Alcatel and Microsoft Corp. today announced the establishment of a global relationship with HP focused on the delivery of server solutions for carrier- class triple play/Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) deployments. This announcement, combined with the existing OEM agreement between HP and Alcatel, solidifies HP as a key member of the joint Alcatel-Microsoft IPTV ecosystem. As a result, HP, Alcatel and Microsoft will work together to deliver these advanced systems to carriers deploying triple play service offerings.

The optimization of HP's server solutions will include the ability to provide superior support for the Microsoft® TV IPTV Edition within Alcatel's overall Triple Play Service Delivery Architecture (TPSDA). HP will validate and recommend the appropriate HP ProLiant and HP BladeSystem servers to optimize the performance and scalability of Microsoft TV IPTV Edition applications.

In addition to providing optimized server solutions, the three companies will also establish joint global go-to-market efforts that will include sales and marketing activities. Alcatel will include specific bundled server solutions built with HP ProLiant and pre-integrated HP OpenView IT element management software in its end-to-end triple play offering.

The combination of Alcatel's network experience, HP's proven server solutions and Microsoft's software expertise and comprehensive IPTV Edition is expected to speed time to market for IPTV services while improving system performance and architecture scalability for telecommunications service providers.

"Our focus as a company remains on meeting the needs of our customers," said Monika Maurer, President of Alcatel's fixed solutions activities. "By leveraging HP's proven server solutions we can provide deeper levels of integration throughout each piece of the triple play value chain. This enables us to provide solutions to our customers that truly address their needs and help them reduce the time to market, cost and complexity associated with sophisticated triple play deployments."

"Alcatel and Microsoft are changing market perceptions about IPTV services, and HP is pleased to be extending its long-term relationships with both companies," said Peggy Dau, worldwide director, Broadband & Media Solutions, Network and Service Provider business at HP. "HP will leverage its combined experience in telecommunications, digital media and systems architecture to deliver a scalable and cost-effective solution that meets the demanding requirements of IPTV."

"Today's announcement demonstrates the growing momentum of the IPTV industry," said Christine Heckart, general manager of marketing for the Microsoft TV Division. "Service providers benefit from increased system performance and enhanced architecture scalability that result when industry- leading companies such as HP join the IPTV ecosystem."