Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has been selected by TelefГіnica to deliver and integrate its Presence Server project, enabling users to define easily their reachability: what to do with incoming communications based on the originator, the time of the day, their location, or any other information which could impact their availability. With this project TelefГіnica will be able to add this level of intelligence to all its applications.

Once implemented, communication services such as instant messaging, video mailbox, push-to-talk and push-to-view, click-to-call, or instant collaboration, both in fixed and mobile communications will benefit from this new capabilities based on the information, control and intelligent management of location, presence and availability of users.

Pre-established and configurable levels of presence (available, in-a-meeting, unavailable, reachable only by messaging, for family, community, colleagues, etc.) enable to define and identify priority messages and appropriately redirect incoming phone calls to a colleague, alternate application (voice mail, instant messaging) or device, whether fixed or mobile.

As part of Telefónica’s Presence Project, Alcatel-Lucent will provide the IMS Presence Server, as well as the integration in Telefónica’s core and the maintenance services. This platform enables a virtually instant creation of new attractive services that combine most of the multimedia capabilities offered by service providers.

Alfredo Redondo, President of Alcatel-Lucent’s Iberia activities, declared: “This is a strategic project for Alcatel-Lucent as we work with Telefónica to enable new attractive communication services for groups and communities, and to enrich people’s lives by transforming the way the world communicates”.

The new IMS-based services are typical innovative user-centric applications that address end-users demand for blended and personalized communication services, the possibility to share community content and new ways of communicating with friends or family in remote locations, in a seamless fashion, regardless the access or device.

Ericsson has been awarded a contract by FarEasTone to deploy HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) and IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem), while expanding its existing share of the 3G/WCDMA radio footprint from Northern Region to Central Region. Ericsson will also provide related support services.

The HSPA network Ericsson is building for FarEasTone will be the fastest of its kind in Taiwan, supporting initial download speeds of up to 3.6Mbps; nine times faster than today’s 3G network.

Jan Nilsson, President of FarEasTone, says: “We are delighted to be able to provide consumers with first-class services using Ericsson’s world-leading 3G, HSPA, and IMS solutions. Our subscribers will enjoy a whole new 3G experience, and FarEasTone’s competitive advantage will be boosted. The focus of the new IMS system is to deliver new IP multimedia-services, and drive revenue growth.

FarEasTone will also become the first operator in Taiwan to implement IMS. Ericsson IMS makes it possible for FarEasTone to combine today’s and tomorrow’s applications and create an integrated services offering for the Taiwanese market. IMS will enable FarEasTone to offer an attractive and convenient communications experience; utilizing one common system for all broadband services users will have the freedom to access any service with the most convenient device at any given moment.

The upgrade and expansion of FarEasTone’s existing 3G network will provide significant improvement in both transmission speed and overall system performances and pave the way to all-IP.

SeГЎn Gowran, President of Ericsson Taiwan, says: “As the prime driver in an all communicating world, Ericsson is determined to excel in network infrastructure and services while being perceived as the most innovative and responsive business partner. The FarEasTone contract further highlights our leading position in HSPA and IMS, as well as our strong services offering in evolving networks to all-IP.”

This contract award follows the 2005 collaboration between Ericsson and FarEasTone to launch FarEasTone’s initial 3G service.

A handful of equipment vendors and US CDMA operator Verizon Wireless have banded together to take IP Multi-media Subsystem (IMS) technology to the next level.

Verizon, together with Cisco, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, Nortel and Qualcomm, is working to develop enhancements to the emerging IMS architecture.

The next generation architecture has been termed A-IMS (Advances to IMS) and aims to provide solutions to implement next generation services in current networks, as well as creating a foundation for the efficient roll out of both SIP and non SIP-based services in future networks.

The current outputs of the task force are a concept document and an architecture document that are being provided to industry players. The task force companies plan to make necessary standards contributions in the immediate future.

Paul Mankiewich, chief technology officer, Lucent Technologies Network Systems Group said: “We recognise the benefits of this collaboration, particularly in terms of multi-vendor interoperability, as we move into an all-IP mobility world. This effort continues to enable the delivery of blended voice, video, data and multi-media applications, what we call Blended Lifestyle services, to mobile end users.”