31 July 2002 -- US-based telecoms operator Sprint is to install Alcatel's 1630 GSX (global synchronous cross-connect) solution in Europe and Asia Pacific as it expands its international IP network worldwide.

Alcatel's 1630 GSX is designed to support both SONET and SDH and has dual functionality in managing both voice-rate and higher-rate private line services from a single platform. During second-half 2002 Sprint will deploy the 1630 GSX in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, England, France, China, Japan, Singapore and Australia.

"Alcatel has a long history of providing networking solutions, and we believe those solutions are integral to our success as a global network operator," said Andy Croughan, assistant VP of Sprint's international network services. Alcatel has collaborated with Sprint on optical networking projects since 1999.