Alcatel-Lucent and Wind Partner to Offer IPTV

In collaboration with one of the leading telecommunications companies in Italy-Wind, Alcatel-Lucent  have completed arrangements to offer IPTV  on commercial ground to the nation at large. This service will be offered based on Alcatel-Lucent's solutions and the Microsoft Media room Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and multimedia platform.

Already, Wind has been offering about 2 million households its IPTV service as part of its first phase arrangement and the service has been described as being user friendly due to the fact that the company has incorporated such features like instant channel change, multiple picture-in-picture, personal video recorder (PVR) functionality and video on demand (VoD)  at a reasonable pricing.

The chief operating officer at Wind, Khaled Bichara, said that it has partnered with Alcatel-Lucent because the latter's IPTV solution contains an IP/MPLS network infrastructure based on its 7750 Service Router (SR), combined with integration and implementation expertise. Alcatel-Lucent's solution integrates the Microsoft Media room platform for TV service delivery. The solution leverages Alcatel-Lucent's IP Transformation Centers (IPTCs) resources encompassing network, service platforms and OSS/BSS systems.

 Bichara further stated that "As our long term partner for triple play deployment and IP network transformation, Alcatel-Lucent is helping us to enhance our service offering and pioneer advanced and innovative IPTV features to our customers.

. "This effort will create sustained value for Wind through increased revenues and customer loyalty, strengthening our competitive position in the Italian marketplace."

While making her remark about the partnership, Frederick Rose, president of Alcatel-Lucent's business in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific said that "The successful delivery of advanced entertainment service by a leading European carrier such as Wind is a milestone for Alcatel-Lucent, enhancing our real-world experience in bringing IPTV and entertainment services to the market."

The Alcatel-Lucent's end-to-end solution for IPTV also includes an overlay IP network, based on the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR to facilitate the seamless transition of Wind'sTDM (time division multiplexing) network to IP. In addition, the solution comprises proficiency in end-to-end IP-based network, services and OSS/BSS re-engineering and integration using best-of-breed products from Alcatel-Lucent and a range of strategic partners.