Friday, Nov 30, 2007
Gulf News
Dubai: du, the UAE's second telecom operator, has awarded a contract to Alcatel-Lucent to provide Internet protocol television (IPTV), a statement said.
"In addition, Alcatel-Lucent will act as the end-to-end network integrator of a complete IPTV solution comprised of network infrastructure, Microsoft Mediaroom, services fulfillment and OSS/BSS integration, subscriber data management, and content asset management integration and implementation," a statement said.
The project will include broadcast TV and video on demand (VoD), with content featuring high definition (HD)-quality picture resolution.
Features
du's IPTV will offer 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).
In this complex technical environment, Alcatel-Lucent will manage interdependent integration project streams from the network infrastructure and Microsoft platforms, subscriber database migration, and OSS/BSS integration as well as the overall solution testing and validation of du's solution.
Alcatel-Lucent supports du's time-to-market objectives by implementing a secure and reliable infrastructure capable of delivering high-end multimedia services.
"du collaborates with partners who share this vision. In this instance, we wanted someone capable of designing, developing and deploying a complete IPTV solution, integrating all the different parts of the technical solution seamlessly," said Osman Sultan, du CEO.
"Alcatel-Lucent's unique end-to-end network integration capabilities support the Microsoft Mediaroom software platform while providing applications that help du create compelling services."
Alcatel-Lucent has already enabled TV, video and music services for more than 120 fixed and mobile service providers around the world. Alcatel-Lucent has also deployed more than 50 IPTV network integration projects around the world.
"Alcatel-Lucent is committed to help du playing a market leadership role by pioneering IPTV service delivery in the UAE and the Middle-East," said Olivier Picard, president of Alcatel-Lucent's activities in Europe and South.
"This is the first implementation of the Microsoft Mediaroom software platform in the Middle East."
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
