Lucent Technologies Inc. last week introduced its MiLife Intelligent Services Gateway, a box designed to help mobile network operators develop and deliver voice and data services for 3G mobile networks.
Lucent says the services include directory information, maps, directions and other Web content based on a user’s location that take advantage of the higher transmission speeds and bandwidth of 3G networks. The company claims that its ISG allows mobile operators to provide application developers, application service providers and content suppliers with access to their networks through a standardized API.
The API, which complies with the Open Services Architecture (OSA) specification, provides operators with secure access to important customer data, including location, availability and the type of mobile device being used, Lucent says. Mobile operators also have the ability, through the API, to create service level agreements between themselves and third-party developers to ensure quality of service, the company claims.
The box comes configured with a few pre-integrated applications, some of which were developed by Bell Labs. These include the Ecrio Rich Instant Messaging Platform (ERIMP) from Ecrio Inc., an instant and multimedia-messaging system also built on OSA. ERIMP allows users to share text, images, drawings, digital photos, audio and documents across a multitude of fixed and mobile wireless devices and networks.
In conjunction with the ISG development, Lucent has also created the MiLife Developers Program, which seeks to aid the development of next-generation end-user services by third-party application developers. Under this program, Lucent has created software developers kits, product documentation and Web-based discussion forums aimed at providing guidance and education on application development, the company says.
The company will demonstrate the MiLife ISG product and the Ecrio Instant Messaging Service at the 3GSM World Congress this week in Cannes, France. The product will be generally available in the third quarter of this year and is currently being tested by Telefonica Mobiles Espana.