German communications infrastructure giant Siemens AG (NYSE: SI; Frankfurt: SIE) has scored on its home turf, landing Kabel BW GmbH & Co. as a customer. Deutschland's third-largest MSO, Kabel BW counts more than 2.3 million cable subscribers.

Through the deal, Kabel BW is deploying Siemens's Surpass cable VOIP platform. The MSO will start by launching VOIP services based on PacketCable NCS infrastructure with an eye on adding SIP-based features to the mix. Applications on its roadmap include unified messaging, fixed mobile convergence, IP Centrex, and an oldie but goodie, ISDN services.

In Europe, Siemens cable operator customers include UPC Broadband , com hem AB , Casema NV , and Essent Kabelcom BV .

In North America, Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) is Siemens's marquee customer. The MSO has installed more than 1 million cable VOIP lines using the Surpass platform. Canadian MSO Shaw Communications Inc. and Mexican operator Multimedios are also key accounts.

Siemens's cable VOIP solution includes its Surpass hiQ 8000 softswitch, which serves as a PacketCable call management server and media gateway controller, as well as its Surpass hiG 1100 media gateway.

— Michael Harris, Chief Analyst, Cable Digital News