TMCnet News
Manx Telecom Taps Lucent to Expand Converged NetworkTMCnet Contributing Editor Manx Telecom today announced that it chose Lucent to support an array of "blended" VoIP, data and video services over a converged network that combines 3G wireless technology and the latest wireline broadband access capabilities.
The deal calls for Lucent to supply Manx Telecom with additional elements of its IMS system to support advanced multimedia services. Lucent will also increase the capacity of Manx Telecom's wireless network and upgrade the carrier's broadband wireline network with the Lucent Multimedia Access Platform (MMAP), an all-IP system that enables service providers to deliver high-bandwidth video/IPTV (News - Alert), VoIP and multimedia services to the mass market. Additionally, Lucent Worldwide Services will provide network installation, design, integration and migration services as well as its suite of VitalSuite network management products.
"We are excited to embark on this next phase of our collaboration with Lucent on the deployment of this showcase network on the Isle of Man," said Mike Loundes, CTO of Manx Telecom in a statement. "We led the way in the wireless industry with the launch of the world's first commercial HSDPA network and with this project, we continue to break new ground with one of the industry's first fully converged networks."
The upgraded network will enable Manx Telecom to offer VoIP services to enterprises and consumers combining voice, data and video capabilities, as well as offerings such as "converged voice services" that enable subscribers to access both voice and data services over WiFi (News - Alert) and cellular networks using a single phone.
The new contract incorporates several products from Lucent's IMS portfolio including the Lucent Session Manager, Lucent Feature Server, Lucent Communication Manager, Lucent Compact Switch, Lucent Network Gateway and Lucent Network Controller. Lucent also will supply key elements of its Multimedia Networking Solutions portfolio include the Lucent Multimedia Access Platform, Lucent Ethernet Routers and Juniper Networks (News - Alert) M-series Multiservice Edge Routers and E-series Broadband Services Routers.
Today's news follows Lucent and partner Dynavar's announcement last month about a new contract with upstate New York-based Westelcom to deploy Lucent's integrated switching platform to migrate its network from a traditional Class 4 and Class 5 switch-based infrastructure to an IMS-ready softswitch-based IP network.
The Lucent Compact Switch will enable Westelcom to deliver tandem switching and VoIP services customers in Westelcom’s upstate New York coverage area. Lucent’s VoIP system will also enable the company to eventually migrate toward a facilities-based platform. Dynavar will provide the network engineering, integration and deployment services for the installation. Lucent Worldwide Services will provide maintenance.
Manx Telecom
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Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet and Internet Telephony magazine. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit Johanne's columnist page.
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