Qualcomm, Nortel Complete First Handset HSDPA Calls

Nortel and QUALCOMM completed the industry's first end-to-end calls using High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) on a commercial network and handset equipment. The calls were completed using commercial network equipment from Nortel and the first available handset, which is enabled by QUALCOMM's Mobile Station Modem chipset. Calls were made over a live air connection to a moving automobile to demonstrate the stability of the connection in a real-world environment. A five-megabyte music file was downloaded in less than 30 seconds, and an e-mail with a three-megabyte attachment was downloaded in 20 seconds.


HSDPA is expected to boost network capacity to carry up to three times as much data traffic and up to twice as many wireless users per cell site compared to today's UMTS networks.
http://www.qualcomm.com
http://www.nortel.com

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Nortel Offers Wi-Fi Hotspot Solution for MSOs

Nortel introduced a wireless local area network product that enable cable operators (MSOs) to provide access to secure high-speed Internet and network services at 'hotspots' in public locations and residential neighborhoods. The solution consists of three components: a strand-mounted Access Point (APU) Unit; a Corporate Services Unit (CSU) that receives wireless signals from the APU; and a choice of directional or omni-directional antennas. When in hotspot mode, users connect directly to the Access Point Unit using Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops and PDAs.
http://www.nortel.com

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Pannaway and net.com Partner on Triple Play

Pannaway Technologies and net.com finalized an integration and distribution agreement whereby Pannaway will integrate net.com's SHOUT platform into its Service Converged Network triple play solution. Pannaway will also provide Tier 1 service support for all SCN-based SHOUT products.


The companies said their agreement would help service providers, including ILECs, to deliver end-to-end SIP-based VoIP services, high-quality digital IP video and high-speed (26 Mbps) Internet access over a single broadband connection.


Pannaway already has ILEC customers using the integrated SCN and SHOUT platform to thousands of rural subscribers.
http://www.pannaway.com
http://www.net.com/

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Hong Kong's PCCW Deploys Riverstone Edge Router

PCCW, the incumbent service provider in Hong Kong, will deploy Riverstone Networks' 15008 Ethernet Edge Router. Cascade Limited, PCCW's professional services subsidiary, will begin deploying the Riverstone 15008 in PCCW's network to provide the carrier's customers with business-class, bandwidth-intensive Ethernet services through its existing metro Ethernet network. Financial terms were not disclosed.


The procurement builds upon Riverstone's existing relationship with PCCW, which first deployed Riverstone's RS 8600 and RS 3000 carrier Ethernet routers in 2002 to bridge its ATM network to provide broadband access and VPLS. Riverstone has also delivered Ethernet networks to China Telecom, China Railcom, China Netcom, Chunghwa Telecom and Hutchison Global Communications.
http://www.riverstonenet.com/

• Riverstone Networks 15008 Ethernet Edge Router features a 192 Gbps non-blocking switch fabric (384 Gbps full-duplex) providing the ability to converge traffic over MPLS. The new ASIC-driven Riverstone 15008 Ethernet Edge Router employs a distributed and modular operating system architecture that allows the router to detect and restart errant protocols without affecting the rest of the system. The 10GigE router offers IEEE VLAN support and VLAN Stacking. Additional VLAN support includes Ethernet Pseudowire, VPLS and H-VPLS, future Layer 3 VPNs, E-Line and E-LAN, E-UNI , etc.

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Vodafone Reaches 150 Million Customers

The Vodafone Group reported its strongest quarter of net additions since December 2000 with over 5.4 million organic net additions, bringing its total proportionate customer base to over 151.8 million. Some highlights from Q4 2004:

• Highest quarter ever for new Vodafone live! customers of 3.9 million, bringing global Vodafone live! controlled customer base to 28.3 million, including 12.9 million in Japan



• Vodafone live! with 3G was launched across 13 markets



• Vodafone UK added 641,000 net customers in the quarter, taking the total base to 15.2 million customers, an increase of over 9% since last year. Churn has continued its improving trend due to ongoing focus on customer retention and loyalty initiatives. Blended annual ARPU reduced to 314 pounds from 318 pounds for the year to December compared to the year to September 2004, principally due to the impact of the reduction in incoming call termination rates of approximately 30% effective from 1 September 2004.



• In Germany, there were net customer additions of 843,000, for a total closing base of 26.9 million customers. Blended annual ARPU for the year to December was EUR 303 compared to EUR 305 for the year to September 2004, reflecting the impact of lower spending new customers.



• In Italy, proportionate net customer additions were 359,000 in the quarter, leading to a total proportionate customer base of over 17 million. Blended annual ARPU remained stable at EUR 360 for the year to December compared to the year to September 2004. Churn also remained stable quarter on quarter.



• In Japan, the closing proportionate base was 14.8 million, reflecting net customer additions of 36,000 in the quarter. The Group's effective ownership in Vodafone Japan reduced from 98.2% to 97.7% following the completion of the merger of Vodafone K.K. and Vodafone Holdings K.K.



• Vodafone Spain added 457,000 net customers in the quarter, bringing the total customer base to 10.9 million customers, an increase of over 12% on last year. Churn has improved both quarter on quarter and year on year.

http://www.vodafone.com/

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Corning Names New CEO

Corning named Wendell P. Weeks (45) to succeed the retiring James R. Houghton (69) as its CEO. Additionally, Peter F. Volanakis, 49, will replace Weeks as chief operating officer.
http://www.corning.com

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Communications Union Attacks AT&T's Job Cuts

The Communications Workers of America accused AT&T of cutting another 1,700 jobs and closing four customer service centers in the U.S. while at the same time transferring jobs to the Philippines, India and other offshore locations. Specifically, the CWA is concerned that AT&T will shut call centers in Mesa, Arizona; Syracuse, N.Y.; Marietta, Georgia., and Town and Country, Missouri.
http://www.cwa-union.org/

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Verizon Implements Windows Media for V CAST

Verizon Wireless is using the Microsoft Windows Media Format to power V CAST, its new 3G consumer wireless broadband multimedia service delivered over its EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) network. Starting next month, Verizon Wireless V CAST customers can stream and play back audio and video clips using Windows Media. The service also uses technology from PacketVideo and thePlatform for Media Inc..


Verizon Wireless said video clips on V CAST are consistently streamed at 15 frames per second.


Verizon Wireless V CAST is supported on three new phones from LG Mobile, Samsung and UTStarcom Personal Communications.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmediahttp://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia

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RCN Launches Remote Video Monitoring Service

RCN launched a home monitoring service that allows its cable modem customers to remotely view real-time video of their home or business from any browser on the Net. RCN's WebWatch system allows customers place up to four small wireless cameras throughout their homes or businesses. When away from the home or business, they log in to a secure website through the Internet to view real-time, streaming videos. Customers can view one camera at a time or all four simultaneously. The video can also be recorded for later viewing.


RCN WebWatch leverages software developed by Casero and is based on RCN's Wi-Fi 802.11g wireless broadband home networking package. The service is available to RCN Internet subscribers for an additional $9.95 per month. Included in the monthly service fee is one wireless web camera.
http://www.rcn.com/webwatch

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Meru Powers Metro Wi-Fi Service in New Mexico

Meru Networks supplied the core WLAN equipment for a converged wireless network in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The project, which is described as the largest citywide converged voice and data network in the U.S., has gone live with citywide Wi-Fi data service built on Meru's WLAN solutions. Azulstar Networks, a division of Ottawa Wireless, served as system integrator. Azulstar and the city are also in final testing of wireless VoIP phone services running over the same infrastructure, and expects to launch this within the next 90 days. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.merunetworks.com

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Internet2 Launches Hybrid Optical and Packet Infrastructure Initiative

The Internet2 Hybrid Optical and Packet Infrastructure (HOPI) initiative announced its design for a national network testbed infrastructure that allows researchers to experiment with new optical technologies, including dynamically provisioned wavelengths, circuit switched environments, and new transport protocols.


The HOPI testbed will utilize facilities from Internet2's Abilene Network, the National Lambda Rail (NLR) network, The MANLAN exchange point, and regional optical networks. Each HOPI node will consist of an Ethernet switch with 10GigE capabilities, a fiber cross connect switch, and servers to control HOPI's network infrastructure and measure network performance, all designed to model future optical infrastructures.


Over the next three months, HOPI nodes will be deployed in sites supporting substantial international connectivity, including the Pacific Northwest GigPoP in Seattle, StarLight in Chicago, and the NYSERNet/MAN LAN location in New York City. HOPI nodes will also be deployed in Los Angeles for connectivity to the UltraLight project and in Washington D.C. for connectivity to the DRAGON project. Both UltraLight and DRAGON are projects funded by the National Science Foundation. Additionally, all of the HOPI nodes will connect to the existing Abilene routers in their
corresponding cities. These nodes will in turn, connect to Internet2's experimental facilities on the NLR footprint. This configuration will allow Abilene-connected researchers access to the HOPI facilities.


A whitepaper describing the HOPI network architecture is online.
http://www.internet2.edu/http://networks.internet2.edu/hopi/

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deltathree Selects Level 3 for Wholesale VoIP

deltathree agreed to purchase wholesale VoIP services from Level 3 Communications to support the growth of its Service Provider and Reseller VoIP offerings, as well as iConnectHere, its retail VoIP service. Specifically, deltathree purchased Level 3's (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service to expand its geographic reach. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Level 3's (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service is a wholesale VoIP solution that enables companies who operate their own switching infrastructures to launch IP-based local and long-distance communications services to residential and business customers via any broadband connection. (3)VoIP Enhanced Local provides network trunking, local numbers, local number portability, E911, operator assistance, directory listings, and directory assistance. At the same time, the (3)VoIP Enhanced Local solution allows Level 3 customers to retain the flexibility to manage and control end-user features without the need to implement complex interconnection arrangements.
http://www.level3.com

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Israeli Defense Forces Expands Use of ECI's XDM Platform

ECI Telecom received a new $16 million order to provide additional XDM optical equipment to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). This agreement follows the installation of ECI equipment from a previous order for deployment of the IDF's optical backbone. ECI's Network Management System (NMS), which is integrated in the XDM platform, automatically maps managed elements onto separate technology layers - SONET/SDH, optics and data - enabling the IDF to better manage services.
http://www.ecitele.com

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i2Telecom Deploys Kagoor's Session Border Controllers

i2Telecom, a low-cost VoIP service provider, has deployed Kagoor's VoiceFlow 1000 series session border controller in a high-availability, redundant configuration to deliver global service over its SIP-based network. Kagoor's VoiceFlow 1000 session border controller solves the NAT traversal problem and simplifies the configuration of i2Telecom's microgateway adapter behind NAT devices like cable and DSL modems. Kagoor's network protection solution also provides i2Telecom with added network security.


i2Telecom is a low-cost telecommunications service provider employing a SIP-based network to deliver global VoIP service using its "VoiceStick", a portable Internet phone device that converts any Internet connected computer into a local phone. Once the VoiceStick is installed, a dial pad display enables the user to call any telephone in the world directly from the computer at a fraction of normal long-distance rates.
http://www.kagoor.com
http://www.voicestick.com

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SBC Adds 425,000 DSL lines in Q4

SBC Communications reported Q4 growth in its wireline business, driven by a 10.5% rise in data revenues and increased penetration of bundled services such as DSL and long distance. Cingular Wireless, which is 60% owned by SBC, achieved a net subscriber gain of 1.8 million on a pro forma basis, more than double the pro forma net subscribers added in the previous quarter. Highlights of SBC's Q4 report include:

• Q4 2004 earnings from continuing operations were $754 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, including special items., down from Q4 2003 reported earnings from continuing operations of $888 million, or $0.27 per diluted share. Excluding fourth-quarter severance charges and income from disposed equity investments, SBC's fourth-quarter 2003 earnings were $1.0 billion, or $0.30 per diluted share.



• Q4 operating revenues were $10.3 billion, up 3.1% versus the fourth quarter of 2003. Wireline revenues totaled $9.3 billion, up 3.6% from results in the year-earlier fourth quarter, driven by growth in data solutions and bundled services, including DSL and long distance.



• DSL - SBC added 425,000 DSL lines in Q4 and ended the year with 5.1 million DSL lines in service. In 2004, SBC added 1.6 million DSL lines. DSL/Internet revenues were up 27.2% versus the fourth quarter of 2003.



• Long Distance - SBC's total long distance lines increased by 1.1 million in Q4 to end the year with 20.9 million in service, more than triple its in-service total two years earlier.



• Bundles - SBC's penetration of consumer retail lines with at least one key service - long distance, DSL, joint-billed Cingular Wireless or SBC | DISH Network video - increased to 61% at the end of the quarter, up from 44% a year earlier.



• Data Revenues - Wireline data revenues grew 10.5% to $2.9 billion in Q4, SBC's best quarterly data revenue growth in the past three years. For the full year, SBC's data revenues
  totaled $11 billion, representing 30% of total wireline revenues.



• Large-Business Market - SBC's revenues from enterprise customers were up approximately 5% versus the year-earlier fourth quarter. Retail hi-cap and data integration revenues were up 12.6% , as SBC completed additional large-business contracts that provide advanced data solutions, managed services and voice services, including VoIP.



• Access Lines - SBC's wireline retail consumer line base declined by 192,000 in Q4, an improvement from declines of 259,000 in the preceding quarter and 424,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago. SBC's business retail access line base declined by 74,000 in the fourth quarter. This compares with declines of 168,000 in the preceding quarter and 250,000 in the year-ago fourth quarter. Total switched access lines declined by 580,000 in the quarter. This total includes a 283,000 decline in UNE-P wholesale lines, which compares with a decline of 192,000 in the preceding quarter and an increase of 177,000 in the fourth quarter of 2003. SBC ended 2004 with 45.1 million retail lines and 52.4 million total switched access lines.



• Video, Integrated Services - Total SBC | DISH Network subscribers increased by 97,000 in the quarter to reach 323,000 in service - all added since the company began offering the integrated service in March 2004. In Q1 2005, SBC plans to begin construction of an advanced, IP-based network to deliver next-generation, integrated all-digital TV, super-high-speed broadband and IP voice
  services. The company expects the network will reach 18 million households by the end of 2007.



• In 2005, SBC expects continued growth in DSL lines at a pace consistent with 2004. SBC expects positive momentum and further expansion in the enterprise and national data market contributing to high single-digit% age growth in total data revenues. Overall, it is forecasting low single-digit% age revenue growth.



• SBC expects 2005 capital expenditures will be $5.4 billion to $5.7 billion, with investments in Project Lightspeed and data growth offset to a significant degree by savings in other areas.



• Cingular Wireless capital expenditures are expected to be $6.8 billion to $7.2 billion, reflecting network expansion initiatives and deployment of its 3G UMTS network with HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access).



• 2005 free cash flow after dividends are expected to be approximately $3 billion.

http://www.sbc.com

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