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First EDGE Wireless African Contentient

8th July,2004

US : Alcatel announced that the mobile network it has deployed for Orascom Télécom Algérie, Algeria's leading mobile operator, has enabled the operator to not only register its 2 millionth subscriber and deploy the multimedia GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) mobile services it is launching today, but also to introduce the first broadband EDGE (Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution) services ever provided on the African continent.

In the framework of a supply contract for a turnkey GSM network in Algeria signed in 2001, Alcatel deployed its end-to-end Evolium™ solution. This multistandard platform designed for GSM/GPRS/EDGE and 3G/UMTS networks evolves constantly with the latest technological advances, allowing costs to be optimized. It enables Orascom Télécom Algérie today to seamlessly upgrade its network capacities to evolve towards EDGE while at the same time preserving and optimizing its initial investments.

The Evolium™ EDGE solutions implemented by Alcatel will allow Orascom Télécom Algérie to test new innovative broadband multimedia applications and services on an operational infrastructure and environment. The Algerian operator will be able to introduce these new services into its commercial offering where and when it wishes, then gradually extend the offering right across the country. These services will quite naturally supplement the range of GSM/GPRS services already commercialized by Orascom Télécom Algérie under the brand name Djezzy, thereby enhancing the services initially intended more specifically for corporate subscribers.

This new step forward will allow Djezzy to assert its position as leader on the Algerian market by offering its corporate customers new multimedia applications and new broadband mobile services such as high-speed access to the intranet and electronic messaging services, or fast downloading of a large volume of data. In the longer term, Djezzy subscribers will enjoy attractive new services such as access to video clips, direct-broadcast television programmes or "live" video information via webcams.

"Thanks to the support of Alcatel, who has been our technological partner since we began our activities in Algeria, we have been able to meet the challenge of rapidly deploying a cutting edge technology in order to offer our Algerian customers the latest broadband multimedia services", stated Hassan Kabbani, CEO of Orascom Télécom Algérie. "In less than 3 years, Orascom Télécom Algérie has democratized the mobile telephony market in Algeria while at the same time bringing the latest technologies to the entire telecommunications sector. These developments, illustrated by the introduction of GPRS and EDGE will benefit the entire country."

Marc Rouanne, chief operating officer of Alcatel's mobile communications activities backs this up by adding: "This first deployment of EDGE technology on the African continent is another landmark in the partnership between Orascom and Alcatel. It is an achievement that illustrates how we can help our customers meet the growing demand for attractive new mobile services."

About Orascom Télécom Algérie
Orascom Télécom Algérie, under its brand name Djezzy GSM, is the leading mobile telephony operator in Algeria with 2 million subscribers. It won the license in July 2001 with a bid of 737 million US dollars. OTA's accrued investments total 1.6 billion US dollars, making it the biggest foreign investor in Algeria. Its Djezzy GSM networks extends to 48 wilayas and covers 80% of the population. Orascom Télécom Algérie is a subsidiary of Orascom Télécom, the largest telecommunications group in the Middle-East, the Maghreb and Africa.

About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or to their employees. Alcatel leverages its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services to bring value to its customers in the framework of a broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.5 billion in 2003, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.

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