pulver.Communicator Interconnects with Skype

FWD Communications announced that the pulver.Communicator application now interoperates with Skype's VoIP service. The pulver.Communicator is the first outside application to offer Skype functionality. Key features of the free pulver.Communicator application now include:the ability to make free calls to millions of VoIP users worldwide (not only to other pulver.Communicator users, but also to subscribers from the more than 80 VoIP service providers with whom FWD Communications has established peering partnering agreements), as well as to a wide...

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Shaw Deploys Nortel's Multimedia Communication Server

Shaw Cablesystems, one of the largest Canadian multi-system cable operators, has deployed multimedia solutions from Nortel, including its Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) 5200. The SIP-based platform could be used to deliver a variety of multimedia services, including desktop video calling, voice call management, instant messaging, collaboration tools, and personalization services. Shaw plans to offer these services in conjunction with its high-speed Internet service and is expected to be the first cable operator in Canada to offer SIP-based...

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Hanaro Telecom Deploys Juniper's Edge Platforms for Premium Services

South Korea's Hanaro Telecom has deployed the Juniper Networks E-series edge routing platform and SDX-300 Service Deployment System to enable an enhanced suite of per subscriber management broadband services. The deployment is the first phase of a complete plan to enable a wide range of new user-provisionable services including unified Web login authentication based on RADIUS and DHCP. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.juniper....

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Ultra-Wideband Companies Showcase Consumer Applications

At this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) several UWB Forum members are demonstrating the viability of Direct Sequence Ultra-Wideband (DS-UWB) technology for consumer applications. These include:Motorola and Freescale Semiconductor are showcasing proof-of-concept cell phone that connects wirelessly to a laptop and downloads MP3 files from the Internet or photos taken with the phone. Visitors can also experience UWB while watching football in the Freescale-sponsored HDTV Sports Lounge. Freescale's UWB technology to wirelessly receive the...

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France Telecom to Launch "MaLigne visio"

France Telecom is preparing to launch a large-scale IP video telephony deployment called "MaLigne visio." The service will deliver real-time video chat, video messaging, video streaming, and information on demand over ADSL. When customers subscribe to the MaLigne visio service, they are given a special phone number. Using ADSL , they now have two phone numbers on the same line (their regular phone number remains the same). MaLigne visio provides...

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Microsoft and KT Extend Strategic Alliance

Microsoft and KT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) renewing their current strategic relationship. The companies are investigating the creation of a joint research and business development (R&BD) center in Korea. Its mission would be to establish new business models and new technologies in conjunction with KT's five new "growth engine" businesses. In addition, Microsoft and KT will investigate forming a joint fund through which the R&BD center could access third-party content, technologies and external human resources. Finally,...

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Delphi and Comcast Target In-Vehicle Mobile Video

Delphi is working with Comcast on a system to deliver video content to an in-vehicle, mobile entertainment system. The goal of the agreement is to leverage Delphi's 802.11 enabled rear-seat video system and allow users to securely transfer content to their vehicles. The agreement includes an anticipated timeline of 6 months to 18 months for evaluation and development. http://www.delphi.com/mediahttp://www.comcast.c...

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Texas Instruments and AT&T Announce VoIP Alliance

Texas Instruments and AT&T are working together to provide VoIP equipment designers and manufacturers new platforms for the development of VoIP products compatible with AT&T's global IP (Internet Protocol) network. As part of the alliance, TI-based reference designs for voice gateways will be compatible with AT&T's CallVantage Service, via AT&T's certification lab testing. One of the first TI-based VoIP products that will be available through AT&T's CallVantage Service is VTech Communications' VoIP6322 Dual Line Corded/Cordless...

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ST Launches Single-Chip Decoder for Windows Media 9 and H.264/AVC

STMicroelectronics announced a single-chip Set-top Box (STB) solution supporting the High Definition H.264/AVC and VC1 specifications, which are poised to enable the next generation of high quality consumer video systems and broadcast services. The new device is based on an innovative video decoding architecture that combines hardware and software techniques to allow systems to be upgraded in the field to support new standards as they become available. The latest advanced codec technologies for DVD-Audio and DVD security encryption are embedded...

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Korea's TTA Selects RADCOM for VoIP Testing

The Korean Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) has selected RADCOM's Omni-Q to verify operator compliance with VoIP quality of service standards set by Korea's Ministry of Information and Telecommunication. The TTA, a non-governmental IT standards setting body, is responsible for testing products from leading Korean manufacturers and service providers. It will use the Omni-Q to conduct pre-licensing certification testing of more than twenty VoIP service providers. RADCOM's Omni-Q is a distributed voice quality monitoring system that...

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SIRIUS Selects Windows Media for Mobile Video Service

SIRIUS Satellite Radio has selected Microsoft's Windows Media Video 9 for use in a new mobile video service that it plans to launch in the second half of 2006. SIRIUS Satellite expects to devote 2-3 channels of premium video content designed primarily for children. The video would be delivered to satellite receivers in automobiles for families and travelers. According to SIRIUS, its automotive partners are eager proponents of the service, given the strong demand for rear seat video entertainment. http://www.sirius.com/http://www.microsoft.comSIRIUS...

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Pure Networks Unveils "Magic" Home Networking Software

Pure Networks, a start-up based in Seattle, introduced its "Network Magic" software for home networking. Network Magic is consumer software that connects and unifies the many different PCs, routers, gateways, and networked devices found in today's home into a seamless home network. The software resides on each computer within a home network, allowing them to communicate and share files and folders with one another, as well as with other networked devices such as routers, printers, video cameras and media adapters. In addition, Network Magic enables...

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Procera Raises $4.6 million for Security Appliances

Procera Networks, a developer of optimized network security and compliance systems, based in Campbell, California, raised $4.6 million through the sale of its restricted common stock. Procera's OptimIP intelligent network appliances provide wire-speed internal network protection and application optimization. The appliances work with existing networking and security gear as a transparent network overlay at the edge and core of internal business networks. http://www.proceranetworks.c...

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Netgear and Video54 Incorporate 7 MIMO Antennas in Wi-Fi

NETGEAR will enhance certain of its Wi-Fi products with a new "BeamFlex" system from Video54 Technologies, a start-up based in California. Video54's BeamFlex technology incorporates seven smart MIMO antennas to deliver 127 unique antenna patterns that adapt "on the fly" to the network environment by adjusting to RF interference, locations of clients, and physical barriers, resulting in improved range and high-speed data transfer performance. The companies said that by reducing throughput variance caused by signal fade and interference, the technology...

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Kodeos Raises $6 Million for Optical Subsystems

Kodeos Communications, a start-up based in South Plainfield, New Jersey, secured an additional $6 million in equity financing from Highland Capital Partners and Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) for its 10 Gbps enhanced-performance optical subsystems. Kodeos' products, based on the company's "double-reach" optical transmission technology, serve a variety of applications: 2.5 Gbps to 10 Gbps upgrades (without additional in-line equipment), large metro and regional rings requiring no dispersion compensating equipment, long single span links and long-haul...

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Vonage Reports 400,000 VoIP Lines

Vonage has activated its 400,000 customer VoIP line, doubling its subscriber base in less than six months since reaching the 200,000 line mark. The company ended 2004 with more than 390,000 lines in service having added 115,000 lines in Q4 2004 alone. http://www.vonage.c...

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BEA Systems Acquires Incomit for Telco Software

BEA Systems has acquired Incomit, a privately held Swedish company that provides infrastructure software for the telecommunications industry. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. BEA Systems said the acquisition would augment the BEA WebLogic Service Delivery Platform, its telecommunications solution framework. "BEA's acquisition of Incomit is part of our strategy of helping our telco customers successfully transform their businesses to meet the new demands of the industry," said Olivier Helleboid, executive vice president, corporate strategy...

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XM Satellite Radio Surpasses 3.2 Million Subscribers

XM Satellite Radio has signed up more than 3.2 million subscribers, representing more than 1.8 million net additional subscribers in 2004. XM added more than 700,000 customers for its paid radio service in Q4 -- its best quarter to date. By the end of 2005, the company expects to have 5.5 million subscribers. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimates that factory-to-dealer shipments of satellite radio receivers alone totaled nearly...

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