France Telecom Extends its TV-over-DSL Rollout

France Telecom is extending its "MaLigne tv" television-over-DSL service to a further 100 French towns during Q2. The service, which was first launched in December 2003, provides a broad range of content offered by TPS and CANAL+, the majority of TNT's free-to-view and subscriber channels, and a library of VOD choices. France Telecom said the service will now be available to some 10 million households across the country.http://www.francetelecom.comFrance...

Read More

MEF Sets Sights on Carrier Ethernet, Offers Certification Program

With Ethernet now becoming prevalent in metropolitan area networks, the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) is setting its sights on promoting Ethernet services across the WAN. As part of this effort, the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) is launching a Certification Program. The program will initially allow MEF member companies to certify that their products meet the international Carrier Ethernet service standards detailed in MEF specifications. Certification...

Read More

QUALCOMM Completes Interop Testing on NTT DoCoMo's FOMA

Qualcomm announced the successful completion of WCDMA interoperability testing (IOT) on NTT DoCoMo's 3GPP WCDMA-compliant FOMA network. The IOT began in June 2004 using QUALCOMM's Mobile Station Modem (MSM) chipset and software solution."QUALCOMM's solution will allow global mobile users to roam onto our FOMA network and take advantage of the advanced services we offer. We are sure this will lead to the rapid expansion of WCDMA globally," said Dr. Kazuhiko Kushima, vice president of Global Network Development Department for NTT DoCoMo. http://www.qualcomm.com/...

Read More

BT to Supply Avaya's IP Communications Gear

Avaya announced a supplier contract with BT, estimated to be worth up to GBP 80 million over three years. The deal extends two existing contracts between the two companies -- one for the UK and one for the rest of Europe -- and combines them into one overarching agreement.Specifically, BT will supply Avaya's portfolio of communication systems and MultiVantage Communications Applications to its customer network throughout the European Union and some strategic non-EU countries. BT will provide a comprehensive service including installation, maintenance...

Read More

BT Suppliers High-Def Transatlanctic Circuit for NHK

BT was awarded a three year contract by NHK, a major Japanese public broadcaster, to supply a full-time High- Definition (HD) circuit from Paris to New York. The BT fiber network provides a compressed 60 Mbps, 4:2:2 format, fully-managed circuit that runs between NHK Paris and NHK New York and additionally passes through the BT Tower in London. NHK currently contributes news content from its European bureau to its General Bureau for America in New York. From there the content is routed to Japan, via NHK's existing transpacific fiber, for contribution...

Read More

AT&T Wins $21 Million IP VPN Contract From ServiceMaster

AT&T was awarded a three-year, $21 million contract to continue providing an IP VPN solution for The ServiceMaster Co. , the largest provider of residential and commercial outsourcing services in the U.S. The IP VPN links over 5,400 company-owned and franchised service centers and business units, as well as with business partners and suppliers.http://www.att....

Read More

Foundry Networks Says Q1 Below Forecast

Foundry Networks warned that its net revenue for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005 is expected to be approximately $84 million, compared to the company's previous forecast of $100-$110 million. The Company also expects earnings per diluted share for the first quarter to be in the range of $0.06 to $0.07, versus the Company's previous forecast of $0.08 to $0.12."We believe the shortfall in our revenue as compared to our forecast was influenced primarily by two factors," said Bobby Johnson, President and CEO of Foundry Networks. "First, we experienced...

Read More

Congressional Internet Caucus to Consider VoIP Port Blocking

The Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee, a diverse group of public interest, non profit and industry groups working to educate the Congress, has scheduled a hearing next week to consider VoIP port blocking issues. Invited witnesses include:Dan Brenner, National Cable & Telecommunications AssociationJeffrey Citron, CEO, VonageJames Speta, Associate Professor, Northwestern University Law SchoolTimothy Wu, Associate Professor, University of Virginia Law SchoolCongress is looking into making changes to the Telecommunications Act of...

Read More

Samsung Elected to WiMAX Forum, Supports WiBro for Mobility

Samsung Electronics was elected to the Board of Directors of the WiMAX Forum. The company had joined the forum in December 2004.The WiMAX Forum promotes and certifies compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, and is seeking to develop the existing fixed standard (802.16d) into a mobilized standard (802.16e). Samsung is developing WiBro solutions, which South Korean companies are expected to commercialize. WiBro is also based on the IEEE's mobilized technical standard (802.16e), allowing...

Read More

Anystream Raises Funding from Softbank for Digital Media Automation

Anystream, a start-up based in Sterling, Virginia, raised $8 million in Series B funding led by SOFTBANK Capital Technology Fund III LP (SBCT). Existing investor SCP Private Equity Partners also participated in the round.Anystream supplies software that automates digital media production and distribution. The software enables broadband applications -- such as premium online content, video-on-demand, mobile video, and online learning -- by automating the complex processes, from metadata tagging to compression and distribution, required to share...

Read More

Qwest Installs its First FTTH

Qwest announced its first FTTH deployment at a new home development at RidgeGate, south of Denver, Colorado. The company said it has decided to deploy FTTH in certain new developments where green field conditions exist. RidgeGate residents will receive high-speed Internet access, TV, local, long-distance and wireless on one monthly bill from Qwest. http://www.qwest....

Read More

Mintera Raises $18.5 Million for 40 Gbps Systems

Mintera, a start-up based in Lowell, Massachusetts, raised $18.5 million in Series B funding for its 40 Gbps optical sub-systems for metro, regional and long-haul networks. Mintera demonstrated a 40 Gbps ultra long-haul optical transport connection in June 2004 in a trial with MCI and Ciena Corporation. Recently, the company conducted a live traffic trial on the Cernet network in China and a formed a partnership with Mahi Networks.The funding was co-led by new investors Polaris Venture Partners and RRE Ventures. Also participating in the round...

Read More