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FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of July, 2005

Commission File Number 1-11130

ALCATEL

54, rue La Boétie
75008 Paris – France

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (1):                     

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (7):                     

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-                    

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	Alcatel
Date: July 12, 2005	By:	/S/ Jean-Pascal Beaufret
		Jean-Pascal Beaufret
		Chief Financial Officer

Press release

Alcatel trading update: second quarter 2005 earnings better than expected

Paris, July 12, 2005 — Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced preliminary second quarter 2005 earnings:

	•		Revenues of Euro 3.14 billion, an increase of 8% over the same period last year (around 10% at a constant Euro/US$ exchange rate).
			This higher than expected revenue growth resulted from a strong momentum in IP routing and optical transmission, mobile communications, and enterprise solutions.
	•		Operating margin amounted to slightly above 8% of revenues.
	•		Diluted EPS of around Euro 0.13 (US$ 0.16* per ADS), and included a positive impact from tax income and a one time capital gain.

(*) E/ADS has been calculated using the US Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon euro/dollar buying rate of US$1.21 as of June 30, 2005.

Second quarter 2005 results will be published on July 28, 2005. Further details will be provided at this time.

About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com

Safe harbor: Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to (i) Alcatel’s performance in the second quarter 2005 including second quarter 2005 revenue, operating profit and earnings per share (EPS). These forward looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those projected. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by Alcatel with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alcatel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.