The agreement has been signed by the Telefonica and Lucent Chairmen and CEOs, Cesar Alierta Patricia Russo respectively.
Lucent will now assume responsibility for the future development and deployment of Telefonica's Imagenio IPTV middleware platform, including the ongoing introduction of new features and capabilities (Imagenio is now supporting 250,000 customers in
What is more, Lucent Worldwide Services, the company's services arm, will serve as the prime network integrator for Telefonica's end- to-end, multi-vendor IPTV solution, initially in markets including
The Imagenio IPTV service is an IPTV service offering which provides all-digital, DVD-quality delivery of TV and audio content to subscribers in
IPTV middleware development is a strong feature of the programme. Lucent will assume responsibility for the Telefonica IPTV middleware platform (originally developed by Telefonica itself) that currently powers its Imagenio service. Lucent will now help expand and enhance the Imagenio middleware, developing and testing new features, including new IP Multimedia TV services that leverage the strengths of IMS.
IP multimedia TV services "blend" traditional TV and video capabilities with telephony and Web features to create interactive applications such as Web browsing, video conferencing, and personal, portable TV services that can be delivered to subscribers anytime, anywhere. Lucent also will integrate the middleware platform into its portfolio and market the platform to service providers worldwide.
The end result of the contract is that Lucent Worldwide Services will serve as the master network integrator for Telefonica as it introduces its Imagenio service in additional markets, and enhances the service with new capabilities and features. Lucent will support Telefonica with every aspect of its IP multimedia TV service launch, from the design of its video network to the integration of the multi-vendor solution, to the deployment, maintenance and management of its end-to-end solution.
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