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 than 31 million registered users and is adding more than 160,000 new users per day. The company said more than 6 billion minutes of Skype calls have been made by users around the world to date using its software.
http://www.skype.com

Read More

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 Broadband added
BreezeMAX 3500, Alvarion's WiMaX-ready platform, extending coverage to other cities, including Dundalk, Drogheda, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford.
http://www.alvarion.com

Read More

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 a blade server to be converged over standard Ethernet. The controller is positioned as a cost-point replacement for existing 1 Gigabit Ether implementations.


Broadcom said current blade servers rely on up to four highly specialized fabrics to support the four data types that blade servers require to operate efficiently: storage, clustering, management and data networking. To date, the only way to effectively implement blade servers required utilizing specialized network fabrics for each network type. This multi-fabric approach drastically increased overall system cost and compromised the overall value of the blade server implementation. The new NetXtreme II C-NIC enables OEMs to design-in a 2.5 Gbps device to perform all of the networking I/O functions over a single, unified Ethernet fabric. This eliminates the need for specialized networks, fundamentally changing the way that blade servers can be built.


The new NetXtreme II BCM5708S represents the second generation of C-NIC silicon solutions from Broadcom.

Remote Direct Memory Access, which is an advanced feature for memory-to-memory transfers in high-performance workgroup clusters, could provide up to an order of magnitude improvement over standard Gigabit Ethernet connections, thereby competing with Infiniband and other such implementations.
http://www.broadcom.com

Read More

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 by Selective Enumeration (SYNAPSE) program will deliver intelligent network sensing, learning, and reasoning technologies to stabilize the performance of collaborative applications operating on unreliable network infrastructures. By intelligently optimizing protocols despite network instability, SYNAPSE is expected to enable smooth, near-optimal performance.


SYNAPSE is a program within DARPA's Situation-Aware Protocols in Edge Network Technologies (SAPIENT) initiative. Teammates are Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems and Solutions, Cornell University, Drexel University, and Architecture Technology Corporation.
http://www.lockheedmartin.com

Read More

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 access solution. Motorola and Kabelkon are currently collaborating to enable the Hungarian regional operators to deliver data services using Motorola's BSR range of CMTS solutions and the SB5100 line cable modems. This new system is also capable of delivering VoIP.
http://www.motorola.com

Read More

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.




http://www.xconnect.nethttp://www.nextone.com

Read More

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 raising $9 million in June 2004. The total investment to date in both companies is $81 million, and existing investors Amadeus Capital Partners, POD Holding, HarbourVest, European Equity Partners.
http://www.transmode.com

Read More

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 at Tularik Inc.



• Derek Obata was promoted to vice president of worldwide sales. Obata, formerly vice president of sales Asia Pacific, will lead the sales organization and be responsible for developing sales and managing the operations of Ikanos' worldwide sales force.



• The company also named Biswa Ghosh as assistant vice president of systems engineering. Ghosh was previously director of engineering at Brocade Communications Systems. Prior to Brocade, Ghosh held senior-level management positions at Force10 Networks, IoSpan Wireless, Glenayre Technologies, and Wireless Access.

http://www.ikanos.com

Read More

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.com

Read More

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 solution will reuse Maltacom's existing AXE-10 access network elements. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.ericsson.com

Read More

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 technology into Nortel communications platforms to deliver a seamless wired and wireless network.

http://www.trapezenetworks.com
http://www.nortel.com

• In August 2004, Trapeze announced a partnership with 3Com.



• Founded in March 2002, Trapeze raised $50 million in venture funding to date and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California.

Read More

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.net

Read More

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.com

• Yahoo! offers a free 1 GB email service via its own website.

Read More

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 years he handled their relationships with all sports providers, including the professional leagues, ESPN, regional sports networks and targeted sport-specific channels. He will manage sports programming for SBC.



• Richard Wellerstein has more than 20 years of entertainment experience and most recently was vice president of theatrical programming & acquisition for iN Demand Networks, Inc. Previously, he worked for Sony Pictures Television and DIRECTV, Inc. Wellerstein will focus on video on demand.



• Richard Levine is former acting director of programming acquisitions at DIRECTV, Inc. He will concentrate on local programming and broadcast retransmission.



• Martin Sansing joins the team after serving as a staff consultant for the Roll Strategy Group in Los Angeles. He previously handled business development for Intertainer. Sansing will manage content strategy and new media.



• Denita Willoughby has worked for SBC companies for more than nine years, most recently as vice president for business communications services. In her new role, Willoughby will concentrate on ethnic and emerging networks.

http://www.sbc.com

• SBC Communications has selected the Microsoft IPTV Edition software platform for its Project Lightspeed initiative.



• In November 2004, SBC Communications outlined operational and financial details on Project Lightspeed, its plan to deploy IPTV and other advanced residential services over an upgraded fiber access infrastructure. Commercial launch of IPTV services is slated for Q4 2005. SBC is aiming to reach some 90% of its "high-value" residential customers by 2007 -- about 18 million households.



• SBC's video network architecture will include 2 national "Super Head Ends" where national content will be aggregated and VOD encoding will occur. SBC will build 40 Regional Video Hub Offices, which will provide video content storage, time-shifted TV and interactive applications. Local content aggregation will also occur in the Regional Video Hub Offices. The SBC video network architecture will also have a large number (about 140) Video Serving Offices for local distribution.

Read More