NTT, NEC, Furukawa and Mitsubishi Test GMPLS

NTT, NEC, Furukawa Electric, and Mitsubishi Electric have successfully tested interworking between an MPLS network and a GMPLS photonic network. The trial verified cooperation between GMPLS routing and signaling technologies and demonstrated that a GMPLS communication path could be set up based on routing information from the MPLS network The work was conducted by the jointly operated Photonic Internet Lab. The GMPLS domain consists of a photonic MPLS router (IP/wavelength) from NTT, a digital cross connect (TDM/wavelength) from NEC, a GMPLS supported...

Read More

Government Report Finds Cable Rates Still Rising, Competition is a Mitigating Factor

Cable TV rates across the U.S. are rising faster than the general rate of inflation, although rates are lower in areas where there exists wireline cable competition, according to a newly issued, 94-page report from the federal government's General Accounting Office (GAO). Major findings of the report include the following:during the past 5 years, cable TV rates have increased approximately 40%, well in excess of the approximate 12% increase in the general rated of inflation over this period.the primary reason for cable rate increases are that...

Read More

Embratel No Longer Expects to Acquire AT&T Latin America

Although it actively bid to acquire AT&T Latin America in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy auction last week, Embratel no longer expects to acquire the company. Embratel said it actively participated in the auction up to the point where it thought the acquisition price was consistent and accretive to its business. Embratel's final bid will continue to be valid until a final outcome of the process is determined by the U.S. Bankruptcy court in Miami, Florida. Embratel also said it plans to continue to evaluate organic and M&A opportunities to enhance...

Read More

T-Mobile USA Focuses Construction Program on Pico-Basestations

T-Mobile USA will shift its network construction focus from building out new markets to enhancing its quality in areas of existing coverage. The plan includes the deployment of "pico-basestations" to improve coverage inside buildings. The new technology -- which T-Mobile USA describes as the world's smallest basestation, has been developed by ip.access based in Cambridge, England, a subsidiary of TTP Communications plc. It uses a building's existing Ethernet infrastructure to enable the small base stations to deliver service in a "pico-point"...

Read More

Cox Takes Stand Against the Cost of Sports Programming

Cox Communications launched a website discussing the rapid rise in the cost of cable sports channels . Cox contends that sports networks, like ESPN and Fox Sports are dramatically raising wholesale prices to Cox -- as much as 35%, which drives up the retail cable price it charges to consumers. Cox said that if the networks refuse to moderate their price increases, it would seek the right to place these channels on an optional service tier, so those consumers who don't want to pay for these expensive channels won't have to. http://www.makethemplayfair.com...

Read More

Yangtze Telecom Supplies SMS to China Unicom

Yangtze Telecom announced an agreement to provide its SMS (Short Messaging Service) services to China Unicom's 80 million mobile customers across China. Yangtze Telecom is currently completing systems testing with China Unicom. Commercial SMS services, initially on a trial basis, will be offered to China Unicom's customers commencing November 2003. http://www.yangtzetelecom....

Read More

Broadband Phone Companies Rebuff California State Regulators

Six broadband voice providers did not comply with an October 22 deadline to register as telecommunications providers with the California Public Utilities Commission, according to the San Jose Mercury News. The companies instead submitted letters stating why they oppose such classification. The state commission is not expected to take immediate actions against the firms. http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/business/7092369....

Read More

Extreme Networks Reports Return to Profitability

Extreme Networks reported $87.4 million in quarterly revenue compared to $87.3 million in the previous period. Operating income was $1.2 million and earnings per share was $0.02 compared to an operating loss of $14.0 million and a loss per share of $1.44 in the previous quarter.. http://www.extremenetworks....

Read More

Washington Post: Federal Ban Doesn't Hurt WorldCom Much

Despite being barred by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) from receiving new U.S. federal government contracts, U.S. agencies have granted MCI WorldCom more than $100 million in government work in the past three months, according to The Washington Post. On 31-Jul-03, the GSA, which serves as the central procurement agency for the federal government, stated that "MCI WorldCom lacks the necessary internal controls and business ethics" to be eligible to compete for new government contracts." Nevertheless, the new work was granted through...

Read More