Allegiance, Lucent Sign $350-Million Network Deal

MURRAY HILL, N.J., May 16 -- Lucent Technologies and Allegiance Telecom Inc. have reached a $350-million global procurement agreement. Using Lucent's Internet resources and communications networking products Allegiance hopes to expand its voice and data services by the end of 2001.
Lucent will engineer, install and integrate system services through its NetworkCare Professional Services division. Allegiance will also make use of Lucent's 7R/E Packet Solutions by integrating it with Allegiance's own circuit network.
Under the agreement, which will be implemented over a three-year period, Allegiance hopes to expand its integrated communications services into 15 additional markets, including Charlotte, N.C., Cleveland, Indianapolis, Miami, Phoenix, Ariz., Portland, Ore. and Tampa, Fla. Allegiance already services small- and medium-sized businesses in over 20 metropolitan areas, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.