Unique for its capacity to enable converged services inside and outside the home, next-generation IPTV middleware transforms the worlds of communications and entertainment.

Eric Cooney, head of TV Solutions at Ericsson, says: “This is the world’s first deployable telecom-grade IPTV middleware that is integrated with IMS. We believe we are going to leapfrog the market with this innovation.”

In addition to the new middleware, the solution includes IPTV network infrastructure with IMS as well as video processing and video-on-demand technologies. It builds on Ericsson’s commitment to standards and is aligned with the Open IPTV Forum specifications.

The end-to-end IPTV solution will give operators the flexibility and scalability they need to provide customers with the complete, differentiated, mobile, interactive, on-demand TV service they have been looking for.

“It will enable operators to differentiate their TV offerings and provide innovative services that attract, retain and excite the consumer,” Cooney says.

Oran Cassem, head of TV Solutions Sales at Ericsson, says: “For many years, people have been talking about converging the PC, the mobile handset and IPTV. Now this convergence is starting to take place, which is why the launch of this solution is so timely.

“Imagine, I’m traveling abroad, and I can check what programs are playing back home on my IPTV service…” Cassem says. “At the touch of a button, I can record those programs from my mobile handset and watch them when I get back. And wouldn’t it be cool if I could download the video or music clip from my PC at home onto my mobile handset while on the road, and share it with my friends?” Well, now he can.

The solution is the starting point for a whole new consumer experience – what Ericsson calls the Individual Television Experience. To realize its vision, Ericsson has combined its leading network solutions, service-layer applications and systems-integration capabilities to launch an industry-shaping TV platform that is remarkable for the high-quality, personal, value-for-money features it enables.

Operators deploying the Ericsson IPTV solution are expected to experience accelerated take up of their IPTV service by consumers.