Juniper Networks Introduces 10 Gbps Multiservice Edge Platform

Juniper Networks introduced a new 10 Gbps edge routing platform for supporting both existing and emerging Layer 2 and Layer 3 services. A key feature of the M320 Multiservice Edge Platform is a new 1.6 GHz routing engine with 2 Gigabytes of DRAM to handle the significant increase in signaling, VPNs and logical interfaces needed at the on-ramp to an IP/MPLS core. The platform's programmable ASICs support 385 million packets per second of packet processing and 320 Gbps of throughput. It leverages the company's existing JUNOS software and uses the same Physical Interface Cards (PICs) from across the M- and T-series portfolio. The M320 could accommodate up to 16 x 10GE/OC-192/STM-64 interfaces; 64 x OC-48/STM-16s; 160 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet; or 32 x CHOC12/STM-4 (to DS0) interfaces. The M320 also adds support for up to eight queues per logical interface.



The new M320 Multiservice Edge Platform is accompanied by the introduction of the Juniper Networks Frame and ATM Service Emulation (J-FASE) toolkit, which simplifies the delivery of ATM and Frame Relay over IP/MPLS. J-FASE includes new capabilities such as Diffserv-aware MPLS Traffic Engineering and Connection Admission Control for guaranteed bandwidth across IP/MPLS networks. In addition, new Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) tools like bi-directional Forwarding Detection (BFD) enable providers to assure service level agreements.



The M320 also supports carrier class Metro Ethernet services including VPLS, per VLAN QoS, and stacked VLANs, as well as tools such as Layer 2.5 Interworking VPNs that support the smooth migration of customer access connections from ATM and Frame Relay to Ethernet. http://www.juniper.net

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2Wire Unveils DSL MediaPortal STB

2Wire unveiled a MediaPortal platform designed to integrate satellite TV, DSL and a range of entertainment services through one set-top box and backend management system. The MediaPortal platform will allow DSL subscribers to buy digital content or access streaming media services from the Internet via a set-top box. It also makes digital content available to multiple devices over a home network. For instance, content can be delivered to and accessed from a home theater, second and third TV, stereo, PC or other networked appliance, or from outside the home using remote access.



The platform incorporates 2Wire's Component Management System (CMS), which is currently being used by service providers in North America and Europe to provision and manage more than more than a million of the company's HomePortal residential gateways. http://www.2wire.com

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Tellabs 8800 Multi-Service Router Adds Key Enhancements

Tellabs announced a series of enhancements that positions its Tellabs 8800 multi-service routers (MSRs) to support the following MPLS-based applications on a single platform: Ethernet, IP VPNs, virtual private LAN services (VPLS) and Layer 2 VPNs with interworking. Tellabs said the new feature set has completed lab trials with several major service providers .



The new hardware and software enhancements to the Tellabs 8800 series of intelligent multi-service routers include:

• IP/MPLS VPNs based on the IETF's RFC 2547bis specification.



• Frame Relay link management and support for DS-1 and fractional DS-0 circuits, which enable service providers to create highly-demanded, IP-enabled Frame Relay VPNs that complement their existing Frame Relay service offerings.



• Address Resolution Protocol mediation for IP interworking of Layer 2 VPNs that offers service providers additional service flexibility. This enhancement also improves the platform's presently-supported any-to-any service and bridged interworking capabilities for Frame Relay, ATM and Ethernet, and is based on the IETF's shah-draft.



• IP Connection Admission Control, which enables service providers to turn traditional best-effort IP services into more profitable IP services using Tellabs' hardware-based QoS



• VPLS, which offers multi-point to multi-point WAN extensions of Ethernet networks. This enhancement has support for granular bandwidth management across the MPLS network, conforms to the Metro Ethernet Forum's standards and adds additional scale to the IETF's Virtual Leased Line draft Martini standard.



• Support for Ethernet frames over DS-3 encapsulation using the Ethernet-over-SONET standard (ITU-T x.86).



• Flexible, plugable Gigabit Ethernet interface modules, giving service providers the ability to choose between short-reach or long-reach optics on an interface by interface basis within a given line card.



• Support for stringent security access to by encrypting critical configuration files including passwords. This enhancement is based on the IETF's secure shell v1/v2 standard.



• Extensive network management data collection that gathers historical statistics across the network to enable service providers to analyze network performance, perform traffic modeling and plan capacity.



• Hardware interfaces that are being introduced in feature package 3.1 for the Tellabs 8800 platform include: a 6 port Channelized DS-3 (3/1/0) Physical Line Module (PLM); a 6 Port DS-3/EC-3 Clear Channel PLM; an OC-48c/STM-16c Long Reach-1 PLM; and an OC-48/STM-16 Long Reach-1 PLM

http://www.tellabs.com

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Kaplan Telephone Deploys Tut's IP TV

Louisiana-based Kaplan Telephone has deployed Tut Systems' Astria digital TV solution to deliver more than 165 channels of broadcast and premium digital TV; pay-per-view; and digital music over its ADSL network. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.tutsystems.com

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SBC to Offer Nortel Multimedia Communication Server to Enterprises

SBC Communications will offer Nortel Networks' Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) 5100 as a convergence strategy for large business, government and education customers with well-established voice networks. SBC consultants will install and maintain the feature-rich Nortel Networks MCS 5100, which can work in conjunction with traditional business Centrex or PBX voice systems. The MCS 5100 server enables advanced calling features similar to those offered on VoIP platforms without widespread deployment of new equipment to the existing voice network. The MCS 5100 provides a "simultaneous ring" feature to the existing analog phone and a SIP soft client on a PC or laptop, which could be used remotely over home or hotel broadband connections. New features include call screening, call logging, picture caller ID, desktop video calling, and integrated instant messaging. A fully managed solution for the Nortel Networks MCS 5100 is under development and will be introduced later in 2004.



The new offerings join the existing SBC portfolio of hosted and premises equipment-based pure VoIP solutions, including SBC PremierSERV Hosted IP Communications Service (HIPCS) and SBC PremierSERV Total IP Communications Solution,http://www.sbc.comhttp://www.nortelnetworks.com

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Metrobility Expands Metro Ethernet Offering

Metrobility Optical Systems introduced an Ethernet Network Interface Device (NID) that adheres to the IEEE 802.3ah draft standard for Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) and conforms to the Metro Ethernet Forum's Services Model for E-Line or point-to-point services. Metrobility said its new E-Services NID enables service providers to utilize existing Ethernet switches and routers at the customer site to offer Metro Ethernet services.



As the CPE demarcation point, the E-Services NID supports VLAN-aware bridging and provides MEF-compliant E-Line services. The solution consists of a Gigabit Ethernet Services Line Card mounted into Metrobility's Radiance R5000, R1000, R400 or R200 chassis. The Services Line Card supports copper-to-fiber or fiber-to-fiber connectivity with 10/100/1000Mbps autonegotiation on the copper port. The fiber connectivity is provided using small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optics. Singlemode fiber connectivity can extend network distances up to 100km.



Metrobility's E-Services NID monitors the health and status of devices and network connections, including remote optical link loopback testing, integral optical power monitoring, IEEE 802-compliant and RMON Group 1 statistics to determine quality of line, errored symbol and frame events. It also delivers real-time analog information for equipment power and temperature that provide "dying gasp" capabilities. The solution scales for a large metro access service deployment by eliminating the need for an IP address at each customer site. http://www.metrobility.com

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Brasil Telecom Deploys MetaSolv's Provisioning Portfolio

Brasil Telecom has implemented MetaSolv's provisioning portfolio to help meet high volume demand for DSL. MetaSolv said its portfolio of network resource management, order management, and multi-service activation has enabled Brasil Telecom to fulfill nearly double the volume of DSL service requests. Brasil Telecom currently is able to process approximately 50,000 requests per month for DSL service. In addition to DSL service, Brasil Telecom has implemented the MetaSolv portfolio for automated fulfillment of ATM, Frame Relay, and dedicated Internet access services. http://www.metasolv.com

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Broadwing to Enter Market for Softswitched Services

Broadwing Communications hired Mark Pugerude to lead its entry into the VoIP market. The company said it expects to have its VoIP offering generally available later this year. The service offering is expected to include personal web portals, unified messaging and voice VPNs for Broadwing's mid-market and enterprise customers and also a nationwide footprint with automated, scalable provisioning portals for Broadwing's larger enterprise and strategic carrier customers.



Prior to joining Broadwing, Pugerude served as executive vice president of sales and marketing at PingTone Communications, where he led PingTone's sales and marketing initiatives, new product introduction and channel development in IP Telephony. He also served as vice president of sales at Blue Ridge Networks, where he established a nationwide sales organization, managed sales channel programs and developed and led critical partnerships with leaders in the IP services marketplace. http://www.broadwing.com

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Teja Introduces IPv6 Forwarding Application for Intel Network Processors

Teja Technologies introduced an IPv6 forwarding application for systems based on the Intel IXP2xxx family of network processors (NPUs). The Teja NP IPv6 Forwarding Foundation Application is a high-performance forwarding plane solution for Layer 3 IPv6 classification and forwarding. Similar to Teja's IPv4 product, Teja's IPv6 forwarding application serves as the basis for a diverse range of IP-based networking devices, including switch/routers, wireless and broadband access, integrated firewalls, and VPN. The software is fully compliant and tested for conformance against the required IPv6 RFC standards. http://www.teja.com

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Tiscali Selects Redback's SmartEdge Platform

Tiscali Business GmbH, one of Europe's largest Internet communications companies, has selected Redback Networks' SmartEdge 800 Service Gateway platform for simultaneously offering MPLS VPN services to business customers and DSL services to consumers across Europe. Financial terms were not disclosed.



Tiscali currently has more than one million ADSL subscribers and is experiencing growth of some 35,000 new subscribers per week.



Redback's SmartEdge Service Gateway provides simultaneous and scalable support of subscriber management with dynamic policy enforcement, carrier-class IP routing, ATM mediation, MPLS VPNs, multicast and high performance QoS. http://www.redback.com

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Cingular to Pay $41 Billion in Cash for AT&T Wireless

The board of directors of AT&T Wireless selected Cingular Wireless as the winning bidder to acquire the company for $41 billion in cash. Shareholders of AT&T Wireless will receive $15 cash per common share. Cingular will also assume $6 billion in debt. giving the transaction a full value of $47 billion. Funding requirements for SBC will be approximately $25 billion and for BellSouth, approximately $16 billion. SBC's and BellSouth's proportionate equity stake in Cingular will remain unchanged following the transaction, with SBC holding 60% and BellSouth 40%of the equity. Management control will remain 50-50.



The combination of Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless will create the largest GSM/GPRS network in the U.S. with spectrum in 49 states. Cingular currently has 24 million customers and AT&T Wireless has 22 million subscribers. Cingular operates 21,800 cell sites (of which 94% have GSM coverage as of Q4 2003) and AT&T Wireless has 25,300 cell sites. Annual revenues of the combined company would exceed $32 billion.



Cingular expects to achieve significant operating synergies through this acquisition by consolidating networks, distribution, billing, procurement, marketing, advertising and other functions. The company expects to generate more than $1 billion in operating expense and capital expenditure savings in 2006, and in excess of $2 billion in annual savings beginning in 2007. http://www.cingular.comhttp://www.attwireless.com

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Nortel Enters Access Alliances with Calix, ECI Telecom and Keymile

As part of a strategy to expand its product portfolio to support telco triple play services, Nortel Networks announced strategic alliances with three suppliers of access equipment: Calix, ECI Telecom, and Keymile.



Calix : Nortel Networks will integrate, market and support Calix's ultra-broadband loop carrier products on a worldwide basis under a new three-year strategic alliance. Nortel Networks and Calix will also collaborate on technology to further aid service providers as they accelerate the process of migrating access networks from narrowband to broadband, copper to fiber, and circuit to packet. Calix said its C7 platform now has over a quarter million ports in service at over 110 telephone operating companies throughout North America. The C7 platform provides the functionality of
traditional DSLAMs and NG-DLCs, as well as FTTP network elements. It supports a dense array of interfaces, ranging from POTS, Hi-Cap, and DSL to Gigabit Ethernet, FTTP, and OC-48 SONET.



ECI: ECI Telecom will provide its access and aggregation platforms for central office DSLAM, Optical Line Termination (OLT), and remote terminal applications. ECI's optimized multi-service access gateways will provide the full scope of video, voice, and data services for a wide array
of broadband access applications.



Keymile: Nortel Networks will resell Keymile's multiservice network access UMUX platform for markets using European standards (ETSI). These encompass both NG-DLC and DSLAM capabilities over SDH/ATM and Gigabit Ethernet networks, and can be located in the central office, outside plant, and business premise. Keymile AG is based in Vienna, Austria.



"As part of this strategy, we also intend to equip key elements of the network with the necessary intelligence so that broadband users can have unprecedented flexibility in personalizing their service set and ultimate quality of experience. This intelligence is the glue that will help service providers unleash the potential of their end-to-end network infrastructure to deliver new value to their customers and ultimately enhance long-term competitiveness," said Brian McFadden , president, Optical Networks, Nortel Networks. http://www.nortelnetworks.comhttp://www.calix.com

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Voices for Choices Criticizes Cingular + AT&T Wireless Deal

Voices for Choices, an industry coalition representing competitive carriers, criticized the proposed acquisition of AT&T Wireless by Cingular Wireless on the grounds that it undercuts commitments made by the RBOCs on broadband investments.



"By coming up with $41 billion in cash to purchase AT&T Wireless, these two companies (SBC and BellSouth ) show first that they still have access to massive capital investment. Second, by marshalling those resources for wireless instead of broadband, SBC and BellSouth have shown that in spite of all of their public claims, their real priorities do not include providing quality broadband throughout their region," said Peter Arnold , spokesman of the Voices for Choices coalition. http://www.VoicesForChoices.org

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Intel and Movielink Sign Co-Marketing Deal for the Digital Home

Intel and Movielink, an Internet VOD service, signed a co-marketing and technology collaboration agreement designed to accelerate the deployment of premium online movie content to multiple devices in the home, as well as mobile PCs. The companies plan various marketing programs aimed educating consumers about new PC-based video-on-demand (VOD) usage models. http://www.intel.comhttp://www.movielink.com

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New FLAG Cable to Link Egypt and Hong Kong Via India

FLAG Telecom announced plans to build a new 15,000 km, terabit capacity submarine cable system linking Egypt and Hong Kong via India. The new FALCON loop cable system will provide multiple landings throughout the Gulf region. It would also interconnect seamlessly with Reliance's 80,000 km network across India. FALCON will be funded by FLAG, Reliance and commitments from participating operators. The network is expected to enter service in 2005. http://www.flagtelecom.com

• FLAG Telecom is a member company of India's Reliance Group.

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SOFTBANK BB Deploys Sonus Switches

SOFTBANK BB, one of Japan's largest broadband communication carriers, is deploying Sonus Networks' GSX9000 Open Services Switch, the Insignus Softswitch and the Sonus Insight Management System. Using the network built on Sonus equipment, SBB will provide long distance voice services first for residential subscribers and then for enterprise customers in later deployment phases. Sonus is providing its Open Services Architecture (OSA), as well as associated SonusCARE professional services and support. Financial terms were not disclosed.



The Yahoo! BB service currently has about 3.9 million ADSL customers and more than 3 million IP telephone customers. SOFTBANK was awarded 5.78 million of 8.95 million new IP-based telephone numbers to be issued in Japan, and is expanding its network to accommodate the continued growth in subscribers. http://www.softbankbb.co.jphttp://www.sonusnet.com

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Net.com Awarded Patent for Forward Error Correction in VoIP

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved net.com's forward error correction (FEC) patent (no. 6,675,340) to improve reliability of data packets transmitted over packetized networks, such as voice packets transmitted over an IP network. The patented FEC function allows net.com to offer improved voice reliability and with minimal delay or incremental bandwidth on its SHOUTIP platform. FEC offers exact transmission of encrypted voice data with minimal bandwidth overhead and packet delay. net.com said its patented technology is especially useful for military and government customers who carry secure telephone unit (STU) and future narrowband digital terminal (FNBDT) calls over IP networks. http://www.net.com

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Sprint PCS and STSN Sign WiFi Roaming Contract

Sprint and STSN have entered into a bilateral roaming agreement that will provide access for Sprint PCS Wi-Fi service subscribers in at least 500 hotel "hot spots" in the U.S. and Canada. STSN iBAHN Passport service subscribers will also be able to roam on Wi-Fi ZONES built and managed by Sprint. http://www.wifi.sprintpcs.comhttp://www.stsn.com

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Looking Glass Networks Awards Movaz Multi-Year Contract

Looking Glass Networks has deployed Movaz Network's RAY optical networking equipment to enhance its 10 Gbps service portfolio in the Silicon Valley. The deployment includes Movaz Networks' RAYexpress optical add/drop multiplexer, RAYextender amplifier and RAYtracer management system. Movaz was recently awarded a multi-year contract by Looking Glass Networks. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.movaz.com

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