Alcatel
and Microsoft Corp. today announced they will harness IBM’s server
systems technology to deliver solutions for carrier-class triple play/Internet
Protocol Television (IPTV) deployments. This announcement, combined with the
existing OEM agreement between IBM and Alcatel, solidifies IBM as a key member
of the joint Alcatel-Microsoft IPTV ecosystem. As a result, IBM, Alcatel and
Microsoft will work together to deliver these advanced systems to carriers
deploying triple play service offerings.

The optimization of IBM’s server and storage solutions will include the
ability to provide superior support for the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition
software platform within Alcatel’s overall Triple Play Service Delivery
Architecture (TPSDA). The companies will also cooperate on global go-to-
market efforts that will include joint selling and marketing activities.

The combination of Alcatel’s network access experience, IBM’s proven
server solutions and Microsoft’s software expertise and comprehensive IPTV
Edition software platform is expected to speed time to market for IPTV
services while improving system performance and architecture scalability for
telecommunications service providers. In addition, with the pre-investment in
performance testing and integration, the cooperation also has the potential to
improve performance and lower CAPEX for service providers.

“As the key services integrator and partner to many of the world’s largest
service providers seeking to deliver triple play offerings, our customers rely
on us for guidance across all areas of their projects,” said Monika Maurer,
President for Alcatel’s fixed solutions activities. “By working with
established leaders like IBM and Microsoft we maintain tremendous confidence
in the capabilities of the ecosystem, while providing our customers with the
flexibility and reliability necessary for their next-generation network
deployments.”

“IBM is pleased to be a key server platform provider in delivering
integrated IPTV solutions to Alcatel and Microsoft customers,” said Jim
Pertzborn, Vice President for IBM’s Systems and Technology Group. “Leveraging
the breadth of IBM’s xSeries(TM) and BladeCenter technologies will enable
Alcatel and Microsoft to deliver reliable, scalable and cost-Effective IPTV
solutions to their customers.”

“Our joint collaboration with Alcatel and IBM is a significant validation
of the growing IPTV industry,” said Christine Heckart, general manager of
marketing for the Microsoft TV Division. “By working with these industry-
leading companies we can continue to strengthen the Microsoft IPTV Edition
platform while enabling service providers to cost-effectively deliver exciting
new TV experiences for consumers.”