SBC Communications Inc. today announced a five-year, approximately $1.7 billion primary supplier agreement with Alcatel to provide network equipment and video system integration services for Project Lightspeed, the SBC initiative to drive fiber deeper into its networks to provide customers new, feature-rich Internet Protocol (IP)-based services, including IP television, voice over IP and ultra-fast Internet access.

Alcatel's network equipment will include core network access, aggregation and switching equipment platforms that will provide the Internet Protocol, packet-based technologies over fiber optics that connect the neighborhoods to the central office. Additionally, Alcatel will work with SBC to ensure seamless video systems integration.

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