The French telecommunications equipment maker Alcatel and United States software giant Microsoft on Tuesday announced a partership to develop software to deliver internet-based television services to broadband operators worldwide.
”It will join Alcatel’s expertise in high-speed networks with Microsoft’s software expertise in interface solutions,” Alcatel director of development Marc Jalabert told a press conference.
He said the tie-up will also promote innovations in ADSL or cable-based television platforms.
No specific details or figures were revealed regarding the partnership.
Eric Boustouller, Microsoft France chief executive, said the Alcatel/Microsoft cooperation would target fixed telephone operators in order to ”speed up the widespread delivery of the internet-television services offered” by broadband operators.
Alcatel and Microsoft have been discussing the project since 2003 and have been working with 30 operators worldwide but have signed an agreement with only one, SBC Communications of the United States.
Microsoft last year signed a $400-million, 10-year pact with SBC to provide television services using Microsoft’s TV Internet Protocol Television Edition
software.
Potential clients include Verizon of the United States, Telecom Italia of Italy, Bell of Canada and Swiss Com of Switzerland. – Sapa-AFP