France's FREE Deploys Cisco Metro Ethernet for Triple Play

Free, the second largest ISP and a subsidiary of the Iliad Group, is deploying a multi service Gigabit Ethernet-based Broadband Aggregation architecture to support TV-over-DSL services. Specifically, FREE is using Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switches in its QoS-enabled video distribution network. FREE is also deploying Cisco Gigabit Ethernet Interface Modules to provide Gigabit Ethernet aggregation in its metropolitan area networks. http://www.cisco....

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Athena Raises $10 Million for Single Chip CMOS Radios

Athena Semiconductors, a start-up based in Fremont, California, raised $10 million in series B funding for its single-chip CMOS radio transceiver IC products. Samsung Electronics led the current round and Needham Capital also joined the round. Several existing investors, including Alliance Ventures, participated in the round as well. The new funding brings the total amount raised to date to $20 millionhttp://www.athenasemi....

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Nextel's CEO to Head Network Reliability and Interoperability Council.

Timothy M. Donahue, President and CEO of Nextel Communications, was named chairman of the newly re-chartered Network Reliability and Interoperability Council. NRIC VII, which will run from 06-Jan-2004 to 06-Jan-2006, is expected to focus on systems engineering aspects of emergency services. Donahue is the first wireless company executive to chair an NRIC panel. The role of the NRIC is to develop recommendations for the FCC and the telecommunications industry to insure optimal reliability, security, interoperability and interconnectivity of, and...

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Qwest Acquires Metro Networks from Allegiance Telecom

Qwest Communications agreed to acquire substantially all of the assets of Allegiance Telecom, a facilities-based national CLEC headquartered in Dallas, Texas for approximately $300 million in cash. In addition, Qwest will issue approximately $90 million of convertible debt. The deal includes networks in 36 metro markets across the U.S., 31 of which are outside the Qwest local service region. Allegiance Telecom, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2003, currently carries approximately $550 million in telecommunications traffic...

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Level 3 Expands European Network to Vienna

Level 3 Communications has expanded its European network to Vienna, Austria, giving it a presence in 20 of Western Europe's largest markets. In addition, Level 3 is doubling IP capacity on one of the two network rings it operates in Germany. The ring, connecting Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Karlsruhe, Frankfurt and Leipzig, will have an expanded capacity of 10 Gbps. http://www.Level3....

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Foundry Networks Wins New Contract with BBC

Foundry Networks was awarded a contract lasting up to five years with BBC Technology, provider of products and services to both the BBC and other global media-driven organizations, for networking equipment including Internet routers, Layer 2/3 and Layer 4-7 switch technology and associated services. The BBC is migrating to tape-less television and radio program production based on IP. The contract was signed in July 2003, with a contract effective date starting back in April 2003 -- a framework agreement lasting up to five years. http://www.fo...

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U.S. Air Force Ready to Launch GPS II Satellite

The U.S. Air Force is preparing to launch an upgraded Global Positioning Systems (GPS) satellite built by Lockheed Martin aboard a Delta II rocket scheduled on 21-Dec-2003 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The GPS IIR-10 satellite features significant performance upgrades, including an advanced antenna panel, which will increase power for GPS receivers. Lockheed Martin said there are eight new-generation GPS IIR spacecraft currently on orbit out of a total GPS constellation of 28 satellites. GPS IIR satellites are designed to improve global coverage...

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The Quilt Signs AT&T as a Select Vendor

The Quilt, a coalition of regional network organizations, named AT&T as a select vendor to provide special discounts on Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks equipment and maintenance. The Quilt gathers more than 20 leading research and education networking organizations in the U.S. Participants in The Quilt provide network service for more than 200 Internet2 universities and thousands of other educational institutions. http://www.thequilt.n...

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Lucent Names Giere as Chief Marketing Officer

Lucent Technologies appointed John P. Giere as Chief Marketing Officer, effective immediately. Giere was most recently a vice president at Ericsson, where he led the company's global branding and marketing program as well as business development efforts into new markets. Giere will report to Lucent's chairman and CEO Patricia Russo and build a central marketing organization to support the Lucent branding, marketing strategy and global marketing efforts. He will oversee all of the company's marketing initiatives and design a tightly linked team...

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France Telecom Launches TV-over-DSL

France Telecom, in partnership with TPS, announced the commercial launch of TV-over-DSL services. "MaLigne tv" initially is available in Lyon. It will be extended to Paris in spring 2004 followed by a rollout in other French cities. TPS is a content distributor that is jointly owned by French TV stations TF1 and M6.Two content tiers are offered. The basic "MaLigne tv," which costs EUR 16 per month, provides the TPS L programming package along with a range of VOD movies and TV shows. A "TPS L Prestige" package, priced at EUR 21 per month, adds...

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