SOFTBANK Signs $20 Million Contract with UTStarcom for Optical Products

UTStarcom was awarded a new contract valued at approximately $20 million to supply its NetRing 10000 STM-64 multiservice optical transport product to the SOFTBANK Group. SOFTBANK intends to deploy the equipment in the construction of a new network with Japan Telecom.



UTStarcom NetRing platform provides aggregation, grooming, cross-connect, and transport functionality to deliver high-density, highly efficient STM-1 to STM-64, PDH (E1/DS1, E3/DS3), Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and ATM services in SDH-based carrier networks. In terms of functionally, the NetRing product line combines Add-Drop Multiplexing (ADM), Digital Cross-Connect System (DCS), Ethernet switching, ATM multiplexing and RPR functionality into an integrated, "pay-as-you-grow" multi-service system. http://www.utstar.com

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Azimuth Systems Raises $10.5 Million for Wi-Fi Test Platform

Azimuth Systems, a start-up based in Acton, Massachusetts, closed $10.5 million for its automated wireless network test platforms. Azimuth's W-Series Test Platform provides system level testing of 802.11 wireless access points, clients and other devices. Azimuth's announced customer relationships include leading Wi-Fi silicon vendor Broadcom and equipment vendor Symbol Technologies, as well as industry test labs UNH's IOL, Network World's "Real-Labs" at Syracuse University, PC Magazine Labs, Miercom Labs, Tolly Group, Iometrix and NBL Taiwan.



The newest funding round was co-led by current investors North Bridge Venture Partners and Kodiak Venture Partners. The company has raised $23.5 million to date. http://www.azimuthsystems.com

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Propagate Raises $8 Million for Cognitive Radio Software

Propagate Networks, a start-up based in Acton, Massachusetts, raised $8 million in Series C venture funding for its embedded cognitive radio software. The technology can be embedded in wireless access points and clients (desktops, laptops, PDAs, cordless phones, home entertainment systems) to provides maximum WLAN performance in high density and high interference deployments. The software creates self-configuring wireless networks that automatically avoid radio frequency interference. Current Propagate partners include many Wi-Fi industry leaders such as Netgear, Atheros Communications, Chantry Networks and others.



Strategic investors in this third round include Motorola Ventures, an additional unnamed corporate investor and Thomas Weisel Venture Partners. The company has raised approximately $14 million in venture funding to date. http://www.propagatenet.com

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Centillium and Uniden Partner on VoIP

Centillium Communications and Uniden America Corporation, a leading manufacturer of cordless phones, a strategic relationship for the development and retail delivery of consumer and SOHO VoIP products. Uniden will develop and distribute a variety of VoIP products powered by Centillium's newly announced Voice Services Platform. Uniden's consumer-based VoIP products will complement its current line-up of three business-class VoIP phones. http://www.centillium.comhttp://www.uniden.com

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Centillium Unveils Voice Services Platform for Consumer and SOHO Devices

Centillium Communications unveiled a Voice Services Platform (VSP) for the development and deployment of VoIP products aimed at consumer and small-office/home-office (SOHO) applications.



The VSP combines all of the silicon and software building blocks needed to develop a VoIP phone system into a single platform. This includes support for several real-time operating systems (VxWorks, RTEMS and Linux), the latest SIP, MGCP and H.323 protocols, a full range of CODEC support, support for WiFi (802.11a/b/g), auto provisioning and management options and easy-to-use Web-based configuration tools.



Centillium is working with AT&T to guide the VSP through the certification process for use with the carrier's CallVantage service.



The first products based on the VSP are expected to enter retail channels in Q4. http://www.centillium.com

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MeshNetworks Granted Experimental License for 4.9Ghz Mobile Mesh

MeshNetworks, a start-up based in Maitland, Florida, granted a new experimental license by the FCC to conduct nationwide trials of new products and technologies using its mesh networking technologies at 2.5 GHz and in the newly created 4.9 GHz public safety band. Specifically, the grant allows MeshNetworks to deploy a total of 1000 nodes, with a maximum of 200 per demonstration network.



MeshNetworks solutions leverage battlefield networking technology originally developed for the US military under DARPA directed programs. Key characteristics of the MeshNetworks technology include a layer 2 routing engine, ultra-fast route acquisition, dynamic bandwidth allocation (fairness), real-time congestion management, QoS, assignable user priority, mobile handovers, infrastructureless peer to peer capability and scalability.



In response to September 11 and the subsequent advent of the Department of Homeland Security, the FCC dedicated the 4.9 GHz band exclusively for use by the public safety community. http://www.meshnetworks.com

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Internet Innovation Alliance Seeks to Spur U.S. Broadband Adoption

A new Internet Innovation Alliance has been formed to promote policies that encourage online innovation and broadband adoption. The group said it will focus on creating and disseminating useful information for consumers and non-expert policy leaders.



The new Internet Innovation Alliance, whose founding members include AT&T, CapNet, Comptel/ASCENT, Covad, the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and Pulver.com among others, issued the following principles to guide lawmakers:

• First, do no harm. From the FCC's Computer I & II decisions to the policy of non-regulation of e-mail, decision-makers have best served innovation and competition through regulatory restraint. The growth in broadband availability has made it even more imperative that policy makers continue the policy of low taxation and limited regulation of Internet technology.



• Second, consider that new technologies might not fit into traditional regulatory or taxation regimes. Just as e-business, e-learning and e-government offer new ways of serving customers, new Internet-based applications often demand new and more flexible regulations. For example, VoIP promises great consumer benefits provided it remains unburdened by legacy regulations such as
  local telephone company access subsidy charges.



• Third, consider ways to make new technologies part of the solution in achieving critical public policy objectives such as universal telephone service and law enforcement objectives, instead of viewing them as part of the problem. Technological innovations may help us realize our goals at lower cost and higher quality, and we must be open to achieving timeless policy needs in new ways.

http://www.internetinnovation.org

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mPhase and Bell Labs Collaborate on Telco TV

mPhase and Lucent Technologies announced an extension to an agreement to collaborate on enhancements to its mPhase TV+ System. Bell Labs is designing software and hardware, including an enhanced IP set top box, for the mPhase TV+ System.



The current version of the TV+ System for DSL networks delivers 255 channels of broadcast television and broadband data and enables subscribers to surf channels though an electronic programming guide. The system supports more than 1000 subscribers from a single Lucent Stinger DSL Access Concentrator chassis. Further enhancements are expected in the near term as the companies continue their development efforts. The companies are currently working on the third release of the mPhase TV+ System.



mPhase and Lucent have been collaborating for over a year. http://www.mPhaseTech.com

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Idaho-Based IOC Launches IPTV over ADSL2+ with Calix

Filer Mutual Telephone, an independent operating company based in Idaho, has launched multi-stream, IP-based switched video services over ADSL2+ to its residential subscribers. The carrier is using the Calix C7 ultra-broadband loop carrier (UBLC), which delivers up to 150 channels of broadcast video entertainment, video-on-demand (VOD), and TV-based Web and email services from either the central office or a remote terminal. Financial terms were not disclosed.



Filer Mutual Telephone is using a video feed from regional headend operator, Project Mutual Telephone. It is also employing video encoders and middleware from Minerva Networks, VOD servers from Kasenna, and IP set-top boxes from Amino -- which are all interoperable with the Calix platform. http://www.calix.com

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DSL Tops 78 Million Lines Worldwide

The number of DSL subscribers worldwide exceeded 78 million as of 30-June-2004, up by 30 million in 12 months, according to the latest data produced for the DSL Forum by industry analyst Point Topic.



The DSL Forum noted considerable progress in North America, achieving a 48% subscriber increase, significantly more than the 31% growth in cable and other technologies. In the U.S., DSL has seen a 3% increase in market share with nearly 4 million new subscribers. In Canada, DSL subscribers now account for 48% of the total broadband market. South and East Asia was the fastest growing region for DSL subscribers in the 12 months, with a 110% growth, while the Middle East and Africa showed a 107% increase, and Latin America a rise of 104%. The European Union (EU) has narrowly taken over from Asia Pacific as the number one DSL region, with a total of over 23 million subscribers, around 11 million of them joining the DSL community in the last 12 months.



In parallel, the DSL Forum revealed its new European logo programme as the symbol of a disciplined approach to interoperability testing. Accredited, DSL Forum-recognized independent testing laboratories (ITLs) authorize use of this logo for CPE. http://www.dslforum.org

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Denmark's Largest Service Provider Selects SupportSoft

TDC Solutions, one of the largest Nordic DSL providers, has selected SupportSoft's service automation solutions to enhance customer service for its 450,000 retail DSL customers. TDC Solutions intends to use SupportSoft's Service Automation Suite to provide assisted service and self-service; SupportSoft SmartAccess, which automates the installation of a DSL connection; and SupportSoft HomeNet, which automates the installation and management of a home network. http://www.supportsoft.com

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Verizon Wireless Expands EV-DO Service to 14 Markets

Verizon Wireless will launch its CDMA2000 1xEV-DO "BroadbandAccess" service in 14 major metropolitan areas beginning next week. These cities include: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Milwaukee, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. The service is already offered in San Diego and Washington D.C., as well as the recently announced Las Vegas metropolitan area.



The network offers average user speeds of 300-500 kbps.



BroadbandAccess is available for $79.99 monthly access for unlimited use with a one-year customer agreement. http://news.vzw.com

• In July 2004, Verizon Wireless awarded a contract valued at least $5 billion to Lucent Technologies for supplying a wide variety of network equipment, software and services for Verizon Wireless' national next-generation voice and data network based on CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology. With this agreement Lucent will continue as Verizon Wireless' primary next-generation network infrastructure supplier. Under the agreement, Lucent will provide infrastructure and technology spanning its entire portfolio, including its Flexent Modular Cell 4.0 base stations. Lucent Worldwide Services will perform network optimization, integration, planning and design and deployment services. The deal includes the $525 million contract announced in March, naming Lucent as a key supplier for Verizon Wireless's BroadbandAccess high-speed data network.

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SIPZOO Offers 2500 Minutes of Calling for $9 per month

SIPZOO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nettel Holdings, announced a broadband VoIP service offering up to 2,500 local and long distance calls to any where in the U.S. for $9 per month. High usage customers can upgrade their account to the $29.95 per month plan for unlimited U.S. and Canadian calls. The $29.95 per month plan provides a choice of a phone number from over 220 US area codes. The $9 per month plan does not provide a local phone number. http://www.sipzoo.com/

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8x8 Signs Wholesale Agreements for Packet8 Voice and VoIP

8x8 announced wholesale agreements with Corridor Communications, RBM Communications and WCOIL, allowing each organization to private label the Packet8 VoIP products and services. 8x8 said the deals would add new subscribers to its network that it might otherwise not have been able to reach. http://www.packet8.net

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AT&T Signs 23 Multi-nationals for Global VoIP Remote Worker Trials

AT&T has signed 23 multi-national companies to participate in its VoIP Global Remote Worker pilot program. The AT&T CallVantage Service platform is being tested as a tool for business travelers moving from hotel to hotel around the world. Companies participating in the trial have locations in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and the U.K. http://www.att.com

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Linksys Licenses Sipura VoIP Technology, Vonage Deploys

Sipura Technology has licensed internally developed hardware and software technology to Linksys (a division of Cisco Systems) to be incorporated in consumer and SOHO networking gear. The first devices to hit the market are a standalone analog telephone adapter (ATA) and two broadband routers with integrated voice capability. Vonage is immediately supporting these new products.



Sipura incorporates technologies like SIP, HTTPS, XML and multiple toll-quality voice coding algorithms. It also provides a provisioning and firmware update technology. http://www.sipura.com

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