Alcatel-Lucent and Microsoft partner to launch IPTV solution for du in UAE

UAE, November 12, 2007 — Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Microsoft Gulf today announced that it has signed a frame agreement with du, the UAE’s new telecom operator, for its upcoming Internet protocol television (IPTV) deployment based on the award-winning Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV and multimedia platform. In addition, Alcatel-Lucent will act as the end-to-end System 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.
The project will include broadcast TV and video on demand (VoD), with ability to stream content featuring high definition (HD)-quality picture resolution. du’s IPTV offering 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.
“In our drive to innovatively use technology to offer more convenience and comfort to our customers, 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, CEO du. ”Alcatel-Lucent's unique end-to-end network integration capabilities support the Microsoft Mediaroom software platform while providing platform that help du create compelling services”
“Alcatel-Lucent is committed to help du playing a market leadership role by pioneering IPTV service delivery in the UAE and the Middle-East,” added 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 and this new customer reference will enhance our real-world experience in bringing IPTV and entertainment services to market.”
“Working together, du, Alcatel-Lucent and Microsoft are delivering a new era of connected TV services to consumers in the region,” said Charbel Fakhoury, general manager of Microsoft Gulf . “du is well positioned to harness the power of the latest TV platform innovations to deliver very unique and compelling connected TV experience to its subscribers. Microsoft is committed to bring a state of the art innovative solutions to audience” he added
Alcatel-Lucent is a world leader in both IPTV and Mobile TV, having 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.