Paris and Chengdu, China, August 18, 2005 - Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced it will set up a new Research & Development (R&D) Center in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province in Western China. Located inside the Chengdu High-Tech Park, an area dedicated to advanced IT and telecom technology development, the new Center represents Alcatel's latest effort to step up the company's research endeavors to better serve customers in China and the rest of the world. To be inaugurated before the end of 2005, the Center will be managed by Alcatel Shanghai Bell, Alcatel's Chinese flagship company.
The new Center will become an integrated part of Alcatel's overall R&D effort in China. In close collaboration with the existing Research & Innovation Center at Alcatel Shanghai Bell's headquarters in Shanghai, this R&D center will bring to market promising new technologies coming out of the company's research. Alcatel will later integrate into this Center all activities currently being carried out in Alcatel's Optical Communication R&D Center in Chengdu.
The Center will also undertake the development of world-class technologies and product concepts covering fixed and mobile communication areas. Initially, it will focus on advanced mobile technologies and solutions in the area of mobile Next Generation Networks (mobile NGN) and microwave transmission. Around 300 R&D engineers will be employed in this new facility.
Vince Pizzica, Chief Technology Officer, Alcatel Asia Pacific, said, "The establishment of this new R&D Center stands testimony to Alcatel's full commitment and confidence in the future of China's telecom market. It also reinforces our leadership position in the international telecommunications technology community, strengthening our innovation capability and supporting the very latest in technology developments. "
Gerard Dega, President of Alcatel Shanghai Bell, added, "With the new Center, Alcatel Shanghai Bell will be able to quickly respond to changing market needs in China and deliver the most advanced technologies to our customers' doorstep. The ready availability and abundance of research and engineering talent in China enables us to bring cutting-edge, cost-effective telecom technologies and solutions to our customers."
Alcatel is fully committed to advanced research on promising new technologies and product solutions in China. At present, Alcatel's R&D activities in China cover key areas in telecom industry, such as 3G, NGN, optics and triple play. In December 2002, Alcatel launched its first Research & Innovation Center in Asia Pacific in Shanghai and established the Optical Communications R&D Center in Chengdu in February 2003. Globally, Alcatel invests around 13% of its annual revenue on R&D activities.
About Alcatel Shanghai Bell
Alcatel Shanghai Bell is the first foreign-invested company limited by shares in the telecommunications sector in China, with Alcatel holding 50%+1 shares and Chinese shareholders holding the remainder. The multi-billion dollar telecom technology leader delivers end-to-end telecommunications solutions and high-quality services, covering the fixed, mobile networking, broadband access, intelligent optical networking, multimedia solutions and network applications. It also has a key international R&D center with full access to Alcatel's global technology pool, developing original technology for use in China and export to Alcatel's customers worldwide. With 6,500 employees, an advanced manufacturing center, and the most extensive sales and support network in China, it is the only company capable of meeting the global needs of Chinese customers. For more information, visit Alcatel Shanghai Bell on the Internet at http://www.alcatel-sbell.com.cn
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 and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. | |
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