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Lucent Technologies, Actel Integrated Communications announce $35 million strategic agreement to expand Actel's Voice/ Data Network


FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY AUGUST 18, 1999

MOBILE, Ala.-Actel Integrated Communications, Inc. and Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced a three-year, $35 million agreement under which Lucent will provide communications systems, software and its NetCare® Professional Services for Actel's state-of-the-industry, data network. Actel's network will serve business customers throughout the South.

Lucent's NetCare services include round-the-clock network monitoring, maintenance, installation, network consulting, design and integration services. Lucent has also agreed to provide Actel with financing - subject to certain conditions - including the obtaining of additional outside capital.

Actel -- a facilities-based, integrated communications provider (ICP) headquartered in Mobile -- will be among the first companies to deploy Lucent's cutting-edge convergent technologies, including Voice-Over-Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) and scaleable ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) packet-switching for its business customers.

"This is a defining moment for Actel Integrated Communications," said John Beck, president of Actel. "Lucent's technology and expertise will give us a competitive edge as we develop the next generation of communications networks to better serve our customers."

To date, Actel has purchased more than $10 million in network equipment from Lucent and under terms of the new contract, Actel will purchase another $25 million of Lucent products and services. These include Lucent's flagship 5ESS® Switch and AnyMedia® Access Systems -- Lucent's next-generation digital loop carrier and multiservice platform that enables service providers to offer any service, over any facility, at any location. The 5ESS Switch also evolves into a switch for data networks with the 7RETM Packet Driver, which converts voice signals into packets.

Actel is also purchasing Lucent's CBX 500TM multiservice switch supporting frame relay and ATM services; the MAX TNTTM WAN access switch supporting Voice over IP; the DSL TNTTM multiservice DSL concentrator for xDSL/frame relay; and the PacketStarTM AX 100 and 600 access concentrators for integrated access services over ATM.

In addition, Lucent is providing Actel with intelligent network technology, enabling Actel to offer -- both to its own customers and to other carriers -- sophisticated features such as Local Number Portability, Calling Name Delivery, Enhanced 800 Services, Virtual Private Networks and SS7 signaling.

"In addition to our hardware, software and NetCare Professional Services, we will bring the full synergies and technological resources of Lucent and Bell Labs to help build a state-of-the-industry network for Actel in the markets it chooses to serve," said Mark Wilson, vice president-emerging service providers for Lucent's eastern region.

While Actel currently has nine markets in Alabama, Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi, the new contract with Lucent will enable the company to aggressively launch into other major markets across the South, according to Beck.

"I am very excited about this contract," Beck said. "Actel's aggressive development calls for a rapid deployment of leading-edge equipment and the expansion of our present network to meet our customers' needs from Florida to central Texas. With this new contract with Lucent, we are enhancing our network and strengthening our resources in preparation for this expansion."

On Aug. 18, Actel and Lucent officials will gather in Mobile to oversee the launch of a new Lucent 5ESS Switch housed in Actel's Government Street corporate headquarters.

Actel Integrated Communications, Inc. is a privately owned facilities-based Integrated Communications Provider offering business customers throughout the South a full array of communications and intelligent networking solutions. For more information, visit the Actel website at www.actel.net or contact the company's headquarters at 1-877-65ACTEL.

Lucent Technologies designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, and business telephone systems and microelectronic components. Bell Laboratories is the research and development arm for the company. For more information about Lucent Technologies, headquartered at Murray Hill, N.J., visit the company's website at http://www.lucent.com.



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Mickey Noah