Alcatel-Lucent and Edgeware enter into global partnership to expand video server ecosystem

Paris – Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Edgeware, the leading supplier of server systems for on-demand TV, today announced that they have entered into a global partnership to integrate Edgware’s state-of-the-art Orbit 2x and Reflex 2x video servers into Alcatel-Lucent’s 5910 Video Server, currently being used by several IPTV service providers worldwide.

This integration allows customers to benefit from high performance streaming from flash-based content storage in addition to Concurrent’s hybrid solid state RAM and disk based servers already integrated and deployed worldwide. In particular, the reduced power and space requirements with greater reliability mean the video streamer can be deployed closer to the end user.

Alcatel-Lucent’s 5910 Video Server provides an abstraction layer between the video on-demand servers and the IPTV middleware. This allows seamless integration to multiple VoD platforms with very low impact, while hiding the complexity of their location and the content stored in them to the middleware. With the integration of Edgware Orbit 2x and Reflex 2x servers, the Alcatel-Lucent 5910 Video Server becomes a unique multi-platform solution delivering the best technologies and delivering customer choice.

The Orbit 2x and Reflex 2x server solutions provide RTSP and HTTP streaming. Alcatel-Lucent’s Video Server 5910 cross-platform solution will continue to offer its wide range of functionality, including TV on demand, video on demand (VOD), time-shift TV and network Personal Video Recorder (nPVR).

“This partnership with Edgeware is bringing a whole new solid state solution into our video server ecosystem, providing our customers with state-of-the-art technology and unmatched cost efficiency,” said Luis Martinez Amago, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s fixed access activities.

“Alcatel-Lucent’s expertise in end-to-end IPTV deployments as well as its global scope make it the ideal partner for us,” commented Joachim Roos, CEO of Edgeware.

With a market share in IPTV of 13.5% (based on the number of subscribers across its various platforms), and serving more than 2.2 million end-users across all continents, Alcatel-Lucent’s IPTV middleware offering ranks among the most successful in the industry. Alcatel-Lucent has more than 50 IPTV customers in various stages of deployment, trials and commercial roll outs – including Singtel, AT&T, Telefonica and Swisscom.

About Edgeware
Edgeware is the leading supplier of revolutionary server systems for On-Demand TV, providing unique technology with unmatched cost efficiency. The distributed Orbit 2x server solution enables a unique possibility for service providers to easily integrate on-demand functionality within existing or new networks – minimizing CAPEX, OPEX and time to market. Orbit 2x offers a wide range of native functionality to support any on-demand application, including Video On-Demand, TV On-Demand, Time Shift TV, Pause Live TV, Catch Up TV, nPVR and Ad Insertion. By combining solid-state flash memory and hardware accelerated streaming, Orbit 2x offers a radically different approach to server design, translating technology to unmatched customer value. Edgeware’s system solutions are chosen by leading service providers, ranging from hospitality to Tier 1 operators. For more information, please visit external linkhttp://www.edgeware.tv/

About Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) provides solutions that enable service providers, enterprise and governments worldwide, to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. As a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent offers the end-to-end solutions that enable compelling communications services for people at home, at work and on the move. With operations in more than 130 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The company has the most experienced global services team in the industry, and one of the largest research, technology and innovation organizations in the telecommunications industry. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 17.8 billion in 2007 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com