Skype Launches New Version for Windows

Skype released a new Windows version 1.2 (v 1.2) featuring a centralized Contacts list, which allows users access to their list of contacts from multiple devices from wherever they connect to Skype, and a new 'Getting Started Wizard' for importing contacts from Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, MSN Messenger and Opera. In earlier versions of Skype, the contacts lists was stored locally; the new central contacts list expands user options and allow one to Skype with their existing contacts from multiple locations and platforms. Skype now has more...

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Irish Broadband Expands WiMax-Ready Net with Alvarion

Irish Broadband has ordered an additional $4.3 million in Alvarion equipment, including its license-exempt, BreezeACCESS VL, BreezeMAX 3500, its WiMAX-ready platform, and WALKair products, to be deployed during the coming year. These orders enable Irish Broadband to expand its broadband wireless networks that provide high speed internet services throughout Ireland.Since 2002, Irish Broadband has been expanding its wireless broadband network using various Alvarion products in both the licensed and license-exempt spectrums. In November 2004, Irish...

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Broadcom Introduces 2.5 Gigabit PCI Express Controller

Broadcom began sampling the first 2.5 Gbps controller as part of its NetXtreme II family of C-NICs (converged network interface controllers). Key features of the C-NIC line include TCP/IP offload engine, iSCSI, and Remote Direct Memory Access capability.The new 2.5 Gbps Ethernet controller, which is optimized for embedded blade server applications, more than doubles the throughput of standard Gigabit networking while improving overall CPU utilization by up to five times. Significantly, it enables up to four separate network fabrics found inside...

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DARPA Awards Network Optimization Contract to Lockheed Martin

the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded an 18-month, $3.75-million contract to Lockheed Martin to significantly improve the performance of defense computer applications that degrade due to constantly changing network conditions, such as those occurring on the battlefield. The program also aims to increase by 60 times the availability of those applications to the warfighter. If all development phases are completed and options exercised, the program could be worth up to $10.6 million.Lockheed Martin said its Synthesizing Adaptive Protocols...

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Hungary's Kabelkon Selects Motorola's Digital Video System

Motorola will supply an end-to-end digital video solution for Hungary's first major digital cable TV (CATV) system. The six operators supporting this initiative are Pr-Telecom Rt, Hirsat-2000 Kft, Szarvasi Informatika, Juhasz Antenna Kft, Lat-Sat Kft and Dunakanyar Informatika. The system will be delivered to operators by Motorola's Hungarian partner and distributor Kabelkon Kft. The new cable system will use Motorola's DVi1000 set-top terminals to provide digital video entertainment services in subscribers' homes and Motorola's MediaCipher conditional...

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XConnect Extends VoIP Interconnect Service to North America

London-based XConnect, which interconnects Voice over Broadband operators (VoBBs), is launching its service in North America. XConnect's service simplifies interconnection between VoBBs by overcoming the principal issues associated with VoIP peering, including numbering, interoperability and security. XConnect has signed Yak Communications as a founder Alliance member and iBasis as a founder Carrier member. XConnect is also partnering with NexTone Communications to provide the first certified XConnect-Ready VoIP session border controller. h...

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Transmode and Lumentis to Merge, Targeting Metro DWDM

Transmode Systems AB and Lumentis AB, both start-ups based in Stockholm, will merge to create a larger company focused on metro WDM components. The new company will use the Transmode name.Through the merger, which is effective immediately, Transmode has become a major supplier to telecommunications operators, MSOs, systems integrators, enterprises, utilities, public institutions and OEM partners worldwide. The new organization also has stronger financial backing, with Transmode having closed a $15 million financing round last December and Lumentis...

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Ikanos Builds its Management Team

Ikanos Communications announced the appointment of three vice presidents and an assistant vice president to its management team. Dean Grumlose was named vice president of marketing. Grumlose previously held executive and marketing positions at Azanda Network Devices, PMC-Sierra, Conexant, Velio, and AMD. At PMC-Sierra, he was responsible for Voice over IP (VoIP), switch fabric, network processing, and traffic management product lines. Chris Smith was named vice president of human resources. Previously, Smith was vice president of human resources...

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Casema Leverages Motive Software for Customer Support

Casema, the leading cable provider in the Netherlands, is using software from Motive to provide premium management features to its residential broadband service. Available to more than 270,000 subscribers, the self-help service eliminates or dramatically simplifies problem resolution tasks for customers and customer service representatives (CSRs). Casema is currently considering the addition of new functionality, including support for wireless home networking and VOIP, both of which are expected to be introduced this year. http://www.motive....

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Ericsson Supplies Softswitch in Malta

Maltacom, the leading telecommunications operator in Malta, has contracted Ericsson for a total upgrade of their fixed network to a softswitched solution. Under the agreement, Ericsson will upgrade Maltacom's core network from circuit-switched technology, based on AXE-10 exchanges, to an IP-based Softswitch solution. Ericsson will also provide the related implementation and support services. Ericsson's Telephony Softswitch solution will cover the complete fixed line telephony network including local, transit and international network layers. The...

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Nortel Partners with Trapeze on WLAN Mobility

Nortel formed a long-term alliance and development relationship with Trapeze Networks, a supplier of enterprise WLAN mobility systems. Trapeze and Nortel will work together to deliver an integrated wireless LAN portfolio optimized for voice, multimedia and data applications as part of a shared vision for enterprise mobility. This alliance is focused on three areas: bringing an OEM version of Trapeze's WLAN portfolio to market through Nortel's worldwide channels, co-developing new WLAN features to deliver pervasive mobility, and embedding Trapeze's...

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Juniper Appoints VP of Federal Systems

Juniper Networks named Thomas Kreidler as vice president of Juniper Federal Systems, where he will oversee sales to the United States federal government. Prior to joining Juniper Networks, Kreidler served simultaneous roles as the Vice President of Public Sector and President of Sun Federal for Sun Microsystems. http://www.juniper....

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SBC Yahoo! Upgrades Email Accounts to 2 GB

SBC Communications and Yahoo! are upgrading the email storage capacity for SBC Yahoo! DSL and Dial subscribers to 2 GB for each of their 10 available email sub-accounts, as well as their main email account, bringing the total potential storage capacity for a family or small business to 22 gigabytes. http://www.sbc.com http://www.yahoo.comYahoo! offers a free 1 GB email service via its own websi...

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SBC Builds its Project Lightspeed IPTV Team

SBC announced the appointment of five television programming executives to its Project Lightspeed IPTV. The programming team is based in Los Angeles. Amy Friedlander joins the Project Lightspeed team after work as a principal at Xanthum Partners of Santa Monica, CA. She was previously senior vice president of business development and general counsel at IP VOD provider Intertainer. She will oversee advanced products and new media. Chris Lauricella comes to SBC from DIRECTV, Inc, where he was director of programming acquisitions. For the last eight...

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