KPN to deploy Alcatel-Lucent 'rapport' software

NEW DELHI: Communication solutions provider Alcatel-Lucent has signed a five-year agreement with Dutch telecom operator KPN to provide its new rapport communications software that will help the telco to simplify and consolidate a number of voice services, such as VoLTE, onto one platform.

Rapport communications will play a key role in KPN’s ability to create and deliver new applications and services, to any device, based on the software’s built-in APIs (Application Program Interface).

"KPN will use Alcatel-Lucent rapport to provide its consumer and business customers with voice and rich communication services, regardless of device or whether they are in a fixed or mobile environment," a statement said.

Rapport is based on a fully re-architected version of Alcatel-Lucent’s IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) software, the foundation for the company’s award-winning Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology. It includes APIs that allow new web communication services to be added to the rich functionality of KPN’s all-IP network.

Alcatel-Lucent today supports more than 69 commercial customer IMS deployments worldwide and is the communications core for next generation IP networks, including LTE and VoLTE.

Andre Beijen, Manager Network and Service Development of KPN, said: “This agreement is a significant step for KPN to consolidate a number of its voice services (e.g. VoIP rationalization) and introduce new voice services (eg VoLTE) to our customers throughout the Netherlands.

Willem Hendrickx, President of Europe, Middle East & Africa, Alcatel-Lucent, said: “The Alcatel-Lucent Rapport portfolio facilitates the convergence of KPN’s mobile and fixed networks, and allows it to add communications functionality and services inside of apps and websites and available from any device, anywhere, anytime. KPN customers will also have greater communications choices – for example how to answer a call, whether on a phone, a tablet extension or right inside a business’ website, as well as seamlessly switching from voice to video to data at any time.”