Platinum Equity Announces NextiraOne as New Name of The Alcatel European Enterprise Distribution Operations

Business Wire, April 10, 2002

Business Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2002

European Entity Provides Strategic Complements

to North American Business

Platinum Equity, LLC, a leading private buyout firm focused on acquiring and growing technology companies, announces NextiraOne as the new name of the acquired European operations of Alcatel's (Paris: CGEP.PA) (NYSE:ALA) enterprise distribution and services business. In choosing the NextiraOne name, Platinum Equity is leveraging the strengths of its North American NextiraOne network services business based in Houston, Texas. The European NextiraOne business provides geographic and service complements to its North American partner by providing network services and solutions of voice, data and converged technology to enterprises throughout the world.

Under the new ownership, NextiraOne in Europe will continue to be an Alcatel premier channel distribution partner, and will feature products from other telecommunications companies. Platinum Equity will continue its new European operations as a stand-alone entity led by a new executive management team headquartered in Paris, France. Additional terms of the acquisition are not disclosed.

Phil Norment, Platinum Equity chief operating officer and acting NextiraOne (Europe) chief executive officer said, "We are set to broaden the focus of NextiraOne and shift the business from a pure product approach to a solutions orientation in the developing voice, data and convergence services market. While we are enthusiastic about the potential of the expanded geographical footprint of NextiraOne, we remain committed to the continuity of daily business, as well."

"On this first day of operating NextiraOne Europe, we have initiated a comprehensive transition program. We are looking at every detail of the business from identifying new growth opportunities to maintaining uninterrupted service to all customers," said Robert Joubran, Platinum Equity chief transition officer and treasurer.

For Alcatel, this new entity will become an Alcatel Premium Business Partner for enterprise voice, data and converged networks.

"The expanded global reach of the two NextiraOne businesses will provide significant benefits to our customers," commented Bob Wentworth, NextiraOne (North America) chief executive officer. "Through shared learning, technologies and systems, and extended partnerships, NextiraOne can support the needs of our customers with multinational requirements."

Platinum is implementing a marketing plan to transition the name of the 17 European operations to NextiraOne and expects to have the project complete by the end of September.

Platinum Equity

Platinum Equity (www.peh.com) is one of the largest and fastest-growing private buyout firms in the United States, specializing in the acquisition and operation of global, mission-critical technology companies. Since the company's founding in 1995, Platinum has completed nearly 40 transactions of global, mission-critical companies with leading Fortune 500 Corporations including Williams Communications, Motorola, Staples, Fujitsu, WorldCom, AT&T and IBM. Today, Platinum Equity has a multi-billion dollar revenue base, an established infrastructure in North America, Europe, Asia and South America and a workforce of more than 15,000 employees serving more than 500,000 customers throughout the world. Platinum Equity was recently ranked by Forbes magazine as the 75th largest private company in the United States.

About NextiraOne

Headquartered in Houston, TX and Paris, France, NextiraOne is a leading provider of network solutions and services. NextiraOne delivers world-class solutions and LifeCycle(SM) services from planning and design, through the implementation, support, and management of voice, data, and converged communications networks. As a global service organization that carries an extensive portfolio of certifications and product expertise, NextiraOne provides best-in-class technologies from leading partners, such as Nortel Networks, Cisco Systems, and Alcatel. NextiraOne offers consultation and solutions development ranging from contact center applications to network infrastructure outsourcing. NextiraOne is owned by Platinum Equity (www.peh.com), a global organization specializing in the acquisition and strategic management of mission-critical companies. For more information, please visit www.NextiraOne.com.