Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) has signed a
multi-year agreement with MTS Allstream, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. and one of Canada's leading national
communication solutions providers, for its upcoming Internet Protocol
television (IPTV) deployment. The service will be based on
Alcatel-Lucent's industry-leading Triple Play Service Delivery
Architecture (TPSDA) and Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV and multimedia
platform. MTS Allstream currently has the largest installed base of
telco digital TV subscribers in Canada and was one of the first
providers in the world to launch this type of service. This
next-generation deployment will support an increased subscriber base and
will allow MTS Allstream to launch into new markets.
Alcatel-Lucent's solution will also allow MTS Allstream to
offer a full suite of converged services over a single IP/MPLS
infrastructure with full quality of service (QoS) enabling enhanced
services such as VoIP, T-Commerce and other interactive and blended
services. The Microsoft Mediaroom platform will enable MTS Allstream to
offer broadcast TV and video on demand (VoD) with content featuring high
definition (HD)-quality picture resolution. MTS Allstream's IPTV
offering will also provide an enhanced user experience by enabling
user-friendly features like instant channel change, multiple picture-
in-picture and personal video recorder (PVR) functionality (such as
one-touch recording and pausing live TV).
"This new platform is the logical evolution of our existing
MTS TV service, and allows MTS Allstream to continue its success as
Manitoba's telecommunications provider of choice whether it's
local service, high-speed Internet, television or wireless," said
Kelvin Shepherd, president Consumer Market division, MTS Allstream.
"By leveraging the network investments we have made over the past
several years, we will be one of the first in North America to deploy
Microsoft Mediaroom. Together with Alcatel-Lucent's TPSDA
architecture, the new platform will reinforce the success of our
bundling strategy and the competitive strength of our business and allow
us to continue a cost-effective service improvement and expansion."
"As the world leader in both IPTV and Mobile TV deployment, we
are bringing our real-world experience and knowledge to help MTS
Allstream increase the value of their subscriber offerings with more
sophisticated digital communications and entertainment services,"
said Alex Giosa, president of Alcatel-Lucent Canada "We also
support MTS Allstream's time-to-market objectives by implementing a
secure and reliable infrastructure capable of delivering high-end
multimedia services."
Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide its TPSDA
architecture and will be the end-to-end network integrator. The solution
includes an IP/MPLS network based on the 7750 Service Router (SR) and a
broadband access network based on the 7330 Intelligent Services Access
Manager Fiber-to-the- Node (ISAM FTTN). Also included is the
Alcatel-Lucent 5750 Subscriber Services Controller, a flexible, modular
and pre-integrated subscriber and policy management, the 5620 Service
Aware Manager, a single management platform offering element, network
and service management and the 5526 Access Management System for element
management.
In addition, Alcatel-Lucent will provide the design, testing,
integration, deployment and maintenance. Alcatel-Lucent's complete
services network integration brings together the network infrastructure,
software platform and integrations skill sets required to deliver a
superior user experience to MTS Allstream customers. The solution
leverages Alcatel-Lucent's IP Transformation Centers (IPTCs)
resources encompassing network, service platforms and OSS systems.
Alcatel-Lucent is the leader in end-to end-triple play networks,
currently deploying its TPSDA with 50 operators worldwide, now including
MTS Allstream. Alcatel-Lucent is also the world leader in both IPTV and
Mobile TV, having already enabled TV, video and music services for more
than 140 fixed and mobile service providers around the world.
About MTS Allstream
MTS Allstream Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom
Services Inc., and is one of Canada's leading national
communication solutions providers, delivering innovative products and
services through the Enterprise Solutions and Consumer Markets
divisions. The Enterprise Solutions division, which operates under the
Allstream brand nationally and under the MTS brand in Manitoba, is a
leading competitor in the national business and wholesale markets. This
division offers customers a portfolio of solutions tailored to the needs
of medium and large businesses looking for success in a world of rapidly
evolving technology - Internet protocol-based communications, unified
communications, voice and data connectivity services. The Consumer
Markets division leads every telecommunications market segment in
Manitoba, delivering a full suite of next generation wireless,
high-speed Internet and data, digital television and wireline voice
services under the MTS brand, as well as small business services across
Canada under the Allstream brand, and security and alarm monitoring
services through AAA Alarm Systems Ltd., an affiliate of MTS Allstream
which also operates in other western provinces. MTS Allstream's
extensive national broadband fibre optic network spans more than 24,300
kilometres, and provides international connections through strategic
alliances and interconnection agreements with other international
service providers. Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s common shares
are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT).
For more information, please visit: www.mtsallstream.com.
About Alcatel-Lucent's Triple Play Service Delivery
Architecture (TPSDA)
Alcatel-Lucent's TPSDA, the widely deployed blueprint
architecture for triple play, enables operators to accelerate their IP
network transformation to deliver a full range of personalized
multimedia services combining voice, data and video. TPSDA provides a
reliable and scalable IP network foundation that leverages
Alcatel-Lucent's industry-leading broadband access, optics,
carrier-Ethernet and IP technologies and couples them with robust
services, subscriber and network management. TPSDA is further supported
by a comprehensive suite of design, deployment and integration services.
About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions
that enable service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, to
deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a
leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP
technologies, applications, and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the
end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services for
people at home, at work and on the move. With operations in more than
130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The
company has the most experienced global services team in the industry,
and one of the largest research, technology and innovation organizations
in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved adjusted
proforma revenues of Euro 18.3 billion in 2006 and is incorporated in
France, with executive offices located in Paris. [All figures exclude
impact of activities transferred to Thales].
For more information, visit http://www.alcatel-lucent.com or call
908/582-4897.
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