Alcatel-Lucent joins UNIFE to expand role of communications technology in safe, sustainable and efficient rail transport

Paris, September 18, 2012 – Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) has become the first company from the telecommunications sector to become a member of the Europe-wide rail industry association, UNIFE, highlighting the increasing importance of communications technology in improving the safety, operational efficiency and sustainability of rail transportation.

Information and communications technology (ICT) is playing a significant role in the modernization of railways at a time when governments are placing more focus on rail as a fast, economic and sustainable pillar of their national transportation infrastructure strategies. As journey times continue to improve as a result of increased rail infrastructure spending, operators are looking to the ICT industry to improve the safety and efficiency of operations as well as the passenger experience through better information and communications services.

In Europe, in particular, rail legislation continues to open up new markets and improve travel and trade links. For instance, the EU’s Horizon 2020 program calls for a EUR 7 billion budget over 7 years for transport research to establish an intelligent, safe, sustainable, integrated transport system. Further, a June 2011 EU report recommended moving 50% of passenger and freight journeys from road to rail and waterways as well as calling for the completion of a European high-speed rail network by 2050.

UNIFE, a leading proponent of rail modernization, is committed to the development and implementation of a safe, sustainable and efficient rail network across Europe and represents companies responsible for the design, manufacture, maintenance and refurbishment of rail transport systems, subsystems and related equipment. By extending its membership to Alcatel-Lucent, UNIFE recognizes the importance of communications in meeting the rail industry’s challenges. As a result, it has invited Alcatel-Lucent to lead its first telecommunication working groups to address the new service needs of rail operators, infrastructure managers, passengers and freight companies.

Philippe Citroën, Director-General of UNIFE, said: “As rail travel grows in popularity across Europe, UNIFE is fostering research in new technologies and the adoption of European-wide policies that will enable a competitive and interoperable rail network. With telecommunications playing an increasingly important role in these objectives, we are pleased to welcome Alcatel-Lucent as a new member of UNIFE, to leverage the company’s technological expertise in this field.”

Alcatel-Lucent has more than 30 years’ experience in developing and integrating technologies to enable safe, reliable and efficient urban and main line rail systems while improving communications for individual passengers and freight companies across the globe.

Olivier André, Vice President of Business Development, Transportation, with Alcatel-Lucent said: “As one of the supporting bodies of the European Railway Agency, UNIFE plays a vital role in the development of the EU rail industry. Alcatel-Lucent is bringing its many years of experience in telecommunications to help develop policies and contribute to research that will benefit the rail industry as a whole while opening up growth opportunities across Europe for many individuals and companies.”

Alcatel-Lucent has delivered over 80 mission-critical railway networks around the world with many projects currently ongoing in Europe, including with ADIF in Spain, Eurotunnel SA in France and Gotthard base tunnel in Switzerland.

Alcatel-Lucent and transportation

As the telecom subsystems integrator of choice, Alcatel-Lucent helps urban and main line rail operators make every journey on-time, safe and reliable. Whether the need is to enhance, renew or build a communication network, Alcatel-Lucent is the ideal partner. With an unrivalled breadth of product and service portfolio and more than 30 years of experience in transportation systems integration, Alcatel-Lucent has proven expertise in designing, deploying, maintaining and operating mission-critical networks. These networks support operational systems such as train control and signalling, ground-to-train communications, and video protection, to name just a few. Visit our website to learn more about our Dynamic Communication Solutions for Railways.