PARIS, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that Sunrise, the second largest telecommunications provider in Switzerland, is outsourcing the operation of its mobile, fixed and data networks to Alcatel-Lucent as of August 1, 2008. By entrusting Alcatel-Lucent with its network, Sunrise will be able to ensure the long-term high quality deployment and management of the network as well as significantly save operational costs. The contract includes the transfer of 290 employees. The value of the agreement is approximately 340 million euros over 7 years, depending on the final scope of the project.

Sunrise decided, after careful consideration, to outsource primary components of its network to Alcatel-Lucent. This contract sets the stage for the Sunrise telecommunications network to be maintained in a cost effective, high quality manner. This relationship also ensures the development and fast deployment of new user-oriented services and solutions. Sunrise will continue to carry out key roles such as network planning and customer service. The network infrastructure including all telecommunication systems remains totally owned by Sunrise.

With Alcatel-Lucent, Sunrise chose a trusted partner with significant outsourcing experience in Switzerland and worldwide. Network operations and outsourcing for carriers and enterprises is a strategic area for Alcatel-Lucent's services business. Alcatel-Lucent will leverage the experience gained from designing, deploying, operating, maintaining and expanding more than 70 networks supporting more than 140 million subscribers worldwide.

"We are pleased that with the Sunrise network operations outsourcing contract we are now serving a total of 3.6 million Swiss customers. The selection of Alcatel-Lucent demonstrates the trust that Sunrise has in our expertise and service quality," said Andy Williams, President of Alcatel-Lucent's services business. "As our business continues to grow, locally and internationally, we look to continue building our managed services capabilities, and therefore develop an even broader knowledge base."

The network operations outsourcing contract includes the Sunrise division's operation, maintenance and expansion. The 290 employees will receive equivalent conditions as they had at Sunrise, and will be able to work in the same geographical region.

Both companies have agreed that no detailed information of the outsourcing contract will be published.

About Sunrise

Sunrise is the second-largest telecommunications provider in Switzerland. Over 2.2 million customers use Sunrise services in the areas of mobile telephone communications, fixed network and Internet. The mobile network, based on GSM, EDGE, UMTS and HSDPA, supplies over 99% of the population with mobile telecommunications services, permitting transmission rates of up to 3.6 Mbps. A high-performance glass fiber network with a total length of over 8,900 km makes possible an all-encompassing offer of high-value language and data services. By 2010 Sunrise will supply 80% of households with its own broadband services. Sunrise is a brand of Sunrise Communications AG, the share capital of which is owned 100 % by TDC A/S.

About Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprise and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work and on the move. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The company has the most experienced global services team in the industry, and one of the largest research, technology and innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 17.8 billion in 2007 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

Alcatel-Lucent Press Contacts: Régine Coqueran, Tel: +33(0)1-40-76-49-24, regine.coqueran@alcatel-lucent.com; Mark Burnworth, Tel: +33(0)1-40-76-50-84, mark.burnworth@alcatel-lucent.com; Alcatel-Lucent Investor Relations: Rémi Thomas, Tel: +33(0)1-40-76-50-61, remi.thomas@alcatel-lucent.com; John DeBono, Tel: +1-908-582-7793, debono@alcatel-lucent.com; Tony Lucido, Tel: +33(0)1-40-76-49-80, alucido@alcatel-lucent.com; Don Sweeney, Tel: +1-908-582-6153 dsweeney@alcatel-lucent.com