Travelusacc Discussion Threads

[ariane] 15/2/2005 11:56

CANNES, France (AFX) - Alcatel said it agreed a tie-up with US semiconductor
company Intel Corp to develop and market the WiMax high-speed wireless internet
access technology to operators.
The first tests of the technology under the agreement are scheduled for the
first half 2006, with launch pencilled in for mid-2006, the company said at the
3GSM congress here.
ave-dab/jad/vs

[ariane] 15/2/2005 11:55

PARIS (AFX) - Alcatel said it won a three-year contract from Deutsche
Telekom AG unit T-Mobile USA to upgrade the company's core network using its
5020 Spatial Atrium technology.
No financial details were disclosed.
cad/jad/vs

[ariane] 13/2/2005 07:42

February 11, 2005
Voice Over Wi-Fi Handsets a Reality
By Nancy Gohring

Infonetics Research reports that worldwide voice over Wi-Fi handset revenue reached €35 million in 2004: Total units sold were 113,000. Combined Wi-Fi/cellular handset revenue reached €5.1 million in 2004, representing 8,000 handsets sold. Much of this market so far, especially the standalone handsets, is likely in the enterprise market, where companies like Spectralink have been selling voice over Wi-Fi systems.

These numbers should grow as companies roll out devices aimed at the broader market. Skype just announced that its voice over IP client will come loaded on PDAs made by Carrier Devices. The PDAs will be equipped with Wi-Fi and GSM/GPRS. PDAs are still largely used by business customers so this product, which is also made by an obscure manufacturer, isn't likely to expand the market into new segments, like the consumer world. But, coming loaded with Skype's client is clearly a step toward making it easier for users to use voice over Wi-Fi.

[ariane] 12/2/2005 11:58

i-Newswire, 2005-02-12 - ATLANTA -- BellSouth ( NYSE: BLS ) today announced it has completed product selections for the next stage of its next generation network transformation. The company has selected Alcatel's 7330 DSLAM and Redback's SmartEdge® 800 Service Gateway as part of its next generation broadband rollout. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed. BellSouth is continuing its network transformation initiative, and building on its leadership position in fiber and broadband deployment to offer enhanced IP-based voice and data services, as well as potential future IP video services that the company is currently testing.

BellSouth's network upgrade will enable the company to deliver more than 12Mbps of bandwidth over a single copper telephone line and more than 24Mbps over a bonded pair of lines. Today, BellSouth passes more than one million homes with fiber-to-the-curb and has more than 5.2 million miles of fiber within its network. Approximately 50 percent of BellSouth's customers are served by a combination of fiber and short copper loops.

"We believe it is possible to provide speeds fast enough to make triple play services over IP a reality using a mosaic approach of fiber and next generation DSL," said Bill Smith, chief technology officer of BellSouth. "This is an important step in the design and construction of our advancing network that will bring unparalleled Digital Subscriber Line ( DSL ) speed and capabilities to the Southeastern U.S."


# # #


For more information contact:

Brent Fowler, BellSouth
[e-mail]
404-249-2839

[maywillow] 09/2/2005 20:50

LONDON, February 9 (newratings.com) – Analysts at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein maintain their "sell" rating on Alcatel (CGE.ETR). The target price is set to €9.

In a research note published this morning, the analysts mention that the company expects the growth of its mobile division to outperform the results from its other businesses this year. Alcatel is likely to witness continued sluggishness in its fixed-line division through 1H05, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein says

[maywillow] 09/2/2005 16:59

Alcatel Executive to Address Congressional Subcommittee on Impact of IP (Internet Protocol) Communications Technologies


WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Michael Quigley, Senior Executive Vice President of Alcatel and President of its North American activities, today will appear before the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet to provide testimony about the current and future role of Internet Protocol (IP) communications technologies.




WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Michael Quigley, Senior Executive Vice President of Alcatel and President of its North American activities, today will appear before the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet to provide testimony about the current and future role of Internet Protocol (IP) communications technologies.

The subcommittee is seeking input from Alcatel and other industry leaders in order to better understand the current telecommunications industry environment as it possibly embarks on a reexamination of the Telecommunications laws.

During his testimony, Quigley plans to outline the factors justifying today's investment in IP-based technologies, including growth in broadband access, and public demand for next-generation services such as Voice over IP (VoIP), IPTV and other ultra-high-speed applications enabled by DSL and fiber based technologies such as distance learning, telecommuting and telemedicine.

"We look forward to discussing how IP-enabled services are revolutionizing communications as we know it," said Quigley. "The next 12-to-18 months will be marked by the delivery of rich new service innovations. As Congress examines the status of our industry, our goal is to shed light on how IP-based services will revolutionize the way we consume and manage our own personal communications experience and how we will all attain even greater measures of personal or professional efficiency as a result."

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.

CONTACT: Amy MacLeod of Alcatel, [phone], or
[e-mail]

Web site:

[ariane] 08/2/2005 06:58

Europe's space business has its own peculiar landscape

By Brad Spurgeon International Herald Tribune
Wednesday, January 26, 2005


PARIS In describing the final hours leading to the culmination of the decade-long project to land a probe on Titan, one of Saturn's moons, Pascale Sourisse took a deep breath and characterized the atmosphere in the European Space Agency's control room in Darmstadt, Germany, on Jan. 14 as "incredibly emotional."

When the first signals came from the Huygens probe, there was a collective sigh of relief for Sourisse and her team at Alcatel Space, which led the European consortium as the prime contractor that built the spacecraft.

"People were so happy, both on the agency side and on the industrial side," said Sourisse, chief executive of Alcatel Space, in an interview at the parent company's Paris headquarters last week. "Everybody was really very moved when the first signal was received, when we understood that we could see the signal content, that true information was available and that this information was extremely useful.

"And then at the end of the day we saw the actual images that the probe had transmitted - it was an historic achievement," she said.

The gathering also mirrored the peculiar landscape of the European space industry: Also in the room were executives from Alcatel's business competitors, like the Paris- and Munich-based European Aeronautic Defense & Space, which also contributed to building the spacecraft, notably the heat shield that protected it on its descent through the atmosphere.

The two companies shared in the moment of joy at a successful cooperative effort, yet each wrote news releases promoting its own success, while not mentioning the involvement of the other company by name. For in other areas they remain rivals in the relatively small but highly competitive space industry.

"It is one of the particularities of space; people have the impression that we are competitors - yet we work together," said Rémi Roland, a spokesman at EADS Space. "We work together on common programs, where it is essential that everything functions. And that's another particularity about space: No part can be any less good than another."

Cooperative efforts among some space industry companies are marriages of convenience in a sector that has gone through hard times in recent years, and despite huge outlays by customers is a relatively small pie in the best of times.

In the area of satellites, Alcatel is No.3 in the world, behind Boeing and Lockheed Martin of the United States. EADS is fourth, with Loral Space & Communications, another American company, in fifth place. While the scope of the satellite industry is a broad one, with companies and governments needing spacecraft for everything from scientific research to meteorological and military observation, the number of contracts is quite small.

For telecommunications satellites, for instance, the total market in a good year is often only about 25 craft, but each satellite is valued at as much as $200 million, insurance and launch costs included.

Alcatel, one of the world's leading makers of telecommunications equipment, spent several years shedding extraneous holdings, but the company, the leading maker of broadband Internet equipment, held on to its space division.

"In terms of customer requirements it's good for Alcatel to include satellite solutions in the deployment of telecommunication networks," Sourisse said. "There's not only a technology synergy, there is also a customer synergy, in terms of the solutions offered to customers. And Alcatel finds it appropriate to have a complete portfolio for solutions."

Alcatel builds satellites to help extend the reach of its mobile telecommunications networks - especially in developing countries, where installing earth-based systems may be prohibitively expensive.

It also works directly with the Alcatel mobile communications group in using satellites to help deploy third-generation cellphone networks, to broadcast information to base stations or even directly to telephones. Satellites are also used in the company's DSL, or digital subscriber line, high-speed networks.

Sourisse declined to provide the most recent sales figures before an official announcement scheduled for Feb. 3, she said that in 2003, Alcatel Space represented about 10 percent of the parent company's revenue. About 50 percent of the contracts are commercial and 50 percent are institutional. Of the institutional sales, 20 percent are for the military and 30 percent are civilian contracts.

In the United States, military contracts make up a much larger share of sales, providing a constant flow of contracts to the American companies. That is one of the main reasons why companies in the European space business are so willing to cooperate with each other.

"There's an expanding military space market in Europe, but it's nowhere near what Boeing and Lockheed Martin can rely on," said Stéphane Chenard, an analyst at Euroconsult, a Paris-based consulting firm that specializes in the space industry.

Indeed, when business slowed at the beginning of the decade, the European Space Agency put pressure on Alcatel and the satellite division of EADS, Astrium, to merge. But the shareholders of the companies opposed such a move.

Alcatel is, nevertheless, in the process of merging its satellite business with the space division of Finmeccanica, the leading Italian maker of military hardware. The deal, which was announced last June, has not yet been completed.

Asked about the possibility of a three-way combination with Astrium, Sourisse said, "What we have always said, and was the position expressed by our chairman at Alcatel and Finmeccanica, is that our alliance was not closed to a third partner."

At the moment, EADS and Alcatel are battling for the same lucrative contract. On Tuesday, the two companies submitted competing proposals to the European Union in the contest to be named prime contractor of the second phase of the Galileo global navigation satellite system project.

Galileo is a joint European Union and European Space Agency project to create a global positioning and navigation system designed for civilian use, and is expected to be operational in 2008.

For the first phase of the project, a joint-venture - called Galileo Industries, and owned by Alcatel, Alenia Spazio of Italy, Astrium, Thales of France and a Spanish consortium - was created to handle the management of the project.

The bidding proposals submitted Tuesday are for a much more important role, that of building, launching and operating the rest of the eventual constellation of 30 satellites that will make up the road, rail, ship and air-traffic control network. And the concession agreement could last for about 20 years. The prime contractor would also be in charge of raising the financing and completing construction of the system.

This second phase of the project will cost more than €3 billion, or $3.9 billion, for both the ground and space parts.

One-third of the cost will come from governments, with the rest provided by private business.

This may be part of the reason why some people maintain that the time is not quite ripe for a merger of the space divisions of Alcatel and EADS.

As Chenard put it, "When they feel it makes better sense to compete, they compete."

[grupo guitarlumber] 07/2/2005 13:34

LONDON, February 7 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Jyske Bank maintain their "sell" rating on Alcatel (CGE.ETR). The target price is set to €10.

In a research note published on February 4, the analysts mention that the company reported its 4Q04 operating margins short of estimates due to expansion costs. Increased competition and declining prices in the mobile phone segment have impacted Alcatel's margins in the recent months, the analysts say. The company has projected 3-5% sales growth for 1Q05, according to Jyske Bank.

[maywillow] 05/2/2005 10:39

Alcatel Delivers 10-Gig Ethernet
Do higher port densities on Gigabit/ 10-Gig Ethernet switches mean the end of the enterprise data network aggregation layer? Or do they mean a more powerful aggregation layer? Alcatel's answer: Yes.

The company recently announced its OmniSwitch 6800 in flavors meant to appeal to enterprises that want to simply bulk up their existing aggregation layer, as well as those that are interested in uplinking directly from the wiring closet to the core, without an intermediate layer.

The OmniSwitch 6800 comes in three variations, all 1U high:

* OmniSwitch 6800-24-A stackable that features 24 10/100/1000 ports, with no 10-Gigabit uplinks.

* OmniSwitch 6800-48 -Stackable with 48 10/100/1000 ports, with one or two optional 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports.

* OmniSwitch 6800-U24-This box features 24 Gigabit Ethernet fiber ports, with one or two optional ??-Gig ports. This configuration is optimized for the aggregation role.

Altogether, the system can support 384 users per stack.

Alcatel's Brian Witt notes that the stackable form factor may be useful as wiring closet needs expand; an enterprise can add the 6800- 24 on top of an existing 6800-48 to provide additional port capacity for desktop connections.

Witt particularly noted the availability of dual 10-Gbps uplink ports, which allows for a redundant deployment in the aggregation layer, heightening reliability. That's also critical when the switches are used to front-end a server farm or datacenter that needs high availability.

Pricing, Availability

For the 10-Gbps-capable equipment, Alcatel released pricing information for fully-configured boxes, including optics and optional 10-Gig ports. The prices are as follows:

* OmniSwitch 6800-48 -Including optics, two 10-Gig ports, Layer 3 routing capabilities, $23,975.

* OmniSwitch 6800-U24-Including optics, two 10-Gig ports and Layer 3 routing, $21,760

The products are available now, though the two-port 10-Gig modules aren't slated for availability until next month.

Conclusion

With recent announcements from multiple vendors, it would seem that 10-Gigabil Ethernet is poised to hit, if not the mainstream, at least the leading edge in 2005. As the Dell'Oro Group notes elsewhere in this issue (see p. 14), voice over IP (VOIP) is driving the Ethernet switch market. Though VOIP primarily demands new features, notably power over Ethernet (PoE), it's clear that convergence also drives network upgrades in general. As those upgrades happen over the next year or two, and enterprises consider applications beyond voice, such as video, we can expect to see 10- Gig continue to grow

Companies Mentioned

Alcatel (www.ind.alcatel.com)

Avaya (www.avaya.com)

Cisco (www.cisco.com)

HP (www.hp.com)

Microsoft (www.microsoil.com)

Mitel (www.mitcl.com)

Siemens (www.siemens.com)

[maywillow] 04/2/2005 20:03

Alcatel "equal weight," target price reduced

Friday, February 04, 2005 1:33:47 PM ET
Morgan Stanley


LONDON, February 4 (newratings.com) - Analyst James Lindsay of Morgan Stanley maintains his "equal weight" rating on Alcatel (CGE.ETR). The target price has been reduced from €9.00 to €8.50.

In a research note published this morning, the analyst mentions that the company has reported disappointing operating results for 4Q04. Alcatel has announced weak margin guidance for 2005, the analyst says. Morgan Stanley expects the company's growth to be sluggish this year. The EPS estimates for FY05 and FY06 have been reduced from €0.57 to €0.50 and from €0.62 to €0.54, respectively.

[ariane] 04/2/2005 13:12

Alcatel "neutral"

Friday, February 04, 2005 5:49:53 AM ET
UBS


LONDON, February 4 (newratings.com) - Analysts at UBS maintain their "neutral" rating on Alcatel (CGE.ETR). The target price is set to €12.

In a research note published yesterday, the analysts mention that the company reported its 4Q04 sales ahead and EPS marginally short of the estimates. Gross margins at Alcatel's fixed line segment were weaker than expectations during the quarter due to pricing pressure in the emerging markets, the analysts say. The company's revenues are likely to be adversely impacted in the near term by unfavorable currency effects, UBS adds. The company has announced its near-term guidance in-line with expectations.

[ariane] 03/2/2005 13:14

LONDON, February 3 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein maintain their "sell" rating on Alcatel (CGE.ETR). The target price is set to €9.

In a research note published this morning, the analysts mention that the company reported its Q4 results in-line with expectations. Alcatel's operating income during the quarter was marginally ahead of the estimates, the analysts say. The company has issued its 1Q05 and 2005 guidance in-line with expectations, according to Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein.

[waldron] 03/2/2005 08:57

(Adds further FY, Q4 earnings details; 2005 targets)

PARIS (AFX) - Alcatel SA posted a net profit in 2004 for the first time in
three years as the markets for telecom equipment began to improve, and the
company forecast a new increase in operating margins this year.
Net profit reached 281 mln eur after the 1.944 bln eur loss reported in
2003, on sales that fell to 12.27 bln eur from 12.5 bln. On a pro forma basis
that excludes the impact of divested mobile handset, optical fiber and power
system businesses, sales rose 5.7 pct.
"While carrier markets showed a modest recovery, Alcatel's sales increased
by close to 10 pct at a constant euro/dollar exchange rate," said chief
executive Serge Tchuruk. "We are confident that Alcatel is on the right track."
Operating profits jumped to 978 mln eur from a pro forma 449 mln, for an
operating margin of 8 pct.
In the fourth quarter, net income reached 40 mln eur against a loss of 524
mln in the same period last year, on sales that rose to 3.8 bln from 3.77 bln.
Analysts polled by AFX News had expected fourth quarter sales of 3.7-3.823
bln eur.
Alcatel said its aggressive strategy for building and maintaining market
positions in developing countries impacted gross margins last year, especially
in the fourth quarter, "but we nevertheless reached our goal of a double-digit
operating margin in that quarter under adverse currency conditions," Tchuruk
said.
"We will maintain our strategic direction in 2005, closely monitoring our
operations in order to reach our priority target, which is a 10 pct operating
margin," he added.
Alcatel also said EPS before goodwill should post double-digit percent
growth this year, with EPS set to be positive from the first quarter, which is
seasonally weak for the group.
Sales in both the first quarter and 2005 as a whole are seen rising 3-5 pct,
while fixed operating costs should fall by 5 pct this year.
"We are quite encouraged by the 50 pct revenue increase in 2004 in
fixed/mobile applications, and by major successes in end-to-end solution
integrations such as triple-play," Tchuruk said.
Costs stemming from Alcatel's restructuring plans, carried out for several
years now, will represent just 1 pct of sales in 2005, and will be financed
entirely by capital gains.
At the end of 2004, Alcatel had a net cash position of 752 mln eur, but the
company said it would not pay a dividend on 2004 earnings.
By division, fixed communications equipment saw operating earnings of 429
mln eur, up from a proforma 155 mln the previous year, on sales that fell 4.3
pct to 5.13 bln.
Mobile communication operating profits rose to 401 mln from 315 mln, on
sales that increased nearly 13 pct to 3.3 bln.
Operating profits from private communication activities, such as space
operations, reached 235 mln after 123 mln the previous year, on sales that rose
to 3.965 bln from 3.627 bln.
[e-mail]
js/jsa/jfr

[waldron] 03/2/2005 08:54

(adds quotes, comments on market share, possible external growth
PARIS (AFX) - Alcatel will not pay a dividend for full-year 2004, but plans
to do so in 2005 if possible, chief financial officer Jean-Pascal Beufret said.
The board decided against a pay-out this year, in order to be able to
accumulate profits and issue a "more significant" dividend at a later date as
well as aim at a "more durable" dividend policy.
Speaking to journalists in a briefing on the group's full-year results,
Beaufret denied Alcatel's fourth-quarter profits were below market consensus,
and said sales came in above consensus.
Alcatel's net profit in fourth quarter 2004 was 40 mln eur, compared to a
range of 163-218 mln given by analysts polled by AFX News and sales were 3.812
bln, compared to expectations of 3.7-3.823 bln.
"It is true we have invested," Beaufret said, revealing that the company's
fourth quarter operating margin was 34.4 pct compared to 37.3 pct over the full
year and 1.6 points lower than the year earlier period.
"We have already said the reason for this... commercial investments
allowing us to penetrate certain markets, and they have ended up in the margin."
Alcatel, which plans a 5 pct reduction in fixed costs in 2005, said earlier
that market conditions are "likely to remain very competitive".
In order to take advantage of further investment opportunities it will
"maintain some flexibility in the gross margin, permitting investment in new
markets or new technologies as required."
This could mean the margin will go "up or down."
But the group firmly expects an improvement in the EBIT margin: "We think in
2005 we will go beyond 10 pct after 8 pct in 2004," he said.
Restructuring costs are expected to amount to 1 pct of 2005 sales and will
be financed entirely by capital gains.
Commenting on Alcatel's performance in its principal activities, Beaufret
said market share in DSL, where the group is the global number one, rose to 40
pct in 2004 from 37 pct in 2003.
He said Alcatel "probably" gained market share in mobile infrastructure in
emerging markets, which he called "the future."
Alcatel yesterday announced a 133 mln usd contract to upgrade and expand a
Thai mobile network.
Beaufret "thinks" Alcatel increased its share of the global IP market in
2004.
[e-mail]
mrg/jfr

[waldron] 03/2/2005 08:52

PARIS (AFX) - Alcatel wants to build up its defence communications business
by strengthening its relationship with Thales, in which it holds a 9.1 pct
stake, and is open to every option, said chief executive Serge Tchuruk.
"Defence is an important market for Alcatel," Tchuruk told daily Le Figaro
in an interview, adding: "We now want to build ourselves up more clearly in the
defence communications market beyond our (current) position in satellites.
"But it is difficult for us to do this with things as they are... That is
why we want to to develop our relationship with Thales.
"We are open to every possible option other than the current status quo," he
said, reiterating his position on the future of the Thales stake.
"I have always said our stake in Thales is too much or not enough."
He said Alcatel is also open to transatlantic acquisitions "and why not in
France?" where he feels there are "too many players."
The company this morning announced it will permit "flexibility" in its 2005
gross margin to allow growth.
But Alcatel is not seeking a major merger "as we are already one of the big
boys."
[e-mail]
mrg/jsa

[waldron] 03/2/2005 08:21

[February 03, 2005]


Interstar Technologies and SAGEM to Display at Alcatel Forum 2005 an Award-Winning Line of Turnkey IP Fax Server Solutions

MONTREAL --(Business Wire)-- Feb. 3, 2005 -- Interstar and Groupe SAGEM's Turnkey Multifunction Offerings Fax-Enable Alcatel IP PBX VoIP Deployments

Interstar Technologies Inc. (www.faxserver.com), the world-leading developer of enterprise IP fax solutions, and SAGEM international high-technology group, will demonstrate at next week's Alcatel Enterprise Forum 2005 how the award-winning XMediusFAX(R) T.38 boardless fax servers fax-enable Alcatel IP PBX deployments.



The Alcatel Enterprise Forum 2005, a premier annual showcase of the latest IP communications technologies, will take place February 8-10 at the Palais des Congres (booth # 22) in Paris, France. The annual event will unite key industry players, customers, solution/service providers, analysts, as well as Alcatel Business and Application partners.

Groupe SAGEM (www.sagem.com) is a top player in Europe's fax market. SAGEM's turnkey solutions are comprised of its multifunction devices (MFDs), which integrate faxing under the "SAGEM F@X Server" label through Interstar Technologies' award-winning family of XMediusFAX T.38 Fax Over IP (FoIP) servers.

"Since 1998, Interstar's products have garnered several awards yearly from respected industry publications," says Martin Demers, President and CEO of Interstar Technologies. "Our newly-launched XMediusFAX Express recently won Internet Telephony 2004 Product of the Year. Our dedication is not only to build cutting-edge solutions, but to also provide excellent customer service. The Alcatel Forum is an excellent venue for us to network with our European partners, and to showcase the additional value XMediusFAX brings to IP PBX systems."

About SAGEM F@x(TM) Server Using Interstar Technologies' Solutions

The new SAGEM F@X Server including FoIP is the perfect companion for a Voice Over IP (VoIP) deployment, allowing customers to convert all circuits to IP, including fax. It is easy to install and operate and provides unparalleled ROI by allowing companies to incorporate fax into their existing VoIP infrastructure, seamlessly integrating with IP PBX and voice mail systems. SAGEM F@X Server with FoIP technology offers controlled, centralized faxing from the desktop or MFD, as well as automatic inbound routing to boost productivity by 90%.

As the industry's first boardless, T.38 FoIP software-based product, SAGEM F@X Server lowers communications and network management costs by at least 40%, since leased lines are no longer required. Faxes are routed to the branch office closest to the destination area code via Least Cost Routing and Intelligent Number Recognition, virtually eliminating long-distance charges. SAGEM F@X Server can also be set up boarded to operate with traditional fax boards to preserve existing investments in telecom architecture, or boardless to take advantage of VoIP gateways.

SAGEM F@X Server routes sensitive documents in TIFF or PDF format via the security of VoIP networks and VPN encryption directly to approved recipients, and designating secure printers for any required hard copies.

The Interstar solution supports Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise, Cisco and 3Com gateways, and integrates with a variety of email messaging platforms, including Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, SAP and Cisco Unity. Other key features include support for H.323 and SIP for wide compatibility, SMTP and XML gateways, Group 4 (G4) fax, HTML email notification, an API module, SPAM filtering and a fax management client.

The SAGEM F@X Server now comes in three flavors: over ISDN, PSTN and IP. The advanced ergonomics of SAGEM A4 and A3 MFDs are supported by the SAGEM F@X Server. These MFDs are native LAN products with printing speeds of 18 to 45 ppm. They include a duplex color scanner, duplex digital copier, LDAP client, SNMP management, and direct scan-to-email (SMTP POP3) and scan-to-FTP in PDF, JPEG or TIFF-F formats.

About Interstar Technologies Inc.

Privately-held Interstar Technologies pioneered the fax server revolution in 1996 with its LightningFAX(R) software. It then reinvented the fax server in 2002 with XMediusFAX(R), the industry's first boardless, T.38 IP fax server solution for enterprises and service providers. With thousands of systems installed in more than 40 countries, Interstar is committed to providing world-class, electronic messaging technology to enterprise markets, financial institutions and governments.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Interstar Technologies maintains a strong partnership with Groupe SAGEM. Other partners include Cisco Systems, Bell Canada, 3Com, Eicon Networks, Microsoft, Pitney Bowes, IBM, HP, Lotus, SAP, Onset Technology, Brooktrout, and Artisoft. Its award-winning solutions for Microsoft Windows are distributed worldwide through a global network of resellers, system integrators and OEM partners. For more information, visit the Interstar website at www.faxserver.com.

About Groupe SAGEM

Groupe SAGEM is an international high-technology group. Major league player in the world, and number one of the French mobile telephones market, SAGEM is Europe's first actor in fax machines and provider of global solutions and multi-service networks. Third largest European group in the defence and security electronics market, world leader in fingerprint biometrics as well as major actor in avionics and on-board information systems for aircraft, SAGEM maintains a presence in more than 20 countries world-wide.

For more information, please visit the SAGEM web site: www.sagem.com.

[waldron] 03/2/2005 07:13

Deutsche Bank to Eliminate 3,280 More Jobs as Fourth-Quarter Profit Drops

Barclays Positioned to Gain From Bush Private Social Security Account Plan

Alcatel Posts Fourth Straight Quarterly Profit, Boosted by Mobile Networks




Alcatel Posts Fourth-Quarter Profit, Sees Positive 1st-Quarter
Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Alcatel SA, the world's largest supplier of broadband Internet equipment, posted its fourth straight quarterly profit, helped by demand for mobile networks and as the company didn't repeat costs for job cuts.

Net income in the quarter through December was 40 million euros ($52 million), or 3 cents a share, compared with a loss of 524 million euros, or 39 cents, a year earlier, Paris-based Alcatel said in an e-mailed statement today. The company forecast a first-quarter profit, excluding goodwill amortization.

Alcatel and competitors including Ericsson AB recovered from a three-year slump in 2004 as clients including France Telecom SA resumed spending on upgrading their phone networks. At the same time, Chief Executive Serge Tchuruk has cut more than 40,000 jobs to stem three years of losses.

``Alcatel is on the right track,'' Tchuruk said in the statement. ``Even if market condition are likely to stay very competitive, we are confident that the required selective commercial strategy will leave room for revenue growth.''

Alcatel had been expected to post fourth-quarter net income of 154 million euros, according to the median estimate of 22 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. The year-earlier figure included 524 million euros in one-time restructuring costs and 210 million euros of goodwill amortization charges.

The company said it will have a profit before goodwill in the first quarter, and forecast earnings per share before amortization will rise at least 10 percent in 2005.

Rising Sales

Sales in the fourth quarter rose to 3.81 billion euros from a restated 3.44 billion euros a year earlier. Expectations had been for a 9.9 percent increase to 3.78 billion euros, based on the median estimate of 26 analysts.

Alcatel said it expects sales to grow by a ``low to mid single digit'' percentage in the first quarter and the full year. Chief Financial Officer Michel Combes defined that as 3 percent to 5 percent growth.

The network-equipment provider has restated 2003 revenue and operating profit to account for the sale of its battery and power- system units and forming joint ventures for its mobile-phone and optical-fiber businesses.

Full-year net income was 281 million euros, after three years in which Alcatel accumulated 11.7 billion euros in losses. Tchuruk, 67, reorganized the company in 2003 to focus on three markets -- fixed networks, mobile-phone technology and corporate and satellite clients.

The company has forecast cost-savings this year of 200 million euros from reducing fixed expenses.

Alcatel's operating profit before goodwill amortization rose 18 percent to 393 million euros from a restated 334 million euros in the fourth quarter of 2003, less than the 32 percent gain expected by analysts.

Alcatel had net cash of 752 million euros at the end of last year, from 519 million at the end of September and 634 million euros at the end of June.

The company's senior unsecured debt rating was raised one step to BB by Standard & Poor's in November, a month after Fitch Ratings increased its rating to BB. Moody's Investors Service rates Alcatel's debt three steps below investment grade.

[maywillow] 28/1/2005 13:18

PARIS (AFX) - Alcatel SA chief executive Serge Tchuruk said there are no
plans for Astrium, the satellite unit of the European Aeronautics Defence and
Space Co, to join the newly-formed space alliance between Alcatel and
Finmeccanica SpA.
He was speaking at a press conference after this morning's confirmation of
the merger of the satellite and other space activities of Alcatel and
Finmeccanica.
Last summer, Tchuruk had indicated that he is ready to discuss a space
alliance with Astrium "if they want to."
Alcatel and Finmeccanica are already partners in the Eurel consortium that
is bidding for the 3 bln eur Galileo satellite positioning system contract.
They are in competition with iNavSat, a consortium consisting of EADS,
Inmarsat and Thales.
[e-mail]
afp/js/jlw

[grupo guitarlumber] 28/1/2005 09:02

PARIS (AFX) - Alcatel SA said it has signed an agreement with Finmeccanica
SpA to merge their satellite and other space operations, by the creation of two
new joint ventures.
The companies had been expected to merge their operations for several months
now, and Alcatel announced late yesterday that the deal would be confirmed
today.
Both companies aim "to consolidate significant operational synergies and
economies of scale (mainly in R&D, product development, procurement policy and
increased industrial efficiency)."
Two new joint ventures will be created as part of the merger, resulting in a
cash payment of 109 mln eur to Alcatel from Finmeccanica.
The first venture, Alcatel Alenia Space, will be owned 67 pct by Alcatel and
33 pct by Finmeccanica, and will combine the Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio
businesses, and will be headquartered in France.
Sales for Alcatel Alenia Space are estimated at 1.8 bln eur for 2004, and
will be Europe's largest producer of both civilian and military satellites,
payloads and associcated ground systems.
The second business, Telespazio, will be owned 67 pct by Finmeccanica and 33
pct by Alcatel, and will focus on space services such as system operations and
earth observation.
Telespazio's headquarters will be in Italy, and 2004 sales for the new
venture are estimated at 350 mln eur.
Alcatel said the merger should be completed this year.
[e-mail]
js/tc

[grupo guitarlumber] 28/1/2005 08:30

Finmeccanica Board Approves Agreements With BAE and Alcatel
Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Finmeccanica SpA, Italy's biggest defense company, will sign agreements with BAE Systems Plc and Alcatel SA to expand its defense electronics and satellite businesses.

``The agreement with BAE Systems is of significant strategic and economic value for Finmeccanica in terms of the group's competitive position and of its objectives of attaining strategic and operating autonomy,'' Rome-based Finmeccanica said in a statement distributed by the Italian Exchange.

The companies in October agreed to end a radar-making business called AMS and form a joint venture grouping their avionics, or flight controls, operations. Finmeccanica will own 75 percent of the new avionics business and pay BAE 516 million euros ($673 million). It will have an option to buy the remaining stake within two years.

Finmeccanica plans to expand in aeronautics, space and military-electronics businesses through acquisitions or ventures. The company bought the 50 percent stake it didn't already own in helicopter venture AgustaWestland NV from GKN Plc.

The venture with BAE, which will be called EuroSystems, will make Finmeccanica Europe's second-largest player in military electronics and the sixth largest in the world, Finmeccanica Chief Executive Officer Pier Francesco Guarguaglini said in the statement.

Finmeccanica said it would form two joint ventures with Alcatel, the world's No.1 maker of broadband Internet equipment. The first, which will operate in satellite construction, will be 67 percent-controlled by Alcatel and 33 percent by Finmeccanica.

The second joint venture will provide satellite services, multimedia applications and earth observation systems. Finmeccanica will control 67 percent of this venture, while Alcatel will control 33 percent.

Finmeccanica said its debt at the end of 2004 amounted to 400 million euros, better than expected.

[grupo guitarlumber] 27/1/2005 22:14

Alcatel signs a 150 million US dollar contract with Embratel to build the Star One C2 satellite


Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced the signature of a new 150 million US dollar contract with Embratel's satellite arm, Star One, the largest satellite solutions company in Latin America, for the construction of the satellite Star One C2 for South America, Mexico and Florida. It is the second satellite that Alcatel will build for the Brazilian operator.

Based on Alcatel Space Spacebus 3000B3 platform, Star One C2 satellite will be delivered in 24 months and positioned at 65° West. This second satellite in the C series will be fitted with 44 transponders, 28 C-band and 16 Ku-band and 1 X-band. Star One C2 will replace the Star One B2 satellite in the C band for direct TV broadcasting over south America, Mexico and Florida (US) and will provide new optimized capacity in Ku band for telephony and trunking transmissions over two coverage zones: Brazil and Mexico.

Star One C2 will be assembled and integrated in the clean rooms at Alcatel Space's Cannes and Toulouse plants in southern France. It will weigh about 4,100 kg at launch, and its solar panels will provide 8.5 kW of electrical power.

Edson Soffiatti, executive director of Star One said: "This new satellite marks the concrete implementation of our vision towards our geographic expansion and reinforcing our position as the largest satellite solutions company in South America".

Following the contract signature, Alcatel Space President and CEO Pascale Sourisse said: " With this new contract, Alcatel Space is pleased in offering Embratel a new generation of satellites".

About Embratel

Embratel offers complete telecommunications solutions for all Brazilian market, including local telephony, national and international long distance, data transmission, video and Internet, besides assuring coverage anywhere in the country through satellite solutions. Star One is Embratel's satellite arm and the biggest company in Latin America focused on satellite solutions.

About Alcatel Space

Alcatel Space, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alcatel, is the world's third largest satellite manufacturer and Number 1 in Europe. Deploying extensive dual expertise in civil and military applications, Alcatel Space develops satellite solutions for telecommunications, navigation, radar and optical observation, meteorology and science. The company is also the leading European prime contractor for earth observation, meteorology and navigation ground segments, and for space system operation. Alcatel Space is today leading Eurely, the European consortium bidding for the Galileo concession. For more information, visit the Alcatel Space web site: www.alcatel.com/space

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 12.5 billion in 2003, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.

Contact [e-mail]

[grupo guitarlumber] 27/1/2005 19:07

PARIS (AFX) - Alcatel and Finmeccanica SpA will formally announce the tie-up
between their space operations at a joint press conference tomorrow afternoon,
Alcatel said in a statement.
The companies signed a preliminary deal for the merger in June last year.
oaa/wf

[maywillow] 20/1/2005 11:29

Alcatel to Publish Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2004 Results on February 3, 2005

PARIS, January 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and
NYSE: ALA) will publish its fourth quarter and full year financial 2004
results on Thursday, February 3, 2005. The press release will be available on
the Alcatel website at or at 7:45 am Paris
time (CET).
Alcatel's analyst conference call will begin at 1:00 pm Paris time. A
live audio web cast accompanied by a slide presentation will be available at
or at
Media representatives and analysts wishing to ask questions during the
Q&A session may dial in and request the "Alcatel teleconference."

From the USA: [phone]
From other countries: [phone]


We advise you to dial in 15 minutes before the start of the conference
call.
The conference call will be available for replay from February 3rd, 2005
at 6:15 p.m. to February 17th, 2005 at 12:00 am. (Paris time). at the
following call in numbers:

From the US: [phone] - passcode 765370
International: [phone] - passcode 765370


A press conference for media and journalists will be held, as usual, at
Alcatel Headquarters, 54 rue La BoC)tie, Paris 75008, at 8:30 am Paris time.
Please note that a passport or identity card will be requested at reception.
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 12.5 billion in 2003, Alcatel operates in more than
130 countries.
For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet:



SOURCE Alcatel