Alcatel Broadens IP Communications Portfolio With New IP Telephones and XML-Based WebSoftphone

Business Wire, Oct 7, 2002

Business Editors

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2002

Alcatel (NYSE: ALA) today adds three new e-Reflexes IP phones and WebSoftphone to the award-winning OmniPCX 4400 IP-PBX portfolio. These e-Reflexes cater to a growing trend of businesses deploying all-IP telephony networks. The Alcatel WebSoftphone enables businesses to exploit the full potential of the Internet by delivering corporate telephony features quickly and efficiently to online employees.

According to industry research firm The Yankee Group, most mid-sized to large enterprises are either currently using IP telephony or currently investigating whether to deploy IP telephony into their networks. "We expect that by 2005, 60 percent of new phone systems sold will be either IP-PBXs or hybrid IP-PBXs," said Joe Gagan, senior analyst, Yankee Group. "We recommend that most enterprises strongly consider purchasing an IP telephony system when it is time to look at a new phone system."

New IP Phones from Alcatel are:

-- The Alcatel e-Reflexes 4035 IP Telephone -- This high-end IP desktop phone features dial-by-name and text messages via an integrated alphabetic keyboard, 24 fixed programmable keys, 45 display-based programmable keys aided by a navigator function, five dynamic soft keys to display call handling features in active communication mode, and a full-duplex speakerphone. The 4035IP is highly suitable for intensive call handling and group telephony usage.

-- The Alcatel e-Reflexes 4020 IP Telephone -- The 4020IP comes with dial-by-name capability via an integrated alphabetic keyboard, 12 fixed programmable keys, and a full-duplex speakerphone. This mid-range IP desktop phone is designed for any kind of team worker such as office clerks, sales representatives, and business managers.

-- The Alcatel e-Reflexes 4010 IP Telephone -- This desk- or wall-mountable dual-line IP phone provides loudspeaker convenience and features eight fixed programmable keys. The 4010IP is intended for basic call handling applications and individual telephony usage.

In line with Alcatel's commitment to open standards, the Alcatel e-Reflexes are compliant with IEEE 802.3af Power over LAN standard. This allows the IP phones to safely and reliably receive data and power over Category 5 network cables from any standards-based power patch panel or LAN switch. This eliminates the cost of installing separate power adapters for each phone and allows for centralized power backup. All three phones include an integrated 10/100 Base-T switch, allowing the connection of a personal computer (PC) with priority management of the voice and data traffic.

For businesses that are not yet ready to fully implement IP telephony, Alcatel continues to provide an IP plugware option. This allows businesses to purchase digital phones today with the reassurance that they can be upgraded to IP whenever they are ready.

The Alcatel WebSoftphone provides telecommuters and mobile workers with a host of telephony features and dialing capabilities including corporate phonebook directories, management of telephone features and forwarding options, and access to voicemail over the intranet/Internet. Built as a true thin client application requiring only a web browser and no plug-ins, the WebSoftphone can be rapidly deployed and eliminates the cost of maintaining additional software on remote PCs. System administrators can also save valuable time and money by managing telecommunications charges centrally.

The WebSoftphone is PC operating system independent and also integrates easily with popular business applications (like Microsoft Outlook/Outlook Web Access and Lotus Notes/Notes Web Access) and directory servers (like Lightweight Directory Access Protocol). Both the WebSoftphone and 4980 Softphone are supported by a single server and may be used interchangeably by any licensed user.

Alcatel's 4980 Softphone won Network World's World Class Award in the February 25 IP-based soft phones review (http://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/2002/0225rev.html).

Pricing and Availability

The Alcatel e-Reflexes and WebSoftphone are available worldwide September 2002. Pricing for the e-Reflexes range from $285 to $495. For customers who have already installed the Alcatel 4980, the WebSoftphone client is free of charge (no extra software license is required). For more information, call 800-995-2612.

About Alcatel enterprise networking solutions

Alcatel delivers standards-based IP communications solutions to a global customer base of over 500,000 small, medium and large enterprises, government agencies, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. Alcatel's award-winning Omni family of IP Communications solutions consists of an extensive portfolio of network switching infrastructure, security appliances, and IP telephony applications built to provide long-term value.

About Alcatel

Alcatel (NYSE: ALA) designs, develops and builds innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the world. Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio, stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile networks to broadband access, Alcatel's customers can focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of $22 billion in 2001, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. In 2001, the United States was the largest single market served by Alcatel. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com.