ROME, October 1 /PRNewswire/ --

- Saft Intensium 1 Batteries Save Space and Weight While Providing
Exceptional Reliability and Optimised TCO (Total Cost Ownership), Even in 
Operating Temperatures Up to +60DegreesC.

Three out of the top five telecom manufacturers have selected Saft's
Intensium 1 rechargeable Li-ion (lithium-ion) batteries developed to address
the specific needs of the dynamic and expanding market for wireless telecom
networks. The Saft Li-ion batteries designed to meet all the demanding
configuration objectives for a back-up power system will equip new compact
micro or macro Base Transceiver Station (BTS) used in GSM or UMTS networks
The deployment of these different BTS is planned in different European, Asian
and US Telecom networks for rural, highway and urban sites with difficult
access.

These base stations requires 48 V or 24 V batteries to provide
up to 3.0 kW of back-up power for a minimum of five minutes to ensure
continuity of the GSM or UMTS services. In the case of failure of the main AC
power supply this allows sufficient time for the BTS to either bridge to
reserve generation, or to bring its systems to a clean standby mode.

The new BTS are outdoor installations containing up to six GSM
or UMTS radios per cabinet. They are intended to provide an easy-to-install
plug-and-play solution that does not require any additional power plant.
Their design is well adapted for different types of sites in rural, highway
and urban installations with difficult access, and is intended to help
operators with site constraints reduce operational expenditure while
maintaining excellent radio performance.

In addition to outstanding performance, reliability and
long-life, even in operating temperatures as high as +60degreesC, Saft Li-ion
batteries provide an optimised TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) for these new
BTSs, as well as saving space and weight, contributing to a reduced
installation footprint and ease of handling. The Intensium 1 Power battery
can deliver the same performance as a conventional battery, but in a
self-contained rack-mounted unit that is a quarter of the size and weight.

The Intensium 1 Power range has obtained the relevant
certification needed for deployment in Europe and America.

About Saft

Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world specialist in the design and
manufacture of high technology batteries for industry. Saft batteries are
used in high performance applications such as industrial infrastructure and
processes, transportation, space and defence. Saft is the world's leading
manufacturer of nickel cadmium batteries for industrial applications and of
primary lithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. The group is also
the European leader for specialized advanced technologies for the defence and
space industries. With approximately 3,900 employees worldwide, Saft is
present in 17 countries. Its 16 manufacturing sites and extensive sales
network enable the group to serve its customers worldwide.

For more information, visit Saft at http://www.saftbatteries.com.

Press contacts
    
    Ginette Kergoat
    Industrial Battery Group
    Tel: +33-1-49-93-17-69
    E-mail:ginette.kergoat@saftbatteries.com
    
    Jill Ledger
    Saft Communications Director
    Tel: +33-1-49-93-17-77
    E-mail:jill.ledger@saftbatteries.com
    
    Corporate Press contact: - FINANCIAL DYNAMICS - Catherine Toulemonde
    Tel: +33-1-47-03-68-55
    E.mail: catherine.toulemonde@fd.com