Verizon Cuts DSL Prices to $35 per Month

Verizon Communications began offering residential DSL service with MSN 8 for $34.95 per month, down from $45 previously. Verizon is also offering a DSL promotion featuring the first month free and a webcam for free.
http://www.verizon.com

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Global IP Sound Releases Echo Suppression for VoIP PDAs

Global IP Sound released acoustic echo suppression software optimized for packet telephony applications on PDAs and other small devices operating across WLANs. The software enhances the overall sound quality of real-time VoIP calls with speaker and microphone equipped PDAs. It is also suitable for other VoIP applications that require a low-complexity echo solution, such as 802.11-based cordless phones and softphones running on laptops. The software complies with ITU Requirement G.167 and can handle both 8 kHz and 16 kHz sampled signals.
http://www.globalipsound.com

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Vendors Outline Enterprise Data Center Blueprint based on Microsoft

An alliance of major IT vendors outlined their joint blueprint for enterprise data centers based upon the Microsoft Systems Architecture (MSA). The blueprint is basically a pre-tested solution of equipment incorporating core Windows Server System components, Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server. Alliance participants include EMC Corporation, Brocade, CommVault Systems, Dell, Emulex Corporation, NetIQ, KVS and Nortel Networks.
http://www.emc.com/msa

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Airspan Selected for Wireless DSL Network in Chile

Telefonica del Sur (TELSUR), Chile's established carrier in the country's southern region, is deploying Airspan Networks' wireless DSL access system in the 3.5GHz frequency band in 11 sites. TELSUR is using the network to offer both voice and data services. Installation is provided by a Mitsubishi-Teknos consortium. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.airspan.com

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Infineon Adds Resilient Packet Ring Chips

Infineon Technologies introduced a family of PoS Framer/RPR MAC chips that are compliant with Draft 2.1 of the proposed IEEE 802.17 Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) standard. Infineon's Frea chips perform the PoS (Packet-over-SONET) framer, RPR MAC (Media Access Control) and XAUI SerDes (serializer/deserializer) functions that are necessary to deploy RPR in metro networks and WANs. The chips eliminate the need for external memory by including 1 Megabyte of memory on-chip for RPR operation and also a 16-bit 800 MHz SPI-4.2 system interface and a 4-bit 3.125 GHz mate (XAUI) interface, eliminating the need for an external SerDes to link the two chips required for a full RPR implementation. Infineon said its solution supports both the IEEE 802.17 RPR standard (Draft 2.1) and the RFC 2892 Spatial Reuse Protocol (SRP) protocol. It can also operate in a PoS framer-only mode.
http://www.infineon.com/frea

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3Com Executives Move to Massachusetts

The senior 3Com executive team will relocate from locations in California and Illinois to 3Com's Marlborough, Massachusetts facility, which is currently the principal location for 3Com's enterprise networking business. The company plans to retain its presence in Santa Clara, California. Executives being relocated include Bruce Claflin, president and CEO, Mark Slaven, EVP and CFO, Dennis Connors, EVP Operations. Gwen McDonald, SVP Corporate Services, Mark Michael, SVP Legal, General Counsel and Secretary, and Jeanne Cox, VP, Corporate Branding and Communications will not transition to the Marlborough campus. 3Com has begun executive searches for these key positions.
http://www.3com.com

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Infineon Weaves Network into Textiles

Researchers from Infineon Technologies have developed a way to weave a self-organizing network of chips into large textile surfaces such as carpeting or tent cloth fabrics. Microelectronics modules are embedded in the textile structure in the form of a checkerboard. Each chip is connected to its four adjacent "neighbors" by electrically conductive threads, which creates a network that enables the flow of information. In addition to the sensor functionality, the fabric can be equipped with tiny light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide directional guidance or serve as advertising material. Infineon envisions that such network fabric could be used as a motion sensor or fire alarm, or to control burglar alarm and air-conditioning systems.
http://www.infineon.com

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Broadcom Switches to DMT Coding for its VDSL Chips

Broadcom is developing combination ADSL/VDSL chips using the Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) line code. Broadcom had previously been developing VDSL solutions based on QAM technology. The company said that for VDSL to evolve as a mainstream broadband technology, "it is imperative that the modulation debate end, and the industry move forward with an agreed upon standard." The company plans to introduce standards-compliant multi-port central office (CO) and customer premise DMT ADSL/VDSL chipsets. Broadcom will support interoperability with devices from a number of other DMT VDSL chipset and plans to facilitate current QAM-based systems based on its chips to DMT.
http://www.broadcom.com

• Companies offering QAM-based VDSL chipsets include Infineon Technologies and Metalink.

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Crossbeam Systems Secures $18 Million for Security Solutions

Crossbeam Systems, a start-up based in Concord, Massachusetts, secured $18 million in new funding for its network security solutions. Crossbeam offers a high performance security platform for delivering intrusion detection, firewalls and VPN services. The company said it made noteworthy advances in increasing its customer base in Q1, including ALLTEL, DCS (a Sabre company), Fujitsu Services, Britannic Money, and Winsonic Holdings. The new funding was led by Matrix Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners and Commonwealth Capital Venture Partners, and included Intel Capital and Charles River Ventures. Crossbeam has raised $52 million to date.
http://www.crossbeamsystems.com

• The Crossbeam platform integrates deep packet processing capabilities with subscriber, network, and policy application awareness running on a Linux operating system to create an open, content service overlay network. The vision is to migrate enterprise and workgroup scale applications, such as firewalls and user-specific security and VPNs, to carrier-class services. Check Point's Firewall-1/VPN-1 software will be the first application to run on the Crossbeam platform. Other applications, such as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDOS), Intrusion Detection and content delivery, could also be delivered. Instead of using ASICs, the Crossbeam x40 platform leverages deep packet network processors from Vitesse Semiconductor and general purpose CPUs.

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SkyStream Raises $25 Million for its Video Networking

SkyStream Networks, a start-up based in Sunnyvale, California, secured $25 million in new funding for its video networking solutions. SkyStream's solutions enable service provider, enterprise and federal customers to deliver enhanced video and IP services over wired and wireless networks. Its customers and partners include BT, Clear Channel Worldwide, Convergent Media, EchoStar Communications Corp., Gilat, Hewlett-Packard, New Skies Satellites, Sony, Telefonica and Telespazio. The new funding round was led by 3i US; other investors included IVP, Mayfield and Norwest Venture Partners.
http://www.skystream.com

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Cox Reports Growth in Advance Cable Services

Cox Communications, the fourth largest cable operator in the US, reported Q1 revenue growth of 16%, operating income growth of 44% and operating cash flow growth of 22%. Revenue was $1.366 billion for the quarter. The company said service bundling was a key to improved performance thanks to a common network infrastructure and back-end billing systems. It also cited higher basic cable rates and a $5 price increase on high-speed Internet access adopted in certain markets. Highlights of the quarter include:

• Cox ended the quarter with 6.3 million basic video customers, up 0.6% from Q1 2002. The company has had net gains in basic subscribers in each of the past 3 quarters. Cox said there was no additional penetration of its market by satellite competitors despite their intense marketing campaigns.
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  Ended the quarter with 10.5 million total revenue generating units (RGUs), up 3% for the quarter, driven by an 8% growth in advanced-service RGUs for the quarter. Total RGUs and advanced-service RGUs were up 13% and 38%, respectively, compared to Q 2002.
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  Added 154,433 high-speed Internet customers, ending the quarter with 1.6 million high-speed Internet customers, representing year-over-year growth of 56%. Penetration in California is now 24%, despite heavy marketing of SBC's DSL service in the market. The company believes it is capturing 7 out of every 10 high speed Internet customers in the markets it serves. Cable modem service is available in 96% of the Cox footprint.
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  Added 64,126 Cox Digital Telephone customers, ending the quarter with 782,546 telephone customers, representing year-over-year growth of 52%. About 77% of its local phone subscribers also subscribe to Cox long distance service. The Cox network is currently handling 25 million local and long distance phone calls per day. Cox said it will continue to push its circuit-switched technology in the markets it serves, while continuing to evaluate VoIP for its expansion markets.
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  Achieved Cox Digital Cable net additions of 76,808 customers, ending the quarter with 1.9 million digital cable customers. Cox Digital Cable is now available in 97% of the homes in Cox's service areas with penetration of our basic customer base nearing 30%.
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  More than 40% of customers can now subscribe to HDTV services, providing a competitive differentiator to DBS providers.
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  Generated $355.9 million in cash flow from operating activities and $30.2 million in free cash flow (cash flows from operating activities less capital expenditures).
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  Reduced capital expenditures to $325.7 million for the quarter, down 37% from the first quarter of 2002.
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  Cox expects to add 1.0 million to 1.1 million advanced-service RGUs in 2003 driven by bundled offerings. Cox expects to achieve its previously stated 2003 financial guidance of revenue growth of 14% to 15%. CAPEX for 2003 is expected to be approximately $1.6 billion. In addition, Cox expects to be free cash flow positive for the full year 2003.

http://www.cox.com

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HomePlug Powerline Alliance Sets Sights on HDTV over Home Wiring

The HomePlug Powerline Alliance released a request for proposal (RFP) for the HomePlug AV specification, which is designed to support distribution of data and multi-stream entertainment throughout the home, including both standard TV and HDTV. When finalized, the HomePlug AV specification will be used to design integrated circuits for networking systems linking devices throughout the home. Completion of the HomePlug AV specification is expected in 12 to 17 months.
http://www.homeplug.org

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Telecom Italia Reaches 584,000 ADSL Subscribers

Telecom Italia reported Q1 revenue of EUR 345 million, up 3.6% compared to Q1 2002. Gross operating profit reached EUR 47.2 million compared to EUR 27.1 million in Q1 2002. There was an operating loss of 35.3 million for the quarter. Internet-related revenue rose 20% in comparable terms compared to a year earlier to EUR 56.8 million. At the end of March 2003, Telecom Italia has 2,380,000 active Internet users (1,930,000 in Q1 2002), of which 584,000 were subscribers to ADSL. Revenues of Telecom Italia's portal business area exceeded EUR 6 million, an increase of 40% compared to Q1 2002.
http://www.telecomitalia.it

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Skybox Security Raises $6 Million

Skybox Security, a start-up based in Menlo Park, California with R&D in Israel, secured $6 million in second round equity for its corporate IT security risk assessment software. The new financing was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation by current investors Benchmark Capital, Carmel Ventures, and Mofet Technology Fund.
http://www.skyboxsecurity.com

• Skybox Security was founded by security experts Gidi Cohen -- former CEO & co-founder of Vigil Technologies, Moshe Meiseles -- former Senior VP Development of Memco (acquired by Computer Associates), and Eran Reshef -- founder of Sanctum.

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Paris to Add Wi-Fi to Metro Stations

A project is underway to install Wi-Fi antennas at each of Paris's 372 Metro stations and to link them through an existing fiber optics network in the subway tunnels. The first dozen stations are online. The project is being developed by RATP, the agency that operates the Paris Metro, Cap Gemini Ernst Young, and Cisco Systems.
http://www.iht.com/cgi-bin/generic.cgi?template=articleprint.tmplh&ArticleId=95233

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Proxim Appoints Nortel Networks' Exec as its New CEO

Proxim appointed Frank Plastina as its new president and CEO, replacing Jonathan Zakin, who will remain as Chairman of the company's board. Plastina most recently served as president of Nortel Networks' Metro and Enterprise Networks division. Prior to that, he was president of Nortel's Wireless and Core Networks division.
http://www.proxim.com

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Lucent and Juniper Form Strategic Partnership

Lucent Technologies and Juniper Networks unveiled a strategic partnership focused on delivering joint core, data, broadband and metro optical network solutions to service providers. Under the non-exclusive alliance, Lucent becomes a worldwide reseller of the entire Juniper product line (with the exception of the J20 product developed in conjunction with Ericsson). The partners said the deal was not simply a reseller agreement, as both companies are committed to joint development efforts to integrate their products for maximum value. The companies have entered into a cross licensing agreement for certain intellectual property.


The joint Lucent/Juniper solutions will encompass VPN services over a common IP/MPLS core network (available now), an MPLS Core for evolving ATM and Frame Relay networks (available Q1 2004), IP Centrex (available now), Enhanced DSL (available now), and Ethernet Optical Edge (under joint development). The joint solutions would be managed under the Lucent NAVIS umbrella. Lucent Worldwide Services (LWS) will provide network design, deployment and maintenance services. The companies said the joint solutions were especially targeted at Lucent's major carrier customers.


Scott Kriens, Juniper's CEO, said much had changed over the past year, with the industry moving to a period of much greater clarity and certainty in terms of technology and suppliers. With regards to the its other industry alliances, Kriens said that "partnering is in Juniper's DNA" and that each relationship would be differentiated from others.


Paul Lacouture, president of Network Services for Verizon Communications, was quoted as saying the partnership "makes sense to us and gives us a path to leverage our embedded base of data networks."http://www.lucent.com
http://www.juniper.net

• Juniper Networks has previously entered into sales and distribution deals with Ericsson, Siemens and Nortel Networks.
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  In January 2003, Lucent Technologies announced plans to integrate and resell selected data networking products from Cisco Systems to its mobile service provider customers. The multi-year, non-exclusive agreement covers the following Cisco packet data and media gateway products: the Cisco Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN), which enables CDMA2000 operators to provide mobile data access to the Internet, as well as corporate intranets and extranets; the Cisco Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), which enables GSM and UMTS operators to optimize their networks to deploy high-quality mobile data services; and the Cisco MGX 8000 Media Gateway and ATM multiservice portfolio, which enables efficient aggregation of radio access networks and transports voice-over-IP (VoIP) and voice-over-ATM (VoATM) in 2G, 2.5G and future 3G networks.

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MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance Advances Technical Specs

In its first quarterly meeting, the newly merged MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance approved new technical work items addressing SONET over MPLS and HDLC over MPLS and formulated several technical contributions to ITU-T Study Group 17 related to Frame Relay over MPLS.

• SONET over MPLS will provide SONET circuit connection over MPLS packet networks, allowing providers to converge on one network infrastructure for multiple services.



• HDLC over MPLS will provide HDLC service over MPLS packet networks allowing the transport of HDLC framed data over MPLS.



• Both items build upon the technology developed in the IETF PWE3 working group. In addition to its current work items, the Alliance voted to send a liaison to the Metro Ethernet Forum to update that organization on the Alliance's work addressing Frame Relay/ATM/Ethernet Service Interworking and any-to-any type services over MPLS.

http://www.mplsforum.org/

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