Alcatel Lucent SA (NYSE:ALU) (EPA:ALU) has beaten the consensus estimates over the past two quarters. Its third quarter revenues surged 7% to $5.05 billion. It has given investors some confidence in Michel Combes' restructuring plan. Moreover, it will help Combes negotiate better deals with potential buyers as he sheds off some of the company's assets. Michel Combes announced his plan in June, which included 1 billion euros in asset sales, 1 billion euros in cost savings and 10,000 job cuts. Alcatel Lucent SA (NYSE:ALU) (EPA:ALU) is facing stiff competition from low-cost Chinese vendors.