AMC-12 Satellite Successfully Launched

The AMERICOM-12 (AMC-12) satellite of SES AMERICOM was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan). The C-band satellite, which was built by Alcatel Space, offer 72 transponders organized into three regional beams: North America, South America and Europe/Middle East/Africa.Based on Alcatel Space's new-generation Spacebus 4000 platform, the powerful AMC-12 satellite will deliver a wide range of services, from direct-to-home TV broadcasts to broadband Internet. SES ASTRA has committed to integrating 33 transponders offering...

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Siemens Supplies Optical Backbone for Ethiopian Telecom

The state-owned carrier Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) has commissioned Siemens Communications to supply an optical backbone for its fixed and mobile network in the north and center of the country. The 2.5 Gbps network, which will span approximately 1,700 km, will be based on Siemens' Surpass hiT 70xx platform. The ETC network will be monitored and controlled by the transport network management system TNMS also being delivered by Siemens to Ethiopia. The contract is valued at EUR 12 million. http://www.siemens.com/communica...

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U.S. Cable rates increase in 2004, But at a Slower Pace

The overall average monthly rate for cable service in the U.S. -- including basic and expanded basic cable programming services and equipment -- increased by 5.4% over the 12-month period ending January 1, 2004, from $42.99 to $45.32, according to the latest FCC figures. The report also provides information on the number of channels offered in each tier of service, the average capacity of cable systems, and the percentage of cable subscribers that are offered advanced services such as digital service, Internet access, and telephone service. The...

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Competition Grows in U.S. Video Delivery Market

Competition is taking off in the U.S. market for the delivery of video services, concludes the 11th annual FCC report of the state of the cable industry. Almost all U.S. consumers have the choice between over-the-air broadcast television, a cable service, and at least two direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers. In some areas, consumers also can choose to receive service via one or more emerging technologies, including digital broadcast spectrum, fiber, and video over the Internet. Additional conclusions include:overall cable subscribership...

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FCC Adopts Unbundling Rules

The FCC formally adopted new rules concerning the obligations of incumbent carriers (ILECs) to make elements of their network available to other carriers seeking to enter the local telecommunications market. The FCC had voted to approve the new rules in December 2004. The new rules were issued in response to the March 2004 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit which overturned portions of the Unbundled Network Element (UNE) rules in the FCC's Triennial Review Order. http://www.fcc.govHighlights of the new rules include:...

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TANDBERG TV Completes N2 Merger

TANDBERG Television completed its acquisition of Atlanta-based N2 Broadband, Inc., a provider of scalable, open-platform solutions for on-demand entertainment, for $118 million in shares and cash.TANDBERG Television said the N2 Broadband's standards-based, open solutions are a natural extension of its own core technology and have already been integrated with TANDBERG Television's video compression systems. N2 Broadband's President and CEO, Reggie Bradford takes on the role of President of TANDBERG Television, Inc. The new combined North American...

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Telekom Malaysia Selects Cisco Systems

Telekom Malaysia has selected Cisco Systems to help create, commercialize and deliver managed services that make use of integrated data, voice and video IP technologies. The agreement will see Telekom Malaysia and Cisco align their technology, marketing, and sales forces to enhance the delivery of new managed services from Telekom Malaysia that utilize Cisco technology. For the first phase, Telekom Malaysia and Cisco have identified the following managed services for the Malaysian market: IP VPNs, Metro Ethernet, IP telephony and security. Telekom...

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Corning Expects Growth in FTTx

While the overall telecommunications industry is showing some signs of improvement, Corning believes that a sustainable telecom industry recovery will ultimately be led by strong customer demand for new service capabilities that systems such as fiber-to-the-premises enable, said Larry Aiello, the company's president and CEO in a presentation to the financial community.In North America, Corning is looking for FTTx growth from Verizon, SBC and BellSouth. http://www.corning....

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GigaBeam to Supply "Wireless fiber" Units to OnFiber

GigaBeam announced an agreement to supply its WiFiber wireless connectivity products to OnFiber Communications. A field trial deployment is anticipated to occur in the current quarter.GigaBeam expects to provide ultra high speed wireless point-to-point communications links that operate in the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz radio spectrum bands. This portion of the radio frequency spectrum recently was authorized by the FCC for wireless point-to-point commercial use.GigaBeam expects that its technology, coupled with these large blocks of recently authorized...

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Flextronics Acquires Camera Module Business

Flextronics has completed the acquisition of Agilent Technologies' camera module business. The camera modules are used in mobile handsets. The acquisition gives Flextronics additional access to tier-one customers and complements the company's overall strategy to play a major design role in all of the products it builds, ships, and services for OEM customers. http://www.flextronics.c...

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Mpower Creates Wholesale Division

Mpower Communications has formed a new Wholesale division that aims to leverage its acquisition of ICG's California wholesale customer base and statewide SONET fiber network, in addition to Mpower's own deep and dense facilities-based network of switches and nearly 300 collocation facilities. With the acquisition of ICG's California business earlier this year, Mpower is already wholesale provider to many of the largest IXCs, CLECs and ISPs in the country. The new wholesale division will be led by Russ Shipley, formerly New Technology Officer for...

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Adelphia Files Amended Chapter 11 Plan

Adelphia Communications filed an amended plan of reorganization with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The company said its new plan facilitates the sale process by allowing for the distribution of sale consideration to Adelphia's creditors upon a sale of all or a portion of Adelphia's assets. At the same time, the plan preserves Adelphia's ability to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy as an independent entity. The amended plan also adds provisions designed to facilitate potential compromises of outstanding inter-creditor...

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