Minerva Networks and Nortel announced the joint development and release of an Application Interface (API) that enables the integration of real-time IPTV services with Minerva's iTVManager software. Nortel is using this jointly developed interface as a first step to bring together Minerva's IPTV middleware platform with Nortel's IMS solution to make content available to users anywhere, anytime, on any device.

Using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the new API gives developers and service providers the tools needed to enable real-time applications such as voice mail access and callback functionality over the television set. This innovative development environment also provides service providers with investment protection through support for legacy non-SIP systems including Caller ID and instant messaging as well as well providing a foundation for future IMS services.

"Minerva has over 65 customers around the world who are anxious to introduce advanced communications services with their IPTV offerings. The joint development of our new open API makes this a possibility," explained Matt Cuson, VP of Marketing for Minerva Networks. "We are excited to be working with Nortel and other system integration partners to make our open platform easily accessible for telcos looking to offer innovative services."

"Nortel's collaboration with Minerva is a critical part of our efforts to deliver IPTV services over a standards-based IMS infrastructure," said Walt Megura, general manager, Broadband Networks, Nortel. "Nortel is committed to providing advanced IMS services that integrate with home entertainment networks and make the television set a more personalized communications tool."

The robust API enables key communications features such as click-to-call, network address book, buddy lists, mobile-to-TV text and picture messaging and the ability to configure communications services directly through the set-top box (STB). The Minerva iTVManager platform has been enhanced to leverage a broad range of capabilities in Nortel's standards compliant SIP solutions.

Roger Musick, CEO of Innovative Systems said, "We were one of the early companies to integrate Caller ID services with the iTVManager platform and we are pleased to see Minerva and Nortel promoting standard IPTV APIs. Telcos need to deploy advanced communications capabilities to differentiate their offerings. This new API and SIP will help make it possible."

The iTVManager platform is targeted to support Nortel's SIP and IMS (Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem) infrastructure. SIP, used for establishing sessions in an IP network, makes a host of on-screen services possible, including e-commerce, click-to-dial, Instant Messaging and voice mail. IMS replaces the control infrastructure of a traditional circuit-switched phone system and decouples voice and other services from the underlying delivery networks making new service deployments faster and easier.