Rank 35: Alcatel Network Systems: Sweet Switches

Alcatel Network Systems is a significant telecom equipment player especially
in wireline access infrastructure. It is also a major supplier of
telecommunications switches. Its E10Bs and OCBs are present in almost all the
significant exchanges of the largest telecom service provider in India–BSNL.

During the fiscal 2001-02, Alcatel Network Systems grew about 29 percent, to
register a turnover of Rs 243 crore. This was on account of a few key deals that
it struck during the fiscal 2001-02 and some continuing projects from long-term
contracts.

The most significant contributor to Alcatel’s top-line during the FY
2001-02 was the Euro 65 million contract from BSNL to supply switching systems
comprising more than 1 million lines. This apart, the broadband network division
(BND) performed well in the datacom and IP/ATM equipment markets, capturing
dominant market shares in the individual segments–30 percent in multiplexers
and 15 percent in RAS.

Alcatel Network Systems TURNOVER FACTSHEET CEO : Michel Vetil Year of Start-up : 1992 Area of Operation : Telecom equipment Address : Plot No 25, Electronic City, Sector 18, Gurgaon 122 015 Tel  : 0124-6455050 Fax: : 0124-6431689 S W O T Strength  : Good public sector market experience Weakness : Inadequate exposure to Indian wireless market  Opportunity : The core build-outs for telecom SPs Threat  : Competition for core market on rise

Like other telecom equipment vendors worldwide, FY 2001-02 was a bad year for
Alcatel. In India too, it won some but lost more. Alcatel Network Systems was
not able to figure in the large BSNL cellular infrastructure deals. Neither was
it able to make any significant in-roads into the private sector wireless
markets. It also failed to make any significant sale of DSL equipment.