Alcatel Enhances Its Triple Play and Video Integration Capabilities With Next Generation Open Media Client Software

Alcatel Enhances Its Triple Play and Video Integration Capabilities With Next Generation Open Media Client Software

DALLAS, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alcatel (NYSE:ALA) today announced the launch of its next generation 5955 Open Media Client (OMC) software as part of its Open Media Suite. As carriers in all regions embrace triple play services, including video, they increasingly want access to multiple sources of interoperable IP set-top boxes.

The Alcatel 5955 Open Media Client is a set of software components for IP set-top boxes which add functionality in the set-top box required for advanced features needed for IPTV and enables full lifecycle content management.

In order to enhance consistency in the operator's interaction with set-top boxes and simplify the management of multi-vendor video environments, Alcatel will be sublicensing the Open Media Client as reference client software to leading IP set-top box software porting partners, chipset (reference design) vendors, and set-top box vendors.

With the Open Media Client, Alcatel is defining an industry reference model for IP set-top box vendors to interwork with Alcatel's Open Media Suite, facilitating the integration process for the service provider and lowering the integration costs. With this software, Alcatel is providing an easy way for integration and certification of the rapidly growing number of IP set-top boxes with its Open Media Suite.

"As a service provider, we fully support the importance of any approach to functionality supported in IP set-top boxes, based on industry reference models. This will drive interoperability and middleware feature support with a larger number of set-top box vendors. Consequently, it will help to decrease the time to market. Standardized solutions are a prerequisite for the mass market success of triple play services. Therefore, any approach such as the OMC announced by Alcatel is greatly welcomed by us," said Helmut Leopold, Head of Platform and Technology Management, Telekom Austria.

"We have been requested by our service provider customers to provide a streamlined approach for IP set-top box integration into the Open Media Suite, also facilitating the fastest time to market for porting," said Ivan Verbesselt, Vice President of Alcatel's Information, Communication and Entertainment business activities. "By initiating this OMC development partner program and talking to candidate OMC porting and licensing partners, we provide a clear technical interface to the IP set-top box vendor community, and are taking a true end-to-end solution responsibility."

The OMC sublicensing and porting model will be part of the Alcatel Open Media Developer Program. Alcatel's OMC sublicensing model allows service providers to interwork with the largest choice of set-top box vendors, based on the same reference model and allowing a common end-to-end support model.

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 12.5 billion in 2003, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.

For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com/ .

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Source: Alcatel

CONTACT: press, Amy MacLeod, +1-613-784-1980, or
Amy.macleod@alcatel.com , or investor relations, Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane,
+1-703-668-3571, or Charlotte.laurent-ottomane@alcatel.com , or industry
analysts, Julie Buckley, +1-707-792-7820, or Julie.buckley@alcatel.com , all
of Alcatel

Web site: http://www.alcatel.com/


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