BellSouth Selects Lucent Technologies' Next-Generation Solution to Enable a Range of Advanced Consumer IP Services

Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced that BellSouth(NYSE: BLS) has selected elements from Lucent's IMS-based (IPMultimedia Subsystem) solution, including network integration andtechnical support, to be the platform for BellSouth's Voice Over IPservice for residential customers in its nine-state territory.

Under the multiyear agreement, Lucent will initially help buildout the system that will enable VoIP services to consumers overBellSouth(R) FastAccess(R) DSL Internet service.

Lucent's solution lays a foundation for BellSouth's IMSarchitecture, paving the way for BellSouth to develop, integrate androll out new, powerful and personalized services, delivering anytime,anywhere access to a "grand slam" of next-generation Internet protocol(IP)-based services.

"BellSouth's new consumer VoIP capability is a critical componentleading to a comprehensive experience that integrates voice, data andvideo in a way that best meets the needs of the individual customer,helping open the door to a whole new level of personalized services,"said Bill Smith, chief technology officer for BellSouth. "We selectedLucent as our IMS supplier because of the depth and breadth of whatthe company brings to the table -- IMS leadership, significantexpertise as a multivendor network integrator, and an IMS-basedsolution that can enable scalable services that can be deployed fastand efficiently with the quality and reliability that customers expectfrom BellSouth."

As the network integrator, Lucent Worldwide Services is providingend-to-end multivendor network integration services, including networkand security design, installation and engineering, and programmanagement. Lucent also will provide multivendor maintenance services,including multivendor technical support.

"Today's announcement underscores the momentum Lucent is gainingin providing an end-to-end portfolio of next-generation solutions andservices that complement the end user's lifestyle. BellSouth can nowevolve to an IMS architecture by simply adding session management andunified subscriber database functions to help enable personalizedservices that customers can access anytime, anywhere, with anydevice," said Mike Baumgartner, vice president of sales for LucentTechnologies. "We're dedicated to helping customers such as BellSouthroll out applications faster to a more targeted audience withincreased efficiency."

BellSouth will deploy components of the Lucent IMS portfolio,including the Lucent Network Controller, a softswitch technology-basedproduct that provides the media gateway control functionstraditionally found in a softswitch, to enable consumer VoIP services.

In addition, BellSouth will deploy the Lucent Network Gateway,which provides the media gateway function and permits seamlessinteraction between IP networks and both traditional wireline andwireless networks.

The Lucent Network Controller and the Lucent Network Gateway areelements of Lucent's IMS-based solution that integrate into an IMSarchitecture.

About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications companyheadquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth has joint control and 40percent ownership of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wirelessvoice and data provider with 52.3 million customers.

Backed by award-winning customer service, BellSouth offers themost comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data servicesavailable in the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential andsmall business customers can bundle their local and long distanceservice with dial-up and high-speed DSL Internet access, satellitetelevision and Cingular(R) Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouthprovides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and datanetworking solutions. BellSouth also offers online and directoryadvertising through BellSouth(R) RealPages.com(R) and The Real YellowPages(R).

BellSouth believes that diversity and fostering an inclusiveenvironment are critical in maintaining a competitive advantage intoday's global marketplace. More information about BellSouth can befound at http://www.bellsouth.com.

About Lucent Technologies

Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services andsoftware that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed byBell Labs research and development, Lucent uses its strengths inmobility, optical, software, data and voice networking technologies,as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunitiesfor its customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and bettermanage their networks. Lucent's customer base includes communicationsservice providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For moreinformation on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in MurrayHill, N.J., USA, visit www.lucent.com.