Alcatel

Alcatel SA is a global company, headquartered in France that provides hardware, software and services to telecommunications service providers and enterprises. Alcatel sells equipment for mobile and fixed voice communication networks, data networks and television and video delivery.

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It is most well known for its ADSL multiplexers, used for high-speed Internet access, and currently (2005) has over one-third of the world DSLAM market. It has a partnership with Microsoft to provide IPTV services over DSL to service providers, such as SBC in the United States. It is also a world leader in providing optical transmission equipment, especially for submarine communications cable.

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It has several notable non-network-based businesses. Alcatel Space is a leading builder of satellite systems with its Geosynchronous spacecraft platform, Spacebus 3000 and 4000, and its LEO spacecraft platform, Proteus. It also has a Transport Automation division that provides routing, control and network management for railway and mass transit operators, such as city undergrounds in Berlin, London and New York. Genesys, a U.S. subsidiary, is the world leader in providing call center software.

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In 2004, Alcatel sales were EURO 12.3 billion; it operates in more than 130 countries. The current CEO (2005) is Serge Tchuruk.

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Telecommunications: REDIRECT Telecommunication...

ADSL: REDIRECT Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line...

DSLAM: REDIRECT Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer...