Cisco Unveils its Triple play strategy for Cable Operators

Cisco Systems outlined a triple play strategy providing cable operators with a new end-to-end VoIP telephony solution, a PacketCable and DOCSIS compliant solution bundle, and a set of support services designed to accelerate the deployment, launch and scale of residential VoIP services. Additionally, Cisco introduced a CableLabs PacketCable qualified BTS 10200 Softswitch, which provides call control for local voice services. Cisco's product portfolio for MSOs also includes high-end routing, metro routing, switching, optical transport (including SONET/SDH and DPT/802.17 transport), CMTS and provisioning platforms. Cisco said that by offering a common architectural framework across all these platforms it is in an excellent position to enable MSOs to deliver triple-play services.
http://www.cisco.com

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Cisco Enhances its CMTS Routers

Cisco Systems announced several enhancements for its Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) routers, including a Broadband Processing Engine (BPE) that delivers Radio Frequency (RF) management, as well as innovative, integrated tools for sophisticated content, traffic and network management. The new 2x8 Universal Broadband Processing Engine, which can be added to existing Cisco CMTS chassis, is used for distributing and accelerating DOCSIS processing, resulting in performance improvement for advanced services such as VoIP. New IOS-based management tools provide MSOs with the ability to dynamically assign modems to available channel capacity. Subscriber Traffic Management enables monitoring, analysis and traffic control on a per-subscriber basis. These new features complement functions such as Network Based Application Recognition (NBAR) and Netflow, which provide network-based application classification and destination based billing, respectively.
http://www.cisco.com

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Fujitsu Aims FLASHWAVE 4500 at MSOs

Fujitsu announced a Digital Video Broadcast - Asynchronous Serial Interface (DVB-ASI) for its FLASHWAVE 4500 multiservice transport platform. DVB-ASI is the most common industry interface for interconnecting equipment located at a cable network headend or primary hub. DVB-ASI ports on the FLASHWAVE 4500 platform eliminates the space and cost of expensive converter boxes. Each DVB-ASI card supports eight physical DVB-ASI coax inputs, allowing a single DVB-ASI card to transport over 500 channels of digital video. Fujitsu's FLASHWAVE 4500 multiservice transport platform is widely deployed across North America.
http://www.fnc.fujitsu.com

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Fujitsu Positions FLASHWAVE 7500 for Telecom and Cable Networks

Fujitsu Network Communications announced the commercial release of its all-optical FLASHWAVE 7500 metro DWDM system designed for both telecom carriers and MSOs. The FLASHWAVE 7500 features multi-rate line cards with tunable narrowband optics. Integrated muxponders provide multiplexing of sub-rate signals such as OC-48 (4:1) or Gigabit Ethernet (8:1) into digitally wrapped 10 Gbps wavelengths. Direct wavelength interconnection with DWDM transmitters on the FLASHWAVE 4500 platform allows direct access to the switching core to open up a wide variety of new service interfaces from DS1 to DVB-ASI and eliminate the need for transponders. The FLASHWAVE 7500 platform supports networks with up to 10 nodes across 400 km and 40 C-band wavelengths. Any channel can be added/dropped at any node without stranding bandwidth. The FLASHWAVE 7500 platform is supported by the same Fujitsu NETSMART 1500 graphical Element Management System (EMS) that manages all Fujitsu access, metro and long haul products.
http://www.fnc.fujitsu.com

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Viatel Appoints New CEO

Viatel named Lucy Woods as its new CEO. Woods most recently served as Senior Vice President for WorldCom Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to that, she was a senior executive at British Telecom, where she held the posts of CEO of British Telecom Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Mrs. Woods was a member of the Patten Commission for Policing in Northern Ireland.
http://www.viatel.com

• Viatel operates a multiduct, 7,000 km fiber network linking major European cities. Viatel emerged from bankruptcy protection in June 2002.
• 
  
  In April 2003, Viatel announced the resignation of its Chairman and CEO, Michael J. Mahoney, after five years at the helm of the company. No reasons were given.
• 
  
  In March 2003, Viatel acquired Netcom Internet Limited, an ISP focused on business customers in the UK, and Cybernet (Schweiz) AG, a Swiss ISP.

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Extreme Networks Integrates VPLS/H-VPLS Capabilities

Extreme Networks has integrated Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS) and Hierarchical-Virtual Private LAN Services (H-VPLS) with its MPLS-enabled BlackDiamond and Alpine modular switches. The MPLS and H-VPLS capabilities enable network operators to tunnel traditional Layer 2 circuits through redundant paths. Extreme Networks said this functionality provides a simple alternative to routed VPN services that require complex "IP-only" routing devices. Extreme's H-VPLS implementation supports an assortment of non-IP traffic types including Frame Relay, ATM, IPX and AppleTalk.


In addition, Extreme Networks is introducing its second generation of Ethernet Automatic Protection Switching (EAPS) technology. EAPS version 2 provides SONET-like resiliency with sub-50 millisecond failover on Ethernet-based ring networks. Extreme Networks claims that metro services failover instantly should fiber be cut when EAPSv2 is combined with MPLS and H-VPLS. Additionally, EAPSv2 provides the ability for multiple nodes to interconnect separate fiber rings.
http://www.extremenetworks.com

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Occam Introduces Gigabit Ethernet and IP-based Loop Carrier System

Occam Networks announced its new BLC 6000 Broadband Loop Carrier System for delivery of voice, data and video services using Gigabit Ethernet transport. Occam's BLC 6000 is a modular loop carrier system designed to eliminate the need for additional pieces of access equipment such as a DSLAM, Ethernet switch, Optical Add Drop multiplexor and VoIP gateway. The platform supports TDM services, such as lifeline POTS and T1s, as well as an IP Service Delivery model for the delivery of video and softswitch-controlled voice services. IP support includes Internet Group Multicast Protocol (IGMP) and Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP). The BLC 6000 System can scale from 24 to thousands of subscribers, sharing blades across a variety of chassis sizes. It also supports both copper and fiber services to the subscriber, enabling carriers to build fiber-to-the-curb networks immediately and later upgrade to fiber-to-the-home without switching loop carriers. Occam Networks also features unique Ethernet Protection Switching (EPS) and Service Quality Management (SQM) technologies, which the company says ensures carrier-quality IP voice over Ethernet with the reliability of SONET and voice quality as good or better than TDM.
http://www.occamnetworks.com

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Verizon Comments on Flat Rate Pricing Trend

Verizon began offering unlimited, direct-dialed local, regional and domestic long-distance service to small businesses in New York and Massachusetts for $38 per month, plus local line charges. The new plan also qualifies customers for significant discounts on toll-free, DSL and Verizon Wireless services. Verizon said the move to flat-rate pricing is not a temporary promotion but a "a fundamental change in the way we do business."http://www.verizon.com

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Conexant Launches its First Wi-Fi Chipsets

Conexant launched its first 802.11b-compliant baseband processor with an integrated medium access controller (MAC). The company is planning a line of Wi-Fi silicon solutions. The first device features a flexible radio interface with automatic gain control (AGC) that supports multiple 2.4 GHz radios. Antenna diversity, which allows for multiple antennas in a system, is supported by continually monitoring and selecting the antenna with the strongest signal. The device is in production now and is priced at $8 in quantities of 10,000.
http://www.conexant.com

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Mexico's MetroNet Deploys Riverstone MPLS

MetroNet, a wholesale carrier in Mexico, is deploying Riverstone's MPLS-enable routers to offer multipoint VPNs for its carrier customers. Specifically, MetroNet is building two MPLS-enabled metropolitan networks in Mexico City and Monterrey with Riverstone's RS family of routers. Financial terms were not disclosed. Riverstone also announced that Optynex, Panama's first integrated telecommunications provider, recently deployed its MPLS technology to deliver Ethernet services.
http://www.riverstonenet.com
http://www.metronet.com.mx

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Motorola and Cedar Point Work on Joint Packet Voice Solution

Motorola Broadband Communications Sector and Cedar Point Communications are working on an end-to-end packet voice solution that draws upon the combined experience of the two companies -- Motorola's advanced IP access network solutions and Cedar Point's integrated Class 5 packet switch. The companies said that they are committed to a completely interoperable cable telephony solution designed for rapid deployment in HFC-networks targeting PacketCable compliance.
http://www.motorola.com
http://www.cedarpointcom.com

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ARRIS to Resell Com21's CMTS

ARRIS will re-brand and re-sell Com21's DOXcontroller 1000XB cable modem termination system (CMTS) worldwide. The DOXcontroller 1000XB adds a small scale DOCSIS 2.0-based and Layer 3 capable CMTS to the ARRIS portfolio of next generation high speed data products.
http://www.com21.com
http://www.arris.com

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Laurel Offers Broadband Remote Access Server Software

Laurel Networks introduced a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) software module for its ST200 Service Edge Router. Laurel features a Service Separation and Blending (SSB) capability that enables its ST200 to provide per-service queuing and shaping needed to guarantee delivery of delay-sensitive multimedia applications and high-speed Internet services on a single connection. Unlike traditional BRAS platforms, ST200 provides the routing/switching intelligence needed to separate packet streams across multiple content networks. The SSB uses QoS to blend packets from multiple services downstream over a single broadband customer connection. Switching and routing separate upstream traffic to different content or service providers. Laurel said its BRAS solution supports over 100,000 broadband sessions with classification, filtering, IP VPNs, multicast and QoS features enabled. Trials are underway with multiple broadband service providers.
http://www.laurelnetworks.com

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Comcast, Samsung and Ucentric to Conduct Multi-TV DVR Trial

Comcast will begin testing Multi-TV DVR (Digital Video Recording) using Samsung's digital set top boxes and Ucentric's home media networking software. TV viewers will be able to select and control individual video recordings from a single in-home recording library shared among multiple television sets. Viewers would also be able to pause a program in one room and pick it up at exactly the same scene on a TV in another room. Cable operators such as Comcast would also have the ability to offer additional feature-rich services to the TVs, including a music jukebox, photo album, and other potential revenue generating services.
http://www.samsungstb.com
http://www.comcast.com

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Cogent Lights its 700th Building

Cogent Communications activated optical Ethernet connectivity to its 700th building, of which 130 are located in Manhattan. Most of the buildings are occupied by multiple corporate clients. Cogent claims nearly 6,000 customers, including 30% of the top 50 law firms. Cogent offers 100 Mbps for $1,000 per month to commercial end-users. http://www.cogentco.com

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Appian Unveils EFM Termination Unit, Partnership with ADC

Appian Communications introduced a new Services Termination Unit (STU) that serves as a managed customer/carrier demarcation device for offering Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and native TDM services to small and medium-sized companies. Appian also disclosed a multiyear, non-exclusive partnership under which ADC will resell Appian's full metro access product line to cable network operators worldwide, representing a new market segment for the company. Appian's metro access solution will be matched with ADC's Cuda 12000 IP Access Switch, Cuda 1000 CMTS and FastFlow Broadband Provisioning Manager to enable cable operators to deliver voice and Ethernet services to business customers.


The new STU is a fully-managed, Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) product aimed at TDM to Ethernet migration. Circuit emulation is provided for TDM services. Optional, redundant Gigabit Ethernet uplinks with full support for IEEE 802.3ah Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) OAM&P provide resiliency and availability. CWDM options are available, which would enable carriers to deploy multiple STUs served by different wavelengths along a common fiber route. The company said its new STU could bring the cost of extending Ethernet services to a multi-customer location to under $5,000. Appian is also introducing new software and hardware for supporting the aggregation and grooming of STU-delivered services onto a provider's existing SONET/SDH and/or IP services backbone using its flagship, RPR-enabled Optical Service Activation Platform (OSAP).http:/www.appiancom.com

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OpVista Debuts WaveGrabber Optical System for MSOs

OpVista, a start-up based in Irvine, California, unveiled a new optical transport system designed to provide cable operators with greater wavelength management capabilities. Whereas conventional optical transport architectures use fixed lasers, optical switches and ADMs to transmit multiple wavelengths over the cable network, OpVista's WaveGrabber technology broadcasts all wavelengths throughout the network to all available hubs. At each hub, a tunable receiver is remotely and instantaneously tuned to the desired wavelength. As little as a single Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) can be dropped and optical power balancing is automatic. OpVista also features a proprietary WaveMultiplier technology that carries four wavelengths per single 50 GHz ITU window, multiplying capacity eight times over conventional systems. The company said its Ultra-DWDM signal can travel 1000 km without regeneration or dispersion compensation and a single fiber can now carry up to 640 Gigabit Ethernet streams. Trials are underway.
http://www.opvista.com

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Scientific Atlanta's RF-based BroadLAN Delivers 40 Mbps Bi-directionally

Scientific-Atlanta introduced a new family of RF- based BroadLAN products that enable cable operators to dedicate a particular broadband frequency for each business customer, ensuring the greater availability for business and voice services over existing HFC (hybrid fiber-coax) networks without plant upgrades. Scientific-Atlanta's BroadLAN technology is based on frequency division multiplexing (FDM) and is capable of delivering 40 Mbps service in both the upstream and downstream directions. It uses timing techniques to ensure that TDM services remain synchronized with existing phone networks. The company also said its BroadLAN technology's use of dedicated narrowband carriers in the reverse path provides the ability to turn off known jammers as well as the ability to adjust the amplitude and modulation of each individual carrier. This enables cable operators to use portions of the broadband spectrum often unusable by other technologies. The BroadLAN product line will consist of a Cable Hub Termination device that provides the connectivity between the metro backbone and the HFC system. A BroadLAN Customer Modem will reside in the telecommunications cabinet at the customer site. Carrier trials are planned for this summer and commercial launch is expected later this year.
http://www.scientificatlanta.com

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ITXC Exceeds 15 Million VoIP Minutes on Mother's Day

ITXC carried an all-time record high of 15.8 million VoIP minutes on Mother's Day, 11-May-2003. This represented a 39% increase over last year's Mother's Day traffic. ITXC's previous daily record was set on Christmas Day 2002, when it carried 14.8 million minutes.
http://www.itxc.com

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CoSine Releases IP Service Aggregator for Wireless, DSL

CoSine Communications introduced a new version of its IP Service Generator tailored for wireless VPN (Wi-Fi and 3G) and DSL network aggregation services. The IPSG+ is a dual-slot line card that operates within CoSine's IPSX 3500 and 9500 IP Service Switch chassis. The new card uses programmable silicon and new software enhancements to optimize the Cosine platform for dynamic session-based services. For instance, CoSine's new wireless application combines trusted IPSec technology, Network Address Translation Traversal (NAT-T) and IPSec compression to provide secure access to the entire corporate network regardless of the access device (PDA, laptop, cell phone) or transmission technology (Wi-Fi/3G). For the DSL network aggregation application, CoSine's IPSG+ can aggregate hundreds of thousands of business and consumer DSL circuits for value-added services, replacing Broadband Remote Access Servers (BRAS).
http://www.cosinecom.com

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Charter Names VP of Technology

Charter Communications announced the appointment of David Feldman to Vice President of Technology. Feldman was formerly Vice President of Technology at Jones Intercable. Previously, he served in staff engineering roles with TRW Defense and Space Systems Group, American Television and Communications, and as architect and designer of a national two-way satellite data communications service network for Nova-Net Communications.
http://www.charter.com

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Cisco Unveils GigE Digital Video Network Solution for MSOs

Cisco Systems unveiled a Gigabit Ethernet-based Digital Video Network solution for Multiple System Operators (MSOs) providing video on-demand services. Cisco's VOD-Optimized Gigabit Ethernet solution is an asymmetric transport and switching system based on the company's Catalyst switches, new DWDM pluggable integrated optics (GBIC), new optical filtering capabilities and IOS' intelligent Network Control Plane software. The DWDM optics plug directly into the GBIC-based Gigabit Ethernet interfaces on Cisco Catalyst switches, eliminating the need for a separate optical transponder. Cisco is also releasing receive-only versions of these GBICs that will accept any incoming wavelength in the DWDM or CWDM bands. Cisco's intelligent control plane leverages Unidirectional Link Routing (UDLR) to allow bi-directional connectivity in the network, even if VOD transport networks are optimized to be highly asymmetric or even unidirectional. This allows cable operators to deploy sizeable, dedicated amounts of bandwidth downstream out to the hubs without the need to provision the same amount of bandwidth in the upstream direction. Cisco said Gigabit Ethernet is inherently lower cost and higher bandwidth than existing, hardwired DVB-ASI infrastructures, which provide 240 Mbps capacity per interface.
http://www.cisco.com

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Aperto Gets Broadband Wireless Clearance in Russia

The Russian Ministry of Communications has approved Aperto Networks' PacketWave broadband wireless systems in the 3.5 GHz, 5.3 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency bands. The majority of existing broadband wireless deployments in Russia are based on the 3.5 GHz band. The 5.3 GHz band is currently being awarded to Russian carriers.
http://www.apertonet.com

• Aperto Networks offers point-to-multipoint PacketWave base stations, subscriber units, and associated radios and antennas in 2.5, 3.5, 5.3 and 5.8 GHz frequency bands. Aperto's base station leverages advanced TDMA and bi-directional burst mode transmission to operate with adaptive TDD or FDD radios.




• Aperto Networks is a start-up based in Milpitas, California. The company has raised $57 million in funding.

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Equant Launches Global IP Video Conferencing Service

Equant introduced a new IP video conferencing service aimed at multinational businesses. The service is provisioned over Equant's global MPLS backbone and promises business-class, TV-quality video at rates up to 2 Mbps. Equant is offering fixed monthly charges, rather than usage-based billing, which the company estimates would allow customers to begin realizing savings over their ISDN solutions with as little as 8 hours per month of conferencing. The Equant IP Video Solution uses equipment supplied by Cisco Systems, Genesys Conferencing and Polycom.
http://www.equant.com

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