Spirent Adds PPPoE Testing for its Avalanche

Spirent Communications announced new software for its Avalanche product line that enables equipment manufacturers and service providers to effectively test real application traffic running over Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE). The solution could be used to test Video on Demand (VoD), bandwidth on demand, premium services and differentiated service offerings from an end-user perspective. The PPPoE testing feature in the new Network Edition 6.1 software release offers high rates of PPP session setups, large user handling capabilities, configuration for multiple types of common authentication and the ability to simulate multiple classes of users and measure the quality their user experience as defined by application-specific metrics. The solution supports a wide range of applications over PPPoE, including web browsing, video streaming, file transfer and e-mail access.


Spirent's Avalanche platform can generate in excess of 50,000 HTTP requests per second, and supports HTTP/1.0, HTTP/1.1, HTTPS, RTSP/RTP (Apple QuickTime), RealSystem streaming, Microsoft Windows Media 8 and 9 Series, SMTP, POP3, DNS, Telnet and FTP. In addition, Avalanche can generate Distributed Denial of Service attack traffic inline with any mix of multi-protocol traffic.
http://www.spirentcom.com/avalanche

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Global Crossing Emerges From Chapter 11

Singapore Technologies Telemedia (ST Telemedia) consummated its acquisition of Global Crossing, enabling the a newly restructured Global Crossing to emerge from Chapter 11 proceedings. ST Telemedia invested $250 million in Global Crossing for a 61.5% equity share of the company. In addition to its $250 million equity investment, ST Telemedia has agreed to purchase $200 million in senior secured notes that originally were to be distributed to former creditors. Under the final, amended plan of reorganization, the $200 million cash injection by ST Telemedia was used by Global Crossing to pay its creditors.


As a result of the bankruptcy process, Global Crossing's long-term debt and convertible preferred stock was reduced from roughly $11 billion at the end of 2001, including approximately $1 billion of Asia Global Crossing debt, to $200 million of debt post-emergence.


Global Crossing said it is now positioned to become a market leader in global data and IP services. It has an annual revenue base of nearly $3 billion. The company's operating expenses from continuing operations have been reduced by approximately 63% from a peak annualized spend of approximately $2 billion at the beginning of 2001 to an estimated current annualized level of just over $700 million.
http://www.globalcrossing.com
http://www.sttelemedia.com

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BT Launches Consumer VoIP over Competing Cable Modems

BT launched a consumer VoIP service that runs over competing cable modem services. Customers are provided with a broadband VoIP adapter that enables them to access the BT network without having to reconnect their telephone line to BT through the circuit switched network. BT's "Broadband Voice" service is initially being marketed in areas where there is a heavy concentration of NTL and Telewest cable modem subscribers. The service costs £7.50 per month, allowing customers to make as many UK evening and weekend calls of up to an hour for no extra charge. Daytime calls will be charged at 3p per minute, with a 5p minimum charge.


"Broadband Voice takes the battle for customers right to the door of our rivals," said Pierre Danon, chief executive of BT Retail.
http://www.btbroadbandvoice.com

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Global Telecom Regulators Set Course for Universal Access

Telecom regulators from more than 80 countries met in Geneva as part of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to discuss the steps that nations could take to bridge the digital divide and ensure universal access to communications. The 4th annual Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) agreed on a list of best practice regulatory guidelines for achieving this universal access. They called for regulatory reform at the highest level of government and urged political leaders to treat communications as a tool for development rather than a source of government revenue. The GSR Universal Access Best Practice Guidelines will be delivered to the World Summit later this week. Some of the key principles include:

• promote greater competition, more open markets, and spark investment.



• urge governments to grant technologically neutral licenses and not to favor any particular technology, whether fixed line, wireless, etc,



• apply the lessons learned from developing countries' initial experiences with mobile cellular services to a broader range of communications services to foster universal access.



• push for communications services to be provided in a competitive framework, encouraging new technologies for offering both innovative services and affordable pricing options (e.g., pay as you go options such as prepaid cards) to a wide range of end users.



• encourage low-cost technologies that will achieve long-term financial self-sustainability, greater use of public access options that respond to the needs of local users,



• encourage government measures such as tax incentives, reduced customs tariffs and national manufacturing of equipment.



• recognize that universal service funds are one option that complements regulatory reform when developed as a mechanism within a broader market-oriented approach to achieving universal access.

http://www.itu.int

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Nokia's Jorma Ollila Calls for Universal Access Goal by 2015

"The ambition of universal access is to create, by 2015, an information society in which half the people of the world, an estimated 4 billion, will have access to tools and services that help them interact more, know more and achieve more," said Jorma Ollila, Chairman and CEO of Nokia, in a speech for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, Switzerland. Ollila said that achieving this Universal Access must be a mutual goal and responsibility of the private sector, the public sectors and civil society as a whole. Nokia estimates that only 1.2 billion people worldwide have access to data, voice and personal communications.
http://www.nokia.com

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Alcatel Evolves its Market Strategy

The financial picture for major carriers is much more improved in the last two years as evidenced by their reduced debt loads, restructured balance sheets, and restored free cash flows, said
Hubert de Pasquidoux, Chief Operating Officer, Alcatel North America & CEO, Alcatel Canada, speaking at the Lehman Brothers' Fifth Annual T3 Conference in New York. However, the carriers must keep their eyes on the top line of their balance sheets, as fixed voice revenues continue to erode, mobile voice business are maturing, and new data services often cannot make up the difference. Instead of simply looking for CAPEX savings, today's marketing strategies must emphasize the reduction in customer churn, building customer loyalty and increasing both ARPU and network usage. De Pasquidoux outlined three main drivers in future communications markets: Broadband & Entertainment, Portable Services, and End-customer ownership. Alcatel believes broadband has already become a mass-market phenomenon.


Alcatel's response to the changing market conditions can be summarized as follows:

• downsize in-line with the market contraction


• maintain and expand its global reach


• overhaul company processes to reflect a "One Company" vision


• optimize the supply chain and outsource manufacturing

De Pasquidoux said Alcatel's goal is to evolve from a "carrier equipment supplier" to a "communications solutions provider." The company is especially keen to maintain its leading position in broadband access. He also predicts that the trend towards telecom outsourcing will continue.
http://www.alcatel.com

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Tekelec Selects Octasic VoP Processors for the SanteraOne

Tekelec has selected Octasic to supply echo cancellation silicon for its SanteraOne platform.
Octasic's voice processing engines feature uniquely designed capabilities specialized for key VoP requirements. Its line of echo cancellation devices offers densities of 128, 256, 512, or 672 channels, with 64 or 128 ms tail echo cancellation available for all capacities. The base devices offer standard echo cancellation and VQE features, including high quality noise matching, manual gain control, adaptive level control, acoustic echo control, and G.168 tone detection. Other devices in the series are available with features such as: adaptive noise reduction, advanced tone detection, tone generation, full capacity conferencing, announcement playback, and ADPCM compression.


SanteraOne is a carrier-grade integrated voice and data switching solution delivering key applications such as full-feature IXC tandem, class 4/5, PRI offload, packet/cell switching and voice over broadband (VoB) services on a single platform.
http://www.octasic.comwww.tekelec.com

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Verio Launches North American IPv6 Gateway Services

Verio announced the availability of the first large-scale IPv6 commercial service in North America. The NTT/VERIO IPv6 Gateway Services, which are delivered over the newly upgraded NTT/VERIO Global IP Network, consists of three different solutions:

• IPv6 Native Service, which offers customers a dedicated IPv6 connection,


• IPv6 Tunneling Service, which uses an existing IPv4 connection, and


• IPv6 Dual Stack Service, which delivers a balance of both native and tunneling services.

Verio's IPv6 service offers many of the same features as IPv4 connectivity, including fixed or burstable bandwidth, Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and Domain Name System (DNS). Additional future enhancements will allow customers to benefit from many features exclusive to IPv6, including augmented VPN capabilities. Unlike IPv4, enhanced capabilities allow for full integration of the IPsec framework in IPv6.


Verio said it has seen interest in its IPv6 Gateway Services from downstream ISPs, universities, research institutions, next generation application providers and organizations that focus on wireless technologies.
http://www.verio.com/access/ipv6.cfm

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Terayon Unveils New FlexCMTS Architecture

Terayon Communication Systems unveiled its new "FlexCMTS" architecture, which lets cable operators engineer their networks at the traffic level instead of the port level. Terayon noted that current CMTS line cards have a fixed ratio of downstream and upstream ports, which often results in large amounts of unrecoverable capital due to stranded and unused ports. Second, Terayon observed that large amounts of capacity become significantly underutilized due to a network's performance being limited to that of the lowest performing DOCSIS modem, often called the "lowest common denominator effect."


Terayon's FlexCMTS addresses these issues by logically associating downstream and upstream ports across multiple line cards in a CMTS chassis. This enables a line card to utilize the unused upstream and downstream ports of the other line cards. Terayon believes operators can maximize their CMTS line card investments by fully utilizing all the downstream and upstream CMTS ports, reducing stranded capital costs.


The FlexCMTS capabilities will be activated through a software upgrade initially on the current Terayon BW 3500 CMTS, which is currently certified for DOCSIS 2.0. Using actual traffic models of major cable operators, Terayon estimates that any Terayon BW 3500 CMTS using the FlexCMTS architecture could reduce an operator's capital expenditures by 35% to 65% in the first year.
http://www.terayon.com

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SBC Highlights Key Opportunities for 2004

"Market conditions are much better now than a year ago," said Randall Stephenson, CFO of SBC Communications, speaking at the Lehman Brothers Fifth Annual Telecom, Trends & Technology Conference in New York. Stephenson highlighted five key priorities in 2004 for SBC:


1. Broaden the Bundle -- SBC has already bundled local access, long distance and DSL. It will soon add DBS video services in Q1. SBC believes much of its growth potential will come from expanding its ability to bundle various communications products and services, Stephenson said. Bundling reduces churn and increases average revenue per user (ARPU), he said. In the Southwest and West, where the company has sold long distance for several quarters, ARPU is about $6 higher per month than in the Midwest, where the company received approval to sell long distance only this fall. He noted that 36% of consumer lines had at least one bundled service, up from 19% a year ago.


2. Ramp Up Growth Products -- SBC already has the strongest DSL growth in the country, Stephenson said. He vowed that SBC would remain very aggressive in growing its broadband market share in 2004. SBC's in-service DSL subscriber mix currently is 73% consumer, 17% business and 10% wholesale. A year ago, the DSL mix was 65% consumer, 17% business and 18% wholesale. Verizon has also seen strong growth in long distance, adding 5.4 million lines in just nine months.


3. Move Cingular Wireless to a Strong Growth Track -- In the last three quarters, Cingular Wireless - of which SBC owns 60% - has increased its high-quality subscriber growth each quarter and in Q3 it increased sequential revenue growth more than 4%. Cingular is also ahead of schedule in its conversion to GSM network technology, and has taken steps to enhance its network coverage, including a pending spectrum acquisition from NextWave Telecom and the signing of new roaming agreements. Stephenson argued that there is an "outstanding" opportunity for wireline / wireless integration, especially as it is tied into bundled services.


4. Expand in Large-Business Markets -- The large-business market is a natural opportunity for SBC, Stephenson said, since nearly half the Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in areas where SBC has long-standing local service relationships. SBC's current share of this market is small, but now that it has approvals to offer long distance in all of its 13 states, the company plans to move forward aggressively in the large-business sector, Stephenson said.


5. Deliver Value to Shareowners -- Over the past two years, SBC has used cash to reduce net debt from $25 billion to $13 billion. This year, SBC has focused on returning value to shareowners through a regular dividend increase of 5 cents, plus three additional dividends totaling 25 cents.


As part of an ongoing staff reduction program, SBC plans to reduce its force by 3,000 to 4,000 in Q4, both through attrition and an enhanced retirement program. As a result, SBC expects to take a one-time, pre-tax cash charge of up to $150 million, or as much as 3 cents per diluted share, in the Q4. CAPEX for 2004 is expected to remain steady at about $5 billion.
http://www.sbc.com/investor_relations

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Telcordia Extends Wireless Strategy through Acquisition

Telcordia Technologies acquired intellectual property from DAX Technologies, a software developer based in Holmdel, New Jersey, that enables it to extend its wireless strategy and its recently announced "Elementive" portfolio. The acquisition includes a suite of fault and performance management software capabilities for Radio Access Networks. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Telcordia said the DAX technology, coupled with its own software, would be used for two new products for wireless carriers within Telcordia's Mobile Assurance Portfolio: Telcordia Network Vision and Telcordia Performance Vision. The solution would provide carriers with a unified view of the entire wireless network and the services operating on it, regardless of multiple vendor or technology platforms.
http://www.telcordia.com
http://www.daxtechnologies.com

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Chattanooga Utility Selects Wave7 Optics

EPB Telecom, a subsidiary of the electric utility company in Chattanooga, Tennessee, selected Wave7 Optics for a new fiber-to-the-business network deployment. EPB Telecom plans to provide businesses in Chattanooga with up to 500 Mbps in symmetrical services. EPB Telecom, a subsidiary of the electric utility company in Chattanooga, Tennessee, selected Wave7 Optics for a new fiber-to-the-business network deployment. EPB Telecom plans to provide businesses in Chattanooga with up to 500 Mbps in symmetrical services. Wave7 Optics is providing its Last Mile Core equipment for "central office" and field installations and its Last Mile Gateway premises equipment. Financial terms were not disclosed. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.wave7optics.com

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TELUS Mobility Selects Alcatel for Nationwide Backbone

TELUS Mobility selected Alcatel to provide a cross-Canada communications backbone. The multi-year contract provides for the deployment of microwave radio technology as an alternative to wireline transmission. Financial terms were not disclosed. TELUS Mobility currently has over 3 million customers across Canada.
http://www.alcatel.com

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Force10 Delivers Faster Performance to the Friendster Network

Friendster, a fast-growing online community that connects people through shared friends, has deployed Force10 Networks' E-Series switch/routers. Since launching its web service eight months ago, Friendster has seen fast subscriber growth accompanied by dramatic increases in network traffic. Friendster will initially deploy 120 Gigabit Ethernet ports to handle its two million subscribers. As traffic increases, Friendster can add new Gigabit Ethernet ports or expand to 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports.
http://www.force10networks.com

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Global Telecom CTOs Issue "Vision Statement"

Meeting this week at the ITU's World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva, some thirty Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) drafted a 'Vision Statement' outlining their thoughts on the future of communications. Some of the key messages from the joint statement included:

• growing confidence that the telecom industry is emerging from a "tough period"



• there exists a real "market" pull for new services driven by the convergence of information, computing and telecommunications.



• the ITU is in a key position to facilitate the move to a converged architecture through its role in setting global standards, however it must cooperate with other standards bodies.



• the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) should charter a group to develop a map of standards development across all industry forums.

CTOs present at the event were from Alcatel, Amena, Apnic, Belgacom, Broadcom, BT, China Mobile, China Netcom, China Unicom, Coptac, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, ETRI, France Telecom, Huawei Technologies, IBM, Ikanos, Infineon, Intel, Korea Telecom, Lucent Technologies, Maltacom, Nokia, Nominum, Nortel Networks, NTT, NTT Comware, Orange, RAD Data Communications, Rostelcom, Samsung, Siemens, Softbank, Sotelma, Sun Microsystems, Swisscom, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Telenor, Thuraya, Vodafone and ZTE.
http://www.itu.int

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Verizon Outlines Strategic Network Goals

"We are allocating as much cash as possible into higher growth, less regulated opportunities," said Mark Wegleitner, Verizon's Chief Technology Officer, speaking at the Lehman Brothers' Fifth Annual T3 Conference in New York. Verizon is evolving in a unique way compared to its peers and competitors, he said, because of the company's belief that being a facilities-based carrier and controlling the network is ultimately the key method of ensuring truly differentiated services. Wegleitner believes that Verizon's scale makes it possible to built the network in a profitable way. Verizon is seeking convergence at the optical transport and the packet switching layers, said Wegleitner. Complementing this core capacity will be fiber-based broadband access.


Wegleitner outlined Verizon's four pronged network strategy: 1) deploy FTTP for broadband access
2) build metropolitan packet networks on the existing fiber base 3) interconnect metro areas with a national packet/optical backbone and 4) use a converged network for both existing and new services.


He reiterate the company's FTTP objectives for 2004, including plans to pass one million homes by the end of the year with at least 100 central offices equipped in nine states. Verizon expects substantial revenue coverage within 5 years. Video services will be carried to homes as a separate wavelength using WDM. In some cases, Verizon will use an aerial overlay topology in bringing FTTP to existing neighborhoods. It will also consider full-FTTP builds in other locations. Verizon expects the newer support systems for the rollout will lead to lower overall cost of operations, integrated voice and data ordering, real-time zero-touch provisioning, and easier-to-use customer interfaces.


Regarding its metro networking strategy; Verizon's data network architecture currently consists of both ATM, Frame Relay and IP. It is moving to an IP/MPLS packet layer as its next generation core architecture. Its goal is to provide for packet layer convergence for local communications, aggregating broadband access and delivering IP-VPNs and VoIP.


As for its national backbone strategy, Wegleitner said Verizon will pursue a facilities-based approach although it also leases capacity as needed in a "smart build". Two immediate applications for the network are to support Verizon's long distance and Enterprise Advance initiatives. Key technologies are DWDM rings and next-gen SONET equipment.


The final leg of the strategy is voice over packet. Verizon's long-term desire is to move to packet telephony because of its inherent statistical multiplexing benefit and decentralized control features. This also enables better unified messaging applications. He noted that Verizon began introducing packet switching into its network in 1999. In 2002, Verizon began installing ATM-based softswitches in lieu of traditional circuit tandems. In May 2003, it added the first IP-enabled softswitch to its LD network. Early next year, Verizon will introduce its first voice-over-the-Net offering, followed by further deployments of softswitches. These initially will be used for enterprise services but ultimately will come to replace existing Class 5 switches. Wegleitner said no one expects a "flash cut" over to VoIP and that interworking with the PSTN will be a key requirement for a long time.
http://www.verizon.com

• In November, Verizon selected Advanced Fibre Communications (AFC) to provide the central office and premises optical electronics for its fiber-to-the-home project. Verizon has selected Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, Pirelli Communications Cables and Systems North America, and Fiber Optic Network Solutions (FONS) to provide the fiber-optic cabling and other outside plant equipment for the project. Verizon said it is continuing contract negotiations with several other passive element vendors. Vice Chairman Lawrence Babbio said the RFP process resulted in prices lower than its expectations.



• More on the RBOCs' FTTP Plans: http://www.convergedigest.com/DSL/lastmilearticle.asp?ID=9051

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