Today everyone wants video on his mobile

How is the telecoms equipment market

Growth is back. It is very clear in the United States. One of our major clients recently explained that he had invested enormous sums to acquire spectrum and that he would deploy mobile networks accordingly. But growth also resumed in China in the second half, as I had announced early in the year - at the time, it did not believe me. The Chinese invest in the mobile and fiber.

This bounce used at Alcatel-Lucent

We have to announce contracts in a day 5 billion, it's rather good sign! We spent the framework contracts with three Chinese operators, for EUR 1.2 billion, to which must be added a contract of 1 billion per year over four years to expand the 3 G network and build the Verizon Wireless LTE network in the United States. Otherwise, in the third quarter, our turnover increased by 10.5 compared to 2009. We do better than our competitors. And this growth occurred in all regions of the world, including Europe, excluding activity submarine cables which was very cyclical. This means that our investments in new technologies and research and development are beginning to pay.

What are the growth sectors

Almost all our equipment are growing. Mobile access grows by 24 at constant exchange rates, W-CDMA jumps 24, the CDMA takes 12 and even GSM grows by 44. The femtocells, these small 3 G cells that can be placed in homes or outside, are taking off: we have already signed 14 contracts including 12 during the last three months. In General, proven technologies continue to advance and the technologies of tomorrow are booming, 23: the LTE, followed by the the new generation optical fiber... This will transform Alcatel-Lucent in depth.

Analysts applaud the repositioning of Alcatel-Lucent on the segment of the mobile service... Can you explain what it is

Indeed, while we were not perceived as of specialists in mobile networks, which conveyed primarily voice, things are changing with data networks. Today, everyone wants video on his mobile. This must be of large pipe between the router for the operator and the base station which houses the antenna. Our mobile service solution is now recognized as the best in its class.

Taking the direction of the company, you have defined a strategy centred on "high performance" networks, which can build value-added applications. What is the "application enablement" reaping

Yes, this is a segment that grows very quickly, even if the application part will never be the heart of our business. We have just buy Openplug, a French start-up based in Sophia-Antipolis, which creates applications for the mobile development tools. With it, we can offer to the people of tailored services. For example, if I like cooking, football, reading, it does propose me that applications that suit me.

You register a decline in the gross margin of 36.1 in the second quarter to 33.8 in the third quarter, why

In the second quarter, the margin had been stronger with significant sales of software updates for our customers. At the moment, they are rather in phase of renewal of the equipment, which generates less significant margins. This is only a phase of the cycle. Why, it is better to look at our performance over time. On an annualized basis, our margins grow. And then we are profitable for the second quarter in a row, which is good news. In the fourth quarter, it will be very strong.

Alcatel-Lucent still suffered from the shortage of components in the third quarter - a consequence of restrictions of commands decided during the crisis. Will this problem soon be resolved

It is fading, month after month, and should disappear next year. I welcome the high level of our stocks. We made this decision nine months ago to give priority to our clients, even if it reduces our cash. At the time, it fun for us, but those who have not done may regret it.

All regions of the world are again growing except Europe. When will he leave on the old Continent

What is happening in Europe I ask the question. Some of our customers have large projects, but expected a European vision. This is not even at the country level to make decisions today, but at the level companies, one by one! Discussed on how to install optical fibre in rural areas. During this time, China is deploying its networks, including campaigns, the Australia launched its national plan, Latin America is preparing and the United States, you will see, will go very quickly. Europe would do well to hurry.