WilTel Launches Managed CPE Service for Enterprise Customers

WilTel Communications has launched a Managed CPE option as part of its suite of enterprise IP services. WilTel is now providing enterprise customers with a choice between full management or monitoring-only service options. The monitoring service provides customers with fast identification and validation of network events, while the management service provides problem resolution and additional value-added capabilities. Both services feature real-time, web-based reports; inventory and change management capabilities; and best-in-class incident notification times. http://www.wiltel.com

• In May 2004, WilTel Communications, which provides extensive wholesale carrier services, unveiled a strategy for enterprise networking services. New services include Managed Security, which consists of managed firewalls and intrusion detection and Managed Router, which provides pre-configured hardware and software that reduce deployment timeframes on routers. The company also announced the re-launch of several existing products that have been upgraded to serve the Enterprise market, including MPLS IP VPN and Ethernet WAN.

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Intelsat to be Acquired by Private Investors for $5 Billion

A consortium of investment funds will acquire Intelsat in a transaction valued at approximately $5 billion, including approximately $2 billion of existing net debt. Intelsat's current shareholders generally will be entitled to receive $18.75 for each Intelsat share issued and outstanding immediately prior to closing. http://www.intelsat.com

• Intelsat operates a fleet of 28 geostationary satellites serving over 200 countries and territories. The company was established in 1964 as the first commercial satellite provider.

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Intransa Secures $25 Million for IP SANs

Intransa, a start-up based in San Jose, California, secured $25 million in Series D funding for its intelligent IP storage solutions. The company is introducing a new IP SAN appliance, designed specifically for the mid-tier and small business markets. Intransa said its IP SAN products to deliver the scalability of an enterprise-class SAN solution at a dramatically reduced price.



The new funding round was led by Menlo Ventures, and included the participation from current investors Advanced Technology Ventures, Sofinnova Partners, Sofinnova Ventures, U.S. Ventures, as well as investments from several strategic partners. Total funding is now $74 million. http://www.intransa.comIntransa is headed by Dr. Avi Katz, who previously served as President and CEO of Equator Technologies Inc., a privately held video and media system-on-chip fab-less semiconductor manufacturer.

Intransa was founded by Peter Wang, who previously was the Senior Director of the Technology Development Center (TDC) at 3Com Corp.

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Global Crossing Sells its Global Marine Systems

Global Crossing will sell its Global Marine Systems subsidiary and transfer of 49% shareholding in S. B. Submarine Systems Company to Global Marine for $132 million. As a result of these transactions Global Crossing will receive consideration of up to $14.8 million, and Bridgehouse will assume $117 million of Global Marine capital lease debt, which had been carried on Global Crossing's consolidated balance sheet.



Global Crossing said the sales enables it to sharpen its focus on IP services. http://www.globalcrossing.com

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Primus Lingo VoIP Service Adds International Numbers

Primus Telecommunications will begin offering customers of its "Lingo" VoIP service the opportunity to select international telephone numbers from cities in 12 international countries for their broadband phone service. When a U.S. Lingo customer selects a number from an available country for their service, their family, friends, and business associates in that country can call the Lingo customer on that number at the price of an in-country local call.



Initially, the service lets customers choose a local number in any of the following areas,

• Australia -- Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney



• Brazil -- Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro



• France -- Paris



• Guatemala -- Guatemala City



• Hong Kong



• Italy -- Milan, Rome



• Japan -- Tokyo



• Netherlands -- Amsterdam



• Puerto Rico -- Caparra (San Juan)



• South Korea - National, Seoul



• Taiwan -- Taipei



• U.K. - London

http://www.Lingo.com

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Pingtel Sells Desktop Phone Line, Focuses on Open Source Model

As part of its strategic transition to an open source subscription business model, Pingtel Corp. completed the sale of its xpressa desktop phone product line. The buyer was not named and financial details were not disclosed. Pingtel is now a software-only business. The company said this approach enables enterprise customers to select best-of-breed, off-the-shelf phones and components for use with its SIPxchange family of PBX and application routing engines.



Pingtel's enterprise communications suite includes the SIPxchange PBX, including unified messaging, SIPxchange CallManager, providing enterprise level application routing, and SIP softphones. SIPxchange software runs on standard PC server hardware and uses the Linux operating system. http://www.pingtel.com

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TI Unveils DSP for Telecom, Software Radio and Broadcast

Texas Instruments introduced a high-performance DSP tailored for telecom, software radio and terrestrial and satellite broadcasting system applications. The new device features 512 Kbytes of L2 memory, a Viterbi coprocessor (VCP) and an impressive capacity for 2400 16-bit million multiply accumulate cycles (MMACs) per second or 4800 8-bit MMACs per second peak performance. Thehttp://www.ti.com/c6418pr

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Alcatel Adds Security Enhancement to Enterprise Switches

Alcatel enhanced its OmniSwitch line with an extended CrystalSec security framework that enables the platforms to take an active role in preventing and containing security issues facing the enterprise. The company also announced two new relationships with endpoint security leader Sygate and network security leader Fortinet.



Through a combination of Sygate Technologies' Host Integrity Solution and its own OmniSwitch dynamic virtual LAN (VLAN) capability, Alcatel now offers an endpoint security solution that delivers proactive virus and worm attack prevention. The new solution uses Sygate's host integrity, protection, enforcement, and remediation technology, along with 802.1x technology to ensure that devices accessing the network are secured by anti-virus software containing updated virus definitions, a personal firewall, operating system service packs, and patches. Alcatel's dynamic VLANs take this measure one step further by allowing the device to move from a quarantine VLAN to a working VLAN with no user intervention.



Alcatel also introduced a new Automated Quarantine Engine (AQE) that collects information from intrusion detection and prevention systems and dynamically re-configures the network to contain attacks. Upon detection of an attack, the AQE locates the offender and implements a network response. In the case of a virus or worm attack, the AQE will place the infected device into an Alcatel quarantine VLAN that is applied to the edge of the network. Using Alcatel's mobile VLAN technology, the infected device will be blacklisted--even if the infected intruder moves to another location.



In addition, Alcatel will offer a wide range of Fortinet's security products, including its flagship ASIC-powered FortiGate Antivirus Firewalls. http://www.alcatel.com

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Eight Illinois Telcos Tune in to Tut's Digital TV

Western Illinois Video (WIV) is in the process of deploying digital TV service over the broadband networks of its eight member companies using Tut System's Astria content processor (CP). Tut Systems provided the staging, system integration and on-site installation of its Astria digital headend solution, with ancillary satellite and off-air video receivers, to enable WIV to deliver digital TV over DSL and HFC networks. The first commercial rollouts are anticipated by the end of Q3. Financial terms were not disclosed.



The initial digital entertainment package being offered to WIV members consists of 125 channels of broadcast, premium and pay-per-view TV and 45 channels of commercial-free music. WIV anticipates adding additional on-demand and interactive services over time. The cooperative's eight members represent more than 10,000 residential subscribers in Western Illinois. http://www.tutsystems.com

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Global IP Sound Specified as Mandatory Codec for Voice-over-Cable

CableLabs has specified voice quality technology from Global IP Sound as a mandatory codec in its recently released PacketCable 1.1 Audio/Video Codec Specification for multimedia terminal adapters (MTAs) and media gateways.



Global IP Sound's iLBC (internet Low-Bitrate Codec) is a 13.3 kb/s and 15.2 kb/s codec that will enable equipment manufacturers to satisfy the PacketCable requirement for toll-grade or superior voice quality in Voice-over-Cable systems. Additional PacketCable 1.1 requirements include support for both 20ms and 30ms frame size modes and multi-vendor support.



In addition, GIPS iLBC is already in the final stages of a standardization process as part of the IETF Audio Visual Transport (avt) Working Group.



Texas Instruments has been collaborating with Global IP Sound for more than a year on the implementation of iLBC onto TI DSPs. The companies have recently completed successful interoperability testing in preparation for market launch. http://www.globalipsound.com

• Earlier this month, Broadcom announced that CableLabs had chosen its BroadVoice16 voice compression codec as one of two royalty-free voice codecs for all future PacketCable 1.1 and 1.0 certified and qualified embedded multimedia terminal adapters (EMTAs) and PSTN media gateways beginning in April of 2005, pending successful conclusion of certain conditions such as demonstration of multi-vendor interoperability.

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HP and Motorola Team on Standards-based Network Platforms

Motorola signed a multi-year agreement to integrate HP technologies into its CDMA and iDEN network infrastructure products. Specifically, HP will deliver and support a hardware and software platform that will help manage key functions in the central call path of the network. HP will be supplying three key elements:

• the HP cx2600 64-bit rack-mount server, a carrier-grade version NEBS Level 3 Certified) of HP's commercial rx2600 server, a part of the HP Integrity server family which utilizes Intel Itanium processors. The common platform for both telephony and IT networks will give Motorola added flexibility;



• the Linux operating system, with carrier-grade features in line with OSDL specifications and hardened to meet telecom standards; and



• the HP OpenCall Radio Signaling Controller solution, a version of HP's implementation of the Signaling System 7 industry standard that handles all call signaling and connection in the core network.

Motorola will integrate its own high-availability middleware and application software with elements of the HP platform to create the core infrastructure for its iDEN network, which will utilize the HP Integrity cx2600 server running Linux, and the Motorola CDMA radio access network, which will utilize all three elements of the HP platform. http://www.motorola.comhttp://www.hp.com

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CableLabs Announces Four PacketCable Certifications

CableLabs has awarded PacketCable certification status to Ambit, Cisco-Linksys, and Scientific-Atlanta for their respective multimedia terminal adapters (E-MTA).



The E-MTA is a consumer premises device in the PacketCable network architecture, and serves as a key element originating and terminating IP calls. Built on top of the DOCSIS 1.1 infrastructure, PacketCable networks use IP as the basis for its multimedia architecture.



In addition, CableLabs has awarded CableHome 1.1 certified status to two devices, one each from D-Link and Thomson Consumer Electronics. CableHome is a CableLabs-managed initiative that, coupled with cable broadband service, allows for the distribution of broadband service throughout a consumer's home. The initiative offers the consumer a secure and managed residential gateway that can be connected to the cable network in a plug-and-play fashion.http;//www.cablelabs.com

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Wyoming ILEC to Launch VoIP with MetaSwitch

Wyoming's TCT West, a division of Tri County Telephone, will introduce VoIP services using MetaSwitch's VP3500 Series Class 5 Softswitch platform. The move follows the company's decision to deploy MetaSwitch to serve its existing 8,000 subscribers. TCT West will initially be deploying services including IP Centrex, both to meet customer demand in-region and to expand into other markets. The carrier also plans to take advantage of the increasing availability of SIP interfaces from incumbent and alternative interexchange carriers (IXCs) to reduce long distance trunking costs, as well as leveraging the flexibility of SIP-based application servers. In addition to significant cost savings, TCT West expects the adoption of VoIP to double its subscriber base to 16,000 over the next few years. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.metaswitch.comhttp://www.tctwest.net

• Metaswitch's VP3500's provides built-in support for CALEA and delivers more than 100 features, including residential and business group services, over both circuit and packet-based networks. In addition, MetaSwitch's media gateway design combines TDM and packet processing onto a single card, scaling from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

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Canada Commences Criminal Investigation into Nortel's Accounting

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police will commence a criminal investigation into Nortel Networks' financial accounting. These matters have been the subject of an ongoing review by the RCMP. Nortel Networks said it would continue to cooperate with investigators. http://www.nortelnetworks.com

• In May 2004, Nortel Networks received a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena for the production of certain documents, including financial statements and corporate, personnel and accounting records, that were produced from January 2000 to date.



• In April 2004, Nortel Networks named William Owens as its new president and CEO, replacing Frank Dunn, who was dismissed "for cause." Nortel Networks also fired its former chief financial officer, Douglas Beatty, and former controller, Michael Gollogly, both of whom had been placed on paid leave of absence by Nortel Networks on 15-March-2004. Four other individuals who were senior line of business finance executives were also placed on leave of absence.

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