LONDON -- Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has signed a three-year agreement with TalkTalk Group, the biggest provider of broadband to Britain’s homes, to build a Content Delivery Network (CDN). This CDN network, which will run over TalkTalk’s existing high speed IP network, puts content closer to the end user to increase the quality of experience for its digital on-demand TV customers beyond that which is available over the Internet today. The agreement, which also covers managed services, installation and commissioning, leverages the powerful technology gained through Alcatel-Lucent’s acquisition of Velocix.

Alcatel-Lucent’s Velocix 7810 range of products and services allows TalkTalk to reduce the cost of streaming digital TV traffic to its customers while paving the way for new revenues. This CDN announcement comes as the first related to YouView (formally known as the Canvas Project), which is an open, Internet-connected television platform built on common standards, by the United Kingdom's terrestrial broadcasters BBC, Channel 4, ITV plc and communications companies Arqiva, BT and TalkTalk.

“By enabling our network with Alcatel-Lucent Velocix infrastructure, we will be able to lead the market in digital delivery, further showcasing TalkTalk’s leading innovation in the UK market,” said Max Alexander, TV & Media Director of TalkTalk. “Alcatel-Lucent Velocix’s experience of operating a global CDN, coupled with its market leadership and extensive experience in video delivery were major factors in our selection. We believe Alcatel-Lucent is best positioned to support us in the deployment and operation of our own CDN.”

Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU)