Former Alcatel Exec Joins Siemens Communications

Andreas Bernhardt, who previously CEO of Alcatel SEL AG in Germany, will join the Group Executive Management of Siemens Communications. Bernhardt, who has worked for Alcatel SEL since 1983, was appointed CEO of Alcatel SEL AG in Germany in 2000. Among his other activities, Bernhardt serves on the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations in the Federation of German Industries (BDI), on the Economic Council of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, and on the Board of Trustees of the Founders' Association for German Industry (Stifterverband für...

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Vonage Prepares for IPO

Vonage is preparing to file registration papers for an initial public offering (IPO) that is expected to raise $600 million for the firm, according to various media sources. Vonage did not officially comment on the reports. The company has an estimated 800,000 users. http://www.vonage....

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T-Com Upgrades Broadband Access Routers with Juniper/Siemens

T-Com, the fixed-network unit of Deutsche Telekom, has completed the upgrade of Junipers Networks E-Series Broadband Service Routers as part of its DSL-based broadband access network. Siemens implemented an intelligent logistics and modification process that ensured that the upgrade was completed on-time and without disrupting network operations, by working in close cooperation with T-Com and Juniper Networks, Siemens AG's global partner for IP networks and routers.T-Com is using Juniper Networks E-series Broadband Routers as a Broadband Remote...

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Passave Files for IPO

Passave, a developer of EPON chipsets, filed a registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for the initial public offering of its common stock. Merrill Lynch & Co. will act as the sole book running manager for the offering with JPMorgan acting as joint lead-manager. CIBC World Markets and Jefferies Broadview will act as co-managers. Passave supplies FTTH semiconductors for ONTs and OLTs. The company's GigaPASS architecture integrates gigabit PON to Ethernet interfaces, wire speed protocol processing and...

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Samsung Unveils Smallest Satellite DMB + EV-DO Phone

Samsung Electronics introduced its fourth and smallest satellite DMB + CDMA2000 1x EV-DO (800MHz) phone, featuring a pivotal LCD screen that rotates 90 degrees into landscape mode. With the new B250, users can make phone calls or send and receive text messages even while watching TV. The DMB broadcast received by the phone can also be relayed to a regular TV. The B250 has external buttons that allow users to play MP3 files without opening the phone....

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Agere Names CFO

Agere Systems has named Peter Kelly chief financial officer (CFO), effective immediately. Kelly, who was previously the company's executive vice president of global operations, replaces John W. Gamble, Jr., who has accepted a position at another company.Kelly joined Agere in September 2000 as vice president of operations for the company's Integrated Circuits division and was named head of Agere's global operations in August 2001. He has been instrumental in reinventing the company's supply chain and manufacturing strategies. Prior to coming to...

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Microsoft Releases Presence Tools for Live Communications Server

As an initial proof point demonstrating Live Communications Server as a real-time collaboration platform, Microsoft introduced controls and new samples that show developers how to incorporate real-time collaboration capabilities into applications. Controls and new samples include these:Presence Controls for Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 (previously called Real-Time Collaboration Presence Toolkit) enable developers using Microsoft Visual Studio development system to easily insert presence icons into applications to provide status information...

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Microsoft Updates MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player

Microsoft releases a software upgrade for its MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player, adding new capabilities for managing digital photos, music and e-mail. The MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player allows consumers to access the Internet and e-mail and to view Web-based video content on their television screens. The update will allow broadband and home network customers to view more of the video content added to the MSN TV 2 home page with video...

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SIRIUS to Introduce Traffic Data Services

SIRIUS Satellite Radio will broadcast traffic data from NAVTEQ for 22 major U.S. metropolitan areas over its nationwide system beginning in November 2005. The 22 metro areas that will initially be covered are Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Francisco/Oakland, San Diego, San Jose, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington D.C. SIRIUS expects to expand the service to over 50 cities by 2007.The...

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SIRIUS Unveils Wearable Satellite Radio

SIRIUS introduced a wearable satellite radio, the SIRIUS S50, which allows users to capture and store up to 50 hours of SIRIUS content, or a mix of SIRIUS programming and MP3/WMA files. The unit measures 1.9 by 3.9 inches and 0.7 inches thick, and includes a full color display, sleek black exterior and voice-assisted channel navigation. Car and home docking kits utilize a rotary "SIRIUS Media Dial," which provides quick and easy access to content....

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Nokia to Establish a Global Network Operations Center in India

Nokia plans to open a Global Networks Operation Center in India by the end of the year. The center will perform network operation tasks primarily for selected operators in the Asia Pacific region as well as Europe, the Middle East and Africa as part of Nokia's managed services offering. The location of the site, which will initially employ up to 100 people, will be unveiled at a later date. http://www.nokia....

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Nokia to Resell Kineto's UMA Network Controller for Fixed-Mobile Convergence

Nokia will incorporate Kineto Wireless' UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) Network Controller into its network convergence solutions for wireline and wireless operators. UMA, a 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Program) standard, is an access technology that allows a seamless handoff of mobile voice and data from a wide area cellular network to a wireless local area network (WLAN). The UMA standard defines how mobile operators can turn home, office and public wireless LANs into seamless extensions of their cellular networks. With UMA, operators can...

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8x8 Adds "Virtual Attendant" Call Routing to VoIP

8x8 introduced "Virtual Attendant" call routing capability for its line of small business VoIP-hosted telecommunications solutions. Virtual Attendant enables SOHOs and small businesses to continue using their existing phones for outbound and inbound calls while presenting callers with a professional auto-attendant and call routing service. Virtual Attendant also allows organizations with less than three extensions to "jump-start" their business with a professional phone auto-attendant, without subscribing to the Packet8 Virtual Office minimum requirement...

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Verizon Extends MPLS-based VPNs

Verizon announced the expansion of its MPLS-based VPN services to new markets, extended service for customers using private line access, and lower rates for the majority of customers. Verizon, which first introduced its MPLS IP VPN service in May 2004, said the IP VPNs are now available in 109 markets. As part of this effort, Verizon added private line access this month, enabling point- to-point or multi-line point-to-dedicated access. In the past year, Verizon has lowered its long-distance prices and moved equipment closer to its customers....

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