Mitsubishi Electric introduced uncooled 10 Gbps Ethernet (10-GbE) modules for XENPAK, X2, and XPAK applications. The modules achieve a 10-km transmission distance.
http://www.mitsubishichips.com
http://www.mitsubishichips.com
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
AOL Blocks Over One Billion Spam Emails a Day
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
America Online is blocking over one billion spam emails sent to its users per day. The figure is up from 780 million blocked emails per day recorded only two weeks ago. The company attributed the sudden rise in blocked spam to the "Report Spam" button in AOL 8.0 software. AOL members are clicking on the "Report Spam" button to alert AOL of up to 5.5 million pieces of junk email per day.
http://www.aoltimewarner.com
http://www.aoltimewarner.com
Marconi Sells Two, Non-Core Business Divisions
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Marconi has sold its Private Mobile Networks division (OTE SpA, also known as TETRA) to Finmeccanica SpA for EUR 3 million in cash, EUR 7 million in assumed debt and EUR 12 million in debt to suppliers. The OTE business unit is headquartered in Florence and employs over 500 people worldwide. The business provides secure and reliable turnkey mobile radio networks for police and governmental bodies, fire authorities, health and other emergency services, as well as transportation companies and public utilities. In a separate transaction, Marconi sold its Online division to Coca Cola Amatil (New Zealand) Limited for NZ$2.95 million (over £1 million). Marconi Online was established as a start up in April 2000 and specializes in the development of intelligent vending products and services that enable the remote monitoring of vending machines across fixed line and mobile networks.
http://www.marconi.com
http://www.marconi.com
NewSouth, a CLEC, Raises $62.5 million in New Funding
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
NewSouth Communications, a CLEC based in Greenville, South Carolina, raised $62.5 million in new equity financing. NewSouth said it is now generating positive operating cash flow each month. The new funding will be used for continued growth of the business. Firms participating in this round of financing include three existing investors, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company (KKR), who remains NewSouth's largest investor, Wachovia Capital Partners, and Vaxa Capital Partners, LP. Also participating are two new investors, M/C Venture Partners and Quadrangle Group.
http://www.newsouth.com
http://www.newsouth.com
- NewSouth's network includes the Tekelec VXi MGC softswitch, 14 Cisco packet-based switches, 11 Lucent AnyMedia 5ESS-2000 switches, 2 Siemens Information and Communications Networks EWSD digital switches, and 80 collocations across the southeastern U.S.
For 2002, NewSouth Communications reported annual revenue exceeding $156 million, up 25% over 2001. The number of installed lines grew by 31% in 2002 to over 210,000. The company said it exceeded its operational targets for 2001, in particular, to reduce its ongoing costs by 9%, or $14.7 million.
France Telecom Reports $21 Billion Loss from Asset Writedowns
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
France Telecom reported a net loss for 2002 of EUR 20.7 billion, due mainly to writedowns for Mobilcom (7.3 billion EURs), NTL (1.7 billion EURs), Wind (1.6 billion EURs), Equant (4.4 billion EURs) and Orange Switzerland (ex-OCSA, 0.9 billion EURs) and other assets in the Ivory Coast and Jordan. Some highlights of report:
- France Telecom's revenues reached EUR 46.6 billion in 2002, an increase of 8.4% growth over 2002.
Net debt stood at EUR 68.0 billion at December 31, 2002, compared with EUR 69.7 billion at June 30, 2002 and EUR 63.4 billion at December 31, 2001.
Wanadoo had a 30.4% increase in revenues and tripled its number of broadband customers in Europe last year
For 2003, CAPEX will be reduced to below EUR 7 billion, representing about 13% of France Telecom's revenues, a level consistent with industry ratios. Key efforts will include better use of France Telecom's long distance network by Equant and Orange, a more selective launch of 3G services by Orange, and a more efficient use of lower cost ADSL equipment.
For 2003, France Telecom has set a target of 3 to 5% revenue growth and double digit EBITDA and operating income growth. The company expects in excess of EUR 3 billion in free cash flow, which will be used to repay debt
Growth in broadband Internet access is expected to offset declines in fixed line telephony in France.
Linksys Ships Dual-Band 802.11 A+G Networking Products
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Linksys announced the first shipment of a dual band 802.11 a+g product. The Linksys Wireless Dual Band A+G Wireless PC Card is available for a list price of $99 starting today. The card will communicate with all IEEE standardized products including 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g draft solutions. Linksys also plans to offer a Wireless A+G Router, A+G Access Point and PCI Adapter for desktop computers later this month.
http://www.Linksys.com
http://www.Linksys.com
Next Level Show TV-over-DSL Equipment
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Next Level Communications is demonstrating new TV-over-DSL equipment at this week's meeting of the Full Service-VDSL (FS-VDSL) committee meeting in Toronto, Canada. Next Level's new Broadband Services Access Multiplexer - Single Shelf Enclosure (BSAM-SSE) is a compact device that can be attached directly to the remote cabinets. Next Level said it believes incumbent carriers (ILECs) have been hindered in their broadband rollouts by three obstacles: an unfair regulatory environment, the perceived lack of a VDSL standard and prohibitive deployment costs. With the recent FCC broadband ruling and an expected decision from the ITU this summer on VDSL modulation standards, the company expects that the economics of smaller, denser equipment will lead to new TV-over-DSL services.
http://www.nlc.com
http://www.nlc.com
Princeton Optronics Joins Tunable Laser MSA
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Princeton Optronics has joined Agility, Alcatel Optronics and Bookham Technology in a multi-source agreement (MSA) to provide equipment manufacturers with standardized tunable laser modules. The MSA defines a small form factor plug-in module consisting of a tunable continuous wave (CW) laser and embedded electronics that provide automatic wavelength acquisition and locking. The devices could be used in DWDM equipment supporting both C and L-bands.
http://www.princetonoptronics.com
http://www.princetonoptronics.com
ADVA Introduces Slimline FSP 3000 Metro Optical Chassis
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
ADVA Optical Networking introduced a Slimline chassis version of its Fiber Service Platform (FSP) 3000 product. The new chassis offers two channel card slots instead of the eight slots available in the full-scale FSP 3000 for Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, or any application between 100 Mbps and 10 Gbps. It could be used for point-to-point or feeder connections between customer premise sites and metro rings. The Slimline supports distances up to 80 km without regeneration, and integrated Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFAs) and regenerators enable transport up to 500 km. ADVA said the smaller platform would help address carrier CAPEX cutbacks.
http://www.advaoptical.com
http://www.advaoptical.com
LambdaNet Deploys ADVA DWDM in German Metro Networks
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
LambdaNet Communications has deployed ADVA's Fiber Service Platform (FSP) products in metro core network infrastructure in five German cities. LambdaNet's pan-European network spans 22,000 km across eleven countries. The deployment includes ADVA FSP 2000 and 3000 equipment, which was marketed and sold to LambdaNet under the Siemens WaveLine label by Siemens IC Networks. During the latter half of 2002, LambdaNet installed approximately 40 STM-4 and STM-16 links in point-to-point and linear add/drop configurations in five German cities. The metro DWDM networks are being used for wholesale carrier and enterprise services. Additional deployments are targeted for other European cities over the next several years. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.lambdanet.nethttp://www.advaoptical.com
http://www.lambdanet.nethttp://www.advaoptical.com
Bell Labs Highlights Quantum Cascade Laser and 100 GHZ+ Optoelectronics
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
In an announcement that coincides with the annual conference of the American Physical Society, Bell Labs highlighted some of its recent research into new semiconductor lasers, novel semiconductor materials, and other areas that could potentially help improve communications networks in the future. These areas include:
- A quantum cascade (QC) laser that emits light continuously and reliably over a broad spectrum of infrared wavelengths. Bell Labs said QC lasers initially would be used as ultra-sensitive chemical detectors, but ultimately would be ideal for optical networking.
A polymer-based optoelectronic device that can operate at more than 100 GHz. Whereas today's state of the art devices operate at 40 GHz, Bell Labs has found that certain polymers have all the necessary properties to function in photonic devices at signal frequencies up to several hundred GHz. To demonstrate the speed advantages of polymers, the Bell Labs team built a polymer-based, high-bandwidth optical amplitude modulator that operates at 130 to 150 GHz.
China Mobile Awards US$36 Million Upgrade Contract to Nortel Networks
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
China Mobile awarded a contract valued at US$36 million to Nortel Networks to upgrade its GSM network in Hebei province. The upgrade -- to be based on Nortel Networks Univity GSM access and core network solutions -- will position China Mobile to increase network capacity in Hebei by 1.8 million subscribers. In addition, the contract provides for introduction and implementation of both GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution). Network expansion is planned for completion by mid-2003.
http://www.nortelnetworks.com
http://www.nortelnetworks.com
CODEON and Quantum Photonics Merge, Raise $17 Million in New Funding
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
CODEON and Quantum Photonics, both start-ups developing optical components, agreed to merge into a new company called Covega Corporation. The company will leverage Indium Phosphide, Lithium Niobate, and hermetic packaging technologies for a series of 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps modulators and transmitter modules, semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) and source laser products. As part of the merger, Covega Corporation raised $17 million as part of its Series A round of financing. Investors include New Enterprise Associates, OCG Ventures, Boulder Ventures, Core Capital Partners, EDB Ventures, Intersouth Partners, Kinetic Ventures and Siemens Venture Capital. Robert Harvey, formerly the CEO of CODEON, has been named CEO of the new company. Dan Petrescu, the CEO of Quantum Photonics, will serve as President of the company. Covega's headquarters will be located in Jessup, Maryland.
http://www.codeoncorp.com
http://www.quantumphotonics.com
http://www.codeoncorp.com
http://www.quantumphotonics.com
OMM Discontinues Operations, Low Demand for MEMS Optical Switches
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
OMM, originally known as Optical Micro-Machines, will cease operations due to low demand for its MEMS-based optical matrix switches. OMM was founded in 1997 with the vision of providing all optical switching by means of an array of micro-machined mirrors, fabricated on silicon chips. The company developed MEMS design and engineering to offer a range of functionality from 4x4 to 32x32 optical cross-connect ports as well as optical add-drop solutions. OMM said it has shipped its optical switch modules to more than 60 telecommunications equipment manufacturers and achieved numerous customer design wins. However, with the severe downturn in the worldwide telecom industry, OMM said the market timing for volume deployment of its products was severely impacted. The company was unable to secure additional funding and will therefore release all of its 85 employees and assign its assets to the benefit of its creditors. OMM was based in San Diego.
http://www.omminc.com
http://www.omminc.com
California Commission Criticizes Deteriorating SBC and Verizon Service Records
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) released a preliminary finding critical of the customer service records of SBC and Verizon. SBC serves approximately 70% of wireline telephone customers in California. Verizon operates local networks in the former GTE territories, including the Los Angeles region. The finding was based on several types of data, including PUC and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated reports, informal and formal complaints, and customer surveys to determine how the performance of SBC and Verizon has fared in the 12 years since the PUC instituted a "New Regulatory Framework" that aimed at promoting lower costs, innovation and price stability by reducing government regulation. The PUC expressed concern that customers and service quality would be hurt if the carriers cut costs too deeply. The PUC must now consider what regulatory actions it should take to address the service quality problems identified.
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov
STMicroelectronics Debuts DMT-VDSL Chipset Topping 100 Mbps Aggregate Rate
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
STMicroelectronics introduced a DMT-VDSL chipset that delivers an aggregate data rate in excess of 100 Mbps over short copper loops. ST's new ZipperWire chipset, which is designed for both central-office and customer-premises-equipment, integrates a complete Frequency Division Duplex DMT VDSL modem from the line to the ATM interface in just two chips. ZipperWire can be programmed for granular, symmetric and asymmetric data rates from 64kbps to 100Mbps in both directions with a reach of up to 4,500 feet. It supports all of the international VDSL-DMT standards (ITU-T, T1e1.4, ETSI) and is compliant with the 997, 998 and Flex frequency plans. STMicroelectronics also noted that its chipset provides spectral compatibility with ADSL, SDSL, ISDN and strong immunity to both bridged taps and radio frequency interference.
http://www.st.com
http://www.st.com
Metro Ethernet Forum Notes Standards Progress, New Members
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) reported progress in its efforts to define standards for "Ethernet LAN Services" and "Ethernet Line Services," the official names for the two service definitions nearing completion in the technical committee. During its quarterly meeting, six straw ballots for technical documents were completed, including: Service Model, Services Definitions, UNI Requirements, Element Management Requirements, Protection Requirements, and Protection Implementation Agreement. Three new drafts were also approved: Service Model, UNI Framework, and Ethernet Multiplexing Function.
The MEF also announced the addition of Verizon Communications and Rockefeller Group Telecommunications Services to its membership roll. There are now 62 companies participating in the Metro Ethernet Forum.
http://www.MetroEthernetForum.org
The MEF also announced the addition of Verizon Communications and Rockefeller Group Telecommunications Services to its membership roll. There are now 62 companies participating in the Metro Ethernet Forum.
http://www.MetroEthernetForum.org
