Nortel Deploys New IPTV Services

Nortel Networks Ltd. has announced it is drawing from its SIP-based services and breadth of solutions across IMS, broadband and VoIP to develop new innovative IPTV services and functionality that could change the way people use their TVs for both entertainment and communications, the company said.

At its IPTV lab in Ottawa, Canada, Nortel is demonstrating the delivery of IPTV services over Nortel’s IMS infrastructure, the first step for enabling telcos to create personalized IPTV services across wireline and wireless networks that helps to provide long-term differentiation from competitive offerings. Demonstrated services include mobile-to-TV picture sharing, on-screen instant messaging and presence, and click-to-call functionality.

IPTV is a key investment area for Nortel, and the integration of IPTV services within an IMS infrastructure is a fundamental part of our IPTV strategy, said Walt Megura, general manager of broadband networks for Nortel. We are also concentrating our efforts on enabling new IPTV services that take full advantage of our industry-leading SIP capabilities.

In other news at TelecomNEXT this week, Nortel announced it has teamed with Minerva Networks Inc. to jointly develop and release an Application Interface (API), which enables the integration of real-time IPTV services with Minerva’s iTVManager software. Nortel is using this jointly developed interface as a first step to bring together Minerva’s IPTV middleware platform with Nortel’s IMS solution to make content available to users anywhere, anytime, on any device.

Using SIP, the new API gives developers and service providers the tools needed to enable real-time applications, such as voice mail access and call-back functionality, over the TV. According to Nortel, this innovative development environment also provides service providers with investment protection through support for legacy non-SIP systems including caller ID and instant messaging as well as well providing a foundation for future IMS services.

Minerva has over 65 customers around the world who are anxious to introduce advanced communications services with their IPTV offerings. The joint development of our new open API makes this a possibility, explained Matt Cuson, vice president of marketing for Minerva Networks. We are excited to be working with Nortel and other system integration partners to make our open platform easily accessible for telcos looking to offer innovative services.

The robust API enables key communications features such as click-to-call, network address book, buddy lists, mobile-to-TV text and picture messaging and the ability to configure communications services directly through the set-top box.

Roger Musick, CEO of Innovative Systems attested, We were one of the early companies to integrate caller ID services with the iTVManager platform and we are pleased to see Minerva and Nortel promoting standard IPTV APIs. Telcos need to deploy advanced communications capabilities to differentiate their offerings. This new API and SIP will help make it possible.

The iTVManager platform is targeted to support Nortel’s SIP and IMS infrastructure.

Nortel Networks Ltd.

www.nortelnetworks.com



Minerva Networks Inc. www.minervanetworks.com