Alcatel deploys Netia’s first WiMAX network in Poland

Warsaw, August 17, 2006 - Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced that Netia SA (WSE: NET), Poland’s largest alternative provider of fixed-line telecommunications services, launched the initial phase of its live broadband wireless access network in Poland, using WiMAX end-to-end solution delivered by Alcatel.

Under the agreement, Alcatel supplied, installed and integrated an end-to-end WiMAX solution covering 20 cities all over Poland. This provides Netia’s customers with broadband Internet access with data rates of up to 2 megabits per second. The network is using the 3.6-3.8Ghz frequency band and supports data-intensive services such as high-quality video streaming.

"One of our goals is to be able to expand country-wide quickly and to cost effectively offer broadband access over a wide geographic area" stated Piotr Czapski, Strategy and Business Development Director from Netia. "This network gives users high quality broadband services, including in new areas in Poland beyond the reach of our existing fixed line network. We are benefiting from Alcatel’s global leadership in fixed broadband as well as its deep experience applications and services for broadband. "

About Netia SA
Netia is the leading alternative fixed-line telecommunications operator in Poland. It operates on the basis of its own, state-of-the-art fiber-optic backbone network that connects the largest Polish cities as well as its local access networks. Netia provides a broad range of telecommunications services, including voice, data and network wholesale services. To further strengthen its customer offering by including a convergent product, Netia intends to offer mobile services based on the UMTS frequencies reservations awarded Netia Mobile in the tender organized by the Polish Regulator. Netia Globe and Netia Šwiat, Netia’s subsidiaries, were announced the winners of the tender for frequency reservations in the 3.6 – 3.8 GHz band. Netia plans to use the above-mentioned frequencies to provide telecommunication services based on the WiMAX technology. International and Polish finance funds are the biggest Netia’s shareholders. Netia’s shares are listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

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

Contact press@alcatel.com

Contact Information

Robin Karvo

Corporate Media Relations

Alcatel

Contact via E-mail