SIP Center Exclusive Interview with Nortel Networks Open Client Strategy Management

Recently, Nortel Networks announced its open client strategy which they say will set the stage for mass deployment of multimedia communications.  Since many of our subscribers develop SIP-related devices and products, we decided to delve deeper into this announcement with Thom Baker, manager of Nortel Networks Multimedia Communications Application/Client Strategy team.

SIP Center: What is the open client strategy?

Thom: Nortel Networks open client strategy is an initiative designed to significantly improve the availability of off-the-shelf compatible SIP devices for Nortel Networks Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) 5100 and 5200  We are releasing, free of charge, our documentation and test suites that allow third party companies to easily implement Nortel Networks SIP technology on their products.

Primary market research has shown that there is significant demand for multimedia services for consumers to simplify and enhance their communications, and for Enterprises to improve employee productivity and increase mobility.  By expanding the availability and/or variety of MCS compatible SIP devices we can increase the community of interest necessary for end users to truly benefit from the use of multimedia services in their daily communications.

For consumers and businesses, this means that it will be easier for them to buy Nortel Networks SIP compatible devices such as IP phones, set top boxes, cordless phones, personal digital assistants and other devices - over the Internet or at local retail stores. 

SIP Center: I understand that the documentation suite includes Nortel Networks SIP interoperability specifications.  Since SIP is a standard, why is this required?

Thom: Standards are guidelines for the form, fit and function. As vendors interpret these standards, their implementations often differ. The open client strategy eliminates differences in interpretations and allows for a consistent implementation that is supported by a number of major companies in the industry. This enables product developers to reduce risk.

SIP Center: So this will reduce the risk of SIP device development?

Thom:  That's right.  It will be easier for SIP vendors to manufacturer devices that are compatible with the MCS 5100 and MCS 5200.  We also feel that this initiative will help increase the revenue opportunity for advanced SIP based services such as find me-follow me, application sharing, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other MCS based services.

SIP Center: Is this documentation suite free of charge? 

Thom: Yes, the documentation suite containing Nortel Networks SIP interoperability specification is free of charge and can be obtained from Nortel Networks web site. Vendors will be required to sign a license agreement.

SIP Center: Given that SIP is an open standard, will Nortel make the documentation suite available to the wider community - For example via The SIP Center, SIP Forum and IETF?

Thom: The documentation is already available to the wider community via our web site - this is to ensure that licensing terms and conditions are executed for use. We currently are not planning to post the documentation suite on any other mediums.

SIP Center:  You have announced a number of vendors that are participating in this initiative.  Could you elaborate on these? 

Thom: Texas Instruments will support Nortel Networks SIP specification in their silicon chips and reference designs making it easy for companies to manufacturer devices that are compatible with the MCS 5200 and MCS 5100.  Uniden is planning a release of enterprise SIP terminals and of consumer cordless base stations and handsets that are compliant to the specification.  Also, i3 micro technology, a leading provider of voice over IP (VoIP) CPE products and related management solutions, plans to extend its existing VOOD VoIP product compatibility with Nortel Networks to include the specification.

SIP Center:  You also mentioned Polycom in your announcement...

Thom:  Yes, Polycom plans to implement Nortel Networks SIP compatibility on its VSX 7000, VSX 3000 and V500 video products and on its IP 600, IP 500 and IP 300 series of voice products.

The interest in this program by the client vendor community has been outstanding, and we expect more in the future about both the program and additional vendor support.

SIP Center: How do vendors access the Open Client Strategy Documentation Suite?

Thom:  The suite is available for no charge at http://www.nortel.com/developer .  In addition, for a limited time, we are offering free primary market research results regarding multimedia service interest among consumers to anyone that requests the documentation.