(15 November 2008 5:40 pm)

MUMBAI: Nortel, which delivers communications capabilities, showcased IPTV and video solutions at the recently concluded trade event TelcoTV 2008 in the US.

Nortel says that its offerings are blurring the boundaries across TV, Internet, consumer devices and mobile phones by integrating services like text messaging, VoIP, media sharing, and interactive applications into the entertainment experience.

Nortel claims that its video solutions make it possible for service providers to blend the applications and communications capabilities of computers and mobile devices with TV programming to enhance the entertainment experience.

Nortel GM video solutions Sameer Sheth says, "Nortel’s video solutions can take service providers beyond bundling of services to true convergence of entertainment and interactive applications.

" Nortel allows service providers to create a more personalised and convenient user experience for their subscribers where any device can be used for a multitude of functions. For example, a TV, computer or mobile phone can be used to watch video on demand from a single account. A TV can be used to order a pizza, buy tickets to an event, or share photos with friends".

Nortel’s IPTV solutions will be used to bring enhanced entertainment to subscribers by such customers as Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks, a telecom service provider in West Virginia; Bit, a service provider in Virginia; and Yadkin Valley Telecom, an operator serving over 30,000 households in North Carolina.

Both Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks and BIT will deploy Nortel’s Communications Module 9520 to bring new interactive applications such as click-to-call, text messaging and picture sharing to their television subscribers. Yadkin Valley Telecom is implementing Nortel’s pre-integrated IPTV Solution to provide a secure, reliable, scaleable high-definition entertainment service.

Nortel also demonstrated TV widgets. This is a TV interface that users can personalise, much like they would on a computer, displaying content such as the latest news, weather, sports schedules, and video on the TV screen.