Manx Telecom Expand Next-Gen Converged Fixed/Mobile Network

Europe UK : Manx Telecom and Lucent Technologies announced a comprehensive agreement that continues the evolution of Manx Telecom’s network to support a wide array of "blended" Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), data and video services over a converged network that combines third-generation (3G) wireless technology and the latest wireline broadband access capabilities.

Under the agreement Lucent will supply Manx Telecom with additional elements of its industry-leading IMS solution to support advanced multimedia services. Lucent also will 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 solution that enables service providers to profitably deliver high-bandwidth video/IPTV, VoIP and multimedia services to the mass market.

In addition, Lucent Worldwide Services will provide network installation, design, integration and migration services as well as its suite of VitalSuite® network management products.

The new contract builds on a previous pact under which the two companies have already deployed a super-fast, multimedia network based on 3G High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technology. Lucent-supplied infrastructure has been supporting commercial services based on 3G UMTS and HSDPA technology.

"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. "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, "blended lifestyle" services -- that combine voice, data and video capabilities -- and offerings such as "converged voice services" that enable subscribers to access both voice and data services over WiFi and cellular networks using a single phone.

"Manx Telecom is constantly looking to provide the latest and best value services to our customers, and this collaboration is simply the latest demonstration of that commitment," said Chris Hall, managing director of Manx Telecom. "This network will enable the delivery of these services."

As part of this project Lucent will replace Manx Telecom’s existing broadband and GSM core network infrastructures whilst augmenting its 3G UMTS network. Lucent also will supply Manx Telecom with Lucent Ethernet Routers (a recent acquisition from Riverstone Networks) to support the high reliability and scalability necessary to deliver the user Quality of Experience (QoE) for the new IP-based blended services.

"This is an all-encompassing end-to-end solution, with the IMS architecture at its core, that will continue to support existing voice services while enabling the introduction of innovative new multimedia services," said Andy Williams, president, Lucent Technologies Europe.

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 M-series Multiservice Edge Routers and E-series Broadband Services Routers.

Lucent also will provide its VitalSuite® Network Performance Management software, VitalSuite® Integrated Service Assurance software, VitalSuite® Service Activation Management software and VitalSuite® IP Address Management software to manage and provision new services for the converged network.

The Lucent-supplied high-speed network, now in commercial use, has allowed Manx Telecom to introduce new, mobile high-speed data services such as DVD-quality streaming video, fast downloads of very large files including music, as well as Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to corporate networks.

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