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