Verizon Cites Gains in Enterprise Data Services

Five months after announcing an ambitious plan to expand its high-speed data network nationally, Verizon Communications reported that 150 of the company's largest business customers have signed contracts for advanced services provided over the network. In the first phase of the expansion, Verizon built out infrastructure throughout the Northeastern US, specifically to connect states such as New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, among others. In Q1, Verizon added long-distance connections in the Northeast for its Regional Frame Relay, SONET...

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Net to Net Technologies Offers a 2-port Loop Bonding ADSL Modem

Net to Net Technologies introduced ADSL Loop Bonding technology that could be used for offering "Triple Play" services, especially IP TV. Net to Net's ANE8420-S modem allows telcos to bond two copper pairs together to deliver 21 Mbps out to 10,000 feet from the central office or remote terminal. At 15,000 feet, the technology supports 12 to 15 Mbps rates. The Loop Bonding is based on Net to Net's Ethernet-based IP DSL technologies,http://www.nettonet....

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Gilat to Provide Large-Scale Satellite Rural Telephony Network in Tibet

China Telecom selected Gilat Satellite Networks to provide a large-scale, satellite-based rural telephony network in Tibet. China Telecom initially will purchase a DialAway hub, 14 gateways and 1,300 VSAT terminals for public call offices to serve the region's remote villages. The tender indicates that the contract can be extended to a total of 5,000 VSATs. Each DialAway remote site supports up to six toll-quality voice channels on the network, providing as many as 4-5,000 voice lines. Gilat has already supplied such a satellite telephony system...

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BT Chooses CIENA as a Strategic Partner

BT has selected CIENA's LightWorks product portfolio as part of its new, next-generation network. The global three-year deal will place CIENA in the role of a strategic supplier of optical transport and switching equipment and network management software. Products covered by the contract include CIENA's CoreDirector, CoreStream, ONLINE Metro, ONLINE Edge and MetroDirector K2. Also, BT will use CIENA's ON-Center Management system, which combines element, network and service management capabilities, along with simple point-and-click provisioning....

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Deutsche Telekom Tests "Basic" Public Telephones

In response to the declining use of public telephones in many locations, Deutsche Telekom is carrying out a national pilot test involving the implementation of "basic" public telephones until the end of 2005. The basic phones would allow emergency calls to be made, calling cards to be used or reverse charge calls to be initiated. However, they would not have coin and telephone card slots, which are susceptible to vandalism and represent an on-going cost to the company. http://www.telekom...

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Remote Alaska Town Builds Satellite-Connected Wi-Fi Network

Coffman Cove, Alaska, a small town of 240 people that is accessible only by ferry or air, will install a municipal wireless hotspot with a 2-mile radius from its center. The community voted for SkyFrames' Satellite Broadband Services to install the 802.11 equipment with omni-directional antennas and provide a T1-equivalent network backhaul to the Internet. The city-run ISP has 55 customers willing to pay for the service. http://www.skyframes....

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Sprint North Supply to Distribute SanteraOne Platform

Sprint North Supply was selected as the first nationwide wholesale distributor for Santera Systems' SanteraOne integrated voice and data switching platform. Sprint North Supply is a supply chain solution provider serving network service providers, manufacturers and resellers throughout North America. http://www.santera.com http://www.sprintnorthsupply....

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SureWest Turns a Profit, Cites Triple Play Success

SureWest Communications, an integrated communications provider based in Roseville, California, reported Q1 net revenues of $47.4 million and net income of $0.7 million, or $0.05 per share. The company has nearly 17,000 DSL subscribers and over 15,000 'triple-play' revenue generating units (RGUs). SureWest, which has 100% DSL availability in its service area, has a DSL penetration density of 17.8% of primary residential lines and 12.3% of ILEC access lines.Consolidated capital expenditures related to operations totaled $11.3 million in the first...

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IDT Terminates Bid to Acquire ITXC, Comments on Global Crossing

IDT Corporation terminated its proposal to acquire all outstanding shares of ITXC and said it will enter into negotiations with the company. IDT said it would not take any action to acquire the shares of ITXC for the next thirty days without ITXC's consent. It gave no assurance that a deal would be reached.Separately, IDT reiterated its desire to purchase Global Crossing following Hutchison's decision to drop its bid. IDT has long been a vocal critic of the proposed Asian investment in Global Crossing, arguing that it poses "grave and unnecessary...

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SMC to Support Wi-Fi Protected Access by June

SMC Networks announced that its portfolio of wireless networking products will include support for the new Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) by June. WPA is an extension of the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) technology. http://www.smc....

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Cable & Wireless and CODETEL Deploy Nortel Networks' Passport

Cable & Wireless Jamaica and CODETEL (the Dominican Republic's main telecommunications services provider) have each deployed Nortel Networks' Passport 20000 Multiservice Switches. Both carriers will use the Passport 20000 as a core switching platform for voice and data traffic. The Passport 20000 also positions CODETEL to increase capacity for ATM, Frame Relay, private line and other existing services, while introducing IP VPNs and Layer 2 VPNs. Financial terms were not disclosed. Nortel Networks said the installations mark the first deployment...

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Canada's Microcell Emerges from Chapter 11, Eliminates C$1.6 Billion in Debt

Microcell Telecommunications, a Canadian wireless service provider, completed the bankruptcy reorganization process, reducing its total debt obligations by approximately C$1.6 billion and its annual interest obligations by a range of C$160 million to C$200 million. The company emerges with approximately C$125 million in cash and C$25 million in credit. Microcell operates a GSM network and serves one million customers across Canada. http://www.microcell...

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RealNetworks Reaches One Million Internet Media Subscribers

RealNetworks became the first company to reach one million subscribers for a paid Internet media content subscription service. The company said its RealOne SuperPass, which featured live video of the war in Iraq, became one of the most popular news sources during April. News content delivered grew five fold in the first several days of the conflict. http://www.realnetworks....

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Microsoft Targets Web Services, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for Cars

At the second annual Microsoft European Automotive & Telematics Conference held this week in Munich, Microsoft outlined plans for Web services, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity in cars. The Windows Automotive software platform is already being used in the BMW 7 Series for controlling the GPS-enabled navigation system, electronic and entertainment systems, mobile phones and vehicle diagnostics. The Windows operating system will appear in new cars from Honda, Volvo, Fiat and Citroën. In Japan, Toyota is using Microsoft's Windows Automotive...

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Tekelec and Santera Combine their Next Gen Switching Businesses

Tekelec and Santera Systems agreed to combine their next-generation switching businesses. Tekelec is a developer of telecommunications signaling solutions, packet-telephony infrastructure, network monitoring technology, and value-added applications. Santera Systems offers an integrated voice and data switching platform for delivering Class 4/5 services, PRI offload, packet/cell switching and voice over broadband services. The SanterOne platform features both TDM and packet switching fabrics. The combined company's product portfolio will also...

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Nortel Networks, Redback Networks Settle Lawsuit

Nortel Networks and Redback Networks reached a settlement in their pending lawsuits. The case goes back to December 2001, when Redback sued Nortel Networks seeking to invalidate five patents. As part of the settlement, Nortel Networks and Redback entered into a patent cross-licensing agreement and Redback agreed to pay Nortel an undisclosed fee. http://www.nortelnetworks.com http://www.redback....

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Hutchison Withdraws its Proposed Global Crossing Acquisition

In light of a new probe by the U.S. government's Committee on Foreign Investment, Hutchison Telecommunications decided to withdraw its proposed acquisition of a 30.75% stake in Global Crossing. Singapore Technologies Telemedia will exercise its rights to acquire Hutchison Telecommunications' planned stake in a newly constituted Global Crossing. Specifically, ST Telemedia will increase its original investment from $125 million to a total $250 million for 61.5% ownership interest in the reorganized Global Crossing upon its emergence from Chapter...

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Alcatel Integrates iMagicTV for TV over DSL

Alcatel completed its acquisition of iMagicTV, a developer of software for delivering multi-channel digital television over broadband networks. Alcatel said the acquisition provides it with a ready-to-deploy solution for triple play (TV, Internet and Telephone) broadband services. iMagic also provides back-end service provisioning capabilities. iMagicTV will be marketed under the name Alcatel 5950 Media Manager. The final exchange ratio used to exchange iMagicTV shares for Alcatel ADS shares was 0.158517 which equates to a value of US$1.30 per...

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EC Approves Some Network Sharing for 3G Licensees

The European Commission approved 3G mobile network infrastructure sharing in the UK, ruling that site sharing in itself does not raise competition concerns. More specifically, 3G site sharing between operators does not restrict competition if such agreements are limited to sharing basic network infrastructure such as masts, power supply, racking and cooling. The EC investigation into the infrastructure sharing also found that national roaming between licensed network operators benefits consumers by allowing the operators involved to offer better...

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MCI Adds Windows Messenger to its Converged Communications Service

MCI is adding Microsoft Windows Messenger to its MCI Advantage (formerly known as the WorldCom Connection) converged communications service. Both Windows Messenger and the MCI Advantage support SIP. With the new Windows Messenger capability, MCI Advantage business users can complete and receive voice calls, participate in real-time chat sessions and share information with colleagues directly from their desktop or any SIP enabled device. Users can also take their MCI Advantage service and calling features with them to any location by connecting...

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AOL Blocks 2.37 Billion Spam Messages per Day

America Online blocked 2.37 billion spam emails in one day this week. At this rate, AOL's anti-spam filters are preventing more than 24,000 spam emails from going to each of its members' accounts each year. Only one week ago, AOL announced it was preventing over 1 billion spam emails from getting into its members' email inboxes daily. AOL attributed the surge in its spam blocking to a variety of factors: members systematically reporting more spam; the tightening and strengthening of AOL's spam blocking filters; the continuing surge of spam sent...

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Sprint Expands its Metro Network Presence to 20 Cities

Sprint completed construction of three large metropolitan area network (MAN) rings in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region. The rings connect the Sprint network to several local telecom exchange facilities and a Sprint mobile switching center (MSC) in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. The MSC routes wireless calls for local PCS customers of Sprint. The company has now deployed metro networks in 20 markets and intends to drive its fiber-optic network deeper into the metro areas of 30 U.S. cities before mid- 2004. http://www.sprint....

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America Online Offers Premium Virus Protection Service

America Online and Network Associates announced a premium virus protection service for AOL members. The service is provided through a desktop client that is constantly updated on new threats. The virus protection guards against infection from peer-to-peer file sharing, Web site downloads, infected CD-ROMs and disks, multi-media files, and other modes of attack. AOL will charge $2.95 a month for the service. http://www.aol....

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New Edge Networks to Provide Local FR and ATM for WilTel

New Edge Networks signed an agreement to provide local Frame Relay and ATM services to WilTel Communications at competitive price points. New Edge Networks has more than 600 central office locations with multi-services switches in small and midsize cities across the US. To support this agreement, New Edge Networks and WilTel will establish multiple broadband interconnection points across the country. http://www.newedgenetworks.com http://www.wiltelcommunications....

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Network Processing Forum Completes IPv4 Software Agreement

The Network Processing Forum (NPF) released an IPv4 Unicast Forwarding Service Application Programming Interface (API) Implementation Agreement (IA) intended to help enable the development of IPv4 forwarding software solutions from independent software and network processor vendors. The specification will also simplify the task System OEMs face in migrating their existing control-plane software to network processor-based systems. The IPv4 Unicast Forwarding Service API Implementation Agreement is available for free online. http://www.npforum....

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Broadcom Supplies Transceiver Chipset for Foundry's Terabit Switch

Broadcom is supplying a custom three-chip serial backplane transceiver chipset for Foundry Networks' new terabit-capacity enterprise switch and metro/service provider router architecture. The custom serial backplane transceiver chipset was developed using Broadcom's third generation of low-power, mixed-signal CMOS SerDes technology. Broadcom said a key advantage of the technology is multi-rate operation, which allows cores to transmit serial data from 622-Mbps up through 5-Gbps and 10-Gbps over a variety of links including fiber optics, copper...

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TiVo Names an NBC Executive as President

TiVo named Martin J. Yudkovitz as its new president. Yudkovitz previously was Executive Vice President at NBC, where he played leading roles in the creation of CNBC, MSNBC Cable and MSNBC.com. He also led the business side of NBC's two largest television endeavors, the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. TiVo said it plans to focus on aggressively deploying its digital video recorder service through industry partnerships with satellite and cable companies and other licensing opportunities. http://www.tivo.comTiVo has a subscription...

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Zarlink Develops 3.125 Gbps Optical Receiver

Zarlink announced an optical receiver operating at up to 3.125 Gbps. Traditionally, discrete photodiodes and amplifiers, linked by complex circuitry, have been required to reliably detect and pre-amplify high-speed optical pulses. Zarlink said its optical receiver integrates a highly sensitive PIN (positive- intrinsic-negative) photodiode in InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide), a low-noise transimpedance and limiting amplifier in SiGe (silicon germanium), and a photo current monitor. The device could be used for 2.5 Gbps SONET/SDH equipment, as...

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JDS Uniphase Launches New CWDM Solutions

JDS Uniphase introduced a new WaveReady series of optical access products, including a coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) solution aimed at enterprise and metro networking applications. The new CWDM line cards for the WaveReady series include a bi-directional 1310 nm input / 15xx nm output regenerator, a bi-directional 850 nm input / 15xx nm output regenerator, and an 8-channel mux/demux. Other new line cards for WaveReady include a DWDM bi-directional ITU 1310 nm input / 15xx nm output regenerator and an optical protection switch....

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Allegiance Telecom Negotiates with Creditors on Recapitalization Plan

Allegiance Telecom, a facilities-based national CLEC headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is continuing negotiations with its creditors on a recapitalization plan. The creditors have agreed to forbear from accelerating their loans or exercising their remedies until 15-May-2003. In return, Allegiance will make a principal payment of $5 million to the consortium of banks that have loaned the Company approximately $471 million of senior secured credit facilities. Allegiance said it would continue business as usual in the 36 markets it servers across...

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NTT DoCoMo Sells More than 10 Million Camera Phones

NTT DoCoMo has sold more than 10 million camera phones since launching the first model on 01-June-2002. The company currently offers 11 different handset models with integrated cameras. Users between the ages of 20 and 30 account for about 60% of total sales. DoCoMo recently announced new handset models offering higher resolution cameras of up to 1.3 megapixels. http://www.nttdocomo.comAccording to a recent NTT DoCoMo report, Japan now has 78 million mobile phone subscribers, a figure equivalent to 58% of the nation's population. DoCoMo's i-mode...

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TIA Publishes Measurement Standard for Multimode Fiber

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) published a new test procedure standard (TIA-455-220-A) for characterizing the modal structure of a graded index multimode fiber. Differential Mode Delay (DMD) is the transmission delay between different modes of energy propagation in a multimode fiber. DMD contributes to the total dispersion (spreading) of a transmitted pulse and therefore can affect the system throughput. TIA said its new test method is commonly used in production and research facilities and is not easily accomplished in the...

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Regulator Publishes Review of Broadband Market in the UK

Pending parliamentary approval, a new regulatory framework for electronic communications networks in the UK will go into effect on 25-July-2003. The new policies are based on five EU Communications directives and are designed to harmonize regulations across Europe, reduce barriers to entry, and stimulate market competition. In advance of the new framework, Oftel, the official telecoms regulator for the UK, published a 151-page review of current market conditions. The report is available online. http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/eu_direct...

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Accenture and Microsoft Build .NET Services for Carriers

Accenture is developing a new set of Web Service-enabled solutions for wireless and wireline carriers built on Microsoft's .NET framework. The applications support key operations including customer care, sales, billing, service delivery, enterprise management and business intelligence. Accenture said the .NET-connectivity would introduce a higher level of agility and real-time transactional capability through the use of Web services. By using repeatable processes, middleware and configuration, the .NET-connected version of the joint solutions significantly...

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France Telecom Sees Revenue Stabilizing, Targets 2.8M ADSL Users this Year

France Telecom reported Q1 revenues of EUR 11.376, an increase of 7.3% compared to the year-earlier period. There was an increase in operating free cash flow to EUR 3.1 billion in Q1, compared to EUR 1.9 billion in Q1 2002. On a comparable basis, France Telecom's consolidated revenues increased 3.3% annually. Some highlights for the quarter:The number of broadband lines for retail customers (including Wanadoo's ADSL access) was 1,777,000 at the end of the quarter, more than triple the year earlier count. FT is targeting 2.8 million ADSL customers...

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Openwave Introduces New Email/Messaging Platform for Carrier Services

Openwave Systems released a major upgrade to its email/messaging platform designed for large-scale, carrier email services. Openwave Email Mx Version 6.0 (Mx 6) features new anti-spam and anti-virus capabilities, a new web mail interface, a new "extensions" technology to allow third party applications to run on the message server, and lower cost due to architecture changes. Anti-spam features include the ability to block "Receipt to" messages that spammers harvest to steal email addresses. Performance enhancements have resulted in a decrease...

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Deutsche Telekom Extends IP MPLS Service to North America

Deutsche Telekom's T-Systems division has extended its IP-VPN MPLS network services into North America. T-Systems is offering custom-build MPLS solutions that address and adapt to specific requirements at each site in terms of availability, class of service mix, service level agreement and support parameters. Four "application-aware" classes of service are available. The service runs entirely over an IP backbone. http://www.t-systemsus....

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UTStarcom Announces First Contracts with India's Tata Teleservices

UTStarcom has signed its first contracts to deploy 56,000 lines of its AN-2000 platform with Tata Teleservices, the largest private basic service operator in India. Financial terms were not disclosed. UTStarcom has signed five other basic service operators in India as customers and had over 600,000 lines of its AN-2000 multi-service access platform deployed as of the end of 2002. UTStarcom also cited a strong interest for its Personal Access System (PAS) in India. MTNL, the incumbent PTT operator in New Delhi, has deployed and commercialized...

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NEC America to Resell SpectraLink's Systems

NEC America agreed to resell SpectraLink's new NetLink e340 and i640 Wireless Telephones utilizing NEC's proprietary IP protocol. This WLAN solution will incorporate NEC's Dterm desktop features to provide a migration path to a wireless communications infrastructure for new and existing enterprise customers. The wireless handsets will utilize the IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi) WLAN standard, allowing users to share a single wireless infrastructure with mobile data devices. http://www.cng.nec.com http://www.spectralink....

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McLeodUSA Links 538 Walgreens Stores

Walgreens, the largest drugstore chain in the US, selected McLeodUSA to be the primary local telecommunications services provider to 538 Walgreens stores, with nearly 5,000 business lines, in its 25-state footprint. McLeodUSA aims to install local services in all 538 stores in approximately three weeks. http://www.mcleodusa....

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GDC Reenters Service Business for its Products

General DataComm (GDC) will once again begin offering support services for its products beginning 01-May-2003 and has selected Telsource Corporation to deliver on-site services for its contract customers via a custom outsourcing partnership. Telsource will provide maintenance and support for all of GDC's products in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. http://www.gdc....

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PMC-Sierra Introduces Multi-Rate PHY/Framers

PMC-Sierra introduced two new devices that offer a physical layer solution for simultaneously aggregating, transporting and terminating OC-3/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4, and OC-48/STM-16 Packet-over-SONET (POS) and ATM traffic on a single line card. The S/UNI MULTI devices are designed for use in physical interfaces to connect network elements that demand rapid bandwidth expansion like DSLAMs, CMTSs, and wireless base-station controllers, edge routers and multi-service switches. PMC-Sierra said a single multi-rate line card powered by one S/UNI MULTI-48...

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Zhone Announces Smaller Multi-Access Line Concentrators

Zhone Technologies announced the newest addition to its Multi-Access Line Concentrator line, which supports both traditional voice and broadband data services over a common loop infrastructure. The new MALC 300 measures 3U in height and uses the same line cards and components as the company's existing MALC 700 models. The MALC supports software selectable service ports, integrated cross-connect, integrated loop qualification with internal splitters, and flow-through provisioning capabilities to clearly differentiate the platform from traditional...

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Yahoo! Platinum Expands its Broadband Content Line-up

Yahoo! is expanding its recently launched premium broadband content service to include video and audio content from Showtime, the National Hockey League, National Geographic, Major League Soccer, and Warren Miller Entertainment. In coming weeks, Yahoo! Platinum plans to add financial news from CNBC, in addition to a mix of entertainment and news programming from the BBC . Content already available on the service includes CBS' Survivor Insider, FOX's American Idol, ABC News, CBS MarketWatch, and NASCAR.com. Pricing remains at $9.95 per month....

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Spirent Unveils Avalanche AfterBurner for Gigabit L4-7 Testing

Spirent Communications introduced a new "Avalanche AfterBurner" that boosts the performance of its Avalanche SmartBits product line for testing Layer 4-7 systems. Spirent's Avalanche AfterBurner enables in excess of 400,000 TCP connections per second on a single Gigabit link. Foundry Networks is using the solution for testing its high-performance ServerIron systems. http://www.spirentcom.com/avalan...

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Alcatel to Resell General Bandwidth for VoATM in FTTU

Alcatel signed an OEM agreement to resell General Bandwidth's G6 Packet Telephony Migration Platform for providing Voice over ATM in fiber to the user (FTTU) networks. Alcatel will integrate, resell, and support General Bandwidth's carrier-class platform to selected customers and engage in joint marketing activities as appropriate. The G6 features a scalable 60 Gbps backplane, supports IP, ATM and TDM in the same platform, and offers an element management system that is Telcordia OSMINE certified. http://www.genband.com http://www.alcatel.comIn...

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Extreme Announces 4th Generation Networking Silicon for 10-GigE Core

Extreme Networks unveiled its for fourth generation silicon, designed for scalable core networks with dense, wire-speed 10-Gigabit Ethernet performance. Extreme's 4GNSS silicon architecture promises wire-speed IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, HVPLS and NAT services for metro and regional networks. The new silicon also includes a new feature, called T-Flex, that uses ASIC-based programmable packet parsers and editors to allow new protocols and services to be deployed without hardware upgrades. Extreme's first incarnation of the new 4GNSS architecture, code named...

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Cisco Announces Intelligent Processor Engine for the WAN Edge

Cisco Systems introduced a new Network Processing Engine for handling IP/MPLS services on its Cisco 7300 routers, which can be deployed by enterprise customers as an Internet gateway application, or used by service providers as a high-end customer-premise-equipment (CPE) router for managed service offerings. The Cisco 7304 NPE-G100 processor supports advanced IP features, including multicast; Any Transport over MPLS (AToM); and Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF)-Select, which enables network operators to provide the appearance of multiple network...

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Portal Software and SAP Team on Telecom Solutions

Portal Software and SAP AG signed a global strategic alliance and software development agreement to deliver an integrated management solution for the telecom industry. The solution from Portal and SAP seamlessly integrates key billing system processes with financial business processes, enabling telecommunications providers to more effectively deal with revenue assurance issues by providing complete, real-time visibility into customer transactions. http://www.portal.com http://www.sap....

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Alcatel Reports Q1 Sales of EUR 2.96 Billion, Soft Markets

Alcatel reported Q1 sales of EUR 2.961 billion, down 31.1% year over year and down sequentially by 34.3%. Loss from operations was registered at EUR 161 million and net loss at EUR 461 million, or a diluted loss of EUR 0.39 per share ($0.43 per ADS). Alcatel cited seasonality and currency exchange issues for the weaker performance. It also noted that carrier markets continue to be soft, and the economic and geopolitical environmental may add a few points to the 15% degradation it had previously predicted for 2003. The non-carrier market is better...

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SpectraLink Offers 802.11b Wireless Phones

SpectraLink announced an 802.11b NetLink Wireless Deskset priced at $499 and incorporating a speakerphone, large display, and special feature keys. A docking station version will be priced at $299. In the docking station configuration, the user has the option of using the NetLink Wireless Deskset's traditional wired handset or the NetLink Wireless Telephone handset to roam throughout the enterprise. http://www.spectralink....

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Transparent Networks Ceases Operations

Transparent Networks, a start-up that was developing a 3D MOEMS (micro-opto-electronic-mechanical-system) mirror array switch, is ceasing operations and will liquidate its assets. The company's intellectual property includes optical signal processing and MEMS-based technology. A buyer is being sought. Transparent Networks was based in Milpitas, California. http://www.transparentnetworks.comIn March 2002, Transparent Networks previewed its 3D MOEMS mirror array integrated with high-voltage high-density VLSI electronics. The single chip array...

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Marvell Targets Gigabit Ethernet Switching for SMBs and SOHOs

Marvell is extending its Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switch silicon to target the Small-to-Medium Size Business (SMB) and SOHO market segments. Marvell is introducing a single-chip Prestera-DX GbE packet processor solution for 24-, 16- and 8-port Gigabit Ethernet switches. The Prestera-DX devices achieve non-blocking performance and high integration by combining all of the Gigabit MACs, the packet buffer memory, a powerful switch engine, and SERDES in each port into a single chip. The Prestera chip supports enterprise-class QoS features as well as...

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Project MESA to Define Standards for Wireless Public Safety Networks

Project MESA, an international partnership project between the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), adopted an accelerated work plan to complete technical specifications for public emergency response networks by as early as the end of 2004. Project MESA said it recognized that completely new thinking in the field of radio technology and wireless networking is required to meet the advanced needs of users. The Project's work to date has involved the definition by the public...

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Apple Launches the iTunes Music Store

Hoping to create the next great consumer application, Apple launched its iTunes Music store, an online service that lets customers download music for $0.99 per song, including the rights to burn songs onto an unlimited number of CDs for personal use, listening to songs on an unlimited number of iPods, playing songs on up to three Macs and using songs in any application on the Mac. The iTunes Music Store features over 200,000 songs from music companies including BMG, EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal and Warner. Apple also introduced its...

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Wanadoo tops 1.6 million broadband customers

As of 31-March-2003, Wanadoo had 8.786 million Internet access customers in Europe, including 1.613 million subscribers to ADSL and cable broadband service. Wanadoo added 251,000 new customers during Q1, of whom 239,000 signed up for broadband service. Broadband users represented 18.4% of the total Wanadoo user base. The Wanadoo portal service delivered 2.408 billion Web pages in March 2003, up 60% compared to a year earlier. Wanadoo, a subsidiary of France Telecom, is expecting revenue growth of 25 to 30% for 2003. http://www.wanadoo....

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Marconi Launches Multiservice IP VPN Solution

Marconi introduced a new multiservice IP VPN solution that uses Ethernet over MPLS with the IETF "Martini" draft standard on its ASX and TNX line of multiservice switch-routers. Marconi's solution supports multiple differentiated Ethernet services, such as VoIP, packetized video and real-time data transport simultaneously over the same Ethernet port. At the same time, Marconi's multiservice switch-router platform could also concurrently support Frame Relay, private line and ATM services. The solution is provided using a new four-port 10/100...

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IDT Builds Octal Transceiver for High-Density Line Cards

IDT (Integrated Device Technology) introduced its new SuperJET family of J1/E1/T1 transceivers, including a monolithic octal density device designed for next-generation universal line-card designs in communications systems. IDT's new SuperJET transceivers, which integrate and expand upon its universal line interface unit and framer functionality, provide configuration flexibility, jitter performance and signaling support across octal, quad, dual and single densities. The IDT SuperJET devices target J1/E1/T1 interfaces in access concentrators, wireless...

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TI's Single-Chip ADSL Integrates Line Driver

Texas Instruments announce the integration of a complete ADSL router, including the 12V line driver, on a single chip. The chip is implemented in a 130nm copper CMOS process. By including the line driver, communications processor, power management and hundreds of passive components on a single device, TI estimates that it reduces the total system chip and passives count by up to 50% over competitive solutions. TI said its advanced process technology allows it to mix and match digital, analog, RF and memory components on a single device. htt...

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Occam and VocalData partner on IP Centrex Solution

Occam Networks and VocalData have created a joint solution enabling carriers to offer hosted IP telephony services. Occam's Ethernet & IP-based broadband loop carrier, which streamlines the access network by integrating the functionality of several types of network equipment, resides in the service provider network and acts as a voice gateway for VocalData's VOISS solution. VocalData's VOISS system can be configured to deliver hosted PBX, IP Centrex, business trunking, residential services, and enhanced applications such as conferencing, unified...

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Court Approves ICO's Globalstar Acquisition

A U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved the sale of Globalstar's assets to ICO Global Communications for an investment of $55 million. ICO will receive a 54% equity stake in the new operating company. The remaining equity will be distributed to Globalstar's creditors, which include Loral Space & Communications, Qualcomm Incorporated and holders of Globalstar L.P. bonds. It is estimated that $4 billion has been spent thus far on Globalstar and its mobile satellite communications network. ICO Chairman Craig O. McCaw said he believes that Globalstar...

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Celite Introduces DSL Headend for In-building Ethernet

Celite Systems, a start-up based in Austin, Texas, introduced its DSL Headend technology for multi-dwelling units. The Celite box would enable local exchange carriers and building owners to deliver broadband services to an entire apartment or condominium complex, office high rise, hotel or other multi-dwelling unit with one installation process at the telephone equipment room. Celite runs Ethernet over existing building wiring, without requiring line splitters or filters. DSL lines are multiplexed for the trunk back to the network. http://www....

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Agere Offers Two New Integrated VoIP Phone Chips

Agere Systems introduced two new VoIP chips for residential and enterprise IP phones. The new devices include both dual and single Ethernet-port system-on-a-chip solutions. The VoIP chips support wide-band codecs for enhanced voice quality, three-way teleconferencing, and full-duplex speakerphone capability with self-adaptive Acoustic Echo Cancellation. Both single-chip solutions couple Agere's DSP 1600 core with an ARM940T microcontroller, allowing manufacturers to use the same software for a range of IP phone designs. Agere said its IP Phone...

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Nortel Networks Announces Visitor-Based Networking for Hotels, Convention Centers

Nortel Networks introduced a package of integrated network solutions for hotels, convention centers, airports and other enterprises looking to provide travelers and mobile PC workers with temporary connectivity needs. Nortel Networks said its Visitor-Based Networking could help hotels turn their IT costs into a profit center. The line-up includes elements from Nortel Networks Passport, Shasta and Baystack product lines, as well as its new wireless LAN portfolio. A special visitor-based Internet portal enables users to access the service and create...

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Sprint and Nortel Chosen for Mandalay Resort Network

The Mandalay Resort Group, which owns 16 hotels and casinos -- including the Mandalay Bay, Excalibur and Circus Circus, selected Nortel Networks and Sprint to build a seamless network across four states. Sprint has deployed Nortel Networks' Optical Ethernet solution, including Passport 8600 Routing Switches, as well as its Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node, the Passport 8000 Ethernet Switch series, WLAN-Access Point 2220, WLAN-Security Switch 2250 and the Baystack portfolio of Ethernet switches. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.nortelnetworks.com...

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MCI Issues Monthly Operating Results, Comments on CAPEX Trend

MCI recorded $2.03 billion in revenue for February and $2.1 billion for March. Operating income was $44 million in February and $84 million in March. MCI's capital expenditures for February were $36 million, including $18 million for PP&E and $18 million for related software. Capital expenditures for March were $51 million, including $18 million for PP&E and $33 million for related software. The company said it is comfortable with the projected capital spending levels on its core IP backbone, and that it would try to gain efficiencies...

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Jury Rules in Favor of CIENA in Patent Case vs. Corvis

A jury of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware issued its verdict in favor of CIENA in its litigation against Corvis Corporation for patent infringement. Corvis' CorWave system was found to infringe on CIENA's patent titled "WDM Optical Communication System With Remodulators." CIENA plans to move for an injunction prohibiting sales of infringing products. http://www.ciena....

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IPv6 Forum Creates Acceptance Standard With 'IPv6 Ready' Logo

The IPv6 Forum launched a logo branding program called "IPv6 Ready" to designate products that have passed a set level of interoperability. The IPv6 test and conformance bodies providing the certification include the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab, the TAHI Test Event, the ETSI IPv6 Plugtest, IRISIA and Connectathon. IPv6 products have been shipping for some time and the new logo program is expected to reinforce that message in...

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Air Force Command and Control Network Expands with net.com's Promina

Network Equipment Technologies was awarded a $5 million contract by General Dynamics Decision Systems for expansion of the United States Air Force's voice, video and data command and control network. The USAF's Theater Deployable Communications (TDC) Integrated Communications Access Packages (ICAP) Program network, which is currently composed of net.com's Promina 400 platforms, is being expanded by another 40 Promina 400 nodes and will additionally incorporate a Promina 800 node at each of five larger sites. The TDC ICAP network nodes are all...

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Multiservice Switching Forum Plans Interoperability Events

The Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF) announced plans for a global interoperability event to take place next year. Global MSF Interoperability (GMI) 2004, which will be conducted simultaneously in Europe, North America and Asia, will demonstrate a deployable and operationally ready IP telephony network with Network Management, enhanced QoS and security features. The Forum plans to unveil physical architecture scenarios for GMI 2004 later this year. The MSF also elected its new leadership for two year terms. The new board of directors includes...

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RouteScience Releases Version 3.0

RouteScience released version 3.0 for its PathControl platform, which optimizes a company's multiple ISP links by providing real-time performance measurements of paths across the Internet to end users. Using these performance metrics and customer preferences for ISP link costs, RouteScience's PathControl platform determines the best ISP path for end-users and can then automatically update the organization's edge routers with the best path routing information. The new software can dynamically discover and measure performance from end to end, or...

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Xelerated Demonstrates 4x10Gpbs Network Processor

Xelerated, a start-up based in Burlington, Massachusetts, announced the availability of its X10q-e Network Processor, a high-performance processor aimed at switches for enterprise backbones and metro Ethernet. The company describes its core technology as a "data flow processor" built in a .13 micron process. The chip architecture is optimized for the efficient movement of data, eliminating the need for complex inter-processor interconnects as well as redundant data and instruction storage. This allows 200 data flow processors and ten I/O processors...

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Net2Phone and HNS Announce VoIP via Satellite Service

Net2Phone and Hughes Network Systems (HNS) have jointly developed an integrated capability to deliver Net2Phone's VoIP service over HNS' DIRECWAY broadband by satellite service. The companies said this is the first integrated satellite VoIP solution with bandwidth prioritization to be offered to enterprises and consumers globally. HNS has integrated Net2Phone's VoIP telephony interface into its Voice Appliance terminal, which will operate over the DIRECWAY satellite service worldwide. HNS will market the integrated Net2Phone capability through...

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Broadcom Introduces Multiprotocol Mapper

Broadcom introduced a low- power, variable-rate transceiver/mapper device for developing single linecard solutions that feature a host of transmission protocols and speeds from the same physical link. The chip provides interfaces at data rates ranging from 155 Mbps up through 2.666 Gbps. The services supported by the device include telecom services at OC-3, OC-12 and OC-48; datacom services at Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps); and Fibre Channel services (1- and 2- Gbps). Broadcom said the multi-protocol capabilities make its new mapper well-suited for...

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Cisco Introduces Wireless IP Phone

Cisco Systems introduced three new IP phones, including a model that operates over 802.11b WLANs. The Cisco Wireless IP Phone 7920 is targeted for use by employees in hospitals, warehouses, retail stores, universities and other highly mobile work environments. The phone is priced at $595 and is expected to ship next month. Cisco also introduced two entry-level, wireline IP phones priced on par with digital PBX phone sets ($165 and $130). http://www.cisco....

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Foundry Networks Announces Next Generation, 10GbE Enterprise Switch

Foundry Networks introduced its BigIron MG8 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) switch, one of the first in a series of 10-Gigabit Ethernet products powered by its fourth generation Terathon ASIC chipset. The BigIron MG8 is a high performance Layer 3 backbone switch optimized for high-density Gigabit Ethernet and 10GbE deployments, including enterprise backbones, converged campus networks, supercomputing clusters, grid computing and storage networks. The platform offers 1.28 Tbps of total non-blocking switching capacity and wire-speed forwarding in all...

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Foundry Debuts Terabit-Capacity 10 Gigabit Ethernet Router for Metro and ISP Nets

Foundry Networks introduced a new 10 Gigabit Ethernet Router with up to four Terabits of switching capacity and 1.5 billion packets per second of routing performance per rack. The new NetIron 40G router offers 40-Gigabits of capacity per slot, allowing for higher density modules and a path to 40 Gbps connections in the future. The NetIron 40G provides a density of up to 256 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 32 10GbE ports in each 13 rack unit high system; and 768 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 96 10GbE ports per 7 foot rack. Route processors perform hardware...

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XO Names Grivner as CEO

XO Communications named Carl J. Grivner as its new CEO, replacing Daniel Akerson, who resigned in January. Grivner most recently served as Chief Operating Officer at Global Crossing. Prior to joining Global Crossing in June 2000, Grivner served as CEO of Worldport Communications and before that he served as CEO, Western Hemisphere, of Cable & Wireless PLC. He has also worked for AFC and Ameritech. http://www.xo....

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Alcatel Announces Frame Relay-to-Ethernet VPN Service Interworking

Alcatel introduced Frame Relay to Metro Ethernet Service Interworking capability, enabling service providers to offer Ethernet access through their widely-deployed Frame Relay networks. The capability allows carriers to offer switched VPN services to their customers with the choice of mixing Frame or cell relay with Ethernet access to the same VPN. For example, a corporate head office might wish to upgrade to metro Ethernet access at 200 Mbps rates while preserving its existing Frame Relay VPN to all its remote locations. The Alcatel Service...

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Wipro to provide Home Gateway solution for Intel Net Processor

Wipro Technologies announced a Home Gateway software solution optimized for and integrated with Intel's IXP425 network processor. The Wipro Home Gateway middleware solution could be used in a home CPE for sharing a broadband Internet connection, home files and device sharing, in-home wireless LAN connectivity, IP Telephony (VoIP), VPN connectivity, video on demand, and for home security and home video surveillance applications. Wipro is also working on multimedia streaming capabilities that would let home users enjoy music or video files on various...

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MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance Plans Interoperability Demo

The MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance will conduct a live demonstration of Frame Relay and ATM over MPLS and Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS) interoperability at SUPERCOMM 2003, scheduled for June 3rd to 5th in Atlanta. In addition, the MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance members will demonstrate multi-vendor interoperability of Fast Re-Route (FRR), Layer 2 pt-to-pt Ethernet Services, and Layer 3 RFC 2547-bis VPN operation. http://www.mplsforum....

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Sprint Announces Frame Relay over DSL Services

Sprint introduced a Frame Relay over DSL (FRoDSL) service aimed at enterprise customers. Sprint FRoDSL is an end-to-end connection-oriented layer 2 protocol utilizing DSL as a way of gaining inexpensive access from the customer's premise to Sprint's Frame Relay network. In addition, Sprint FRoDSL leverages the service delivery and trouble resolution processes associated with Frame Relay. http://www.sprint....

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Schlumberger Selects Sprint for Enhance Wireless and Wireline

Sprint will deliver a multisite Frame Relay network to carry internal and external communications for SchlumbergerSema in the U.S. Under a three-year, multimillion-dollar contract, SchlumbergerSema is also using a system of wireless data Air Cards and Sprint PCS Vision data services to connect employees and data facilities across the country. http://www.sprint....

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NTL selects Cable & Wireless for International IP Traffic

NTL selected Cable & Wireless to carry its international IP traffic. The UK cable operator currently has over 650,000 broadband customers. Cable & Wireless joins three other premium IP transit providers for NTL. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.cw.com http://www.ntl....

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Verizon Shareholders Limit Executive Severance Deals, Reject Executive Salary Caps

At its annual company meeting, Verizon shareholders voted 59% in favor of a resolution, which the company had opposed, requesting shareholder approval of executive severance agreements that provide benefits exceeding 2.99 times the sum of an executive's base salary plus bonus. However, only 18% voted in favor of a proposal to cap CEO compensation; just 13% favored a proposal to prohibit stock options; and only 21% were in favor of an indexed stock option proposal. Verizon's CEO, Ivan Seidenberg, told shareholders that by focusing on basics, the...

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Riverstone Networks Receives SEC Request

Riverstone Networks received a request from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the voluntary production of certain information in connection with the company's accounting practices. The company has been informed that the SEC may open a formal investigation on the same topic. Riverstone said it intends to cooperate fully. http://www.riverstonenet....

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Cedar Point Builds its Partner Program for Cable Telephony

Cedar Point Communications named seven new member companies in its partnership program for end-to-end cable telephony solutions: IP Unity, Lemur Networks, Liberate, Lucent Technologies, Tellabs, and Toshiba. Cedar Point previously had announced relationships with ADC, Alopa, ARRIS, Broadband Access Networking Group (BANG), Broadcom, C-COR, Ceon, Core Networks, Motorola and Terayon. Cedar Point's SAFARI C3 platform is based on CableLabs' PacketCable specifications. http://www.cedarpointcom....

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SBC Shareowners Reject Proposal to Eliminate Executive Bonuses

At SBC Communications' annual company meeting, shareowners rejected a proposal to eliminate all bonuses and other incentive compensation for executives. The vote was 87% against the proposal. The following issues were also voted on by SBC shareowners:shareowners approved a proposal to require a shareholder vote on the adoption of any shareholder rights plansshareowners rejected a proposal to require stock options and other stock-based compensation to be subject to performance "hurdles" or "indexing" features, that stock earned by executives...

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MetaSwitch and Occam Networks Partner on All-Packet Access Network

MetaSwitch and Occam Networks announced the availability of a joint solution enabling the delivery of analog (POTS) telephone lines over a broadband access network. The partnership combines MetaSwitch's VP3500 Next Generation Class 5 Switch and the Occam Broadband Loop Carrier system, allowing carriers to converge their access networks without intermediate IP/TDM gateways. The MetaSwitch/Occam solution terminates traditional analog voice and DSL lines in the service providers' network, requiring no changes to the last-mile network or customer...

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SBC Posts Growth in DSL and Long Distance

SBC Communications reported Q1 revenues of $10.3 billion, compared with $10.5 billion in the year-ago period. SBC reported earnings per diluted share of $0.74 before the cumulative effects of accounting changes and $1.50 after the cumulative effects of accounting changes. This compares with first-quarter 2002 results of earnings per diluted share of $0.48 before the effects of accounting changes. SBC said first-quarter results reflect robust growth in DSL and long-distance subscribers despite continued revenue pressure and access line loss due...

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Sprint Rolls Out VoIP Evolution Strategy for PBX Family

Sprint announced a VoIP migration strategy for its Sprint-branded Coral PBX product line. VoIP enhancements enable the PBX to provide transparent voice networking to link multiple PBXs over managed IP networks regionally, nationally or internationally using the QSIG standard. The Coral system also provides IP telephony to the desktop and allows remote locations to connect to the main PBX using IP telephones. Sprint plans to introduce the Flex IP Softphone, which is a Microsoft Windows client software application that allows any desktop or laptop...

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Lucent's Chief Operating Officer Steps Down

Bob Holder, who has served as chief operating officer (COO) of Lucent since October 2001, will leave the company. As chief operating officer, Holder, 56, had responsibility for Lucent's major units -- Mobility Solutions, Integrated Network Solutions, Lucent Worldwide Services, Supply Chain Networks and Information Technology. His responsibilities will be assumed by Lucent's CEO, Patricia Russo. http://www.lucent.c...

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FCC Sets New Rules for Satellite Broadband Services

The FCC adopted a new licensing process aimed at accelerating the rollout of satellite Internet services. The new rules create a queue for satellite applications whereby each application will be considered under the Commission's public interest standard in the order in which it is filed. The new framework also establishes different procedures for licensing nongeostationary-like satellite systems (NGSOs) and geostationary--like systems (GSOs). In order to discourage companies from speculating in the market by acquiring licenses and then holding...

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FCC Launches Inquiry into Broadband over Power Line

The FCC is seeking public comment on using existing electrical power lines to provide Internet and broadband services to homes and offices. Broadband over Power Line (BPL) could be used by electric utility companies to deliver last mile Internet access as an alternative to DSL or cable modem. A new FCC inquiry seeks information, comment, and technical data on issues concerning Broadband over Power Line. In particular, the FCC is interested in two types of BPL: Access and In-House. Access BPL uses medium voltage (1,000 to 40,000 volts) power...

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TelePacific Raises $30M to Expand, Explore Acquisitions

TelePacific Communications, a CLEC based in Los Angeles, received a $30 million equity investment led by affiliates of Investcorp, a global investment firm that is the company's largest shareholder. TelePacific is opening a new switching center in Orange County. The company is also exploring acquisitions possibilities as it enters new markets. http://www.telepacific.comTelePacific provides broadband and telecommunications services to business customers in markets including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland...

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Qwest CEO Named to Presidential Advisory Committee

Richard C. Notebaert, Qwest chairman and CEO, has been appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a member of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC). The CEO-only group of up to 30 telecommunications and technology industry executives advises the president and other White House leaders in meetings held several times annually. http://www.qwest.comFormer Qwest chairman and CEO Joseph P. Nacchio was named chairman of NSTAC in March 2002.Nacchio resigned from Qwest in June 20...

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AT&T Responds to S&P Rating Action

Standard & Poor's placed AT&T's "BBB+" long-term corporate credit on CreditWatch with negative implications, however it affirmed AT&T's short-term corporate credit and commercial paper ratings at A-2. In response, AT&T said it continues to take market share while growing key areas of its business during difficult times for the telecom industry. AT&T believes it has "one of the strongest balance sheets in the telecom industry, with net debt of $12 billion, net of $4.9 billion in cash."http://www.att....

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Level 3 Maps Out Integration of Genuity's Network

Level 3 Communications reported quarterly revenue of $1.25 billion, up from $945 million in Q4 2002, primarily due to settlement revenue recognized in the quarter and the inclusion of results generated from the acquisition of Genuity. Net income for the quarter was $119 million, or $0.26 basic earnings per share and $0.22 diluted earnings per share, versus previously announced projections of a net loss of $0.65 basic loss per share. Included in net income was $326 million of revenue associated with customer terminations and settlements, of which...

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Equant Awarded 5 Year Contract with Compania Argentina de Levaduras

Equant was awarded a five-year contract to expand its services to the Compania Argentina de Levaduras S.A. (CALSA), a Burns Philip Group company. The network will use Frame Relay to connect Burns Philip facilities in Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Honduras, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. Equant also provides managed firewall, Internet dial remote access and professional services. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.equant....

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Alcatel and NetScreen Form Strategic Alliance

Alcatel has joined NetScreen's Global Security Alliance and in return NetScreen has joined the Alcatel Application Partner Program. Alcatel products submitted for testing with NetScreen solutions include: the Alcatel Omni switches, notably the OmniSwitch 8800, OmniSwitch 7000 and OmniSwitch 6600. NetScreen products submitted for testing under the Alcatel program include: NetScreen-500 systems, NetScreen-204, -208, -50, -25, -5XP, and -5XT appliances, and NetScreen Remote. http://www.netscreen.com http://www.alcatel....

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McLeodUSA Reports Revenue of $225.9 million, Net Loss Improves

McLeodUSA, one of the nation's largest CLECs, reported quarterly revenue of $225.9 million, compared to $259.4 million in Q1 2002 and $230.0 million in Q4 2002. Reported net loss for the quarter was $84.1 million, compared to a net loss of $186.4 million for the same period last year. The company said the slightly lower quarterly revenue was due to efforts to eliminate unprofitable customers. Some highlights:McLeodUSA ended the quarter with $115.5 million of cash on hand. Total capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2003 were $14 million.Gross...

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Earthlink Selects DQ's DSL Modems

Earthlink will deploy DQ's VisionNet ADSL Modems in its nationwide deployment of ADSL service. The VisionNet200ER is an ADSL to Ethernet bridge/router modem based on Conexant's ADSL chipset. Earthlink currently has 780,000 broadband subscribers served via DSL, cable and satellite. http://www.dqusa.com http://www.conexant....

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Nokia Wideband Speech Coding Proposal Selected as CDMA2000 Standard

The 3GPP2 Alliance selected Nokia's proposal for standardizing a CDMA2000 wideband speech codec from a field of five such proposals. Nokia said the new Variable-Rate Multi-Mode Wideband speech codec (VMR-WB) offers superior wideband speech quality at data rates comparable to current narrowband speech codecs, resulting in highly intelligible and natural speech that represents a quantum leap over the quality of both today's wireless and wireline networks. The VMR-WB standard is not only fully compliant with the CDMA2000 rate-set II but is also interoperable...

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Nortel Returns to Profitability, Revenues Decline 5% Sequentially

Nortel Networks reported quarterly revenues of US$2.40 billion, down sequentially by approximately 5%. Net earnings in Q1 2003 were US$54 million, or US$0.01 per common share, compared to a net loss of US$841 million, or US$0.26 per common share, in Q1 2002. Gross margin was 42.9% in the first quarter of 2003, up from 39.3% in Q4 2002. On a sequential quarterly basis, revenues declined 3% in the US, 9% in Canada, flat for EMEA, and down 16% elsewhere. The company continues to expect the overall telecommunications equipment market to be down...

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Judge Orders Verizon to Disclose Identity of Internet Subscriber

U.S. District Court Judge John Bates ordered Verizon Communications to reveal the identity of an Internet subscriber accused of music piracy. In response, Verizon vowed to seek a stay from the U.S. Court of Appeals, saying the ruling goes beyond the interests of the music industry and "exposes anyone who uses the Internet to potential predators, scam artists and crooks, including identity thieves and stalkers." The case stems from a subpoena filed last summer by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) demanding that Verizon Online...

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NTT Outlines Three-Year Business Plan

Japan's NTT Group outlined its three-year business plan (FY2003-2005), including its vision for a new optical generation of broadband services. Some key trends and strategies highlighted in the announcement include:with the proliferation of competition and increased penetration of various DSL services, Japan is poised to enter "the full scale broadband era" the expansion of flat-rate access services and the full-fledged penetration of IP telephones and IP-VPN are accelerating the shift in traffic from fixed-line telephones to IP networksgrowth...

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Ample Communications and Big Bear Test 40 Gbps Technology

Ample Communications, a start-up based in Fremont, California, completed interoperability testing of its Blackbird 40 Gbps frame processor and Big Bear Networks' Kodiak 40 Gbps transponder. Ample Communications' Blackbird 40 Gbps frame processor is a single-chip 40 Gbps packet over SONET framer targeted for single port STS-768/STM-256 and four port STS-192/STM-64 SONET/SDH applications. It combines multiple functional blocks including framer, overhead processor, pointer processor and data link logic into a chip. Big Bear Network's Kodiak 40 Gbps...

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