Wi-Fi Goes Mobile With Alcatel-Lucent

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February 14, 2012
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Wi-Fi Goes Mobile With Alcatel-Lucent

lightRadio(TM) Wi-Fi(R) makes it easy for smartphones, tablets and other connected devices to move seamlessly between cellular networks and hotspots at home, in coffee shops and other locations

PARIS, February 14, 2012/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is making it simpler for people to
access the Internet - whether on smartphones, tablets or laptops - over secure Wi-Fi
connections in homes or hotspot locations such as coffee shops and shopping centers.
lightRadio(TM) Wi-Fi(R) sorts through the confusion of hotspots and cellular networks to
find and connect with the best available wireless broadband network, while helping
communications service providers extend their reach by integrating Wi-Fi directly into
their service offerings.

    People like to be able to switch from 3G or 4G networks to Wi-Fi to access the
Internet, particularly with the growing interest in Cloud-based applications to store
music, video, photos and multimedia content. However, switching from a cellular service to
a Wi-Fi network is not always seamless, particularly when it requires first finding a
network and then getting through complex log-in and password procedures.

    lightRadio(TM) Wi-Fi(R) simplifies this process by allowing people to switch
automatically from a cellular service to residential or public Wi-Fi networks and hotspots
without having to login, worry about payments schemes, or even be aware of the shift. This
is done in three ways: by using software that identifies and connects people to a
'trusted' network automatically; by introducing new capabilities into service provider
networks to manage the transition between Wi-Fi and cellular networks; and by integrating
Wi-Fi directly into small-cell base stations and cellular networks.

    lightRadio Wi-Fi addresses another big concern - security. Many people prefer to
connect to hotspots that they know they can trust, especially when accessing services and
streamed content from the Cloud, or when they need uninterrupted connections for video
streaming or video phone calls. lightRadio Wi-Fi always finds the most 'trusted' network.

    lightRadio Wi-Fi represents a radical departure from the traditional way that mobile
operators apply Wi-Fi: today it is often used to 'offload' traffic from congested cellular
networks. By enabling cellular subscribers to stay within their network and service plan,
it will allow service providers to maintain use of their services, creating revenue,
independent of how the customer is connected.

    The lightRadio Wi-Fi approach is also highly applicable for fixed-line and cable
service providers, allowing them to extend wireless coverage to existing subscribers
without investing in expensive spectrum or wireless infrastructure.

    Ken Rehbehn, a principal analyst at Yankee Group said: "Delivering secure, seamless
access to Wi-Fi networks is a key requirement in the market right now.-Alcatel-Lucent's
lightRadio Wi-Fi provides operators with a comprehensive solution that smartly draws from
the company's strengths in radio access technology and IP routing.-The result is an offer
that lets operators leverage existing network assets while delivering demanding smartphone
users an outstanding customer experience."

    Wim Sweldens, President of Alcatel-Lucent's Wireless division said: "With lightRadio
Wi-Fi, Alcatel-Lucent gives service providers new options to meet consumers' fast-growing
broadband requirements. Extending our groundbreaking lightRadio portfolio, service
providers will be able to build closer relationships with their customers by delivering
seamless high-speed broadband connections, wherever they are, using LTE and Wi-Fi
networks. For subscribers, this approach provides the peace of mind they want when
accessing the Internet wherever they go."

    Alcatel-Lucent is extending the lightRadio ecosystem to allow service providers access
to the widest range of Wi-Fi networks. Alcatel-Lucent is collaborating with several major
Wi-Fi access point companies to ensure interoperability and is integrating Motorola
Solutions' high-performance Wi-Fi solution and Qualcomm Atheros Wi-Fi technology into its
multi-standard Metrocells to ensure that lightRadio Wi-Fi provides our customers with the
best Wi-Fi solution, at a competitive price.

    "The massive influx of connected wireless devices is creating a huge opportunity for
3G/4G alternatives.- Motorola Solutions has the ideal WLAN solution powered by our WiNG 5
architecture to deliver carrier- class scalability and management," said Imran Akbar, vice
president and general manager, Enterprise Networks & Communications, Motorola Solutions.
"We look forward to working with Alcatel-Lucent to provide a quality experience for 3G/4G
users."

    About Alcatel-Lucent's lightRadio Wi-Fi solution (#lightRadio):

    Alcatel-Lucent is combining its leadership in wireless and Internet Protocol (IP)
technology to extend their broadband networks - mobile or fixed - with high-capacity,
seamless and secure Wi-Fi. The solution has several key components, including:

   
    - Secure Wi-Fi gateway functionality has been introduced into
      Alcatel-Lucent's IP portfolio on the market-leading 7750 Service Router. This enables
      service providers to offer large-scale Wi-Fi services in conjunction with fixed and
      mobile broadband services from a single platform, reducing cost and complexity.
    - New software called the Automatic Network Discovery and Selection Function
      (ANDSF) has been added to Alcatel-Lucent's policy manager, the 5780 Dynamic Services
      Controller. This allows the automatic selection of the 'best' network connection based
      on criteria such as service type, subscription type and network congestion levels,
      helping to improve the overall customer experience.
    - Integrated Wi-Fi as an option on Alcatel-Lucent's lightRadio multi-standard
      Femtocell and Metrocell systems. Metrocells provide additional network capacity and
      coverage in dense urban centers, airports or busy shopping malls, and Femtocells are
      'personal base stations' for increasing coverage and capacity in homes or offices.
      Integrating Wi-Fi into Alcatel-Lucent's already comprehensive Femtocell portfolio will
      further increase Alcatel-Lucent's global leadership in this technology.

    To complete the solution, Alcatel-Lucent offers highly specialized services for the
planning, design and seamless integration of lightRadio Wi-Fi into existing networks
simplifying the deployment and speeding time to market.

    About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)

    The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments around the
world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leading innovator in the field of networking and communications
technology, products and services. The company is home to Bell Labs, one of the world's
foremost R&D organizations, responsible for breakthroughs that have shaped the networking
and communications industry. Alcatel-Lucent is committed to making communications more
sustainable, more affordable and more accessible as we pursue our mission - Realizing the
Potential of a Connected World.

    With operations in more than 130 countries and one of the most experienced global
services organizations in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global
reach. The Company achieved revenues of Euro 15.3 billion in 2011 and is incorporated in
France and headquartered in Paris.

    For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read
the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and
follow the Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.

Source: Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent Press Contacts: SIMON POULTER, simon.poulter@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +33-(0)1-40-76-50-84 ; LEONARD PESHECK,leonard.pesheck@alcatel-lucent.com  , T : +1-630-713-6437 . ALCATEL-LUCENT INVESTOR RELATIONS: FRANK MACCARY, frank.maccary@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +33-(0)1-40-76-12-11 ; TOM BEVILACQUA, thomas.bevilacqua@alcatel-lucent.com, T : +1-908-582-7998 ; CONSTANCE DE CAMBIAIRE, constance.de_cambiaire@alcatel-lucent.com, T : +33-(0)1-40-76-10-13.

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