U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor of ILECs in Antitrust Case

In a case that pitted Verizon Communications againsts a disgruntled customer, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the 1996 Telecommunications Act did not expand the scope of antitrust relief available to competitive carriers or their customers and that under existing antitrust law, Verizon's alleged lack of cooperation in providing local wireline loops to competitors does not violate antitrust law. The customer had sought antitrust relief on the grounds that Verizon had failed to fully cooperate in local loop unbundling with competitors who might have provided an alternative service.


Matthew J. Flanigan, president of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), said the ruling would "lift a cloud of uncertainty and clear the way for new investment by the regional Bell operating companies and create incentives for competitive carriers to invest in their own facilities."http://www.tiaonline.org

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Ericsson Lands US$93M CDMA2000 Contract with China Unicom

China Unicom awarded Ericsson a contract valued at US$93 million for additional phase III CDMA2000 infrastructure expansions .In addition, Ericsson has been awarded further phase III agreements during December, bringing the total announced expansion value close to US$140 million.


Ericsson supplies its total CDMA2000 1X network solution to China Unicom in the Sichuan, Jiangsu, Henan, Anhui, Yunnan, Heilongjiang and Liaoning provinces. In addition, Ericsson supplies a multi-access network based on its CDMA2000 1X network and WLAN solutions for China Unicom in Sichuan province. http://www.ericsson.com

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China Telecom Awards UTStarcom $200 Million iPAS Contract

China Telecom awarded a contract valued at $200 million to UTStarcom for continued rollout of its Personal Access System (PAS) infrastructure equipment in cities throughout twelve provinces in China. UTStarcom said more than 20 million people have subscribed for PAS service in China through China Telecom and China Netcom on networks powered by its technology since 1998. http://www.utstar.com

• The contract were announced at the U.S.-China Seminar on Prospects for Cooperation in Telecom and IT being held this week in Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Donald Evans keynoted the event, and other prominent government officials included Grant Aldonas, Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade; Lou Qinjian, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Information Industry; and Chinese Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi.

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Romanian GSM Operator Deploys ECI's Optical Gear

Connex, a leading GSM operator in Romania, has deployed ECI Telecom's XDM MultiService Provisioning Platform (MSPP) for development of a new SDH backbone network. XDM platforms are already installed and running live traffic in Bucharest, Brashov, Constanta and other locations in Romania .


Connex is partially owned by Vodafone UK and Canadian telco Telesystem International Wireless (TIW). http://www.ecitele.com

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TELUS Selects MetaSolv for IP VPN Service Activation

TELUS has selected MetaSolv's IP service activation solution to automate delivery of MPLS-based IP VPN services over its nationwide multi-vendor IP network. Financial terms were not disclosed.


MetaSolv said its IP activation solution provides TELUS a single software platform to streamline the management of a series of tasks necessary to deliver real-time, dynamic services. It eliminates manual provisioning processes for IP VPNs. The platform's IP activation capabilities included Layer 2 and Layer 3 MPLS-based VPNs, Virtual Private LANs (VPLS), Traffic Engineering Paths and IP Quality of Service, over large-scale, multi-vendor and multi-OS IP networks.

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Raindance to Offer Nationwide VoIP Conferencing

Raindance Communications, a provider of integrated Web and audio conferencing services, introduced a nationwide VoIP conferencing service that provides users the ability to communicate whether they are calling from the traditional TDM networks, internal IP-based networks or in conjunction with IP Centrex Services. The service also integrates video and web features. Raindance said the new conferencing capabilities are the result of 12 months of collaborative development with Level 3 Communications. http://www.raindance.com

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Level 3 Offers New Toll Free VoIP Service

Level 3 Communications introduced a new (3)VoIP TOLL FREE service for businesses requiring a reliable, toll-free, nationwide calling infrastructure. Like the company's existing (3)VoIP MARKETPLACE service, the new Toll Free VoIP service is a nationwide + local solution aimed at conferencing service providers, call center operators, voice portals, and other businesses. It enables customers to establish a local or toll-free presence on the PSTN. The voice traffic rides over Level 3's softswitch platform and MPLS backbone.


Raindance Communications, a provider of integrated Web and audio conferencing services, is among the initial customers of the new toll-free service. Raindance is launching an innovative new VoIP conferencing platform that incorporates the Level 3 voice network. http://www.level3.com

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Cisco Introduces Video Gateways for Cable VOD

Cisco Systems introduced a digital video quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) product series designed for cable operators deploying new video-on-demand (VoD) services. The new product series consists of the standalone Cisco uMG9820 QAM Gateway and the Cisco uMG9850 QAM Module, which both serve as IP-to-MPEG-2 gateways between a Gigabit Ethernet transport network and an HFC network. The uMG9820 is a smaller, QAM-only platform optimized for smaller deployments, and the uMG9850 inserts into a larger, more scalable chassis optimized for larger deployments or mixed switching-and-QAM architectures.


Cisco said its new video gateways allow for up to 240 standard-definition video streams per device, thereby fully utilizing the capacity of a Gigabit Ethernet link. Previously, cable operators needed to daisy-chain less-efficient QAM devices together in order to take advantage of the full capacity of a Gigabit Ethernet link. The Cisco products have been certified for use in nCUBE VoD network deployments. http://www.cisco.com

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Netopia Introduces ADSL Pocket Modem

Netopia introduced a new ADSL "Pocket Modem" designed specifically for mass-market deployments to single-PC broadband households. The Netopia 3342 ADSL Pocket Modem combines a built-in ADSL modem and USB interface with built-in software for customer self-installation. The device connects directly to the customer's USB port and is host-powered, eliminating the need for an external power supply. An Annex B version is available for the European market. Netopia is also developing ADSL Pocket modems for application-specific uses, such as a parental controls pocket modem and a teleworker VPN security pocket modem. http://www.netopia.com

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LDCOM Selects XACCT's IP Mediation Platform

LDCOM (Louis Dreyfus Group Communications), a leading alternative service provider in France, has chosen XACCT Technologies to unify its IP mediation functions onto a single system. The XACCTusage 5.0 system will be used as LDCOM's back-office platform as a key component of the carrier's services strategy and to unify the infrastructure following its acquisitions of 9Telecom, KAPTECH and Belgacom France. XACCT's software interfaces with multiple network and service elements and collects comprehensive usage data; dynamically correlates the data based on the company's business and service policies; and transforms the data into actionable business information that is fed to existing OSS/BSS applications, including billing, CRM, operational reporting, and customer reporting. http://www.xacct.com

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360networks Completes Acquisition of Touch America

360networks completed its acquisition of Touch America. The network assets included approximately 10,300 route miles within a regional network that stretches throughout fifteen western states. The acquired business will generate more than $50 million of annual revenues and will be immediately cash flow positive. About 75 Touch America personnel have joined 360networks, which will maintain an office in Butte, Montana.


360networks' long-haul fiber network now spans 33,000 route miles (53,000 kms) and reaches 60 cities in North America. The carrier also operates 17 metro fiber networks in nine Canadian provinces.htttp://www.360.net

• In June 2003, Touch America and all is subsidiaries filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions in bankruptcy court.



• In November 2003, Qwest Communications agreed to acquire network assets from Touch America and 360networks, enabling it to expand its national data network. Qwest recently won the right to offer long- distance data services to enterprise customers within its 14-state territory. Qwest said the assets from Touch America would allow it to support hundreds of Frame Relay and ATM customers. The assets from 360networks include fiber routes from Seattle to Billings, Montana.; from Billings, Montana to Denver; from Denver to Colorado Springs, Colorado.; and from Billings, Montana to Minneapolis.

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China Mobile Selects Motorola for US$510 Million Contract

China Mobile Communication Corporation (CMCC), the largest mobile operator in the world, selected Motorola's Global Telecom Solutions Sector to expand its GSM network and improve data services for users in Beijing and 13 important provinces of China. The contract is valued at US$510 million.


Under the project, Motorola will upgrade China Mobile's GSM/General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network in preparation for an evolution to 3G. The expansion, scheduled for completion by the end of 2004, will enable the operator to increase subscriber capacity by up to 10.5 million usershttp://www.motorola.com

• The contract were announced at the U.S.-China Seminar on Prospects for Cooperation in Telecom and IT being held this week in Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Donald Evans keynoted the event, and other prominent government officials included Grant Aldonas, Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade; Lou Qinjian, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Information Industry; and Chinese Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi.

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Lucent Announces $350 Million in New Contracts in China

Lucent Technologies announced a series of significant agreements with China Unicom and China Telecom with total contract values of more than $350 million. The company said the orders cover virtually the full range of its next generation platforms and services. Key contracts covered by this announcement include:

• China Unicom -- the phase III expansion of the carrier's CDMA2000 mobile network, the world's largest CDMA network, to support more than 50 million customers and offer coverage nationwide.



• China Unicom -- a multi-service MPLS core solution for the carrier's national data backbone based on the joint solution with Juniper Networks



• China Telecom -- optical systems, 5E-XC switches from Lucent's Accelerate portfolio of VoIP solutions and Personal Handyphone Systems (PHS).

http://www.lucent.com

• The contract were announced at the U.S.-China Seminar on Prospects for Cooperation in Telecom and IT being held this week in Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Donald Evans keynoted the event, and other prominent government officials included Grant Aldonas, Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade; Lou Qinjian, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Information Industry; and Chinese Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi.

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China Unicom to Deploy Lucent/Juniper MPLS Core

China Unicom selected Lucent Technologies to supply a multiservice MPLS core for its national backbone network. The MPLS core solution consists of Juniper Networks T-series routing platforms, Lucent CBX 500 and GX 550 Multiservice WAN Switches, Lucent Navis iOperations OSS and network services from Lucent Worldwide Services. The contract also includes Lucent PacketStar (PSAX) Multiservice Media Gateways that China Unicom will use to provide ATM and Frame Relay access for enterprise customers.


China Unicom began construction of its national multiservice backbone in 1999, and the network is expected to be one of the largest converged transport networks in China. The backbone supports a variety of services, including ATM, Frame Relay, Internet access, Voice-over-IP, video conferencing, CDMA1X, digital paging services, billing and office automation services, across 330 major cities throughout China. China Unicom's new converged MPLS core will carry ATM, Frame Relay and IP services with specified QoS levels.


China Unicom's national multi-service backbone network is currently the largest multi-service switching network in the world based on technology from Lucenthttp://www.lucent.com/juniper/mpls-core

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Siemens Invests in Jentro Technologies for Mobile Navigation

Siemens Mobile Acceleration has made an equity investment in Jentro Technologies, a German start-up developing a software navigation system that runs on general Java-based mobile phones with a GPS receiver. Using the system, a subscriber inputs his or her intended destination via the phone's keypad or using a Web-browser. The data is transmitted to the Jentro service-center, where the route is calculated. The user is then guided by spoken output and information on the phone-display (turn-by-turn symbols) - just as in conventional on-board systems. To calculate the route, the server not only uses the latest maps, but also takes up-to-the minute traffic information into account. Siemens said the usage of Jentro's new Off-Board navigation-solution is not limited to high-end smartphones; it also works with general mobile phones and will be available in the first half of 2004 through mobile network operators. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.siemensmobileacceleration.comhttp://www.jentro.com

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SiGe Semiconductor Ships 10 Millionth Chip

Fueled by wireless consumer electronics applications, SiGe Semiconductor has shipped in excess of ten million integrated circuits (ICs) based on silicon germanium technology. The privately-held company said sales revenue for 2003 increased by about 150% over the previous year. About 70% of its business is attributed to wireless power amplifiers used in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products. In addition to wireless power amplifiers, the company has developed integrated circuits and front-end modules for cellular, GPS and optical interface applications. http://www.sige.com

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Universal Access Simplifies Entry in U.S. Market

Universal Access Global Holdings introduced a network integration service specifically tailored to meet the needs of international carriers entering or operating in the U.S. The service provides quick and easy access to thousands of circuit connections, multiple interconnection points and customer buildings throughout the U.S. Universal Access said it has relationships with every major U.S.-based carrier, maintains a proprietary network information database of available circuits, and has greater buying power than many individual carriers entering the U.S. market.


Universal Access said it currently serves more than a dozen international customers, including Asia Netcom, British Telecom, China Telecom, Data Access India, Pacific Century Cyberworks (PCCW) and Telia. Universal Access is based in Chicago.www.universalaccess.net

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Tropos Networks Names CEO, Targets WiFi Meshes

Tropos Networks, a start-up developing metro-scale Wi-Fi mesh networks, named Ron Sege as its new president and CEO. Sege, most recently the CEO of Ellacoya Networks. Previously, he served as president of U.S. Operations for Terra Lycos and before that he spent 10 years at 3Com, most recently as senior vice president of the Systems Business Unit.


The Tropos platform creates a "Wi-Fi cell", which layers intelligence on top of the 802.11 standard. Wi-Fi cells form an intelligent, self-organizing, self-healing, and truly wireless broadband data network that forwards data through the mesh along the optimal path to a wired network. Access nodes can be quickly deployed on city lampposts, or other such outdoor locations, with a backhaul connection needed only every 10 nodes or so. The Tropos system is currently in deployment by a number of metro ISPs and by several cities and police departments. http://ww.troposnetworks.com

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