Alcatel and Cramer today announced that they are teaming up to launch a joint Next Generation Network (NGN) solution center to develop an out-of-the box fulfillment solution. The solution will enable wireline service providers to quickly deliver next generation services including high-speed Internet, VoIP, IPTV and support for all IP migration. Cramer and Alcatel will jointly invest in the NGN Solution Center, which will be located at Alcatel's premises in Stuttgart, Germany.

The joint solution will leverage the newly introduced Cramer6 OSS Suite and Alcatel's industry leading equipment and integration capabilities to automate the end-to-end fulfillment of triple play services for Tier 1 telecom operators.

Cramer6 OSS Suite applies the existing rich functionality of Cramer inventory and process automation to the challenging task of high-volume, flow-through activation. Inventory-centric activation enables complex service changes without service disruption, increases fulfillment accuracy and reduces the order-to-bill cycle. The joint solution will feature key products from the Cramer6 OSS Suite including ServiceCatalog and ActivationEngine. Alcatel will add value with its leadership in triple play, its broadband operational experience and its unique combined expertise in network integration, systems integration and network operation.

Alcatel has pre-integrated Cramer6 OSS Suite of products with other best-of-breed products to deliver flow-through service fulfillment, real-time service assurance and quality management. Cramer and Alcatel are working together on standard operational processes and service models. The joint solution will be pre-packaged to quickly automate key business processes and reduce configuration time. In addition, carriers can leverage pre-built adaptors and methodologies to reduce the total cost of ownership.

"Alcatel estimates that there will be over 200 million VoIP subscribers and over 70 million IPTV subscribers by 2010. Therefore, we see strong market demand for a single, scalable pre-integrated end-to-end OSS solution that enables communications service providers to quickly pursue new opportunities in triple play," said Frederic Rose, President of Alcatel's integration and services activities. "We envision that this joint platform will rapidly become a standard for fulfillment in the next generation service marketplace."

"Cramer and Alcatel have proven solutions to support the complexity and the massive data requirements to enable expansion into other next generation areas," said Guy Dubois, Cramer's President and CEO. "We share the same vision and we are best positioned to deliver an NGN-ready solution that serves as the foundation for the next generation OSS to enable Tier 1 operators to transform their networks."