Minerva Networks, Nortel Team On IPTV

MANHASSET, N.Y. — Internet protocol TV services company Minerva Networks and communications company Nortel Networks Corp. have 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 Networks (Toronto) is using this jointly developed interface as a first step to bring together the IPTV middleware platform from Minerva (Santa Clara, Calif.) with Nortel's IMS solution to make content available to users anywhere, anytime, on any device.

Using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the 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. Thisdevelopment 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. "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, in a statement. "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 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.SIP, used to establish 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.