The ng Connect Program is founded by Alcatel-Lucent and the company announced that the program will showcase six new solution concepts focusing on the benefits provided by high bandwidth networks for the retail industry, in-store customer service, comparative shopping, and how consumers shop.

Also, the program announced that eight new members have joined the global initiative bringing membership to 54 companies since 2009. The ng Connect Program is the telecom industry's ecosystem for the creation of next-generation fixed and mobile consumer services based on Long Term Evolution (LTE (News - Alert)) and other technologies. The new members bring expertise in areas including game development, 3D scanning and imaging solution for apparel and virtual fashion, magazine publishing, and IT software and services.

"After the development of the program's highly successful LTE Connected Car which showed the automotive industry the impact of high bandwidth networks on new services and business models, our program members took a fresh look at the retail industry and how technology can help make shopping simpler and more convenient," commented Steve West, vice president of Emerging Technology & Media at Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert), in a press release.

"Through the ng Connect Program we are proud to work with such a diverse group of companies to help realize the value LTE and next generation broadband technologies can have on everyday life," West added.

The new ng Connect Program members include Brass Monkey, a software developer whose patent-pending technology transforms smart devices such as the iPhone or the Samsung (News - Alert) Galaxy S into an intuitive controller for Web-based single- or multi-player games. Ecrio, Inc.  provides products and solutions for IP communications. Another member Genetec is a pioneer in the physical security and public safety industry and a provider of IP video surveillance, access control and license plate recognition (LPR) solutions.

The Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. is also a ng Connect Program member. The media company serves consumers through trusted, expert content that entertains and inspires on all media platforms.

Other members include mental images, and [TC]2, the developer in the area of 3D body scanning equipment, avatar creation and virtual try-on, shape analysis and measurement extraction software.

With the Virtual Concierge concept, help for business or vacation travelers is a click away whether at a hotel or in an airport when local advice is needed -- supported by a two-way video conversation in any language. The new Gametime Media Table concept allows experiencing a game on a tabletop screen before purchasing it for their mobile phone. The Virtual Venue demonstration adds connectivity to ones favorite sporting events – view replays, get stadium info, and purchase items from users’ seat with mobile phone.

The Global Bazaar, a new kiosk concept displays products in 3D, allowing passersby the opportunity to browse items from around the world and purchase them in seconds.