EPB, one of the largest publicly-owned providers of electric power in the United States, has selected Alcatel-Lucent's IPTV (News - Alert) solution to offer advanced TV and additional communications services to its customers in the greater Chattanooga area.

 

The system is expected to be fully deployed throughout the greater Chattanooga area within five years. EPB officials anticipate initial deployment by early 2009.

 

Under the terms of the contract with is valued at $67 million, Alcatel-Lucent's Triple Play (News - Alert) Service Delivery Architecture (TPSDA) will power EPB's TV service delivery.

 

Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert) will provide its TPSDA architecture including a broadband access network based on its 7342 Intelligent Services Access Manager Fiber-to-the-User (ISAM FTTU) system, 7750 Service Router (SR), 7450 Ethernet Service Switch, 5620 Service Aware (News - Alert) Manager, and 5750 Subscriber Services Controller.

 

Alcatel-Lucent's solution will enable EPB to offer a full suite of interactive and blended services over a single IP/MPLS infrastructure with fine-grain quality of service (QoS).

Alcatel-Lucent's TPSDA will enable EPB to offer advanced TV services, including video on demand (VoD), with content featuring high-definition (HD) quality picture resolution.

 

In addition, the combined solution will provide EPB with an enhanced user experience by enabling user-centric features.

 

As the prime integrator, Alcatel-Lucent will also be responsible for the end-to-end solution including the video head end, network infrastructure, IPTV service platform and OSS systems.

 

The scope includes the architecture design, testing, integration, deployment, operations and maintenance. The solution leverages Alcatel-Lucent's extensive field deployment experience and lab investments in next generation IP Transformation Centers (IPTCs) to reduce time to market and deliver a superior user experience for EPB customers.

 

"FTTH will provide Chattanooga with the tools, resources and technology it needs to become a leading competitor in today's global marketplace," said Harold DePriest, president and CEO of EPB.

 

"Using the fiber optic network we're putting in place for our new Smart Grid allows us to also offer the most advanced communications services, like high speed Internet, video entertainment, and digital phone, to our community,” added DePriest.

 

EPB provides crucial infrastructure and service through its EPB Electric Power and EPB Telecom companies. EPB Electric Power is one of the country's largest publicly owned electric power companies and EPB Telecom is the second largest business communications company in the Chattanooga market.

"Our work with EPB highlights Alcatel-Lucent's leadership in helping industry and public sector customers as they look to upgrade their networks and provide a higher quality of experience for their customers," said Walt Paskowski, vice president of sales for Alcatel-Lucent's Industry and Public Sector activities in North America.

 

"Alcatel-Lucent's municipal broadband solution, in addition to EPB's existing communications expertise, customer service capabilities, established billing system and physical resources, will enable EPB customers to receive the most advanced communications services,” Paskowski explained.

 

Alcatel-Lucent is a major player in end-to end triple-play networks and integration, currently deploying its TPSDA with more than 50 operators worldwide, now including EPB.