Alcatel-Lucent appoints Jules Meunier as head of W-CDMA/HSPA business

Paris, March 3, 2010 - Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that Jules Meunier will join the company to lead its W-CDMA/HSPA product unit. Jules will report to Wim Sweldens, president of the company’s Wireless Networks Product Division.

Jules brings more than 25 years of industry experience and strong global leadership in the service provider segment. His career spans the full range of telecommunications technologies including mobile wireless, optical systems, circuit switching, data networking and network management. Jules has served on a number of company boards, including Spectrum Signal Processing, Inc. and Zarlink Semiconductors, Inc. and has served on the board of DigiBC, the 250-member Wireless Innovation Network society of British Columbia.

“In my 20 years experience in the field, Jules’ is one of the best technology leaders I had the pleasure of working with; his background and experience will be a considerable asset to Alcatel-Lucent as it progresses with its wireless data strategy,” said Ibrahim Gedeon, CTO of TELUS. “His understanding of what is required to deploy reliable, efficient networks that leverage IP and radio technologies as is well suited to Alcatel-Lucent’s vision of the networks of the future.”

Jules’ career with Nortel Networks spanned two decades, helping shape the company’s direction as its chief technical officer and as head of its wireless business. He also held senior positions in Nortel’s wired, wireless and optical communications divisions. After leaving Nortel in 2001 he became president and CEO of Boston-based ProQuent Systems.  

“Jules has a successful record of leading large technology businesses to profitability and developing innovative strategies to gain market share by providing the solutions and service that makes a difference to customers,” said Philippe Keryer, president of the Carrier Product Group. “We look forward to being able to leverage his experience in both wireless and data networking as we embark on a new phase in the Alcatel-Lucent’s wireless strategy.”

At Alcatel-Lucent, Jules will lead a team of professionals responsible for executing on the company’s third-generation (3G) all-IP wireless strategy. He will work with Bell Labs as it develops and enhances the technology needed to meet service providers’ requirements for reliable, efficient networks able to accommodate the exploding demand for mobile broadband services fueled by the appeal of mobile smart devices and their increasingly sophisticated applications.

Jules will join the company later this month, and he will be based in Vélizy, France. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Ottawa.

* W-CDMA — Wideband Code Division Multiple Access is a 3G wireless technology that enables faster data transmission rates.

* HSPA -- High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), is a high-speed 3G wireless digital data service that use GSM technology.