(12 March 2008 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Nortel's new video solution is offering integrated communications and entertainment capabilities that throw open opportunities for revenue, increase subscriber loyalty and enable next-generation service introduction.

According to Nortel, its IPTV solutions are designed to increase service introduction velocity with the most cost-effective business case. The solution is already being embraced by a number of tier-one operators with trials being conducted around the globe. In the US, Grafton Technologies, a triple-play provider in Jersey County, Illinois, is deploying the new video solution over their existing voice and data network.

Grafton Technologies GM Mike Arnold says, "Our customers value convenience, and being able to offer enhanced communication features blended with their entertainment experience to simplify their lives.

"Being able to provide IPTV services blended with advanced services such as click-to-call, text messaging and picture sharing, will provide critical advantage for us in the market. With the Nortel IPTV solution, we will be able to use simple, affordable upgrades to our existing network infrastructure, to launch a range of new services."

Nortel GM video solutions Sameer Sheth says, "The importance of IPTV to the telco industry can’t be understated. The industry not only needs IPTV to provide new video services that customers are demanding, but it also needs new service streams to leverage their existing networks and to fund future network upgrades.

"The solution we’ve announced directly tackles the issues that our service provider partners face, such as holding down costs while expanding new services, by creating a solution that can be added simply to their existing network."

The foundation of the solution is the Nortel Video Services Platform (VSP) 9500 which facilitates the rapid introduction of new services on a video or IPTV network. In contrast to proprietary implementations, the VSP uses open interfaces, which enable applications to be easily developed and deployed. Examples of new applications could include interactive advertising, online yellow pages with click-to-call functionality or social networking tie-ins to popular TV shows.

These types of new applications can be created by Nortel, by third-party developers or by service providers themselves. Previously, applications were tightly coupled to the specifics of the network and video infrastructure - applications built for one network would not run on another network without changing network components. The VSP also delivers application data across myriad user devices, including cell phones, televisions and computers by automatically adapting the content to the end-user device.

In conjunction with the VSP 9500, Nortel is launching its first video application, the Communications Module 9520. The application brings together a complete communications bundle converging wireline and wireless phones with desktop functionality such as instant messaging, caller ID notification, click-to-call, voicemail and address books all through the interface of an end-users’ television.

Nortel will also provide Grafton Technologies with global services for IPTV including project management, engineering, integration, installation, technical support and assisted operation. Nortel’s global services for IPTV are designed to accelerate time-to-revenue with a proven methodology from inception to solution, and to reduce complexity with a single point-of-contact across multiple suppliers.