Lucent Wins $1-Billion Contract From AT

Lucent Technologies Inc., the world’s largest maker of phone equipment, won a $1-billion, four-year contract from former parent AT&T; Corp. to supply cellular network equipment. AT&T; will use the equipment to extend its digital cellular network to new markets and add capacity in cities where it already has service. New equipment will let the leading U.S. long-distance company support more customers and help it develop new services like wireless Internet access. AT&T; declined to say where it will install the equipment. The company needs to boost capacity in its New York City network to alleviate problems customers there have had making and receiving calls. Murray Hill, N.J.-based Lucent rose $7.88 to close at $109.94, while AT&T; slipped $1.38 to close at $81.66, both on the New York Stock Exchange. Lucent won the contract over rivals Ericsson and Northern Telecom.