ITU Approves Fiber Standard for CWDM

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved a global standard for a new optical fiber optimized for Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM) in metro networks. ITU-T Recommendation G.656 (Characteristics of a fiber and cable with Non-Zero Dispersion for Wideband Optical Transport) allows operators using CWDM to deploy systems without the need to compensate for chromatic dispersion, a phenomenon that at low levels counteracts distortion but at high-levels can make a signal unusable. G.656 also means that at least 40 more channels...

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QUALCOMM Debuts Convergence Chipset

QUALCOMM introduced its Convergence Platform of multimode chipsets aimed at merging wireless devices with consumer electronics. The company is introducing three chipsets, each of which incorporates a modem processor, an applications processor and associated DSPs delivering up to 1GHz speeds. The chipsets will include advanced power management capabilities for longer battery life, security and digital rights management support, wireless PC synchronization support, and connectivity to external consumer electronics devices via 802.11, USB, Bluetooth...

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FCC Considers Rules for Smart Radios in Vacant TV Channels

The FCC is proposing to allow unlicensed devices to operate in the broadcast television spectrum at locations where the spectrum is not in use by television stations if they incorporate "smart radio" features that can identify unused TV channels. Due to the physics of signal propagation, transmissions in the TV band can travel farther and can better penetrate into buildings than transmissions in the spectrum where existing unlicensed wireless broadband operations are permitted. As a result, allowing unlicensed operations in the TV bands could...

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OPNET Releases Major Updates for its Software

OPNET Technologies announced a significant release of its IT Guru, SP Guru, Modeler, and ODK network management software and application. The release also includes a new Report Server product, new Automation module, and new Distributed Agent Controller module. OPNET's products are used in application performance management, configuration management, capacity planning, as well as modeling and simulation. http://www.opnet....

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RadioShack Begins Selling Vonage Service in its 4,000 Stores

RadioShack began offering Vonage's broadband Internet telephone service in nearly 4,000 of its retail stores across the U.S. About 1,600 of these stores will host in-store, broadband telephony demonstrations beginning in June. http://www.radioshack.com/v...

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BellSouth Selects Nortel Networks Packet Voice Tandem Solution

BellSouth has selected Nortel Networks to provide packet voice tandem switches for its core network, with deployment expected later this year. This Packet Voice Tandem solution will include Nortel Networks Succession Communication Server 2000 (CS 2000) and Succession Multiservice Gateway 4000 (MG 4000) products. The CS 2000 will operate as a tandem switch in BellSouth's network, transferring calls between BellSouth's central offices. The MG 4000 is a trunking gateway that can reduce tandem congestion and help lower network costs. Financial terms...

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BellSouth Deploys Lucent's Accelerate VoIP

Lucent Technologies announced a three-year agreement to help BellSouth expand its Centrex IP service across its nine-state territory. Specifically, BellSouth is deploying Lucent's EBS Communication Manager, which works with telephony systems to deliver IP-enhanced business applications via a Web graphical user interface, and iMerge Centrex Feature Gateway, which works with any Class 5 switch, and serves as a bridge between circuit-switched networks and IP network infrastructures to deliver Class 5 features and functionality over a packet network....

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BellSouth Launches Centrex IP Service

BellSouth launched a new Centrex IP Service for business customers across the southeastern markets served by the company. Centrex IP will allow customers to use browser-based software that assists them with call management. Customers will be able to use Centrex IP to access enhanced call management functions through a secure login and have real-time control of calling features. http://www.bellsouth....

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Europe Takes Stock of its National Broadband Strategies

Broadband Internet access across the European Union has grown by more than 80% in the year to January 2004, according a new European Commission report. The broadband take-up rates in several European countries are now amongst the highest in the world. However, the fastest growth is concentrated in cities. Furthermore, competition in broadband services is not equal in all areas. The EU15 Member States all have national broadband strategies in place and the new Member States will table theirs before the end of 2004. The report concludes that...

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Deutsche Telekom Reports Growth in Mobile, DSL

Deutsche Telekom reported Q1 revenue of EUR 14.0 billion, up by around 2.7% on a net basis and up around 7.5% on a like-for-like basis excluding discontinued operations and exchange rate variations. Some highlights:Mobile was the main driving force behind the increase in reported revenue, recording growth of 11.9%. The effects of exchange rate fluctuations with the U.S. dollar and the pound sterling were particularly strong in this area: organic revenue growth in the mobile communications division was more than 19 percent. T-Online also recorded...

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UK Telecom Regulator Issues Broadband Framework

Ofcom, the office telecom regulator for the UK, announced a number of proposals intended to increase sustainable and effective competition in broadband data, content and voice services. The proposals focus on: Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) to allow operators to target investment and to develop scale in the creation of new and competitive high-speed data services based in the UK's local broadband exchanges. Ofcom welcomes BT's commitment to that process and its announcement of a 70% reduction in its charges to operators leasing unbundled shared local...

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BT Unveils New Local Loop Unbundling Policy

BT will re-design and simplify its current local loop unbundling (LLU), cutting prices by up to 70% in a phased series of price reductions. BT said its long term aim is to ensure that it is subject to less regulation in areas where competition has been a success The monthly rental price for the existing shared LLU product will come down on June 1 from £4.42 to £2.26 per line with the connection fee also falling from £117 to £83.33. Taking both cuts into consideration, this represents an overall saving of 35 per cent on the current price. Prices...

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Telefónica Sees Revenues Rise 8%

The Telefónica Group reported Q1 revenue of EUR 6.959 million, up 7.7 year-on-year and up 10.3% year-on-year when excluding the exchange rate and perimeter effect. Net income rose 2.7% to EUR 558.2 million. Some highlights:Telefónica's customer base now stands at over 101 million, a 15.8% increase on the year earlier and 2.9% more than in December 2003. As in previous quarters, growth mostly came in the cellular and broadband businesses. Telefonica Móviles had more than 54.4 million managed customers, with net adds of 2.3 million in this three-month...

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