CHICAGO and MURRAY HILL, N.J., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- U.S.
Cellular (Amex: USM) and Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)
today announced a five-year agreement for Alcatel-Lucent to supply a wide
variety of network equipment, software and services supporting U.S.
Cellular's ongoing network expansion.
The equipment, software and services from Alcatel-Lucent will make it
possible for U.S. Cellular to improve their customers' experience through
increased coverage and capacity of its network based on CDMA2000(R)
technology. This platform will enable U.S. Cellular to provide an enhanced
mobile data customer experience, including faster uploads and downloads
when connecting to the internet, and new mobile high-speed data services,
including mobile video telephony, high-quality music streaming and other
multimedia applications.
"U.S. Cellular has repeatedly been recognized for providing our
customers with the greatest wireless experience, so it's critical that we
partner with a vendor that can help us create and maintain the best
wireless network possible," said Michael S. Irizarry, Executive Vice
President and Chief Technology Officer at U.S. Cellular. "Alcatel-Lucent
has been a trusted partner since the very beginning of U.S. Cellular and we
chose to continue our ongoing relationship based on Alcatel-Lucent's
knowledge of our business, its understanding of our vision and the breadth
of its portfolio."
Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide a range of base
stations designed to fit a wide variety of deployment scenarios to enable
U.S. Cellular to address the needs of its customers no matter where they
live, work and play.
"By once again choosing Alcatel-Lucent to expand and grow its network,
U.S. Cellular is demonstrating its confidence not only in CDMA technology
but also the CDMA market in general," said Cindy Christy, president of
Alcatel- Lucent's Americas region. "This is a significant contract for
Alcatel-Lucent and we look forward to continuing our longstanding
relationship with U.S. Cellular as we help them rapidly deploy new revenue
generating applications and services."
Earlier this year, the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Wireless Call
Quality Performance Study(SM) for the fourth consecutive time ranked U.S.
Cellular "Highest Call Quality Performance among Wireless Cell Phone Users
in the North Central Region, for Two Years."
CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry
Association.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular is the nation's sixth-largest wireless service carrier,
providing wireless service to six million customers in 26 states. The
Chicago- based company employs 8,000 associates and operates on a customer
satisfaction strategy, meeting customer needs by providing a comprehensive
range of wireless products and services, superior customer support, and a
high-quality network.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that
enable service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to deliver
voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in
fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies,
applications, and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions
that enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work
and on the move. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent
is a local partner with global reach. The company has the most experienced
global services team in the industry, and one of the largest research,
technology and innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry.
Alcatel-Lucent achieved adjusted proforma revenues of Euro 18.3 billion in
2006 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in
Paris. [All figures exclude impact of activities to be transferred to
Thales]. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet:
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
Disclaimer: U.S. Cellular received the highest numerical score among
wireless cell phone providers in the North Central region of the
proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Wireless Call Quality
Performance Studies(SM) - Vol. 1 & 2 and 2007 Wireless Call Quality
Performance Studies(SM)- Vol. 1 & 2. 2007 Volume 2 based on 23,679 total
wireless users measuring 6 providers in the North Central region (OH, MI,
IN, WI, IL) and measures opinions of consumers with the call quality of
their wireless service. Proprietary study results are based on experiences
and perceptions of consumers surveyed in April and July 2007. Your
experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
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SOURCE Alcatel-Lucent
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Related links:
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
CONTACT:
Media, Jonathan Guerin of U.S. Cellular,
+1-773-399-4379, Jonathan.guerin@uscellular.com; or Media, Denise
Panyik-Dale, +1-908-582-4897, dpanyikdale@alcatel-lucent.com, or
Mary Ward, +1-908-582-7658, maryward@alcatel-lucent.com, or
Investors, Scott Ashby, +33-1-40-76-29-90,
scott.ashby@alcatel-lucent.com, or Maria Alcon,
+33-1-40-76-15-17, maria.alcon@alcatel-lucent.com, or John
DeBono, +1-908-582-7793, debono@alcatel-lucent.com, or Tony
Lucido, +33-1-40-76-49-80, alucido@alcatel-lucent.com, or Don
Sweeney, +1-908-582-6153, dsweeney@alcatel-lucent.com, all of
Alcatel-Lucent
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