Lucent Technologies Surpasses 8 Million Subscribers on AnyPath Messaging Systems in Networks

MURRAY HILL, NJ - Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) announced that its next-generation unified communications platform, the AnyPath Messaging System, has surpassed 8 million active subscribers in service provider networks, a 16-fold increase since last November. A unified platform, like the AnyPath system, turns a voice mailbox into a communications hub, enabling subscribers, regardless of location, to use voice, touch-tone or computer-based instructions to access, retrieve and manage all their messages (voice, text, photos and video) from a single mailbox through a wireline phone, mobile phone, personal digital assistant or personal computer. The increase in subscribers on Lucent's AnyPath system is the result of the system replacing competing solutions in operators' networks, service providers adding new subscribers to AnyPath systems deployed in their networks and migrating subscribers from previous Lucent messaging solutions to the AnyPath system. The company also introduced significant enhancements to its AnyPath solution that can enable service providers to deliver new Internet Protocol-based applications and voice-portal service. The new enhanced AnyPath platform is now available and is being deployed in service provider networks. "The eight million subscribers and the new cost-for-performance benefits of the AnyPath system reflect the value customers place in our solution and our continuing commitment to deliver a cost-effective, flexible and scalable path to next generation services. As the leader in next generation messaging, Lucent has a significant opportunity to help existing customers, as well as new customers, deliver new services to end-users," said J.J. Lhospital, general manager of Lucent Technologies Messaging Group. Integrating VoiceXML technology in the AnyPath system enables Lucent or independent software developers to write voice-controlled applications that plug into Lucent's platform. This will allow new speech-driven services to be introduced, such as real-time teleconferencing, stock transaction and meeting location.