NTT Tops One Million Optical Access Lines

NTT, Japan's incumbent service provider, added 189,000 optical access lines for its B-FLET's broadband service in Q2, pushing the carrier past the one million optical line milestone. NTT also added 358,000 ADSL lines in Q2, giving it a total of 4.4 million ADSL subscribers.



Overall, NTT reported revenue of 2,654.0 billion yen for the quarter ending 30-June-2004. Net income for the period was 185 billion yen. The company maintained it forecasts for the rest of the year unchanged. It was the first time that NTT reported quarterly numbers. http://www.ntt.co.jp

• In its annual report released in May 2004, the company said revenues would decline and profit growth is likely to fall this year due to increased competition, a shrinking fixed line market, and a difficult business environment. NTT cited optical access and 3G wireless as its highest strategic priorities. The Group is making "every possible effort" to build out its fiber access network, while reducing fees and strategically improving facilities in high-demand areas.



• In June 2004, SOFTBANK's Yahoo!BB unit added 95,000 broadband lines, giving it a total of 4,282,000 subscribers. The company has 4,038,000 VoIP subscribers.

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Navtel Supplies GMPLS Test to Shanghai's Jiao Tong University

Navtel Communications has supplied its GMPLS test equipment to Shanghai's Jiao Tong University, which operates an all-optical network test bed for commercial purposes. Jiao Tong University was recently chosen by the Chinese authorities (as part of Project 863 [ASON Sector]) to facilitate GMPLS deployment to a number of key carriers across China. Navtel's GMPLS test equipment provides UNI-N & ENNI emulation testing. http://www.navtelcom.com

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OPNET Offers 3D Network Visualization for Mobile Wireless Nets

OPNET Technologies introduced a 3D Network Visualizer module for enhancing the value of OPNET simulations in mobile wireless environments, and in particular for defense networks. The new module can be used to visualize mobile wireless simulations in 3D, including detailed terrain, performance statistics, and graphical representation of communications. The 3DNV module includes licensed software from MAK Technologies. OPNET maintains an exclusive right to use MAK's proprietary software for visualizing network communications in 3D. http://www.opnet.com

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National Taiwan University Trials Nortel's Wireless Mesh

The National Taiwan University (NTU) is undertaking a trial of Nortel Networks' Wireless Mesh architecture to extend the reach of its wireless network. Nortel Networks' Wireless Mesh Network solution for NTU includes Nortel Networks Wireless Access Point 7220, Wireless Gateway 7250, Nortel Networks Optivity Network Management System and other related network management elements. The NTU network deployment supports a wide range of multimedia applications and features, including Web browsing, audio and video streaming and e-mail access across Wi-Fi enabled personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers and other Wi-Fi devices. http://www.nortelnetworks.com

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Navini Names Roger Dorf as New CEO

Navini Networks, a start-up supplying broadband wireless access systems, named Roger Dorf as its new CEO, replacing Alastair Westgarth who is leaving to pursue other start-up opportunities in the industry. Most recently, Dorf was CEO of Celite Systems, another start-up offering a DSL headend platform. He previously served as president and chief executive officer at Promatory prior to the company's acquisition by Nortel in March of 2000. http://www.navini.com

• Navini Networks is based in Richardson, Texas.

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Comcast Promotes Video Mail as Broadband Differentiator

Comcast launched a Video Mail service as an enhancement for its cable modem customers. Users can create video messages up to 45 seconds in length, using their personal computer and a webcam. The actual video is sent in the form of a Web link to any email address and plays back as a Windows Media file. Video is stored on a Comcast server for up to 30 days. Customers can also use Comcast Video Mail to send personalized video greeting cards and to share their digital photos via narrated photo slideshows. There is no charge to Comcast users. http://www.comcast.net

• Comcast Cable ended Q2 2004 with more than 6.0 million subscribers, a 36.8% increase from the same quarter last year. During Q2, Comcast Cable added 327,000 high-speed Internet subscribers resulting in a penetration rate of 16.1% of available homes.

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Verizon Launches Voice/Data/Video Bundles in Mid-Atlantic States

Verizon launched a residential service bundle combining voice calling, DSL and DIRECTV satellite programming to customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. Verizon first began offer the DIRECTV service in Rhode Island in February and later expanded to 11 other states. Verizon said customers choosing the full bundle will save up to $370 a year - compared with purchasing the same or equivalent Verizon services at individual, standard rates.



Initially, the DIRECTV service is billed separately. Verizon expects to have coordinated billing by later this year. http://www.verizon.com

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Net2Phone Empowers Brazilian Telco with VoIP

Net2Phone has been selected by Primeira Escolha, a Brazil licensed telecommunications operator, to provide a suite of VoIP solutions, including long distance services using carrier pre-select dialing (CSP), the standard in Brazil. Moving forward, Primeira Escolha will offer calling cards and enterprise VoIP services. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.net2phone.com

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Telkom South Africa Implements Clarent Media Gateways

Telkom SA, the incumbent carrier in South Africa, has completed implementation of the first node in its purchase of 61 Clarent BHG 2500 gateways, which are a key element of Verso's Clarent PSTN Access Softswitch Solution. Verso's local distribution partner, Grintek Telcom, was responsible for design and implementation, and will handle support and maintenance of Telkom's Clarent-based network going forward. The deployment included the upgrade of some 744 E1 lines. An additional 96 E1 lines are scheduled to be installed. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.verso.com

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Natural Convergence Secures CDN$12M

Natural Convergence, a start-up based in Ottawa, secured CDN$12 million in Series B funding for its VoIP application software for service providers. The company's hosted IP solution called "silhouette", is a next generation key system. The solution is aimed at the small and medium-sized business market.



The investment was led by Boston-based VIMAC Ventures, LLC and includes follow-on investment from all existing investors including Jefferson Partners, BDC Venture Capital, Desjardins Venture Capital, Primaxis Technology Ventures, RBQ Inc., and Purple Angel. Telecommunications industry leader, Terry Matthews also joins as a strategic investor through investment firm Wesley Clover. http://www.naturalconvergence.com

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Westell and Mitel Enter VoIP Pact

Westell Technologies and Mitel agreed to jointly develop advanced multimedia access devices enabling voice, video and data to be communicated in an integrated manner using DSL. The companies said their agreement provides for the integration of integrate their core technologies targeting customers worldwide seeking to use or offer converged services. In addition, the agreement permits Westell to integrate some of Mitel's IP telephony solutions with Westell's broadband access platforms.



The Westell-Mitel agreement has already produced a new product development deal. Westell and Mitel will deliver a multimedia access device integrating voice, video, data, WiFi and DSL into a single product. This new integrated access device will address both the enterprise and residential consumer markets. Under customer contract terms, the U.S.-based service provider that awarded the contract cannot be disclosed at this time. http://www.westell.comhttp://www.mitel.com

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Corvis Reports Revenues, Focal Acquisition Expected to Close Soon

Corvis Corporation reported Q2 revenue of $142.1 million, including $141.4 million in services revenues from its Broadwing Communications business and $0.7 million in revenues for optical transport equipment delivered to Qwest Communications and the U.S. Government. Reported net loss for the quarter was ($38.1) million, or ($0.08) loss per share, for the current quarter as compared with a reported net loss of ($45.8) million, or ($0.11) loss per share, for Q2 2003.



The company said it has received all necessary approvals required for the final closing of the Focal acquisition and expects to close the acquisition on or about September 1, 2004.



Cash, cash equivalents and investments were $451.9 million at June 30, 2004. This compares to $497.1 million at March 31, 2004, which included proceeds of $225.0 million resulting from the company's private placement of convertible notes and warrants. http://www.corvis.com

• In March 2004, Corvis Corporation agreed to acquire Chicago-based competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) Focal Communications for $210 million. Focal Communications, which operates in 23 Tier 1 markets across the U.S., claims 4,000 enterprise and wholesale/carrier customers for its CLEC services. Focal also has its own metro fiber footprint in nine Tier 1 national markets. Corvis owns Broadwing Communications, which operates an ultra-long haul, all-optical network and national IP backbone. The Focal acquisition is expected to expand the reach of Broadwing's 18,500-mile nationwide all-optical network into targeted local markets.

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BT Bridges SMS between Mobiles and Fixed Lines

BT introduced a new service that enables mobile phone users with Vodafone, T Mobile, BT Mobile and 3 to send text messages to more than 20 million fixed lines in the UK. Home phone owners without a special SMS enabled phone will get the text converted to automated speech and delivered as a voice message. O2 is expected to introduce the service in the next few weeks with other mobile operators following later in the year.



BT estimates that about 59 million text messages are sent each day in the UK.



SMS enabled phones are available in BT Retail shops with prices starting at £29.99. The company has announced a special offer of free fixed-line to fixed-line SMS messaging until 30-November-2004. http://www.bt.com

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