NTT DoCoMo Builds i-mode Disaster Message Board

NTT DoCoMo is launching an i-mode Disaster Message Board service that will allow subscribers in Japan to post personal messages for friends and relatives who might not otherwise be able to contact them in the immediate aftermath of a national disaster, such as a high-magnitude earthquake. NTT DoCoMo said that should a major disaster occur, its network will undoubtedly be extremely busy as -- in addition to the heavy traffic among administrative and relief agencies, ordinary users in the affected locale typically attempt outside contact to worried relatives and friends. In the event of severe network congestion, the new packet-based i-mode Disaster Message Board will be given sufficient priority to ensure that it continues to function. Each i-mode user in the disaster area would be able to click an on-screen menu enabling him or her to post up to 10 messages of 100 Japanese characters each. Someone wishing to check for a message left by a person in the disaster area would connect to the Disaster Message Board site, and input that person's cell phone number to display any registered messages.


There are currently more than 45 million DoCoMo cellular phone users in Japan. http://www.ntt.co.jp

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RealNetworks and IBM Unveil On Demand Framework

RealNetworks and IBM formed a partnership to enable media companies, network operators, and other businesses to create, protect, and deliver on demand consumer digital audio and video services based on open standards. The joint solution would help corporate customers to more easily manage their digital assets through the combination of RealNetworks' Real 10 digital media platform and IBM's middleware software.


The solution, which is aimed at Internet-delivered TV programming, mobile music services, in-car digital music and other such services, is scheduled to be available worldwide in the first half of the year. It will be positioned to companies as an alternative to building their own infrastructure for digital media distribution and sales.


Additionally, the solution will include open APIs to enable third-party applications, such as customer support, subscription management, and security, to interface easily with the on demand digital media service. The Real 10 platform -- which includes RealPlayer 10, RealAudio 10, RealVideo 10, Helix DRM, and Helix Universal Server -- will be integrated with IBM WebSphere Digital Media Enabler, WebSphere Commerce and DB2 Content Manager. http://www.real.comhttp://www.ibm.com

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Industry CEOs Set Sights on "3rd Wave Mobile for Europe"

The CEOs of fourteen key industry players set out a common vision to support and sustain the rollout of mobile networks and services across Europe. The joint proposal calls for action on research, standards, content, security, spectrum, international co-operation and regulation by both the industry as larges as well as by the European Commission and by EU Member States.


Companies represented in the discussion included Alcatel, Bertelsmann, LM Ericsson, Orange,
Hutchison 3G, Nokia, Royal Philips Electronics, Siemens, ST Microelectronics, Telefónica Móviles,
Telecom Italia Mobile, T-Mobile International, Vivendi Universal and Vodafone Group.


Erkki Liikanen, the European Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society, agreed that "the mobile sector is critical to Europe's competitiveness and future prosperity," and said that "as we move towards a converged environment it is essential that we harness the capabilities of all technologies to deliver growth."


The group noted that the number of mobile subscribers in Europe increased at a higher rate in 2003 than in 2002 (6%) and 81% of EU citizens now have a mobile telephone. The forecast for global handset sales is approx. 430 million in 2003.


There are currently over 500 000 subscribers of 3G services in Europe, with 3G services in five (including Sweden and Denmark) of the 15 Member States. Over 40 3G networks will be launched in Europe over the next 12 months, according to GSM Europe. http://europa.eu.int

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Alcatel Supplies SDH for SingTel

Alcatel was awarded a multi-million US dollar contract to upgrade the high-speed transport network SingTel in Singapore. Alcatel is supplying its advanced multi-service SDH OMSNs, including the compact and cost-effective systems - 1642 Edge Multiplexer and 1662 SMC - designed for metro access applications. The OMSN products deployed in SingTel's network will also be equipped with the Integrated Service Adaptors (ISA) Packet Ring Edge Aggregator (PR_EA) that provides carrier class Ethernet switching capabilities and ISA-ATM, which is key for 3G mobile backhauling as well as for aggregated broadband DSL traffic. NCS Communications Engineering Pte. will undertake the design, project management, installation, commissioning and maintenance of the network. The first rings are already operational. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.alcatel.com

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UTStarcom Raises its 2004 Guidance

UTStarcom raised its revenue guidance for 2004. The new 2004 financial guidance is as follows:

• Revenue of $2.5-$2.55 billion, an increase of $50-$100 million, versus previous guidance of $2.4-$2.5 billion


• Gross Margin guidance remains 30%-32%


• Increase in Operating Income of $15-$30 million


• Impact of the equity offering -- 12.1 million additional shares -- Interest income of $7 million -- $0.10 EPS dilution


• Increase in Net Income of $15-$25 million


• GAAP EPS guidance of $1.87-$1.92 versus previous guidance of $1.92-$1.95

http://www.utstar.com

• On 08-Jan-2004, UTStarcom agreed to sell 12.1 million shares of its common stock to Banc of America Securities. The company also granted Banc of America Securities an over-allotment option to purchase an additional 1.8 million shares of its common stock.

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IPv6 Sees Role in Home Networking

The IPv6 Forum hosted an event at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to demonstrate how IPv6 is becoming a reality for everyday applications. IPv6 enables a massive increase in available IP addresses, from 200 million or so assignable IPv4 addresses to trillions of trillions, as well as improving security, mobility, accountability through end-to-end addressing, and customizability through versatile, chainable packet headers. Some observations from the IP Forum:

• Sony has mandated that all of its products be IPv6 enabled by 2005




• the average home contains 250 devices that someday could be connected to the Internet via IPv6, according to Connexion by Boeing




• 2004 will see 1.3 billion mobile phones, 750 million vehicles and tens of millions of other mobile platforms, all of which can be Net-connected through IPv6.




• a new 6Wi-Fi standard is being developed to allow roaming between hotspots and cellular networks.

http://www.ipv6forum.com/

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Covad Partners with ACN

Covad Communications Group announced a resale agreement with ACN, a competitive local, long distance, wireless, Internet access, gas and electricity service provider for consumers and small businesses. Under this new line-splitting agreement, Covad will supply ACN consumer and small business customers with DSL connectivity bundled as part of the ACN Advantage calling plan. ACN will purchase the local loop from incumbent phone companies and bundle its local and long distance services with Covad's DSL services. http://www.covad.com

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Texas Instruments and Vonage Collaborate on Broadband Telephony

Vonage selected Texas Instruments as its technology partner to enhance its current software offering and evolve new VoIP services leveraging TI's VoIP technology. The partnership provides VoIP equipment designers and manufacturers with assurance that VoIP products they develop with TI technology will be compatible with the Vonage telephony network. TI said its VoIP solutions are already used in over 80% of the VoIP gateway and IP phone products in use or in development today.


The companies said their alliance would also spur the creation of new devices for consumers and small businesses to use in managing their voice services through WiFi, cable or DSL. http://www.ti.com/broadbandhttp://www.vonage.com

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