www.alcatel.com

Alcatel announced today that it has performed the first live 3G multimedia call on its UMTS trial network installed in New Caledonia, Pacific Islands.

For the very first time in the Pacific islands, a UMTS infrastructure network has been established, not only enabling voice communications in circuit mode but also making instant transmission of data and high-speed video images in packet mode into a reality.

The live 3G/UMTS calls were demonstrated to local media in Noumea recently via 3G handsets to further enrich Alcatel Pacific Islands' annual customer seminar.

"3G/UMTS will offer great added value to end-users with sufficient bandwidth and numerous attractive multimedia applications," stated Rmi Galasso, Country Senior Officer, Alcatel Pacific Islands. "New technologies have always been playing a strategic role in Pacific Islands' social and economic development. Alcatel, as the dominant end-to-end telecom solutions provider in this market, is ready to help local community to embrace the ease of life through field-proven 3G technology now."