Shaanxi Telecom Deploys Alcatel's DSL Test Gear

Shaanxi Telecom, a subsidiary of China Telecom, has selected Alcatel's 5530 Network Analyzer for deployment in the province capital of Xi'an. The Alcatel 5530 Network Analyzer automates the process of DSL line quality assessment and the continuous monitoring of service quality. At present, there are 200,000 DSL subscribers in Xi'an. http://www.alcatel....

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Level 3 and McLeodUSA End '99 Dark Fiber Lease Agreement

Level 3 Communications and McLeodUSA agreed to terminate a dark fiber contract the two companies signed in 1999.Under the original 20-year agreement, McLeodUSA leased a nationwide dark fiber backbone from Level 3 comprising between eight and 36 fibers across most of Level 3's North American network infrastructure. McLeodUSA will transfer the fibers back to Level 3 in exchange for a cash payment and other consideration. In addition, the companies have entered into an agreement under which McLeodUSA will provide network services to Level 3 at discounted...

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DISA's GIG-BE Reaches Operational Milestone

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) reached the Initial Operational Capacity (IOC) milestone at the first six GIG-BE program sites as of 30-September-2004. GIG-BE, which will serve as the foundation for high-speed network needs of Department of Defense, is providing "Internet-like" capabilities over state-of-the-art optical networking technology. The ground-based optical network provides up to 10-Gbps connections between 90 sites around the globe. One of the main advancements of the GIG-BE program is to seamlessly integrate the capabilities...

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CableLabs Announces PacketCable Certifications

CableLabs awarded PacketCable qualification status to a PacketCable 1.1 CMTS from Cisco Systems and PacketCable certification status to an embedded multimedia terminal adapter (E-MTA) from Motorola. PacketCable is a CableLabs-led initiative to define a common platform to deliver advanced real-time communication services, such as VoIP, over two-way cable plant. http://www.cablelabs....

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Verizon Wireless to Acquire Nextwave's PCS Spectrum for $3 Billion

Verizon Wireless agreed to acquire all Nextwave Telecom's PCS licenses for $3 billion in cash. The agreement also provides for a breakup fee of 3% of the purchase price if the agreement is terminated under certain circumstances. The deal requires the approval of the bankruptcy court administering Nextwave's Chapter 11 proceedings. The purchase is expected to close by mid-2005. The 10 and 20 MHz licenses, in the 1.9 GHz PCS frequency range, cover a population of 73 million people. The purchase price equates to $2.85 per MHz POP. The licenses...

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