Ubicom Secures $21 Million for Wireless Processor

Ubicom, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, secured $21 million in a Series II financing round for its wireless network processor and software platforms. Ubicom has developed a new processor architecture designed for real-time tasks and low latency. The company said its system can process packets twice as fast as typical solutions, improving response times for games, voice, and other interactive applications. The Ubicom platform also uses proprietary design techniques to enable the high-performance execution of software I/O -- a technique that implements all communications and control functions in software.



The funding round was led by August Capital and Levensohn Venture Partners, and included Dado Banatao -- co-founder of S3, Chips & Technologies, and Mostron -- and Ubicom's existing investors. http://www.ubicom.com

• Ubicom is headed by Douglas Spreng, who previously was president and chief operating officer (COO) of Applied MicroCircuits Corporation (AMCC). Prior to that, he was president and CEO of MMC Networks (acquired by AMCC). Prior to MMC Networks, Spreng was executive vice president of the Client Access Business Unit at 3Com.

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Cablevision's Lightpath Migrates Core from SONET to DWDM

Lightpath, the business telecommunications services division of Cablevision Systems, has migrated its core network from SONET to a DWDM architecture. The new network infrastructure will enable next generation IP-based and broadband services to businesses in the Tri-State metropolitan area, including New York City, Long Island, Westchester, southern Connecticut and northern New Jersey.



The second phase of the upgrade, which is already underway, will be the deployment of an MPLS overlay on the DWDM core. The result will be a converged, ubiquitous IP network deployed over a high-density optical core.



Lightpath said the focus of its upgrades efforts on regional distribution rings, where it is planning to use a blend of next generation SONET, Resilient Packet Routing (RPR) over SONET, and coarse wave division multiplexing (CWDM). http://www.lightpath.net

• Lightpath, which is the third largest LEC in New York state, is using Nortel Networks OPTera Metro 5200 Multiservice Platform to evolve its existing SONET-based infrastructure to deliver metro Ethernet, SAN, and other managed services.

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Netifice Deploys Cisco's IPSec-to-MPLS Security and Routing

Netifice Communications began offering a network-based IPSec VPN service that uses Cisco Systems' IPSec-to-MPLS security and routing technology. Netifice said its new service provides greater reliability, scalability and ease-of-use than a "do-it-yourself" IP VPN solution.
Each customer's network can be designed as a hub-and-spoke, partially meshed or fully meshed topology.



Netifice's new Network-based IPSec VPN service uses Cisco Provider Edge (PE) Accelerated VPN Routers located throughout the Netifice network to terminate IPSec tunnels from off-net customer sites and remote users. Each tunnel is dynamically linked to the nearest PE Accelerated VPN Router to minimize delay and ensure complete redundancy for enhanced performance and reliability. By performing IPSec-to-MPLS integration on Provider Edge (PE) Accelerated VPN Routers located throughout its network, Netifice eliminates the need for traffic from various sources to travel through a central hub - as would be required using a dedicated concentrator.



The IPSec VPN can be integrated with Netifice's MPLS Private Networking service to provide greater performance and the flexibility by seamlessly combining all types of access technologies and remote users into a single, secure network infrastructure. Off-net DSL, cable and dial-up locations can connected via IPSec tunnels over the Internet and merged with traffic from sites connected via on-net DSL, Frame Relay, ATM or dedicated circuits. Netifice maintains hundreds of peering connections with over 100 other service providers. It also operates its own OC-12 nationwide network for dedicated circuits, Frame Relay and on-net DSL connections. http://www.netifice.com

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Riverstone Routers Deployed in Berlin Network

Riverstone's RS metro routers are being used to provide Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS) between scientific and educational institutions over the Berlin Research Area Information Network (BRAIN). The solution, supplied by T-Systems, connects several major institutions including Freie Universitat Berlin (FU Berlin), Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin (HU Berlin), Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Technische Universitat Berlin (TU Berlin) and Zuse-Institut Berlin (ZIB). Riverstone's RS 8000 metro routers to provide a secure, multi-point VPLS solution over a Layer 2, MPLS-based Ethernet infrastructure. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.riverstonenet.com

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Ixia Enhances Broadband Test Suite

Ixia announced significant enhancements to its IxAccess broadband test suite, including greater scalability and a realistic application traffic environment for executing performance, stress and negative tests on broadband access aggregation devices. The new IxAccess feature set supports over 1 million user sessions in a single Ixia chassis with support for all key variants of the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPPoE, PPPoEo802.1q, PPPoEoA, PPPoA) and Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP, L2TPoA) access protocols. These capabilities provide for testing of broadband aggregation devices such as L2TP Access Concentrators (LACs) and L2TP Network Servers (LNSs) as well as other devices which incorporate these functions such as edge routers and DSLAMs. http://www.ixiacom.com

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Disney and NTT Launch Massively Multiplayer (MMP) Online game

Disney's Toontown Online, a downloadable massively multiplayer (MMP) 3D online game for kids and families, is now available to broadband users in Japan through a distribution deal between Walt Disney Internet Group and NTT East and NTT West. The Japanese version of the game offers all of the same characters and unique game functionality as the popular U.S. version, but is a standalone MMP environment.



Disney's Toontown Online first launched in the U.S. in June 2003.htt://www.dig.com

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Sprint and AT&T Wireless Sign Wi-Fi Roaming Pact

Sprint and AT&T Wireless signed a reciprocal Wi-Fi roaming agreement for Denver International (DIA), Kansas City International (MCI), Philadelphia International (PHL), Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) and Salt Lake City International (SLC) airports. This is the first roaming agreement between Sprint and AT&T Wireless for Wi-Fi service. http://www.sprint.com/http://www.attwireless.com/

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Vyvx Extends MPEG-2 Fiber Video Service in Canada, U.K.

Vyvx has extended its compressed fiber video services to locations in Canada and the United Kingdom. Broadcasters can now transmit live, broadcast-quality video to and from locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, and London at 8 or 18 Mbps. The new service offers full PAL pass-through for seamless handling of various international broadcast transmission standards, and interconnects seamlessly with Vyvx's extensive domestic network, as well as the company's MPEG-2 Compressed Services to and from Japan. http://www.vyvx.com/

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Tektronix Offers Test Tools for H.264 and Windows Media 9

Tektronix announced new design verification tools for next-generation video compression technologies available on the company's leading MPEG Transport Stream Test System. The new tools support H.264 and Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series (WMV9). http://www.tektronix.com/

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BellSouth Adds 3.0 Mbps DSL service

BellSouth began offering a 3.0Mbps DSL service tier for residential and business customers. The service delivers download speeds of up to 3.0Mbps and upload speeds of up to 384Kbps -- which is twice the downstream speed an 50% faster upstream than the company previous fastest tier. The service is priced at $44.95 per month for residential and $89.95 per month for business customers ( includes 5 static IP address and the option for up to 61 static IP addresses optional). Other service bundles are also available.
. http://www.bellsouth.com

• As of 31-Dec-2003, BellSouth had 1.46 million DSL lines in service.

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Qovia Secures $10.6 Million for VoIP Software

Qovia, a start-up based in Frederick, Maryland, closed $10.6 million in second round equity financing for its enterprise VoIP monitoring and management products. Qovia, develops software that monitors and manages voice quality on VoIP telephone systems. The technology is already running on more than 100 networks. The financing was led by Canaan Partners with participation from returning investors Nokia Venture Partners, Anthem Capital and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) Fund. http://www.qovia.com

• Qovia is headed by Richard Tworek, who previously served as CEO of ZebraPass (a Nokia Venture Group investment).

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Firetide Raises $13.6 Million for its Wireless Mesh Networking

Firetide, a start-up based in Los Gatos, California, raised $13.6 million in the first close of a Series B Preferred Stock financing round. Firetide develops mesh technology for "wireless instant networks." The company recently began shipping its HotPoint Wireless Mesh Router, and announced a distribution partnership with Connectronics, a national distributor offering a broad range of products to VARs, ISPs, and system integrators throughout North America. Additionally, Firetide has partnerships in place with Cranite, a leading provider of comprehensive security for wireless local area networks and Airpath Wireless, a provider of HotSpot management systems.



The funding round was led by existing investor Menlo Ventures with participation from HMS Ventures and individual investors. Total investment in the company is now $16.8 million. http://www.firetide.com/

• Firetide's HotPoint Wireless Mesh Router uses advanced routing technologies and IEEE 802.11-compliant radios to "unwire" the Ethernet backhaul and create a self-configuring, self-healing mesh network. Firetide networks scale and self-configure instantly by simply plugging HotPoint routers into standard AC power outlets, providing a simple and reliable alternative to standard Ethernet cable. The technology could be used for building out Wi-Fi networks, video surveillance, and temporary networks in a variety of environments, such as public access HotZones, airports, hotels, campus environments or other locations where wiring is difficult, disruptive, or expensive.



• Firetide is headed by Bo Larsson, who previously was CEO of Emuzed, a developer of multimedia products and technologies. Previously, he was CEO and co-founder of Touchwave, a startup delivering distributed voice and data services and solutions using VoIP.

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Kasenna and ViewNow Offer Turnkey VOD Service

Kasenna is teaming with ViewNow, a leading video on demand programming, management and marketing services company for cable and telco providers nationwide, to offer a turnkey video on demand (VOD) solution for telephone company operators. In addition, Kasenna and ViewNow have already sold the new solution to twelve independent telcos, including Broadband Visions LLC, an alliance of 15 independent telephone operating companies throughout Minnesota.



ViewNow offers VOD content from major motion picture studios and other content providers; programming acquisition, encoding, encryption, management, and transport to customer head-ends via satellite; and a full array of marketing services and programs to drive customer acceptance. In addition, the company's ViewTrak application allows carriers to track content orders and activations in real time.



Kasenna's part of the solution includes video servers, the company's "vFusion" video network configuration and management software, "vForge" application development and customization framework for adding new services such as interactive gaming, and a new "LivingRoom" application. http://www.kasenna.com

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Microsoft Reports Momentum for Windows Media 9 Series

Microsoft is reporting growing momentum among broadcasting companies for new services that support its Windows Media 9 Series encoding technology. Among the companies adopting Windows Media 9 Series are Rainbow DBS, the satellite services division of Cablevision Systems; Akimbo Systems; Shanghai Broadcasting Lab; and U.S. Digital Television Inc. (USDTV).

• Rainbow DBS's VOOM HDTV satellite service will use Windows Media 9 Series as one of the compression technologies to expand its available satellite capacity for HD offerings from more than 30 to more than 60 channels. VOOM plans to roll out advanced codecs beginning with standard definition (SD) later this year and HD next year.



• Akimbo Systems announced it will launch an Internet video-on-demand service for television in June using Windows Media Video 9 Series and Windows Media DRM. Akimbo's video content partners include CinemaNow, CinemaPop, Golfspan, iFilm and more than 30 others. When the Akimbo service debuts, it is expected to feature more than 10,000 videos in 50 categories including independent films, foreign language, news, health and fitness, sports, children and education. The Akimbo Service automatically delivers an onscreen program guide filled with video previews and editorial information and providing viewer options like parental controls. From the guide, Akimbo subscribers choose which programming they would like to download to the Akimbo Player for later viewing. The Akimbo set-top appliance will hold up to 200 hours of video.



• U.S. Digital Television, a digital terrestrial "over-the-air" television service provider, will deliver 12 channels in SD using Windows Media 9 Series. USDTV's television lineup includes Disney Channel and Toon Disney, ESPN, ESPN2, Discovery Channel and TLC, Food Network and Home & Garden Television, Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network, and FOX News Channel.

Microsoft also noted that its submission of the compression technology used in the Windows Media Video 9 codec (VC-9) to the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) C24 Technical Committee was recently elevated to Committee Draft status. http://www.microsoft.com

• In September 2003, Microsoft announced its decision to submit the compression technology used in the Windows Media Video (WMV) 9 codec to the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) C24 Technical Committee for consideration as an openly available international standard. Windows Media Video 9 provides compression efficiency approximately three times that of MPEG-2. The technology scales from SD to HD video and can support multichannel audio, positioning it for content creation, broadcast production, content management and distribution over a variety of networks.

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CoSine Adds Granularity to its IP Network Management System

CoSine Communications announced a new IP service management system featuring SLA (Service Level Agreement) reporting, more granular firewall reporting and powerful capabilities to support data mining. CoSine's InGage customer network management (CNM) system works with the company's IPSX Service Switches with enhanced IP Service Generator (IPSG)+ technology and CoSine's InVision (SMS). It provides reports of all the customer's policies at the network, VPN tunnel, virtual router and firewall levels. Per-customer data is stored in XML format and can be integrated with a service providers' existing OSS, billing, and business intelligence systems. CoSine said the new capabilities could be used by service providers to differentiate their managed IP service offerings by more fully understanding usage requirements of each customer and then providing more customized services. http://www.cosinecom.com

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AT&T Expands CallVantage VoIP to NY, California

AT&T has expanded the geographic availability of its CallVantage consumer VoIP service to major markets in New York, California and the San Antonio area of Texas. The AT&T service is now available in 18 markets across the U.S.. AT&T is offering promotional pricing of $19.99 for the first six months of service. http://www.att.com

• AT&T currently provides traditional residential local service to more than 4 million households nationwide.

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TeliaSonera Selects Alcatel's IP Service Router

TeliaSonera selected Alcatel's IP service router to build its next generation metro networks. The IP/MPLS network will be used for high-value services such as IP VPNs, virtual private LAN services (VPLS), virtual leased line (VLL), enhanced Internet and a variety of video, conferencing, and advanced multimedia applications. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.alcatel.com

• Last week, Alcatel announced a number of hardware and software enhancements for its Alcatel 7750 IP/MPLS edge routing platform, including a new hierarchical QoS model, greater scalability and support for VPLS, new traffic engineering capabilities, channelized DS3 and OC-12 interfaces, new CALEA capabilities, a new mid-range chassis, CWDM capabilities, and support for 1000BaseTX SFP.

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