Montana's Blackfoot Telecom. Deploys Occam's BLC 6000

The Blackfoot Telecommunications Group, an independent carrier serving western Montana and one county in central Idaho, has selected Occam Networks' BLC 6000 platform to deliver voice, video and high-speed data services to residential and business subscribers. Blackfoot will deploy the BLC 6000s over a three-year period as they evolve their existing SONET network to an all IP services transport network. Occam's BLC 6000 platform is a complete loop carrier system that uses Ethernet and IP as core transport and service protocols. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.occamnetworks.com

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Siemens: Mobile Market Back on Growth Path in 2004

Siemens mobile said the market for mobile handsets and networks is recovering and growing again due to 3G rollouts. The company plans to introduce 30 new handsets this fiscal year, as well as the first fixed-line MMS phone. Siemens also outlined a longer term strategy that centers on the convergence of mobile and fixed-line network services, thus paving the way for a more unified and simpler use of communications tools. http://www.siemens.com

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Voice on the Net (VON) Coalition Urges Regulatory Caution

A new Voice on the Net (VON) Coalition has been formed by leading industry players to advance regulatory policies promoting VoIP in the United States. The coalition expressed concern that ongoing policy reviews could lead to new regulatory barriers that would slow VoIP adoption and delay the extraordinary benefits of VoIP.


The VON Coalition supports efforts to address a number of critical issues like the availability of 911 emergency services and law enforcement surveillance, but believes that these and other legitimate concerns can be addressed without imposing heavy regulation on VoIP. The Coalition also favors taking a new look at the Universal Service Fund to ensure its sustainability through a system of fair contributions from all providers of telephone number-based communications services. Likewise, the group favors an overhaul of the outmoded inter-carrier compensation regime, which it called "a hodgepodge of implicit subsidies."


Members of the coalition include AT&T, Callipso, Convedia, IceNet, iBasis, Intel, Intrado, ITXC, MCI, PointOne and Texas Instruments. http://www.vonplus.org

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RADVISION Introduces Video Streaming for 3G Devices

RADVISION introduced a video streaming solution that provides a seamless bridge between the RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) devices and IP or 3G endpoints. RADVISION said its viaIP Multimedia Streaming Solution is scalable to serve any number of concurrent users and multiple streaming servers and network cameras, and features SNMP management and control tools. At the core of this new viaIP Multimedia Streaming Solution are the management systems, RTSP proxy, 3G-324M gateway, call control, and feature servers necessary to convert and direct one-way and multipoint video and multimedia content from RTSP sources to the 3G broadband cellular device. http://www.radvision.com

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Enterasys Refocuses on Enterprise Security, Signs Lucent as Partner

Lucent Technologies and Enterasys Networks announced a new partnership focused on networking security for enterprises. Lucent will resell Enterasys' newly launched Dynamic Intrusion Response Solution and has joined the Enterasys Secure Networks Certified Technology Partner Program as its founding member.


The Enterasys Dynamic Intrusion Response Solution provides organizations with an automated, closed-loop system for intrusion detection, network management and intrusion response. The solution integrates the capabilities of Enterasys' Dragon intrusion defense system (IDS), NetSight Atlas network management and the company's policy-based switching infrastructure.


Enterasys also kicked off a global awareness and demand generation campaign around Secure Networks. Together with this campaign, Enterasys unveiled a new corporate identity refocused on Secure Networks, including an updated logo and tagline, "Networks That Know". http://www.enterasys.com/http://www.lucent.com/enterasys

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Primus Canada Partners With Telica on VoIP Services

Primus Telecommunications Canada is using Telica's Plexus 9000 softswitch to enable VoIP services in multiple cities across Canada. The deployment supports Primus Canada's nationwide launch of TalkBroadband VoIP services. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.telica.comhttp://www.primustel.ca

• In January 2004, PRIMUS Canada introduced a consumer VoIP service for broadband users in Canada. Customers can select from Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton local numbers. Operator services and 911 will not be offered at launch, however development is underway. The service is priced at $19.95 per month, 15% less on average than the basic service customers pay now for traditional residential phone service, according to the company.

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Siemens/Cisco Mobile Alliance Cites Customer Progress

The strategic alliance between Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (Siemens mobile) and Cisco Systems so far has resulted in 15 orders from carriers in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. Under the strategic alliance agreement, Siemens mobile and Cisco will collaborate on solution development, marketing and delivery of mobile communications solutions. Development plans include new mobile IP technologies for GPRS, UMTS (3G) and W-LAN networks, designed specifically to suit the requirements of businesses with mobile data services. Siemens serves as systems integrator. http://www.siemens.com

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LSI Logic Delivers 667 Mbps Physical Layer Core

LSI Logic Corporation introduced a physical layer (PHY) memory interface ASIC core optimized for operation up to 667 Mbps for RLDRAM-II, FCRAM-II and Network DRAM-II memories. The core is the newest addition to the company's Gflx (0.11-micron) CoreWare portfolio, and supports cell-based ASICs and RapidChip Platform ASICs for fast system-on-a-chip (SoC) designs. The core is targeted for high-end switches, routers and server applications. http://www.lsilogic.com

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Cisco Offers Ethernet to the Factory Solutions

Cisco Systems announced an "Intelligent Networked Manufacturing" strategy aimed at helping its industrial customers to link functional areas such as product development, production and customer service management. The Cisco Ethernet to the Factory solution encompasses wireless, security and voice applications for improved visibility, flexibility and productivity. Examples include Honeywell International, which has specified Cisco Catalyst switches as the networking support for its Experion Process Knowledge System, a single automation system for process, business and asset management. http://www.cisco.com

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Ixia Acquires G3 NOVA for VoIP Network Testing

Ixia acquired privately held G3 NOVA Technology, a developer of VoIP test products, for $9.0 million in cash and common stock, plus possible future earnout payments. G3 NOVA is headquartered in Westlake Village, California, and also has a team of over 40 engineers based in Bucharest, Romania.


Based on the acquired technology, Ixia is introducing a new family of performance and conformance test tools focused on VoIP and Internet telephony. The IxVoice product can be used to measure the results and analyze the Quality of Voice (QoV) and Quality of Fax (QoF) from correlated calls over PSTN and IP while mixing and switching between various media streams such as voice, tones, data, and fax. The extensive test library of IxVoice is capable of addressing a wide range of test applications with the ability to emulate SIP, H.323, MGCP/MEGACO, SCCP (Cisco's Skinny protocol) signaling, and RTP media streaming protocols. IxVoice can automate the call flow, feature, and performance of voice networks using a multi-interface, multi-technology approach integrated inside an automated, scalable, and distributed framework. http://www.ixiacom.com

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Packet Design Route Explorer Supports Cisco's EIGRP

Packet Design introduced a route analysis system for Cisco's Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), which is used on more than half of all enterprise networks. The system gives network engineers a real-time layer 3 topology view of their networks.


Route Explorer/EIGRP Edition works by first discovering all EIGRP routers on the network and creating an end-to-end view of the topology. It then "listens" to the EIGRP protocol exchanges to learn when topology changes occur. By analyzing those exchanges and mapping the information onto the network topology, it can infer the root cause of any route change or other layer 3 event to the most likely set of routers and links. Finally the inference is validated and the source of the problem verified.


In addition to the EIGRP capability, Packet Design's Route Explorer supports OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), IS-IS (Intermediate System-Intermediate System) and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol). http://www.packetdesign.com

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Laurel Adds L2TP Network Server, VPLS Capabilities

Laurel Networks has added L2TP Network Server (LNS) and VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service) capabilities to its ST200 Service Edge Router. The L2TP Network Server in Laurel's newly released ShadeTree 3.0 service-enabling system software supports up to 128,000 broadband subscriber sessions. The LNS feature may be enabled on any card installed in the ST200 platform, with no special hardware required.


The new VPLS support adds a point-to-multipoint (or bridged) Ethernet service (based on the IETF Lasserre-V Kompella draft) to existing point-to-point (pseudo-wire) Ethernet services. ShadeTree 3.0 takes advantage of the AnyService on AnyPort @ AnySpeed feature on Laurel's ST200 platform to enable VPLS on a variety of access networks including Ethernet, SONET, ATM or Frame Relay.


In addition, ShadeTree 3.0 has added a run-time hitless software upgrade capability. The Laurel Instant Versioning (LIVE) feature leverages the modular ShadeTree software architecture to enable real-time patches of portions of live running code, without impacting system operation. Service providers can use the capability to install new diagnostics and implement unplanned updates on the running system without interruption.

by Steve Vogelsang Laurel Networks

Injecting Intelligence into the Broadband Service Delivery Infrastructure While broadband is rapidly gaining market acceptance, it's unclear which delivery and pricing models and applications will gain market acceptance. Service providers must design their broadband delivery infrastructure to support the delivery of high-speed, QoS-sensitive applications, regardless of what they are or how they are

http://www.laurelnetworks.com

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Orange to Launch 3G Network in Second Half 2004

Orange announced commercial trials of its 3G network in the UK and France. The company promises to launch full commercial 3G services to customers in France and the UK in the second half of 2004.


During 2003, Orange selected Alcatel, Nokia and Nortel as Orange partners in the deployment of 3G radio access network (RAN) technology infrastructure. Orange has been working with Alcatel and Nokia in the United Kingdom and Alcatel, Nokia and Nortel Networks in Francehttp://www.orange.com

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E2O and Scintera Test Error-Free VCSEL for 10GigE

E2O Communications demonstrated an error-free data transmission at a 10Gigabit Ethernet data rate on 320 meters of 62.5 micron multimode fiber using E2O's 1310 nm long wavelength VCSEL along with Scintera's electronics dispersion compensation (EDC) device. E2O's long wavelength VCSEL operates at a data rate of 10.3 Gbps and at an average power of greater than 1 mW from 0 to 70 degrees Celsius. The bit-error-rate (BER) of better than 1E-12 has been demonstrated across the multimode fiber link within the entire operation temperature range. http://www.e2oinc.comhttp://www.scinteranetworks.com

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Covaro Networks Raises $25.3 Million for Ethernet Services Mgt.

Covaro Networks, a start-up based in Richardson, Texas raised $25.3 million in Series B funding for its Ethernet services management system. Covaro develops products that address hybrid networks containing both Ethernet and traditional T1/T3 based services. Covaro's unique Etherjack functionality allows carriers (or enterprises) to transport and manage Ethernet services using traditional management methods to reduce turn-up, test and maintenance costs. The new funding round was lead by Centennial Ventures -- a new Covaro investor with offices in Denver, Colo., and Austin and Houston, Texas. Participation also came from existing investors CenterPoint Ventures, InterWest Partners and Sevin Rosen Funds. This comes in addition to first-round funding that netted the company $16.7 million. http://www.covaro.com

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MCI Selects CIENA and Siemens for Ultra Long Haul Backbone

MCI selected CIENA and Siemens as key suppliers for a new Ultra Long Haul (ULH) DWDM optical network that will become the foundation by which all MCI services will be delivered. MCI is already carrying traffic on its first ULH network route deployment in the western U.S. and expects to complete its domestic network build-out over a three to five year period. Financial terms were not disclosed.


CIENA confirmed that MCI will use its CoreStream platform for optical ULH backbone that leverages software-configurable wavelength switching. CoreStream's ultra long-haul capabilities eliminates costly electrical signal regenerations. It uses high-performance amplifiers with dynamic gain flattening for ULH applications, allowing un-regenerated signal propagation of 3,200 km and beyond. The automated wavelength switching will allow MCI to remotely provision wavelengths. The CoreStream platform provides both 25GHz and 50GHz channel spacing, allowing MCI to optimize its network for both capacity and distance all within the C-band. http://www.mci.comhttp://www.ciena.com

• Earlier this month, MCI announced an expansion of its MPLS backbone using Cisco System's equipment. In the first stage of its network expansion, which is currently underway, MCI is working with Cisco on a multi-phased, edge-router deployment in 48 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pac. Specifically, MCI is deploying the Cisco 10000 Series Router as its IP/MPLS Edge Label Switch Router for its Private IP service platform. Completion is expected by year-end 2004. In the U.S. alone, MCI plans to extend its Private IP network two-fold. MCI's MPLS-based service now has the Cisco Powered Network designation.



• Also in February 2004, MCI awarded a multi-year Global Master Purchase Agreement to Movaz Networks covering the rapid deployment of its next generation optical transport solutions across its global network. Financial terms were not disclosed. MCI began field deployment of the Movaz RAY product suite in 2002 and is already carrying live traffic in major metropolitan regions for a variety of applications including carrier-to-carrier, enterprise and core infrastructure applications.



• In November 2003, Siemens announced that AT&T Labs was testing its next-generation optical transport solution for use on high-capacity routes in the AT&T network. The test marks the first Siemens deployment in the AT&T transport network. AT&T has expressed its intent to evolve to one global network using MPLS on an optical backbone. The Siemens SURPASS hiT 7500 offers full-channel optical add/drop multiplexer capabilities, enabling remote configuration of a path without the need to touch the network while staying all-optical through multiple add/drop nodes. The Siemens system also features transponders that are tunable over the full 80 channels of light, resulting in quicker wavelength provisioning.

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AT&T and MCI Resolve Call Routing Claims

AT&T and MCI reached an out-of-court resolution of all claims the two companies have had against each other, both before and after MCI filed Chapter 11 petitions in July 2002. The agreement includes resolution of AT&T's call routing claims against MCI and MCI's dismissal of its contempt of court motion against AT&T.


No other terms of the agreement were disclosed. http://www.att.comhttp://www.mci.com

• In September 2003, AT&T filed a lawsuit in federal district court against MCI/WorldCom and ONVOY seeking damages for, among other things, violations of the civil provisions of the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act and other laws. AT&T accused MCI/WorldCom and ONVOY of orchestrating a scheme called the "Canadian Gateway Project," in which they worked with other telecommunications companies to reroute MCI customers' domestic phone calls through Canada to deceive and defraud AT&T into paying hefty termination fees for terminating calls to high-cost independent telephone companies in the U.S. AT&T said MCI/WorldCom should have properly kept the telephone traffic on its own network and been responsible for terminating access fees, if any, via intra-company transfers.

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Alcatel Launches Open Standards-Based Communications Suite

Alcatel launched a set of server-based unified communication software applications based on open standards, such as XML/SOAP, SIP and VXML. The Alcatel OmniTouch Unified Communication suite includes four applications:

• My Messaging - A VXML-based unified messaging application handling non real-time communications with a single multi-media mailbox (voicemail, email and faxes). It enables remote access to email via phone with text-to-speech capabilities and the ability to print or broadcast email and fax by voice command. It also offers message notification filters.



• My Phone - An XML/SOAP-based real-time communications management tool that lets a person on the move transform any phone or multi-media PC into a business phone, complete with full telephony features such as conference calling, unified directory access and call log.



• My Assistant - A web and VXML-based "find-me-follow-me" call routing and permissions application that defines when, where and by whom a person is to be contacted and diverts non-urgent calls to voice mail. It screens and intelligently routes calls based on caller ID and time of day.



• MyTeamwork - A set of collaboration applications that facilitate conferencing and working together in real-time.

Alcatel also announced two new application phones: the Alcatel IP (Internet Protocol) Touch 4068 and Alcatel IP Touch 4038. http://www.alcatel.com

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