Alcatel and Microsoft line up broadband TV

Microsoft has teamed up with networking giant Alcatel in a bid to push television services via the internet.

The firms will work together in a bid to accelerate the availability and acceptance of IPTV services for broadband operators worldwide.

Under the terms of the partnership Alcatel will supply triple-play (voice, data, video) technologies from its portfolio of broadband, IP networking multimedia and video offerings.

Microsoft will develop software which will be incorporated into an "integrated IPTV delivery solution" for telecoms providers embarking on IPTV roll outs.

Consumers can look forward to personalised entertainment services including on-demand video streaming applications, interactive TV, video and voice communications, according to the companies. Other services will include photo, music and home video sharing and online gaming.

The agreement will see the development of enhanced application and network resilience, and attempts to manage quality of service through intelligent video packet handling.

Microsoft and Alcatel will also integrate content, security and digital rights management, in addition to creating management systems for the application platforms and all components of the network including the home network.

Serge Tchuruk, chairman and chief executive at Alcatel, said: "We are committed to integrating the current Alcatel video solutions with Microsoft TV IPTV Edition."

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer added that a new generation of entertainment, information and communication services could be created by marrying broadband networks and Microsoft's software.