Alcatel Inks Deal To Provide IPTV Network For Swisscom

Alcatel has signed a deal with Swisscom to build an IP broadband access network to deliver Triple Play and IPTV services to the Swiss telecommunications carrier's customers. Swisscom has announced that it plans to offer IPTV services by the second half of 2005.

The sole supplier of broadband access equipment to Swisscom, Alcatel will supply Very high rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) equipment from its the Intelligent Services Access Manager (ISAM) product family. This will allow Swisscom to deliver Triple Play services to end users over a 25 Mbps connection.

"The delivery of triple play services - and specifically IPTV - becomes a strategic necessity for many customers worldwide to beat various competitors and off-set the loss in voice revenues by new service sales," Alcatel fixed networks division president Michel Rahier said in a statement. "In preparing their networks to address this strategic transformation, operators - like Swisscom - are looking for a strategic partner that guarantees a risk free and timely delivery."

Swisscom has announced plans to introduce IPTV services over the Alcatel-supplied network later this year. Alcatel is a leading player in the global DSL equipment market, with a 37.8% market share and more than 58 million lines shipped.