Alcatel, the French maker of telecommunications gear, and Microsoft will jointly develop Internet-based TV services for telephone companies.
The two companies expect the agreement to help expand IPTV deployments across the globe. In Europe, several companies, including Telefonica and Deutsche Telekom, have launched such services. Last November, Microsoft said it would provide IPTV technology to SBC Communications in the United States.
Alcatel CEO Serge Tchuruk said his company is committed to integrate the current Alcatel video solutions with Microsoft TV IPTV Edition. As part of the agreement, the two companies plan to pursue a series of joint initiatives, including developing and customizing new applications to meet the unique needs of different cultures and markets around the world; integration of content, security and digital rights management; and managing quality of service through intelligent video packet handling.
For more information about Microsoft TV, visit www.microsoft.com/tv.
