout San Francisco. Internal calls are routed over a private data network, utilizing a 30-mile optical fiber ring connecting nine major campuses. Using taxpayer approved bond funds to purchase the fiber network and Alcatel solution, CCSF is realizing operational cost savings of more than USD 400,000 per year. The fiber and VoIP network solutions have further played key roles in CCSF's receipt of a USD 750,000 National Science Foundation grant to establish ICONS (Institute for Convergence of Optical and Network Systems). ICONS develops and delivers advanced technology training, using the OmniPCX Enterprise Communications Server and fiber networks as real- world instructional environments for students. Alcatel serves on the ICONS' Advisory Panel. "Alcatel's VoIP technology has enabled us to see measurable monthly cost savings, deliver enhanced communication services to our staff and faculty, and help position our school for a tremendous grant that is helping to further advance technology studies in our academic programs, in addition to our network needs," said Tim Ryan, Network manager at CCSF. "The NSF grant allows us to use our technology infrastructure for academic purposes, ultimately expanding job-training opportunities in the emerging digital media and communications convergence industries. CCSF sees Alcatel as an ongoing partner and an industry leader in emerging technology, which enable our efforts to make that happen and develop new curriculum related to communications convergence." "Alcatel considers CCSF to be a key end customer and we look forward to a continued long term successful relationship as the college evolves and incorporates new technology to continue offering a state-of-the-art network," commented David Dwyer, General manager of Alcatel's North America Enterprise Voice activities. About City College of San Francisco With more than 106,000 students, over 3,000 full and part-time staff and faculty, more than 4,700 courses delivered in more than 50 academic programs and more than 100 academic disciplines, City College of San Francisco is one of the largest colleges in the world. ICONS is funded by a USD 750,000, 3-year grant from the National Science Foundation as an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Project under the Computer Networking and Information Technology (CNIT) Department at CCSF. The CNIT department was created in 2002 to provide instruction in rapidly advancing technologies for creating, processing, managing and communicating information. CNIT trains technicians to implement and operate 21st century enterprise and service provider information and networking systems. 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 employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 13.1 billion and 58,000 employees in 2005, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com/ DATASOURCE: Alcatel CONTACT: Charlie Guyer of Alcatel, +1-978-257-3490 Web site: http://www.alcatel.com/

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