Lucent Technologies unveiled its Multimedia Access Platform, an IP-based traffic aggregator designed for high-bandwidth video/IPTV, VoIP and multimedia services delivered over DSL fiber to the home or premise (FTTx), and/or WiMAX networks. The platform is expected to enter customer trials in the first half of 2006. Lucent is positioning the platform as a key product in its broadband access portfolio and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution. Various configurations will be offered for large- and small-scale Central Office, remote, and greenfield networks. 
The single frame Multimedia Access Platform is based on the Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (AdvancedTCA) and an open, Linux software foundation. It will support a range of access blades, including , including ADSL2+, VDSL2, IEEE 802.3ah Ethernet Passive Optical Networking (EPON), ITU G.984.x Gigabit Ethernet PON (GPON) at varying upstream and downstream line rates, point-to-point Ethernet and WiMAX (based on the IEEE's 802.16e standard).
Lucent said the platform's blade architecture will allow service providers to integrate additional capabilities or expand capacity easily by adding new cards.
The Multimedia Access Platform offers up to 10 Gigabits per slot on the IP/Ethernet backplane and a full suite of Layer 2, Layer 3 and advanced packet processing capabilities, including multicasting for video, QoS/CoS, VLANs, ACLs, and security for multimedia network requirements. The platform is also IPv6 capable.
The Multimedia Access Platform will also be integrated with an IMS control layer, enabling advanced application control via SIP. This capability could be used for IMS-to-IPTV interworking.
Lucent is also planning a SmartPON module for the platform that will support both GPON and EPON and can be modified easily to address changes in the standards, new service requirements, different upstream and downstream line rates up to 2.4 Gbps (symmetric), and multivendor interoperability challenges. Lucent said the platform could scale to as many as 288 GPON ports per rack, supporting 18,432 subscribers.
The new Multimedia Access Platform is part of Lucent's broadband access product portfolio, which also includes the Stinger DSLAM and AnyMedia IP Line Access Gateway. Lucent's broadband access carriers customers include Bell Canada, France Telecom, KT, NTT, Qwest, Sprint, Telefonica, Telus, T-Online, Telstra, and Tata, among others.
Lucent said higher bandwidth applications and video services such as HDTV will drive network upgrades and investments deeper into the network. IPTV and IMS will also drive adjacent spending to optimize CAPEX, reduce OPEX and drive ARPU.
http://www.lucent.com
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