Lucent Technologies today announced that BellSouth has selected elements from Lucent's IMS-based (IP Multimedia Subsystem) solution, including network integration and technical support, to be the platform for BellSouth's Voice over IP service for residential customers in its nine-state territory.

Today's announcement is the third announcement in North America in three weeks involving elements of Lucent's IMS-based solution. Lucent recently announced Cingular and SBC as customers.

Lucent continues to make IMS a priority, and Wall Street has taken notice. As reported online at Forbes.com, UBS Investment Research analyst Nikos Theodosopoulos noted in a research report that Lucent “has momentum” in IMS-based (IP multimedia subsystem) solutions, “but it likely won't be a factor until 2007.”

“Lucent is gaining momentum in the IMS market after not being involved in any of the initial VoIP rollouts by RBOCs," Theodosopoulos said.

The analyst set a price target of $3.10 for the once high-flying telecom equipment maker. As I posted this entry Lucent was trading at $2.75.