Thursday, April 22, 2004

telx Selects Turin's Multiservice Transport Platform

telx, which operates the "SuperNode" carrier-neutral interconnection facility at 60 Hudson Street in New York City, is using Turin Networks' Traverse Multiservice Transport Platform for two new network interconnection services.



First, telx's "Brilliant Platform" provides international gateway services specifically tailored to international service providers and those wanting to extend their reach globally. This Platform provides seamless translation of a wide range of international synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) interfaces to the North American synchronous optical network (SONET) counterpart, and vice versa. Bi-directional interface conversions supported include Optical Carrier-48 (OC-48) to Synchronous Transfer Mode-16 (STM-16), OC-12 to STM-4, OC-3 to STM-1, and DS3 to E3. Also available as an optional service are bi-directional virtual cross-connecting and mapping of SONET STS-1/Nc framed payloads to SDH VC-3 or VC-4 structures as well as VT1.5/2 to VC-11/12.



Second, telx's Brilliant Platform provides Ethernet transport services for service providers and large enterprises for applications such as Ethernet-based private lines, transparent LAN services and Internet access, as well as applications with more stringent latency and QoS requirements such as VoIP and IP Video. Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connections are available up to full wire-speed rates. http://www.turinnetworks.comhttp://www.telx.com
  • In February, Turin reached its 75th customer milestone. The company said it is gaining momentum with Independent Operating Company (IOC) customers and other service providers due to its ability to provide SONET transport, multi-bandwidth management as well as Ethernet capabilities a compact, highly integrated system.


  • Turin's Traverse platform integrates scalable OC-3 to OC-192 SONET transport, multi-ring bandwidth management, wideband and broadband DCS, and Ethernet over SONET switching in one system. It is based on a custom, distributed ASIC switch-fabric that grooms and switches both TDM and packet traffic. It supports the full SONET feature set, including UPSR, BLSR and 1+1 APS. It also incorporates a unified optical control plane and advanced bandwidth management system, including virtual concatenation and rate shaping features, as well as capabilities that enable the fast activation and delivery of dynamically scalable Ethernet services.


  • In June 2003, telx began offering RAPID VoIP service that provides carriers with access to its interconnection marketplace of over 100 network carriers. Telx said its service is tailored specifically to respond to the accelerating shift from traditional TDM to Internet telephony as the switching method of choice for providing voice services.

T-Mobile UK and Texaco Partner on Wi-Fi

T-Mobile's HotSpot service is now available at over 100 Texaco service stations across the U.K., , covering the country's major road routes. Customers will be able to access the service by driving onto any Texaco forecourt where the T-Mobile HotSpot service is available, parking in a dedicated bay, and logging in to the service. Texaco operates some 1,400 branded service stations across the U.K. http://www.t-mobile-international.com

U.S. and Korea Settle WIPI Standards Dispute

The U.S. Trade Representative and South Korea's Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) negotiated a compromise agreement regarding the wireless Internet platform for interoperability (WIPI) standard that was developed in Korea. Under the deal, the Korean government can require mobile carriers to use WIPI. However, on top of WIPI, mobile operators will also be allowed to add other specifications such as QUALCOMM's binary runtime environment for wireless (BREW), which currently in in use by an estimated 7 million Korean mobile users.



In a statement, Robert Zoellick, the U.S. Trade Representative, said he hopes the resolution of this issue can provide the momentum for resolution of another standards issue of importance to U.S. companies, namely Korea's plan to mandate an exclusive domestic transmission standard for portable broadband wireless Internet/http://www.ustr.gov
  • Last week, China agreed to indefinitely delay the implementation of its proprietary wireless encryption standard, called WAPI for wireless authentication and privacy infrastructure, following negotiations with U.S. government trade officials. WAPI had been expected to become a mandatory requirement for WLAN products in China beginning in June.


  • Earlier this month, the Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a report citing China's planned WAPI standards as one of the greatest obstacles for open competition in global telecommunications markets.

Orange France Selects Alcatel for Video Streaming

Orange France has deployed Alcatel's end-to-end video streaming solution for its new "Orange World Video" service, the first mobile video service in France. Alcatel's solution integrates the streaming server from PacketVideo Networks Solution, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alcatel, the AtomiZ Media K Factory live and on-demand video management system, and the audio video delivery platform provided by CVF, a subsidiary of France Telecom. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.alcatel.com

Looking Glass Expands Ethernet Services

Looking Glass Networks began offering an extended metro regional Ethernet service between New York and Washington, D.C. The company's EtherGLASS service already provides metro Ethernet connectivity in 12 U.S. markets.



Looking Glass' Extended Regional Metro Connectivity offers redundancy and diversity to major data aggregation locations between metro markets. Extended Regional Metro Connectivity is offered between New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., as well as between San Francisco and San Jose.



In addition to consistent fast provisioning, Looking Glass now offers flat rate pricing for its Ethernet services rather than more traditional mileage- based pricing. Flat rate pricing is available from 60 Hudson Street and other New York on-net locations to any of Looking Glass' on-net buildings in Washington, D.C., which include key data aggregation centers and several U.S. Government locations.



Looking Glass' Ethernet offering includes full and fractional Gigabit Ethernet as well as traditional 10/100 Mbps Ethernet interfaces. http://www.lglass.net

Progress Telecom Offers 3 Grades of Ethernet Transport

Progress Telecom, a broadband services provider based in Florida, will begin to offer Ethernet Transport with three distinct levels of service: Voice Grade. Data Grade and Basic Grade Ethernet Transport. The Ethernet Transport Services covers both metro and long-haul connectivity along the eastern coast of the U.S. http://www.progresstelecom.com
  • In December 2003, Progress Telecom merged with EPIK Communications.

Alvarion Supplies Broadband Wireless in Bolivia

Alvarion announced a $7 million contract to supply its broadband wireless equipment to Cooperativa de Telecommunicaciones Santa Cruz Ltda. (COTAS), the second largest phone cooperative in Bolivia. As a replacement for its current outdated WLL system, Alvarion's 3.8 GHz product will allow COTAS to provide enhanced voice and Internet access to its customers in the greater Santa Cruz area beginning in the third quarter. The Santa Cruz deployment, for which Alvarion has already received a $3.6 million purchase order, represents the first phase of COTAS deploying broadband wireless to service customers throughout its service territory. http://www.alvarion.com