Electric Lightwave Launches Ultra Ethernet - MAN Service

Electric Lightwave, a facilities-based carrier based in Vancouver, Washington, announced the launch of its Ultra Ethernet - MAN service in metro markets across six Western states. Bandwidth is available within a metro region at rates between 10 Mbps and 1000 Mbps. Electric Lightwave said it is using Ethernet over SONET infrastructure that avoids routing latency or jitter that may occur in Layer-2 switching and it provides sub-50 ms switching protection. http://www.eli....

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OZ Cites Growth for its IM & Presence Client

OZ, which offers an Instant Messaging & Presence Services (IMPS) client for mobile phones, has been selected by TCL & Alcatel Mobiles Phones. The OZ Mobile IMPS client is designed to meet the usability requirements of the primary operators in Europe, as well as the requirements from the most widely used IM communities such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and MSN Messenger services. OZ also announced that Sprint PCS has deployed its OZ Mobile IM Gateway & Client solution across its nationwide network; enabling mobile customers to access...

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GSM Association Targets 'Ultra-Low Cost' Handset to Expand Global Market

The GSM Association (GSMA) launched an initiative aimed at delivering 'Ultra-Low Cost' mobile handsets, initially in the sub $40 range and later targeting sub $30. According to GSMA estimates, about 80% of the world's population have wireless coverage but only 25 per cent use mobile services. The GSMA brought together a group of its operator members that serve emerging markets(1) to create critical mass through a special procurement initiative. The operators participating in this stage of the initiative are: AIS Telecom, Bharti Televentures, Globe...

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Motorola Develops Push-to-View for GSM

Motorola announced a Push-to-View" solution on GSM PoC (Push-to-Talk over Cellular) handsets. With Push-to-View, consumers can now see the presence state of their contacts and spontaneously share pictures, captured on their phone. For operators deploying PoC networks worldwide, Push-to-View capabilities provide a new real-time multimedia services data application that can lead to increased revenue and differentiation opportunities. Motorola said Push-to-View will be the first offering in a broader category of peer-to- peer file sharing applications...

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Lucent Partners with Openera and Xten on IMS Solutions

Lucent Technologies it will integrate software solutions from Openera and Xten Networks into its IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) convergence solution. Both Openera and Xten Networks will provide downloadable clients that can support a wide range of devices and enable the delivery of converged service bundles.Under the agreements, Openera will supply its Mobile IMS Client, which enables the delivery of advanced IMS-based multimedia services including Active Phone Book, push-to-talk and video sharing on mobile phones. Openera's Mobile IMS Client can...

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XO Launches Voice Termination Service for VoIP Providers

XO Communications, which operates one of the industry's largest deployments of Sonus Networks softswitches, announced the availability of its voice termination service for VoIP providers. XO VoIP Termination allows service providers to terminate voice calls to domestic locations in the United States using softswitch technology deployed across the XO national IP network. With an IP connection to the XO IP network, the customer's voice traffic will be routed across the XO OC-192 class of service-enabled network at the highest level of priority....

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Global Crossing to Provide International IP for Telmex

Global Crossing will provide international IP connectivity to interconnect the Telmex Group's operations in South America, Mexico and the United States, including its recently acquired assets in the region -- Embratel, AT&T Latin America, Metrored Argentina, Techtel and Chilesat, among others. Financial terms were not disclosed.Last year, Global Crossing and Telmex de Mexico signed a commercial agreement for bilateral voice interconnection, which allows Global Crossing to send traffic to Mexico and Telmex to transport long-distance voice traffic...

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Global Crossing Launches Ethernet IP Service

Global Crossing launched an Ethernet IP service that enables enterprises with multiple corporate locations to simply extend their LANs across the wide area network. Internet service providers (ISPs) can transparently connect their locations or access remote peering exchanges, regardless of the distance. The service, which runs over Global Crossing's MPLS backbone, eliminates the need for dedicated private line circuits. Ethernet IP service may be provisioned directly over Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet circuits for end-to-end Ethernet connections....

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Og Vodafone Deploys Cirpack's Softswitch

Og Vodafone, the alternative fixed & mobile operator in Iceland, upgraded its wireline voice switching infrastructure with Cirpack MultiNode. Og Vodafone can now provide legacy POTS & ISDN services as well as VoIP and IP Centrex services from the same switching platform, further optimizing operations and enhancing service packages. Financial terms were not disclosed.The Cirpack MultiNode is a Class-5 and Class-4 softswitch running on IBM eServer and highly scalable media gateways connecting IP, ATM and TDM networks. Cirpack switches comply...

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Motorola and Skype Enter Marketing Partnership

Motorola and Skype Technologies announced a co-marketing collaboration that will provide greater connectivity options and access for Skype's more than 25 million registered worldwide users. The alliance will explore opportunities broadly across both companies. The initial focus of the collaboration will be on co-marketing of new optimized Motorola 'Skype Ready' companion products, such as Bluetooth headsets, dongles, and speakerphones, as well as delivery of the Skype Internet Telephony experience on select Motorola mobile devices. Motorola 'Skype...

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Broadwing to Launch Converged Services Network

Broadwing is completing the roll-out of its MPLS-based Converged Services Network infrastructure.Starting in Q2, Broadwing plans to launch both Layer 2 and Layer 3 Virtual Private Network (VPN) services at equivalent prices for enterprises and carriers. Broadwing's Converged Services Network will offer any-to-any Layer 2 VPNs, security isolation from the public Internet and flexible local access choices, including Ethernet, Frame/ATM, Private Line, DSL, etc. -- all under end-to-end Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Broadwing also announced that...

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Ericsson to OEM Axerra's Pseudo-Wire Platform for Mobile/Wireless Nets

Ericsson has entered into an OEM arrangement to resell and support Axerra Networks' AXN Pseudo-Wire Gateways and Access Devices. Axerra's AXN Pseudo-Wire Gateways and Access Devices integrate with Ericsson's end-to-end GSM/EDGE/WCDMA solutions to extend legacy voice and data services in native format as well as emerging IP services, over Ethernet, IP and MPLS networks. Mobile/wireless operators could thereby use packet access networks (metro Ethernet, broadband wireless including WiMAX, DOCSIS HFC, etc.) as full-service alternatives to T1/E1 backhaul...

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General Bandwidth Launches the G6 Reverse Media Gateway

General Bandwidth introduced its G6 Reverse Media Gateway designed to enable legacy remote terminals, such as wireline Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs) and cable Host Digital Terminals (HDTs), to migrate from Class 5 call control to IP-based softswitch call control. General Bandwidth said remote terminals using GR-303, TR-08 or V5.2 circuit technology until now have been islands set apart with no effective means of connecting to the new IP-based features and benefits of packet switching technology. Wireline network DLCs and cable network HDTs connect...

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Qwest and AT&T Reach Wholesale Services Deal

Qwest Communications announced a commercial agreement on wholesale pricing and services with AT&T. The agreement for Qwest Platform Plus (QPP) provides for wholesale pricing continuity for AT&T and a guarantee that such services will continue to be available consistent with AT&T's market plans. In a separate statement, AT&T noted that it had stopped marketing traditional residential and small-business voice services last summer, and that the new agreement with Qwest does not change that decision. http://www.qwest.comIn June 2004,...

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Ericsson Demos 9 Mbps with WCDMA, HSDPA Phase 2

At the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, Ericsson is demonstrating 9 Mbps high-speed data downloads, and streaming applications using HSDPA phase 2. This is the first time that the second generation of receivers combined with high-speed optimized modulation over a larger HSDPA channel, implemented in a live HSDPA system based on commercial products, is being demonstrated. HSDPA phase 2, increases the WCDMA system capacity and allow for peak rates up to 14 Mbps. Ericsson said its HSDPA system has been up and running since June 2004. Ericsson WCDMA...

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WilTel Launches Managed Ethernet Services

WilTel Communications launched a Managed Ethernet WAN service that provides point-to-point Ethernet (E-Line) services and multipoint Ethernet (E-LAN) services along with seamless frame relay/ATM interworking capabilities. The service uses WilTel-deployed and managed equipment from Overture Networks on the customer premise, with native Ethernet interfaces that can support Ethernet circuits up to 1 Gbps in flexible 1 Mbps increments. The solution also provides customers direct Ethernet access to WilTel's dedicated Internet access and MPLS IP VPN...

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Network Implications of Verizon + MCI Merger

Verizon Communications confirmed its plans to acquire MCI for $6.7 billion. The companies said the deal was driven by the rapidly changing dynamics of the U.S. telecom market, by operational synergies, as well as by the opportunities presented by next generation IP services -- especially enterprise services. The merger is expected to lead to a reduction of about 7,000 employees involved in network engineering and operations, sales, and corporate functions. The companies estimate $2 billion in CAPEX savings through the third year of the merger....

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Sequoia Receives Motorola Investment for Multi-Mode RF Chips

Sequoia Communications, a start-up based in San Diego, announced an equity investment from Motorola for its development of multimode RF chipsets. Sequoia Communications' FullSpectra architecture aims to enable multi-mode transceivers with significant advantages in cost, printed circuit board (PCB) size and power consumption. The FullSpectra architecture features polar modulation, which is already the de facto standard transmit architecture for GSM. Thus, any multi-mode device supporting GSM will require polar in order to have a single transmit...

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Microsoft Teams with Flextronics on Peabody Smartphone for OEMs

Microsoft and Flextronics introduced a GSM/GPRS mobile phone platform designed and integrated by Flextronics based on Microsoft Windows Mobile software. The new "Peabody" mobile phone is a low-cost, feature-rich Original Design & Manufacture (ODM) platform developed by both companies for global OEMs. Flextronics also announced that it is developing a product family of devices based on next- generation Windows Mobile software for deployment on GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks. http://www.microsoft.com http://www.flextronics....

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Microsoft Launches Connected Services Framework for Telcos

Microsoft introduced an integrated software framework that allows telecommunications operators and service providers to deliver converged communications services across multiple networks and a range of device types. The Microsoft Connected Services Framework, which is being introduced at 3GSM World Congress 2005 in Cannes, is a server-based solution for helping wireless and wireline operators to generate additional revenue through new services. The framework integrates other Microsoft, including Microsoft BizTalk Server, Microsoft SQL Server,...

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MetaSwitch Expands Softswitch Portfolio

MetaSwitch is extending its portfolio of softswitch products with the introduction of a new high-capacity call agent server. In addition, Metaswitch's VP3510 chassis is now available as a standalone media gateway and/or signaling gateway. MetaSwitch now offers both call agent options of an integrated media gateway chassis, or an open server platform. In a softswitch network architecture, the call agent (also sometimes known as a media gateway controller)...

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Chelsio and Scali Team on 10GigE Clustering Solution

Chelsio Communications, a start-up offering 10-Gigabit Ethernet server adapters and protocol acceleration technology, and Scali, a provider of high performance cluster software solutions, announced a 10 Gigabit Ethernet solution for commercial High Performance Cluster Computing (HPCC) applications such as Eclipse, Fluent, Magma, LS-Dyna, TurboWorx, Abaqus, and others. The joint solution uses Chelsio's recently announced T210 Protocol Engine and Scali's MPI Connect. The companies said they could provide up to 3X throughput and latency improvement...

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FutureSoft Provides Software for Ciena's Ethernet Switch

FutureSoft supplied its Layer 2 protocol stacks for Ciena's recently announced CN 4350 Ethernet Services Provisioning Switch. Ciena has included MSTP (802.1s), RSTP (802.1w), IGMP Snooping, VLAN (802.1q), and LA stacks from FutureSoft into their products. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.futsoft....

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ARRIS Reports Q4 Revenue of $129.5 million

ARRIS reported $129.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2004, up from third quarter 2004 revenues of $128.4 million. Full year 2004 revenues were $490.0 million, an increase of 13% over 2003 revenues of $434.0 million. On a U.S. GAAP basis, net income (loss) was $(0.6) million or $(0.01) per share in the fourth quarter.Gross margins of 26.1% were down approximately 170 basis points as compared to third quarter 2004 margins of 27.8%. This decrease is the result of product introduction costs related to new CMTS products and a change in product...

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