Alcatel Submits Formal Comments in the FCC's Examination of Video Franchise Regulations, Urges Reform

Alcatel Submits Formal Comments in the FCC's Examination of Video Franchise Regulations, Urges Reform

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In its comments to the Federal Communications Commission's Section 621 notice of proposed rulemaking, Alcatel (NYSE: ALA; Paris: CGEP.PA) today applauded the Commission for its leadership in recognizing the need for reform of the video franchise process. Reform of local video franchise regulations is critical to the deployment of competitive video services and the next generation of broadband networks.

"Video drives the business case for investment in next generation broadband facilities," said Tim Krause, Alcatel's Chief Marketing Officer for North America. "By addressing the unreasonable regulatory burdens faced by competitive entrants in the video market, the Commission is addressing issues that directly affect investment."

Alcatel is working with the FCC and the Congress to streamline entry of competitive video providers and create a regulatory environment that will allow the multi-billion dollar investment needed in broadband technologies. This filing is consistent with Alcatel's broader efforts to remove regulatory barriers for all service providers, regardless of platform, to accelerate the deployment of competitive broadband networks.

Alcatel is the global leader in DSL market share and is currently working with several service providers in the U.S. to deploy IP Television services. Alcatel is also a board member of the Telecommunications Industry Association, which filed similar comments with the Commission advocating reform for the benefit of the industry as a whole.

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 13.1 billion and 58,000 employees in 2005, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com/ .

Source: Alcatel

CONTACT: Charlie Guyer of Alcatel, +1-978-468-0153

Web site: http://www.alcatel.com/

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