Cable & Wireless Deploys Alcatel Router Technology for Its Next Generation Network

Alcatel (NYSE: ALA; Paris: CGEP.PA) today announced that its latest 'high end' router technology was deployed in the rollout of Cable & Wireless' Next Generation Network (NGN).

The network will give big businesses the option of migrating to a next generation service experience when it suits their business needs. The rollout formed part of Cable & Wireless' network refresh expanding its service mix to meet the demand for new broadband, Ethernet and IP services, and providing a robust and resilient single communications platform.

Central to this build-out is a migration of five different technologies onto a single IP/MPLS network, based on the Alcatel 7750 Service Router and 5620 Service Aware Manager. As part of this "NGN" project, Alcatel will deploy 200-250 nodes over a two-to-three year period, which will enable Cable & Wireless to offer its customers access to a range of new multimedia applications in the future. The all IP network places applications into a highly secure and future proof telecoms infrastructure. Customers will benefit from increased reliability, robustness, high bandwidth capabilities and combined voice and data support.

Alcatel's IP solution offers Cable & Wireless the quality of service required to assign priorities to traffic -- this is critical as it consolidates multiple traffic types onto the single multiservice edge router; the highest levels of reliability to assure non-stop service delivery; and, the massive scalability and superior performance management features needed to introduce new IP-based services. In addition, the IP solution provides multicast capability, which is essential for the future provision of triple play services.

Jim Marsh, CEO of Cable & Wireless Europe, Asia and US said: "Our NGN rollout is complete ahead of time and under budget. We now have in place a resilient NGN infrastructure designed specifically to deliver the service experience our top end corporate and government customers require."

Basil Alwan, president of Alcatel's IP activities, said: "We are delighted that Cable & Wireless chose to work with Alcatel to enhance its network for new, customer-focused service delivery. Scalable routing and high availability underpinned by advanced service provisioning will create a rich service delivery environment critical to the success of this important network transformation."

Cable & Wireless joins more than 150 customers in 65 countries, including AT&T, BT, Telia Sonera, Telefonica and China Telecom, who have selected the Alcatel IP portfolio. According to Synergy Research Group, Alcatel was #2 in the Services Edge Router category in Q2 2006, with a 19% market share.

About Cable & Wireless

Cable & Wireless is one of the world's leading international communications companies. It operates through two standalone business units - International and UK. The International business unit operates integrated telecommunications companies in 34 countries offering mobile, broadband, domestic and international fixed line services to residential and business customers, with principal operations in the Caribbean, Panama, Macau, Monaco and the Channel Islands. The UK business unit provides enterprise and carrier solutions to the largest users of telecoms services across the UK, US, continental Europe and Asia, and wholesale broadband services in the UK. For more information about Cable & Wireless, go to http://www.cw.com .

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 12.3 billion in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.

For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com