Cisco and Microsoft Join Forces on Security

Cisco Systems and Microsoft announced that they are working to share and integrate their respective security and health assurance technologies. Specifically, the companies said they will share information about their technologies to help drive an approach to solution-compatibility between Cisco Network Admissions Control (NAC) and Microsoft Network Access Protection (NAP), their respective approaches for providing endpoint security and health -policy compliance when accessing network resources. The companies will then work toward interoperability efforts between the NAC and NAP architectures, as these solutions evolve and are delivered to customers. http://www.cisco.comhttp://www.microsoft.com

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BT to Use Green Power for its Network

In what it described as the world's largest purchase of green electricity, BT has committed to use environmentally friendly energy sources for all of its UK electricity needs. BT said the three-year contracts, worth several hundred million pounds follows negotiations with npower and British Gas.



The contracts will provide BT's 6,500 telephone exchanges, satellite earth stations, offices and depots with environmentally friendly power some of which will come from sustainable resources such as wind generation, solar, wave and hydroelectric schemes. http://www.btplc.com

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SBC Offers $1.99/Month Wi-Fi HotSpots for DSL Users

SBC Communications will offer its FreedomLink Wi-Fi hotspot service for $1.99 a month to customers who bundle the service with SBC Yahoo! DSL. The FreedomLink network provides connectivity at 3,900 locations, including airports, hotels and coffee shops, as well as select McDonald's restaurants and The UPS Store.



SBC companies have previously disclosed plan to make available more than 20,000 Wi-Fi hot spots to FreedomLink customers by the end of 2006 and to work with Cingular Wireless to utilize Wi-Fi and Cingular's wireless network to deliver wireless Internet servicehttp://www.sbc.com/freedomlink

• SBC has some 4.3 million DSL lines in service

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Iowa Telcos Test Metaswitch

Iowa Network Services (INS) completed testing of the Metaswitch VP3500 series Class 5 softswitch for VoIP and SS7 interconnection. As a result, Iowa's 150 independent telephone companies, could deploy the VoIP softswitch in their shared fiber-optic network - opening up the prospect of packet-based voice services to over 560,000 Iowans in 330 communities. http://www.metaswitch.com

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NETGEAR and Flarion Team to Deliver Wi-Fi to Mobile Broadband Products

NETGEAR and Flarion Technologies have formed a strategic alliance to productize and deliver integrated FLASH-OFDM and Wi-Fi technologies for carriers. The first product integrating FLASH- OFDM and Wi-Fi is expected to be available this quarter for evaluation and trials by mobile operators worldwide.



With FLASH-OFDM, users experience mobile broadband with wide area cellular coverage. Wi-Fi gives them improved localized coverage. Flarion completed the first handoff between an 802.11b network and a fully mobile broadband WAN in December, 2001. Thehhtp://www.flarion.comhttp://www.netgear.com

• Flarion is currently in technology and market trials with Aloha Partners, Nextel, T-Mobile, Telstra, Vodafone and the city of Washington D.C.

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AudioCodes and BayPackets Partner for Voice Over Broadband

AudioCodes and BayPackets announced an alliance to deliver VoIP routing and messaging solutions to the cable MSO and DSL market. These solutions, which include Single Number Service (find-me follow-me), integrated Visual Voicemail, Personal Communications Manager, and Advanced Toll-Free, enable broadband operators to deploy advanced telephony services across IP, TDM or hybrid networks.



AudioCodes offers a line of carrier-grade IPmedia Media Server products. BayPackets offers the Agility SIP Application Server for carriers that already have deployed packet voice infrastructure. For service providers that are migrating from TDM to IP, BayPackets offers the Agility Network Services Platform (NSP). The companies have completed testing and integration of the joint solution. http:///www.baypackets.comhttp://www.audiocodes.com

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AMCC Extends its Mission Chips to the Access Network

Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC) introduced an OC-12 network processor and an integrated HDLC controller/channelized framer that are designed to address the multi-protocol termination and inter-working functions required to interconnect the existing access technologies to the converged IP/MPLS service provider networks.



AMCC said its new MISSION Access chipset can be used to simultaneously migrate or tunnel services such as TDM, Frame Relay, ATM and Ethernet into a common MPLS network, or to interoperate virtually any combination of these services in already deployed networks. The solution builds on AMCC's MISSION chipset to propagate Universal Port Services to access networks. In addition, MISSION Access will facilitate Voice terminating capabilities, and new services such as packetized voice and Circuit Emulation Services (CES) on a on a per-port, per-user or per-flow basis. The chipset can be deployed either as a line card in edge and aggregation systems or as a standalone solution in lower-density access network elements where it performs protocol termination and inter-working processing, as well as switching functions,http://www.amcc.com

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Ikanos Sees Growth in Japan for its 100 Mbps Chipsets

Sumitomo Electric Networks (SEN) is using Ikanos' 100 Mbps programmable Fx and FxS chipsets to build a new range of carrier products for triple play services over copper access networks.



Sumitomo Electric Networks has been using Ikanos' chipsets since 2002 in Central Office (CO) and Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) products for 50 Mbps downstream and 30 Mbps upstream services and 70 Mbps downstream and 30 Mbps upstream services. The new Ikanos Fx and FxS chipsets are now being used in Sumitomo Electric Networks' VDSL CO and CPE products will now support speeds of up to 100 Mbps downstream and 50 Mbps upstream.



Separately, Ikanos announced that NEC Magnus Communications of Japan has also developed IP-based, fiber-fast access concentrators and Subscriber Located Equipment (SLE) based on its 100 Mbps programmable Fx and FxS chipsets. http://www.ikanos.comhttp://www.megabitgear.com

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AudioCodes Introduces High-Density Wireline-Wireless Converged Media Servers

AudioCodes has extended its IPmedia Media Server product line with the addition of two high density converged (wireless/wireline) media server platforms that address carrier requirements for applications such as business communications, wireless personal communications, fixed-mobile-convergence applications and residential broadband services.



The IPmedia 8000 media server provides support for up to 18,000 low-bit- rate VoIP/VoATM channels of media processing whereas the IPmedia 5000 media server offers up to 8,000 low-bit-rate channels. Those media processing channels can be used to provide centralized announcements, conferencing, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), media transcoding, IP multicasting / IP forking, record & playback, Web-based playback and other media server functions. Both platforms are carrier-grade platforms which are targeting high available, high reliable, mission critical applications and services. They are planned to be released in the first quarter of 2005.



The IPmedia 8000 and 5000 platforms are also designed and optimized to serve as a Multimedia Resource Function Processor (MRFP), supporting both Wireline and 3G (UMTS & CDMA) Wireless networks that have adopted the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture. http://www.audiocodes.com

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TI Introduces Voice over Cable Architecture

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) introduced its next-generation architecture for Voice over Cable (VoCable) products. The single chip Puma IV architecture, which meets the current and anticipated PacketCable specifications, integrates a high performance applications processor and a closely coupled DSP co-processor for voice applications. The solution also leverages the company's Telogy Software for VoIP. http://www.ti.com/broadband

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Global Crossing Expands Carrier VoIP Services With New Inbound Portfolio

Global Crossing introduced a new inbound service portfolio for carriers that consists of two components:

• Global Crossing VoIP DID, which provides carriers with local origination for nationwide local numbers through a single IP point of interconnection as a lower-cost alternative to traditional toll-free applications. This service eliminates TDM, private line and foreign exchange service fees by providing a single IP connection alternative. The service is generally available now in all major U.S. markets while Global Crossing VoIP Toll Free Transport is available throughout North America.



• Global Crossing VoIP Toll Free Transport provides carriers with interconnection, transport and termination of 800 packet-based voice traffic for calls originating as TDM, thereby eliminating the need for capital- intensive IP to TDM conversion gear.

Incoming DID and toll free calls originate as TDM calls and are converted to IP when they reach the Global Crossing voice network, and then are routed directly to the carriers' IP network through a SIP-based IP interconnection. DID numbers can be purchased directly from Global Crossing or can be ported from third party providers to Global Crossing. The new enhancements also enable Global Crossing to offer two distinct routing options for international termination.



Additionally, carriers now have a choice for domestic and international voice traffic termination through uncompressed audio (G.711) for highest quality voice traffic, or compressed audio (G.729a) that increases voice traffic capacity by 60 percent. In addition, Global Crossing is now able to support the international standards for compression with silence suppression (G.729ab). The greater circuit efficiency of G.729 enables small- to mid-size resellers such as IXCs and other service providers target non-compression sensitive applications. http://www.globalcrossing.com

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Brooktrout Announces Video Support on its SnowShore Media Server

Brooktrout Technology has added support for the H.263 video compression standard to its SnowShore Media Server. TMN, Portugal's largest mobile operator, has recently deployed the SnowShore Media Server as part of their new 3G Videomail service with Openwave. The system allows TMN's 3G subscribers to view and purchase video content as well as send, receive, store and manage voice and video messages.



In addition to support for H.263 video compression, the new release of the SnowShore Media Server offers an optional PCI hardware acceleration card that supports up to 200 sessions of G.726 compression/decompression. The media server also adds new system management features including SNMP v3 support, and improved reporting and enhanced system logging. http://www.brooktrout.com.

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Primus' Lingo VoIP to Bundle D-Link Router

Primus Telecommunications, Inc., which operates the Lingo broadband telephony service, announced a partnership with D-Link to offer VoIP solutions to consumers and small businesses. The companies will offer the Lingo VoIP telephone service bundled with the new D-Link Broadband Phone Service VoIP Router at major electronics retailers nationwide. http://www.Lingo.com

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Pace Develops MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 IPTV Set-Top Box

Pace Micro Technology is working with Equator Technologies and Dicas, a supplier of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVC) software codecs, to develop a new IP based set top box for operators implementing AVC audio visual services. The Pace DB680 IP STB will provide access to a full range of digital TV services such as pay-per-view, video-on-demand and streaming applications. Equator supplies a system-on-a-chip (SoC) processor for video streaming and image processing. http://www.pace.co.uk

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Israeli Cable Consortium Selects SeaChange for VOD

HOT, the Israeli cable consortium comprised of Golden Channels, Matav and Tevel, is rolling out on-demand television in November 2004 and has selected SeaChange International to provide the platform and integration services for this advanced new television service. Financial terms were not disclosed.



SeaChange said its VOD Systems currently provide over 1.2 million on-demand streams in over 100 deployments, including 17 of the top 25 U.S. television markets. Customers include Adelphia, Bright House, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox Communications, Insight, Mediacom, RCN, Rogers and Time Warner Cable, as well as ntl in the U.K., Intercable in Venezuela, Qrix in Korea, Guandong Cable in China, HOT in Israel and others. http://www.schange.com

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Verizon to Offer Alcatel OmniPCX Office

Verizon will offer small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) a combination of network-based and on-premise business communications solutions and services using the Alcatel OmniPCX Office voice, data and Web communications server. With this agreement, Verizon now offers the full Alcatel voice product portfolio to the U.S. market.



Verizon will launch the service soon, initially in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. http://www.alcatel.comhttp://www.verizon.com

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Boingo Wireless and Vonage Team on Wi-Fi VoIP

Boingo Wireless and Vonage agreed to co-market a service bundle that includes Vonage's SoftPhone service and Boingo's Wi-Fi service. The XPRO SoftPhone, from XTEN, the preferred Softphone Client utilized by Vonage is available for personal computers running Windows 98SE/NT/ME/2000/XP/MACOS-X operating systems.



Boingo provides access to a network of 11,000 hotspots in airports, cafes, and hotels around the world. Boingo said the Vonage agreement is the first step in a comprehensive VoIP strategy, integrating a new class of device software into non-PC devices like mobile phones. http://www.boingo.com/http://www.vonage.com

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Pactolus Adds Prepaid Billing Capability for SIP Broadband Telephony

Pactolus Communications Software is adding prepaid billing to its SIPware Broadband Telephony application running on its RapidFLEXApplication Server. Unlike fixed-price VoIP services offered currently by VoIP service providers, prepaid billing allows consumers to avoid fixed recurring monthly costs.



SIPware Broadband Telephony with prepaid billing capabilities will be available Q1 2005. The SIPware Broadband Telephony software release with post paid billing is currently available. http://www.pactolus.com

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Telution Announces New IP Service Ordering Capabilities

Telution unveiled a new COMX NextGen IP Portal developed specifically to support the ordering, provisioning and sales management of VoIP and other IP-based services by communication and cable companies. The COMX NextGen IP Portal uses web and workflow technology to support the addition of IP-based services into a service provider's existing OSS processes and infrastructure through enhanced ordering, provisioning and sales management features. Specific capabilities include:

• a flexible product model to support multiple IP-service configurations across voice, video and data services.



• support for services such as voice over xDSL and integrated voice and data-over-T1 access using softswitch call routing.



• configurable web-portal to support customer self-ordering and sales agent ordering models, including real-time service management.



• advanced sales and ordering capabilities including real-time quotes.



• flow-through provisioning with out-of-the-box transaction schemas and rules to support access provisioning (e.g., T1 ASR), equipment provisioning (e.g., integrated access device) and service provisioning (e.g., class 5 features provisioning to the softswitch layer).



• XML-based integration architecture to support seamless integration with existing billing systems or other customer management systems.



• back-office management features including TN management, equipment management and IP-address management.

Telution said its COMX NextGen IP Portal leverages knowledge gained on in-production IP-based voice and data projects, including deployments using the CISCO Broadband Local Integrated Services Solution (BLISS) architecture. http://www.telution.com

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Spirent Launches Global Services Initiative

Spirent Communications announced a Global Services strategic initiative that combines the company's test products with customized test methodologies, test automation, outsourced testing, local technical support, and training to offer a test solution for converging voice and data networks.



Spirent announced its Services organization in North America in May of this year. Now, its Global Services will be staffed by Spirent's network of employees, its distributors, partners, and subsidiary organizations around the world to provide testing services offers and local support in local languages. The company already has an office staffed and operating in Paris, France to serve the Europe, Middle Eastern, and African (EMEA) markets and plans to open a local support center in Bangalore, India and Beijing, China early in 2005. Spirent has long-standing relationships with distributors in Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan and has teamed with universities and independent companies in EMEA and Asia to deliver training services. http://www.spirentcom.com

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Edgewater Adds New Edge Router

Edgewater Networks introduced a new WAN access router that integrates a T1 CSU/DSU, a 4 port managed ethernet switch and on-board encryption accelerator. Designed for small and medium enterprise branch office connectivity or as a VoIP aware access router for hosted VoIP service providers, it provides a SIP, MGCP and H.323 application layer gateway to resolve NAT/Firewall traversal issues. The product has an entry-level list price of $700 for IP routing, VPN, NAT, DHCP server and firewall functionality. VoIP software options can be purchased at the time of order or added to the platform at a later date. http://www.edgewaternetworks.com

• Edgewater Networks is based in Santa Clara, California.

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Verizon and One Economy to Offer Low-Cost Access

Verizon Avenue, a subsidiary of Verizon, and a non-profit called One Economy Corporation, are working together to affordable high-speed Internet access into the homes of many low-income Americans. One Economy's core target market is the approximately 12 million people living in 5 million units of government-subsidized rental housing, approximately 44 percent of the total number of people living in affordable housing in the United States. One Economy and Verizon anticipate impacting a significant share of the 200,000 new low-income apartments built each year. Looking to the future, the partners also are studying the feasibility of expanding this concept to rural and tribal environments as well as to rehabilitated properties.



One Economy and Verizon initially will focus their efforts on new affordable housing projects of at least 100 units. Both are already negotiating with some of the country's largest such developers in New York and along the East Coast. http://www.verizon.com/avenuehttp://www.one-economy.com/

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Telvita Launches VoIP Service

Telvita, a start-up based in Hollywood, Florida, launched its "Fidelio" global VoIP telephone service aimed at small and medium enterprise customers. Fidelio uses USB phones that plug into desktop and laptop computers. The company is offering international long distance rates starting at less than 3 cents a minute. http://www.telvita.com

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