Ubiquity and Convedia Partner on IP Service Delivery for 3G

Ubiquity and Convedia have jointly developed and demonstrated a Caller Ringback Tone and mobile conferencing solution that is 3GPP IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) compliant.



The platform is based on Ubiquity's SIP Application Server and Convedia's IP Media Servers. Ubiquity's software provides both a carrier-class deployment platform and an open, programmable application creation environment, while Convedia's IP media servers deliver an optimized Multimedia Resource Function (MRF) to support scalable audio and video IP media processing. The network-based Caller Ringback Tone application allows mobile users to choose the ringing sound they wish to hear when placing a call to a particular party or the tone they wish others to hear when they are called and the phone starts ringing. The mobile conferencing implementation is based on Ubiquity's SPEAK application. http://www.convedia.comhttp://www.ubiquity.com

Read More

ADC Debuts Line-Powered ADSL and G.SHDSL Wi-Fi

At CeBIT 2004, ADC introduced a line-powered Wi-Fi access point solution that uses ADSL or G.shdsl backhaul transport. The line-powering capability allows the access points to be located where needed when commercial power is not readily available.



ADC estimates that service providers can save up to 70% in first construction costs by eliminating the need to obtain commercial power. In addition, installation time is simplified and reduced, and access point location is optimized for maximum RF coverage.



The ADC LoopStar Wi-Fi solution consists of two ends: a shelf-based powering module deployed from a standard 3190 mechanics shelf, such as ADC's HMS-318, and an outdoor or indoor Wi-Fi Access Point. The line powering can occur from any BBDLC and DSLAM supporting ADSL and
G.shdsl transporthttp://www.adc.com

Read More

Nortel Networks Ships its Multimedia Services Platform in Europe

At CeBIT 2004, Nortel Networks announced that its next generation multimedia services platform for enterprises is now available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) through distribution partners BT, DeTeWe, Swisscom and KPN. The Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) 5100 Release 2 provides enterprises with tools for collaboration, mobility and personalized application development using SIP and H.323. It can be deployed with Nortel Networks telephony systems, or with telephony systems from other vendorshttp://www.nortelnetworks.com

Read More

Marconi Selects Centillium's Maximus ADSL2/2+/2++

Marconi has selected Centillium's "Maximus" 12-port ADSL2/2+/2++ chipset for deployment in its Access Hub MSAN platform. Centillium's chipset is capable to deliver up to 50 Mbps of downstream bandwidth, 3 Mbps of upstream bandwidth and reach customers at distances up to 6,000 meters from the central office while maintaining full backward compatibility existing ADSL modems. With the introduction of a new 60-channel xDSL line card (also available in the 48-channel sub-equipped version) based on the chipset, Marconi's Access Hub now supports up to 1,200 xDSL lines in a single shelf, i.e. 2,400 per single 7-foot-rack.



Marconi and Centillium also announced a strategic initiative for the development of Next Generation VDSL2 solutions.



Centillium said it has shipped over three million Central Office (CO) ports based on its Maximus chipsethttp://www.centillium.com

Read More

Belgacom Selects Marconi for Optical Core

Belgacom has awarded Marconi and its service partner Tein Telecom a three-year frame contract extension for optical transmission equipment and services. Belgacom will use Marconi's next-generation optical technology to converge existing SDH into an intelligent and simplified network core. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.marconi.com

Read More

Marconi Demos Convergence Features of BXR-48000

At CeBIT 2004, Marconi is showing enhancements to its BXR-48000 multiservice router for supporting packet voice convergence over a common core.



Marconi's BXR-48000 provides up to 480 Gbps of full-duplex, deterministically, non-blocking throughput (960 Gbps simplex) and handles IP routing, MPLS switching and ATM switching simultaneously while maintaining predictability and high-performance.



Marconi said the BXR-48000 can also function as a Broadband Gateway (BBGW) to a converged core, as well as providing integrated network support to allow physical network convergence and flexible adaptation of legacy services to a converged packet core.



Technical features in the BXR-48000 Release 2.0 include Packet over Sonet/ SDH (POS) interfaces up to OC-192c/STM-64, and IP/MPLS functionality such as DiffServ-aware Traffic Engineering, OSPF-TE, IS-IS TE, BGP-4, RSVP-TE, LDP, RFC 2547 VPNs and PWE3 for ATM over MPLS.



Services enabled by the new features include packet-voice convergence, IP VPNs and IP streaming video, Internet services, as well as support for the most rigorous network security and data encryption on the market. http://www.marconi.com

Read More

T-Com Deploys Alcatel's Ethernet

T-Com, the fixed-network division of Deutsche Telekom, is using Alcatel's Ethernet equipment to link its enterprise customers' LAN throughout Germany. T-Com is using Alcatel's Optical Multi-Service Node (OMSN) systems to provide carrier-class Ethernet services such as VPNs. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.alcatel.com

Read More

ECI Telecom Enhances its Miniature MSPP

At CeBIT 2004, ECI Telecom announced new data capabilities for its XDM-100 Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP), which is specifically designed and optimized for the access and cellular markets. The enhancement include a new EIS-M card (Ethernet Interface and Switching Module) that enables the XDM-100 to converge Ethernet, SDH/SONET, TDM/CWDM and PDH/Async services within a single compact device.



ECI will also introduce new XDM combiner cards for 2.5 Gbps and 10 Gbps line rates. These cards enable an individual service on a channel to be dropped at any network node resulting in more efficient wavelength utilization across a wide variety of Gigabit Ethernet and Storage Area Network (SAN) applications.



ECI said its XDM-100 MSPP, which was released at CeBIT 2003 has since achieved widespread deployments in major networks across Europe and Asia Pacific. http://www.ecitele.com

Read More

Manitoba Telecom to Acquire Allstream (formerly AT&T Canada)

Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS) will acquire Allstream (formerly AT&T Canada) in a transaction valued at $1.7 billion. Allstream offers a broad portfolio of business solutions including data and voice connectivity, infrastructure management and information technology services. It currently holds an 11% share of the Canadian business telecommunications market. MTS is the incumbent operator in Manitoba.



Under the deal, MTS will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Allstream at an offering price per Allstream share of $23.00 in cash plus 1.0909 MTS shares. The offer equates to a price of $81.12 per Allstream share, based on the closing price per MTS share on 17-March-2004. The offer represents a premium of approximately 19% for Allstream shareholders.



BCE (the parent company of Bell Canada ), which is the largest shareholder in Manitoba Telecom and holds a 22% stake, issued a brief statement calling the deal "a significant change in the strategic direction of MTS," and saying it's weighing its options. http://www.allstream.comhttp://www.mts.ca

• Allstream operates a network with 14,000 km of intercity fiber and 4,700 km of intracity fiber. It has 29 CLEC networks with 537,940 access lines in service. Its network also encompasses 14 local voice switches, 109 Frame Relay switches and 695 ATM switches.

Read More

Spain's Arsys Internet Selects CIENA/Laurel

Arsys Internet S.L., a Spanish ISP, selected CIENA to supply a next-generation Broadband Remote Access Server (B-RAS) solution using Laurel Networks' ST200 Service Edge Router. The ST-200 supports 128,000 subscriber sessions per chassis, providing the high bandwidth-per-subscriber, advanced QoS and integrated routing and switching required to offer triple play services including voice, video and data over a single connection. The Laurel B-RAS solution also allows for additional broadband services for businesses, including VPNs and VPLS over broadband access. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.ciena.comhttp://www.laurelnetworks.com

Read More

Comcast Launches HD Digital Video Recorder Service

Comcast began offering Digital Video Recorder (DVR) service throughout the Washington Metro/Virginia Region. Comcast's DVR service is equipped with a new feature that gives customers with high-definition-capable TV sets the ability to record high-definition programming. The Washington Metro/Virginia Region is the first Comcast market in the country with this capability. DVR customers can save up to 30 to 50 hours of standard programming on their digital set-top box or up to seven hours of HD programming. The service is available to Comcast Digital Cable customers for an additional $9.95 per month. It service uses a digital cable set-top box provided by Comcast and there is no upfront equipment charge. http://www.comcast.com

Read More

Plantronics and Skype to Develop VoIP Headsets

Plantronics and Skype Technologies announced a worldwide strategic partnership to provide voice communications solutions for users of Skype's online telephony services. As part of the agreement, Plantronics will be the globally preferred headset provider for Skype, and in the future, a range of Plantronics headsets will be made available bundled with a free trial of Skype's premium services. http://www.plantronics.comhttp://www.skype.com

Read More

Scientific-Atlanta Expands VOD Transport Offerings

Scientific-Atlanta introduced new 10 Gbps video-on-demand (VOD) transport cards for its Prisma IP multi-service digital transport platform. This will enable cable operators to use a single fiber to transport as many as 240,000 VOD streams, according to the company.



Scientific-Atlanta currently offers 1 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps VOD cards for the Prisma platform. The 10 Gbps cards are available with widely tunable lasers that are able to tune over all 100 optical channels of the entire ITU C-band at 100 GHz spacing.



The Scientific-Atlanta-developed 10 Gbps VOD cards are commercially available for order. The Prisma IP platform was jointly developed by Scientific-Atlanta and Luminous Networks. http://www.scientificatlanta.com

Read More

Cisco Adds to its Catalyst Intelligent Switching Series

At CeBIT 2004, Cisco Systems announced a series of integrated security and manageability upgrades for its key Catalyst switching portfolio. The enhancements include a new "smartport" capability across the Catalyst product family aimed at enabling faster and easier configuration of many advanced features, such as QoS, security and availability. Cisco expects the smartports will greatly reduce the time and complexity of advanced feature deployments while achieving implementation consistency across multiple switch devices. The new security features include DHCP snooping , Dynamic ARP Inspection that helps to prevent DoS and man-in-the-middle attacks, and IP source guard, which helps prevent IP address theft. Additionally, Cisco offers its own extensions to 802.1x to provide more granular user-based authentication and network access control.



The Catalyst rollout also includes:

• new Catalyst 6500 software enhancements for several Integrated Advanced Services Modules, including the Content Switching Module, the SSL Services Module, the IPSec VPN Services Module and the Network Analysis Module 1 and 2. These enhancements, enabled with software upgrades, provide additional security, application awareness, and visibility of network traffic.



• a new web-based management tool for the Catalyst 6500 Integrated Service Modules,



• a 48-port SFP fiber-based gigabit Ethernet module,



• an enhancement to the Cisco Supervisor 720,



• a new 10-Slot chassis and Supervisor Engine for the Catalyst 4500,



• 10Gigabit Ethernet uplink capability for the Catalyst 3750



• new 10 Gigabit Ethernet XENPAK optics that support multi-mode and copper interfaces

http://www.cisco.com

Read More