Nayna Networks Unveils its EFM Platform

Nayna Networks, a start-up based in San Jose, California, unveiled its first products for building converged Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) access networks. Nayna's ExpressSTREAM product family is aimed at delivering EFM services over any type of access network topology, including IEEE 802.3ah point-to-point and point-to-multipoint EPONs, FTTx and/or copper plant upgrades. Key to Nayna's architecture is a switching fabric that delivers 32 Gbps throughput and 48 Mpps of packet processing power. This allows fiber networks to scale up to 127 sites...

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Microsoft Launches Latest Windows Media DRM

Microsoft unveiled the latest version of its Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) software and announced support from America Online, CinemaNow, Creative, Dell, Disney, Motorola, Movielink, MusicNow, Napster, OD2, SigmaTel, VirginMega France and others. Microsoft said the new Windows Media DRM makes it possible to protect, deliver and play subscription-based or on-demand digital music and video on Windows-based PCs and devices, including portable audio devices, Portable Media Centers, cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs),...

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Siemens and Microsoft to Cross-License Patent Holdings

Microsoft and Siemens AG announced a broad cross-licensing agreement to allow expanded access to the patent portfolios each company holds. Financial terms were not disclosed. The companies cited the Siemens HiPath OpenScape solution as one example of close cooperation that already exists. The OpenScape solution leverages Microsoft Live Communications Server 2003 for intelligent, real-time, communication management. HiPath OpenScape is also configurable to launch a Microsoft Office Live Meeting Web conference, allowing instant ad hoc meetings,...

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Microsoft Submits .NET for Standardization in OpenCable

Microsoft has submitted its initial draft of common language infrastructure (CLI) specifications for the OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP), the cable industry's software standard for deploying interactive services to CableLabs. OCAP is part of the OpenCable initiative. Microsoft and CableLabs have agreed to work together to explore the potential of adding Microsoft .NET CLI to OCAP. Microsoft said the proposed addition of .NET would expand the common runtime platform among a variety of computing devices including set-top boxes and PCs, making...

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BT Awards 3-year DSL Contract to Alcatel

BT awarded a three year contract to Alcatel for the supply and installation of its DSL platform. Specifically, Alcatel will supply a range of products and services from its broadband access portfolio including its 7301 Advanced Services Manager (ASAM), SDSL and SHDSL solutions and full installation, commissioning and OSS integration. Financial terms were not disclosed. BT is currently taking 45,000 DSL orders a week and has recently topped 2 million users. http://www.alcatel....

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VeriSign Debuts VoIP Routing Service for MSOs

VeriSign launched a new service that provides cable operators (MSOs) and VoIP carriers with end-to-end voice over IP routing. The VeriSign service removes the need to route IP calls over the Public Switched Telephone Network, thereby allowing MSOs to connect IP calls securely, and avoid incurring costly toll charges from third-party carriers. The "VeriSign MSO-IP Connect" service provides a centralized call routing and discovery database based on the ENUM and PacketCable SIP-based Call Management Server Signaling (CMSS) protocols. Unlike other...

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AT&T Introduces Network Based IP VPN service

AT&T introduced a network-based VPN service that runs over its MPLS-core IP network. AT&T said the new service provides businesses and U.S. government agencies with the cost advantages associated with native IP services, along with usage-based billing, access redundancy, and flexible management options. http://www.att.c...

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Digeo Introduces X-Stream Chipset for Home Media Centers

Digeo introduced a new chipset that combines the functions of more than two dozen components in existing set-top box designs. The Digeo X-Stream chipset integrates all functions required to implement up to four tuners, providing cable operators with media centers capable of supporting full media center functionality to four televisions in the home. Significantly, it leverages Advanced Video Codec (H.264, MPEG-4 AVC) video compression. It also supports DOCSIS 2.0 and DOCSIS Set-top Gateway specifications, along with Advanced CableCARD, which...

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Level 3's Residential VoIP Reaches 50 Markets

Level 3 Communications has completed the first stage of a phased rollout of its wholesale residential VoIP service, which is now available in 50 markets across the U.S. The company plans to extend the service to 300 U.S. markets this year. http://www.Level3....

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Motorola Announces Home Media Architecture

Motorola introduced a Home Media Architecture (HMA) aimed at helping cable operators deliver multi-room digital video recording (DVR) and media distribution functionality to their subscribers. Motorola's enables operators to deploy a basic multi-room DVR solution by leveraging legacy digital set-tops and currently deployed interactive program guide (IPG) or video on demand (VOD) applications. The architecture leverages IP-over-coaxial technology developed by Entropic for the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA). It also uses a Java-based open...

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Scientific-Atlanta Shows Multi-Room DVR Server

Scientific-Atlanta previewed a Multi-Room DVR that enables consumers to access their recorded content on multiple television sets within the home through existing in-home coax wiring and using existing Scientific-Atlanta Explorer digital set-tops. Scientific-Atlanta's Explorer 8300 MR-DVR serves as an in-home media server that can be simultaneously accessed by up to 3 other, non-DVR Explorer digital interactive set-tops in the home. In total, individuals in up to 4 different rooms of the home could be watching different recorded programs or in...

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Comcast Shows its CableHome Vision

Comcast announced the national launch of a home networking solution that encompasses gaming, music, streaming video, and other entertainment services inside the home. The Comcast Home Networking service package offers enhanced speeds, a wireless home gateway device (integrated cable modem and router), and networking gear for up to five devices in the home. Users can connect PCs or broadband-capable devices, and households can share access to the Internet, files, CD drives and printers across the network. In addition, users can access speeds of...

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MetaSolv Releases Latest Inventory Mgt Solution

MetaSolv's Software released the latest version of its inventory management solution featuring new tools to automate provisioning of next-generation IP and optical services. A major innovation in M6 is a configurable user interface that streamlines the service delivery business process and provides real time enterprise-wide business and operational intelligence. MetaSolv said the enhanced rules-based platform and graphical design capabilities traverse optical and traditional networks to identify a working path, as well as a protected path, according...

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Net2Phone Teams with Level 3 to Expand Cable VoIP

Net2Phone, which currently provides cable operators with both PacketCable and SIP-compliant wholesale broadband phone services, plans to use Level 3's Communications new VoIP offering to enhance and expand its end-to-end telephony services. Net2Phone's PacketCable and SIP platform performs call management, provides Class 5 features, billing, provisioning, and seamlessly integrates into its partners' front and back office systems, thereby facilitating a unified bill for bundled services. Level 3 rounds out Net2Phone's solution with its (3)VoIP...

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UTStarcom Signs $21.5M Deal with Taiwan's Chunghwa

UTStarcom announced a new contract valued at approximately $21.5 million with Chunghwa Telecom, the incumbent carrier in Taiwan. Chunghwa will employ UTStarcom's NetRing multi-service optical transport products, which were announced in Q4 2003, to deliver high-density, high-speed broadband services, including voice, data, and video, to subscribers throughout Taiwan. Under the terms of the contract, UTStarcom will provide the optical equipment and Siemens will handle installation, maintenance, and third-party services. http://www.utstar....

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Siemens Announces HiPath 8000 for Large Enterprises

Siemens Information and Communication Networks introduced its new HiPath 8000 Real-Time IP System, a hosted, Web-services communication system for very large enterprises with hundreds of thousands of users. The SIP-based HiPath 8000 system, which will make its market debut in the U.S. during Q4, can be deployed and managed from a data center, delivering "a seamless, unified experience for workers wherever they are -- wireline, wireless, at work, on the road or at home." It supports up to 100,000 users per node and unlimited users per network,...

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McLeodUSA Selects Telica's Softswitch

McLeodUSA, one of the nation's largest CLECs, has purchased Telica's VoIP switching platform for the key network gateway component of its new Packet-Based Integrated Access Service. McLeodUSA is trialing the VoIP service in four markets, Dallas, Denver, Detroit and Chicago, beginning this quarter. Telica PLUS Softswitch supports legacy POTS subscribers and Class 3 PSTN tandem services, as well as, new VoIP customers on the same platform. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.telica....

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Intel Introduces 10GbE Server Adapter for Under $5,000

Intel introduced a 10-Gbps Ethernet (10GbE) adapter for servers that is priced at less than $5,000 and operates on standard multimode fiber, which represents 90% of the optical cabling in data center networks. The server adapter utilizes XPAK optical technology to reduce the price over previous adapters by 40%. Later this summer, Intel will introduce a version for single-mode fiber for applications involving distances up to 10 km, such as communications among regional data centers. In addition, Intel is partnering with Cisco Systems to offer...

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Covad and McLeodUSA Endorse Facilities-Based Competition

Covad Communications announced support for a phased approach to the migration of UNE-P customers to facilities-based competition using unbundled local loops (UNE-L) over the next few years. Covad has extensive experience working with UNE-L, which is the last-mile wire from the customer premise back to the central office. More than 166,000 Covad subscribers are currently provisioned through UNE-L to receive business-class broadband services that account for the majority of Covad's revenue. "AT&T's recent proposal provides a thoughtful framework...

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