CenturyLink Builds Next Generation IP Core Network With Alcatel-Lucent

CenturyLink, Inc.

and Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that CenturyLink, the third largest telecommunications company in the U.S., has deployed the 7950 Extensible Routing System (XRS) to meet the growing data and video demands from its customer base across the United States. With the introduction of the 7950 XRS core router in its IP core network, CenturyLink obtains an end-to-end managed IP/MPLS network. The 7950 XRS provides CenturyLink with increased speed and capacity, allowing the company to scale its network and provide services to its customers that support their growing broadband needs, including 1 gigabit service which was recently made available to residential and business customers in 16 cities. CenturyLink's IP network also has a direct connection into its 57 worldwide data centers and provides customers with voice and data solutions, managed IT services, colocation, managed hosting and private and public cloud offerings. "As a global leader in cloud infrastructure and hosted IT solutions, we are focused on ensuring we have the speed and capacity to meet the data demands of our customers," said James Feger, vice president, CenturyLink network strategy and development. "This new platform is flexible and supports our IP networking needs as we continue to grow and transform our network." Core routers direct data traffic at the heart of an IP network, and a single 7950 XRS can forward 16 terabits of data per second while consuming only 1 watt per gigabit switching capacity today, and is expected to consume even less in the future. The switching capacity, port density and power efficiency of the 7950 XRS platforms yield operational cost savings by minimizing requirements for physical footprint and power consumption. "The industry-leading capacity, efficiency and service features of the 7950 XRS will help provide CenturyLink with the core routing platform needed to meet its growing IP traffic demand for years to come, while keeping operating costs in check," said Charles Marsh, president of Alcatel-Lucent's Americas region. "This deployment further validates The Shift Plan Alcatel-Lucent created and our focus on IP Networking as one of the key areas of specialization." For more information on the 7950 Extensible Routing System visit http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/products/7950-extensible-routing-system.