GENERAL INFORMATIONS

            Profile of the firm :

Alcatel provides end-to-end communications solutions, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver content to any type of user, anywhere in the world. Leveraging its long-term leadership in telecommunications network equipment as well as its expertise in innovative applications and network services, Alcatel enables its customers to focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of EURO 16.5 billion in 2003, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries .

Alcatel is a Société Anonyme; its owners are the shareholders.
The capital of the firm is 265 364 340 euros; Alcatel is listed on the Stock Exchange.
The chairman is Serge Tchuruk (65 years old, french nationality).

            Short history of the firm :

-May 31st, 1898: Creation of the Compagnie Générale d'électricité
(CGE) by Pierre Azaria , a French engineer.

-1925: Absorption of the Compagnie Générale des Câbles de Lyon by CGE.

-1966: Absorption by CGE of the Société Alsacienne de Constructions Atomiques, de Télécommunications et d'Electronique (Alcatel).

-1985: Absorption of the Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones (CIT), and of Thomson
Télécommunications, by Alcatel (that is still part of the CGE).

-1986: Câbles de Lyon becomes a subsidiary of Alcatel.

-1987: Privatization of the CGE.

-1991: The Compagnie Générale d'Electricité changes its name to Alcatel Alsthom.

-1995: Serge Tchuruk becomes chairman and CEO of Alcatel Alsthom. He
restructures the company focusing on telecommunications. He is the present
chairman.

-1999: Acquisition of the American companies Xylan, Packet Engines,
Assured Access and Internet Devices, specialized in Internet network and
solutions.

-2000: Acquisition of the Canadian Newbridge, worldwide leader in ATM
technology networks; of the American Company Genesys, worldwide leader in contact centers; and of Innovative Fibers-world leader in DWDM optical filters.

-2002: Alcatel acquires control of Alcatel Shanghai Bell.

   Description of the mains activities and products of the firm :

The activity sector of Alcatel is the telecommunication. Its main activities are the Network, the Optical, the Space and telecom component, the E-Business.

• Network :
  - activities of networks and interconnection
  - conception, integration and installation of fixed and mobile networks
                 Turnover : 8,2 billion euros; in 2002.
                 Alcatel is the number one in the world of ADSL.

•  Optical :
  - activities bind to optical transport
  - development and key supply of the optical networks, submarine and earthly
  - development, manufacture and commercialization of optoelectronics components
                   Turnover : 3,5 billion euros; in 2002.
                   Alcatel is the leadership in optical and radio networks.

• E-Business :
  - development of applied software's
  - conception and commercialization of mobile terminals
                    Turnover : 2,3 billion euros; in 2002.
                    Alcatel in the number one in the world in mobile terminals.

• Space and telecom components :
  - development of satellite systems for telecommunication, the navigation, the optical and radar observation, meteorology and sciences
  - development and manufacture of electromecanic components
                    Turnover : 3 billion euros; in 2002.
                    Alcatel is the 1st European supplier and 3rd worldwide of commercial-satellites.

            Location of the headquarters and establishments :

The headquarters are in Paris (54 rue de la Boétie 75 008 Paris, France).
Alcatel has establishments on the 5 continents.

            Recent statistics:

    EVOLUTION OF THE SHARES:

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