Latens SystemsAlcatel announced that Latens SystemsTelekom Austria Group, the leading provider of communications services in Austria, has selected Alcatel as its technology partner for the delivery of triple play services, including IPTV (Internet protocol television), IP telephony and higher-speed Internet services. Telekom Austria is using Alcatel's IP-based network infrastructure and end-to-end video solution to support its recently launched aonDigital TV service to households in Vienna.

With aonDigital TV customers can choose from more than 55 broadcast TV channels (some of them available in Austria for the first time), video on demand and additional information service channels. To make navigation of this content easier, aonDigital TV offers a user-friendly electronic program guide (EPG). Moreover, thanks to parental control features, parents can prevent young viewers from accessing inappropriate content. In addition to aonDigital TV Telekom Austria also offers a number of innovative applications for personal-content sharing at its customer portal www.aon.at (e.g., digital photos and self-generated content via the company's weblog service).

Alcatel has provided an IP-based network infrastructure, including digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs), IP routers and optical transport equipment to support the service offering. Alcatel also provided its end-to-end video solution, integrating other technology leaders in segments such as head-ends, set-top boxes and encryption systems.

"By partnering with Alcatel we can offer our customers a completely different TV experience," said Dr. Stefan Tweraser, Head of Marketing Retail, Telekom Austria. "Information, entertainment and communication services are presented in a compelling and interactive way, directly to their TV set." "Telekom Austria is an innovator in broadband services and IPTV, and the launch of aonDigital TV marks another milestone in its continued efforts to provide Austrians with a dynamic entertainment and communications experience", said Michel Rahier, President of Alcatel's fixed communications activities. "This project provides further evidence of the strong relationship between Telekom Austria and Alcatel, which spans many years."

Alcatel is the industry leader in providing purpose-built technology solutions and services integration that allows carriers to reduce the cost and complexity associated with triple play/IPTV deployments. Alcatel is involved in more than 35 major triple play deployments and more than 40 network transformation projects worldwide and is the leader in broadband access with more than 86 million DSL lines shipped worldwide. According to Synergy Research Group, Alcatel is #2 in the Services Edge Router category in Q1 2006, with an 18% market share, following four consecutive quarters of market share gain.. Alcatel is also the world leader in optical networking for the fifth year running with a 16% market share in 2005, according to Ovum-RHK.