Alcatel wins DSL project with Nile Online in Egypt

Alcatel will provide and install 30,000 DSL lines in a one year time frame, providing a large number of users across the country with high speed internet connectivity and with platforms ready to deploy innovative broadband triple play services (voice, data, and video).

Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel will supply Nile Online with its industry-leading Alcatel 7302 Integrated Services Access Manager (ISAM), which will enable demand for high-speed internet access services and high quality broadband applications like IP TV. This is the first ISAM reference in the Middle East.

Dr. Hisham El Sherif, Chairman & CEO of IT Investments Group, said, "Egypt is seeing an explosive growth in its broadband market. We need a strong partner to support us in meeting the increasing market demand for quality broadband services. We chose Alcatel not only because of its advanced broadband solution, but also because of its deep understanding of the Egyptian market and global technology trends and development."

According to Michel Rahier, in charge of Alcatel's fixed communications activities, "This agreement further confirms our commitment to helping to accelerate broadband deployments in emerging markets of the world. Moreover, we are very proud to partner with Nile Online; this contract will reinforce our position in Egypt, of which Alcatel now has 60% market share.

This contract further reinforces Alcatel's leadership in the global DSL market and IP triple play over broadband access. Since its launch in September 2004, eleven customers worldwide have now selected the 7302 ISAM.

Alcatel holds a cumulative DSL market share of 37.8% based on the fourth quarter 2004 data from industry analyst Dell'Oro Group. Alcatel has shipped more than 68 million lines and its broadband access solutions are prominent in networks of over 120 service providers worldwide.