Microsoft, Lucent Announce Digital TV Collaboration

CHICAGO, June 24 -- Microsoft Corp. and Lucent Technologies today this week they are collaborating to integrate the Microsoft TV internet protocol television (IPTV) software platform with Lucent products to better enable telecommunications providers to add competitive digital TV services to their existing broadband products.

The companies are demonstrating digital TV service delivery over ADSL2+ technology using Microsoft TV's IPTV software platform at Supercomm 2004, being held here this week.

Microsoft said the announcement underscores its effort to work with telecommunications infrastructure partners to develop "the most advanced technology platform and industry ecosystem for delivery and management of next-generation digital TV services via broadband networks."

This integration between Lucent Technologies and Microsoft enables the delivery of standard-definition, high-definition and on-demand programming to the Microsoft TV IPTV-based set-top box via the Lucent Stinger IP-enabled digital subscriber line access multiplexor (DSLAM) and Lucent ADSL2+ modem. The Windows Media Video 9 format, supported by Microsoft TV's IPTV platform, optimizes available bandwidth to facilitate delivery of high-quality content over ADSL2+ networks.

To support the growing needs of broadband network operators that offer subscription services, the two companies are working together in a nonexclusive arrangement to offer end-to-end network solutions integration, including OSS/BSS integration, consulting, design and deployment, through Lucent Worldwide Services.

For more information, visit: www.lucent.com