SFR has selected Alcatel-Lucent to deploy its End-to-End IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) in response to rising demand for unified access to voice, data, multimedia and video services. The turnkey IMS solution is a key element of SFR's IP transformation. It will enable the French operator to deliver innovative unified messaging, home networking, multi-media and broadband data services to consumers and business.

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that SFR, a leading fixed and mobile operator in France, is deploying its End-to-End IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to address today’s demand for seamless access to unified voice, data, multimedia and video services. The solution enhances SFR’s competitive market position by enabling it to offer a wide variety of rich, new fixed and mobile broadband services, while also simplifying operations to substantially lower costs.

Alcatel-Lucent’s industry leading IMS solution is a key element of SFR's IP transformation. It allows SFR to migrate its TDM network towards a fully converged architecture to meet the demands of millions of residential and business customers for services anywhere, anytime and over any device.

“We have selected Alcatel-Lucent because of its end-to-end integration capabilities and its large experience in IMS projects,” said Pierre-Alain Allemand, SFR Network Director. “Thanks to this deployment, SFR has built the key assets to rapidly deploy highly innovative services onto a converged and rationalized network architecture that fuels growth and innovation.”

Allemand added that the IMS solution is part ofSFR’sNeufbox Evolution residential offering. Neufbox Evolution is a set-top box and home gateway all in one, offering communications, IPTV multi-screen access, Femtocell connectivity and the ability to connect directly to ADSL or Fibre-to-the-home. Users have the option to connect the Neufbox Evolution wired or wirelessly.

Alcatel-Lucent’s IMS solution also supports the Global System Mobile Association’s (GSMA’s) Rich Communication Suite, enabling SFR to unify service across mobile handsets and the web to improve consumer and enterprise communication and collaboration. These capabilities include: unified network address book; presence; multimedia instant messaging (including SMS, text and video) and image sharing.

“With this contract, a major new reference in Europe, Alcatel-Lucent underlines its leading position in IMS solutions,” said Pascal Homsy, vice president of Alcatel-Lucent’s France business. “We are very proud to reinforce our partnership and strong cooperation spirit with SFR by delivering a platform that immediately provides enhanced services today and prepares SFR for the services that people will seek tomorrow.”

Under the multivendor agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide SFR with a turnkey solution, including design, testing, integration, deployment, maintenance and operation. In addition, SFR will have access to Alcatel-Lucent’s strong, French-based presence and R&D facilities, as well as the benefits of its world-class Bell Labs innovation engine.

Alcatel-Lucent is a global leader in providing IMS solutions to service providers, with more than 70 deployments and trials worldwide. It is also ranked #1 in IMS VoIP subscriber market share.

About SFR

SFR is the second biggest telecommunications operator in France, with turnover of €12.6 billion in 2010. As a global operator, it satisfies the requirements of domestic and professional customers, businesses and operators worldwide, covering mobile and fixed telecommunications, Internet and television services. SFR deploys its own mobile and fixed infrastructure, backed by expert IP (Internet Protocol) teams that live up to the ambitious demands placed on them: to be a transparent and responsible market player whose mission is to keep abreast of the needs of each individual and corporate customer, bringing them the best that digital technology can offer.

As of March 31, 2011, SFR had more than 21 million mobile customers, including some 16 million subscribers, and 4.9 million high-speed home Internet subscribers. The company has staff of around 10 000 employees and is backed by two major shareholders: Vivendi (56%) and Vodafone (44%).

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

The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises, strategic industries and governments around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leader in mobile, fixed, IP and Optics technologies, and a pioneer in applications and services. Alcatel-Lucent includes Bell Labs, one of the world's foremost centres of research and innovation in communications technology.

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 16 billion in 2010 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/blogand follow the Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.