Multiservice Switching Forum Teams with MPLS & Frame Relay Alliance

The Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF) and the MPLS & Frame Relay Alliance plan to collaborate on two interoperability test events in 2004. These include joint technical work on an MPLS and Frame Relay demonstration at SUPERCOMM in June, as well as at the MSF's Global MSF Interoperability (GMI 2004) event in October.



The MPLS & Frame Relay Alliance will lead the effort at SUPERCOMM, a live, multi-vendor demonstration of QoS-enabled Layer 2&3 VPNs and VPLS services on a MPLS core network. MSF members will be invited to participate in the SUPERCOMM event, with a particular focus on work to deliver VoIP services and applications over an MPLS network.



The MSF will continue to lead the GMI 2004 event, which will culminate in a global extended test event conducted simultaneously in Europe, North America and Asia. Hosted by BT, KT, NTT and Qwest, GMI 2004 is scheduled for October 2004 and will showcase a deployable Next Generation carrier-scale telephony network based on an IP core, with services, applications and advanced QoS and security. MPLS & Frame Relay Alliance members will be invited to participate in GMI 2004, focusing on the creation of a traffic-engineered MPLS network that will run MSF QoS-based applications and services. http://www.msforum.org/http://www.mplsforum.org/

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NeoPhotonics Raises $40 million for FTTP

NeoPhotonics, a start-up based in San Jose, California raised $40 million in venture funding for its integrated optical modules and systems. The company's products are especially targeted at FTTP and metro markets. The company's access product suite includes a full range of splitters and couplers, new "triple play" triplexer transceivers, CWDM Mux/DMux modules, and fully thermal arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) DWDM Mux/DMux modules for FTTP installations. NeoPhotonics cited recent key design wins.



Leading the round were Oak Investment Partners and Institutional Venture Partners (IVP). Other significant investors who joined the funding include Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ) and ATA Ventures, plus Rockport Capital Partners, Harris & Harris Group, Ventana Global Capital, Linkmore Limited and Alps Information Technology Fund. http://www.neophotonics.com

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Danish Carrier Chooses Cisco Metro Ethernet for Triple Play

Dansk Bredbaand a/s (DBnet) is using Cisco Systems' equipment to deliver the triple play of services (voice, video and 10 Mbps data) over an Ethernet to the Home network. The network will serve an initial 10,000 residents in Copenhagen and across Denmark. DBnet is implementing the Cisco ONS 15454 Multiservice Transport Platform and Cisco 12000 Series routers in the core. A network of Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series switches act as broadband aggregation units at regional POPs. These provide Gigabit Ethernet connections to Cisco Catalyst 3550 Series switches for local aggregation in city block basements or enterprise customer premises. Other Cisco technologies used by the service provider include Cisco Universal Gateways and Cisco SIP Proxy Server call control software for voice over IP and Cisco provisioning solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.cisco.com

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Telco Systems Unveils AdvancedTCA Layer3 Routing Switch

Telco Systems introduced an AdvancedTCA-based IP Routing Switch for the carrier market. Its ATCA-compliant modules can be used in any ATCA-compliant chassis (wireless, storage, etc.) to comply with ATCA vision of "Any-Protocol at Any-Card in Any-Slot of Any-ATCA-Platform".



Telco Systems' T6Pro-ATCA switch features a no- single-point-of-failure architecture. Its switch fabric provides wire-speed connectivity of more than 240 Gigabit Ethernet ports within a single 12RU chassis The company offers a variety of line cards, including 10-Gigabit Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and Fast Ethernet.



AdvancedTCA provides an open, multi-vendor standardized architecture for carrier-grade applications. ATCA defines blade and shelf types optimized for telecommunications and guarantees vendors' interoperability. http://www.telco.com

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T-Com Awards ECI Telecom Two-Year xDSL Equipment Contract

T-Com, Deutsche Telekom's national fixed line division, extended ECI Telecom's long-term contract for the deployment of broadband access platform for an additional two years. Currently, T-Com has over four million T-DSL subscriber lines, with plans to more than double that number to at least 10 million T-DSL users by 2007. The carrier plans to use ECI's latest fourth generation Hi-FOCuS 4 multi-service access gateway (MSAG) to help reach this goal.



ECI's Hi-FOCuS 4 features live video multicast service capabilities. It also offers integrated voice gateway and FTTx capabilities. For the new contract extension, T-Com will deploy ECI's next generation ADSL capabilities including extended reach DSL and G.SHDSL. http://www.ecitele.com

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Atrica Announces Residential Strategy for Optical Ethernet

Atrica
announced a new residential triple play strategy that leverages its Optical Ethernet
systems in a universal "Open Access" architecture.



Atrica said its Open Access network would transparently connect
subscribers to any service provider of their choosing with guaranteed QoS for each service. The transport network is managed independently from the service provider's network (i.e., no interaction between service providers at Layer 3). Independently delivered triple play applications could include Internet access from multi-megabit up to 100Mbps, hundreds of TV channels, video on
demand (VOD), personal video recording (PVR), video
conferencing, interactive video applications such as remote
learning and gaming, and voice and video telephony. For
carriers, an Open Access infrastructure enables them to offer
services from other value added service providers. It also means
they could leverage the same transport network to serve both
business and residential subscribers, while offering their
customers guaranteed service level agreements (SLAs) and sub-50
millisecond resiliency.

Atrica's solutions support integration with circuit switched
networks by delivering Ethernet Circuit Emulation Services (CES)
for support of TDM traffic. Atrica also provides an efficient
MPLS-based multicast mechanism optimized for TV channel
distribution with protection for video sources.



The French city of Pau recently announced the deployment of a
new public Optical Ethernet infrastructure based on Atrica's
Carrier-class Optical Ethernet technology. The Open Access
infrastructure will deliver Pau's residents 100Mbps speed access
to advanced Triple Play services including lnternet access,
Voice over IP, 100+ TV channels, and Video on Demand for EUR 30
a month.
http://www.atrica.com

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CIENA Unveils its CoreStream Agility

CIENA announced the general availability of its CoreStream Agility system for advanced optical core network. CoreStream Agility integrates optical transport and software-enabled wavelength switching in a single system. It delivers "agile WDM" by enabling rerouting of signals and reconfiguration of network traffic via software. CoreStream Agility is capable of routing 2.5G, 10G and 40G wavelengths for long-haul and ultra long-haul (ULH) network routes. The platform has been lab-tested for 40G compatibility.



CoreStream Agility also delivers an all-optical bypass capability to eliminate optical-electrical-optical (OEO) signal conversions and transceivers. The system can also be used to automate end-to-end service provisioning and management, inventory and resource tracking, and dynamic power management.



The system offers up to 1.92 terabits of optical capacity in the C-band and is L-band upgradeable. CoreStream Agility also includes tunable transceivers with optional G.709 and multiplexing client interfaces, next-generation integrated line amplifiers, and 10-Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) support.



CoreStream Agility features are backward compatible with previous CoreStream systems. Additionally, CoreStream Agility has an ITU optics interface and is fully interoperable with CIENA's CoreDirector intelligent optical core switch.



"Demand for new-generation enterprise and consumer broadband services at the edge of the network, such as Video on Demand, storage and carrier-class data services, is driving service providers' plans for network evolution," said Steve Alexander, chief technical officer at CIENA. http://www.ciena.com

• Ciena's CoreStream Agility has been selected by MCI and the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) for their recently announced network builds.

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Flarion Announces New FLASH-OFDM Chipsets, Modems

Flarion Technologies unveiled its latest broadband wireless modems and embedded chipsets for use in laptops, tablet PCs, PDAs and handsets. The FLASH-OFDM modems and chipsets support typical downlink speeds of 1 Mbps and peak user burst rates of 3 Mbps (Downlink Modulation: 16 QAM, QPSK) using 1.25 MHz FDD spectrum, and typical uplink speeds of 300 to 500 Kbps and peak user burst rates of 900 Kbps (Uplink Modulation: QPSK).



Flarion plans to begin shipping its second generation PCMCIA modem card in the second half of 2004. The company will also offer a CompactFlash card modem for PDAs, tablets and other devices with CF type II slots. In addition, Flarion will offer a desktop modem featuring Ethernet and USB connectivity. http://www.flarion.com

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NEC's BIGLOBE Deploys Force10

BIGLOBE, NEC's wholly-owned flagship Internet service provider, has deployed the Force10 Networks' E-Series 10 Gigabit Ethernet platform. The equipment is being used to accommodate a flood of peer-to-peer traffic that has overwhelmed its current network. The companies described the deployment as an upgrade for BIGLOBE's current 10 Gigabit Ethernet network. The Force10 E1200 scales up to twenty-eight 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 336 Gigabit Ethernet ports. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.force10networks.com.

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T-Systems to Sell Lucent's' Network Management

T-Systems, the information and telecommunications technology service arm of Deutsche Telekom, has agreed to act as a reseller for Lucent's VitalSuite Performance Management Software solution. T-Systems will sell the software solution to service provider and enterprise customers throughout Europe, as well as integrate it into departments within Deutsche Telekom.



Lucent's VitalSuite Performance Management Software is designed to monitor and optimize the delivery of high-margin services such as DSL, VPN, IP Centrex, streaming video, GigE and diverse 3G wireless services, providing visibility into -- and complete control over -- network, service and applications performance across multi-vendor, multi-technology operations. http://www.lucent.com

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Intelsat Completes Acquisition of Loral's North American Satellites

Intelsat completed its acquisition of the North American satellites and related customer contracts of Loral Space & Communications Corporation. The $961.1 million purchase enhances Intelsat's global market position by adding full coverage of North America to the Intelsat fleet and expanding its customer base in the broadcasting, cable television and corporate networking segments.
The deal also includes insurance rights related to the failure last year of the Telstar 4 satellite, which could total up to $140 million. http://www.intelsat.com

• Intelsat was the highest bidder in an auction for Loral's North American telecommunications satellites. The other bidder at the auction was EchoStar Communications Corporation. The deal covers the sale of the in-orbit Telstars 4, 5, 6, 7 and 13, as well as Telstar 8, which is scheduled to be launched in the first half of next year.

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IBM Tunes its BladeCenter System for Telecom Infrastructure

IBM announced new versions of its eServer BladeCenter system for the telecom industry, targeting wireless/wireline server applications that require near continuous uptime.



The IBM BladeCenter T systems will be both Network Equipment Building System 3 (NEBS 3) and European Telecommunications Standard Industry (ETSI) compliant. It has also been hardened to withstand high temperature, violent shaking, lightning strikes, airborne contaminants, fires, and electrostatic discharge. The new system chassis design also incorporates many specialized telecommunications features such as the Telcom Alarm Panel and air input filtering. In addition, the system's shorter chassis depth will allow it to fit in 600mm racks. The BladeCenter T system will incorporate both the latest Intel-based processors and hardened operating systems such as carrier-grade Linux.



IBM said its new class of blade servers is coupled with the IBM Service Provider Delivery Environment (SPDE) framework, which is designed to give wireline and wireless telecommunications service providers the flexibility to introduce new, revenue generating voice, text and Internet services. IBM also plans to offer expanded software solutions including IBM Director for systems management, IBM middleware and services that address both the Next Generation Network and Telecommunications back office requirements support for Linux with OSDL specified Carrier Grade Linux features. http://www.ibm.com

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Lucent Announces $300 Million in European Contracts

At CeBIT 2004, Lucent Technologies announced contracts worth more than US$300 million (EUR 250 million) to provide fixed line and mobile service providers in Europe with next-generation services and solutions. These include:

• T-Com -- for a next-generation voice network pilot project; as well as to expand capacity on its optical transport network. Lucent will also provide a multi-vendor optical network management solution



• T-Mobile Germany -- for UMTS PC card modems developed with Novatel to support mobile high-speed data services



• KPN -- solutions and services to upgrade telephony infrastructure



• Telefonica -- for collaboration on its next-generation "Imagenio" multimedia broadband service; and Lucent's LambdaUnite Multiservice Switch will be used to upgrade its national optical backbone



• Telefonica Móviles Espaňa -- s network management software for roll-out of mobile data services



• Telekomunikacja Polska -- for DSL equipment



• Finnet Com OY -- for DSL equipment



• Uni2 -- for DSL equipment in Spain



• e-Plus in Germany -- to deploy 3G UMTS high-speed data cards developed by Lucent and Novatel Wireless



• O2 Germany -- to supply 3G UMTS PC Cards developed by Lucent and Novatel to support mobile high-speed data services

http://www.lucent.com

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Siemens and Skype Develop Cordless VoIP Phone

At CeBIT 2004, Siemens mobile introduced a consumer Internet telephony and messaging solution developed in partnership with Skype Technologies, the peer-to-peer VoIP provider. The new telephony product will allow consumers to utilize and manage all of their traditional Internet applications such as instant messaging, chat, buddy lists, Internet radio and emails, conveniently from their Gigaset handset. The Gigaset M34 USB PC Adapter offers an open interface to enable third party solution providers to integrate cordless phones into their applications for VoIP, messaging and home control. Siemens is providing a free Software Development Kit (SDK). The Gigaset-Skype Internet telephony package will be available in September 2004 across Europe. The Gigaset-Skype Internet telephony solution is the first product from the Siemens Cordless Product VoIP Integration Roadmap that will soon include Gigaset Residential Voice and Data Gateways, and Gigaset WiFi devices. http://www.siemens.com 17-Mar-04

http://www.siemens.com

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Siemens Shows 1.3 Megapixel Mobile Phone

At CeBIT 2004, Siemens mobile introduced a business class mobile phone with a 1.3 MegaPix integrated video camera that films at 15 frames per second. The phone offer Bluetooth, wireless synchronization with Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes and extended PIM (personal information management) applications and comes with a 32 MB compact exchangeable Memory Card. It also features up to 6 hours talk time and up to 250 hours standby time. http://www.siemens.com

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France Telecom and Alcatel Partner on Converged Fixed/Internet/Mobile

France Telecom and Alcatel announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the joint definition and implementation of a Next Generation Network Architecture (NGN/IMS) towards a converged fixed/Internet/mobile network. The partnership focuses on designing, developing and deploying innovative, differentiated and revenue generating services, based upon the convergence and the evolution of the existing networks and their respective access layers.



The partnership is expected to include joint research and development teams, shared R&D funding, and the principle of sharing intellectual property resulting from the partnership. Specific terms were not disclosed. http://www.alcatel.com

• In recent weeks, France Telecom has announced several strategic partnerships with leading systems companies, including with Ericsson, in order to jointly develop IP Multimedia Services for the consumer market, and with Siemens, to jointly develop a New Generation Network Architecture for mobile/fixed networks.

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Siemens ICN Shows Telco Triple Play Solution

At CeBIT 2004, Siemens ICN is presenting its "Surpass Home Entertainment Solution" for network operators planning triple play services over DSL. The Siemens solution encompasses video telephony via the television, receipt of e-mail via TV, and also SMS and MMS transmission. It also support online gaming and video/audio on demand, storage of TV shows directly from the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) for later viewing.. Also included are Internet on TV and the "Walled Garden", a service that allows network providers to make a defined internet area available to a particular customer group -- for instance children. To use the applications, a set-top box is needed, which is hooked up to the DSL connection. This connects the television and, if required, other devices, such as PC and telephone. All online services are IP-based.



To provide the TV-centered online services, Siemens is collaborating with Myrio for control of the application services, nCube for the video-on-demand servers, Verimatrix for digital rights management, and Tandberg Television for the video broadcast equipment. http://www.siemens.com

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