- 8 March 2005 -

Alcatel holds optical network lead

RHK has reconfirmed Alcatel as the market leader with 15.6% share in the US $9.8bn worldwide optical networking for the fourth year running.

Metro products, such as Optical Multi-Service Nodes (OMSN) and the 1696 Metro Span WDM, were the primary drivers of Alcatel's strong results, as Alcatel customers build out their Triple Play, enterprise data and 3G mobile networks.

The significant success of Alcatel's newest optical products - including the Alcatel 1678 Metro Core Connect and the 1626 Light Manager - with an increasing business from vertical markets, in particular transport and energy sectors, were important contributors.

"Ethernet service delivery, broadband adoption and 3G deployments have been playing an increasing role in the optical networking market over 2004," stated Dana Cooperson, group director, Optical Networks at RHK.
"Alcatel offers a wide range of solutions to address these market demands and the market has rewarded them with the number one position."

"Alcatel has confirmed its first position in a very challenging market environment thanks to the ability to help its customers achieve new revenue streams through advanced service offers," said Romano Valussi, president of Alcatel's optical network activities."