Alcatel

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**Alcatel**
Image:Alcatel.png
Type	Public (Euronext: CGE, NYSE: ALA)
Founded	Alsace, France (1898)
Location	Paris, France
Key people	Serge Tchuruk, CEO
Industry	telecommunications
Products	provides hardware, software and services to telecommunications service providers and enterprises
Revenue	12.3 billion EUR (2004)
Employees	56,000 (2005)
Website	www.alcatel.com

Alcatel SA (Euronext: CGE, NYSE: ALA) 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.

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 [2004] 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.

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.

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

Links to Alcatel Products, Services and Solutions

History of Alcatel

Headquartered in Paris (France), rue de la Boetie, with significant operations in and around Paris, Alcatel has a long history beginning in 1898 with the founding of Compagnie Générale d'Electricité (CGE). The original home of the company was the Alsace region -- the name "Alcatel" comes from a small telephone company, "Alsacienne de Cables et de Telephones" -- and it still maintains R&D operations in the Strasbourg area.

There were a number of mergers and acquisitions, as well as divestments since 1898. To understand the current company and its focus on telecommunications, the most important were the acquisition of the European telecommunications activities of ITT in 1986. The combined companies were called Alcatel Alsthom. Alcatel maintains significant R&D presence in Antwerp (Belgium), at the former ITT operations there (Bell Telephone), and in Stuttgart (Germany).

In 1991 Rockwell Technologies was acquired and in 1998, DSC, giving Alcatel a strong U.S. presence. Alcatel has its North American headquarters in Plano (Texas), the former headquarters of DSC. In 2000, the acquisition of Newbridge Networks, a Canadian data networking company, filled out Alcatel's portfolio in data networking and further strengthened its North American presence. Alcatel still has a significant R&D operation in Ottawa, at the former site of Newbridge, as well as other R&D operations in Mountain View, Petaluma and Calabasas (California), and Raleigh (North Carolina).

In 1992 Alcatel Alsthom acquired AEG Kabel (subsequently renamed Kabel Rheydt), a leading cable manufacturer in Germany, thereby strengthening its presence in this region.

In 1993 Acquisition of STC Submarine Systems, a division of Northern Telecom Europe (today Nortel Networks).

In 1995 Serge Tchuruk becomes chairman and CEO of Alcatel Alsthom. He restructures the company focusing on telecommunications.

In 1998 Alcatel Alsthom is renamed Alcatel. Acquisition of the American DSC which has a solid position in the US access market. Initial public offering of GEC ALSTHOM which becomes Alstom. Alcatel retains 24% in the newly-formed company. Alcatel sells Cegelec to Alstom.

In 1999 Acquisition of the American companies Xylan, Packet Engines, Assured Access and Internet Devices, specialised in Internet network and solutions. Alcatel raises its participation in Thomson CSF (now Thales) to 25,3% and reduces its participation in Framatome to 8,6 %.

In 2000 Acquisition of the Canadian Newbridge, worldwide leader in ATM technology networks. Acquisition of the American company Genesys, worldwide leader in contact centers. Acquisition of Innovative Fibers-world leader in DWDM optical filters. The Cable activities are subsidized and renamed Nexans.

In 2001 Sale of its 24% share in Alstom. IPO of a significant part of Cables & Components business (Nexans activity). Alcatel keeps 20% of Nexans shares. Acquisition of the remaining 48.83% stake held in Alcatel Space by Thales, bringing Alcatel's ownership of Alcatel Space to 100%. After this transaction, Alcatel's stake in Thales decreased from 25.29% to 20.03%. Disposal of 4.2% stake in Thales. Selling of 2.2% participation in Areva. Sale of DSL modems activity to Thomson Multimedia.

In 2002 Acquisition of Astral Point Communications Inc., a US company and front-runner in next generation SONET Metro Optical Systems. Disposal of Alcatel's microelectronics activities to STMicroelectronics. Sale of its remaining share in Thomson. Alcatel acquires control of Alcatel Shanghai Bell. Alcatel completes the acquisition of the Telera Corporation. Sale of 10.3 million Thales shares (Alcatel's shareholding in Thales from 15.83% to 9.7%). Sale of 1.5 million Nexans shares (Alcatel's shareholding in Nexans from 20% to 15%)

In 2003 Sale of 50% shareholding in Atlinks, a manufacturer of residential telephones, to Thomson, Alcatel's joint venture partner. Acquisition of iMagicTV, a Canadian supplier of software products and services that enable service providers to create, deliver and manage digital television and media services over broadband networks. Acquisition of TiMetra Inc., a privately held, Silicon Valley-based company that produces routers (devices that interconnect computer networks and move information from one network to another). Sale of Alcatel's optical components business to Avanex. Sale of SAFT Batteries subsidiary to Doughty Hanson. Alcatel and Draka to create a world leader in optical fiber and communication cables

In 2004 Sale of SAFT, a subsidiary of the Group that specialized in battery operations, to Doughty Hanson. Alcatel and TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited formed a joint venture mobile handset company. The joint venture company is 55% owned by TCL and 45% owned by Alcatel. Alcatel and Draka Holding N.V. ("Draka") combined their respective global optical fiber and communication cable businesses. Draka owns 50.1% and Alcatel owns 49.9% of the new company, Draka Comteq B.V. Alcatel acquired privately held, U.S.-based eDial Inc., a leading provider of conferencing and collaboration services for businesses and telephone companies. Alcatel sold 7.1 million Avanex shares, bringing the Group's stake in this company to below 20%. Alcatel completed the acquisition of the privately held, U.S.-based Spatial Communications (known as Spatial Wireless), a leading provider of software-based and multi-standard distributed mobile switching solutions.

In 2005, Alcatel was found to have had some involvement in a corruption scandal in the Central American nation of Costa Rica. The subsequent investigation resulted in the domicile arrest of Costa Rican ex-president Miguel Angel Rodriguez, under charges of corruption and illegal use of government funds. Alcatel allegedly provided a significant payback to government officials during the Rodriguez administration in order to obtain a cellular telephony contract: Alcatel has dismissed two senior employees and has decided to pursue criminal complaints.

Alcatel

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