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 die Deutsche Wirtschaft).
http://www.siemens.com

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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.com

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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 Access Server (BRAS) and Access Concentrator. The equipment also supports the AAA services (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting) essential for controlled network access. The E-series also enables the real-time transmission streaming video content over the Internet by and routing them at "wire speed.
http://www.juniper.nethttp://www.siemens.com

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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 programmable features . The company maintains offices in Santa Clara, California, Herzliya, Israel and Tokyo, Japan with customer support teams in China and Korea. http://www.passave.com

• Investors in Passave have included Walden, BRM, Eurofund, Intel Capital and private investors including Ray Stata, founder and chairman of the board of Analog Devices Inc.



• The company was founded in 2001.

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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. A 128-polyphonic sound chip has been built in to provide exquisite ring tones.


The B250 is also equipped with a 2 megapixel camera. The File Viewer function provides access to Microsoft Office or PDF files, and a 330,000-word dictionary is included in the software.


The B250 also supports external memory of 256MB, IrDA, and mobile banking capabilities. The phone is available in Korea at around US$700.
http://www.samsung.com

• In May 2005, SK Telecom launched a satellite DMB service that delivers high-quality video broadcasts to a mobile phone or car-based video entertainment system. SK Telecom is initially delivering 11 video channels, 25 audio channels, and 3 data channels. Consumers in South Korea are able to receive the broadcasts either on mobile phones or in-car displays. The video uses MPEG-4 H.264 system and the music channels are furnished through a MPEG-2 AAC+ system.
  
  In areas where the satellite view may be obstructed, such as alongside tall buildings, SK Telecom will boost its service using a signal "gap filler" from its mobile base stations and existing towers. The Ku-Band (13.824~13.883GHz) is used between the Signal Transmission Center and the satellite (which is positioned at 144 degrees east longitude), and the S-Band (2.630~2.655 GHz, 25MHz) is utilized between satellite and the mobile terminals. The Ku-Band (12.214~12.239GHz) is used between satellite and base stations providing supplemental signals.

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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 Agere, Kelly worked at Fujitsu-ICL Systems Inc., a joint venture between Fujitsu and ICL, where he served as chief operating officer for a year and chief financial officer for three years.
http://www.agere.com/

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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 of contacts. In addition, the context menu within the icons provides integration with Microsoft Office Communicator 2005, allowing users in the application to launch Communicator's instant messaging conversation or telephone call window.



• Role Agent Sample for Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 provides a sample implementation of role-based instant messaging and presence. The sample gives developers a way to assign a role name, such as "customer service representative," to a group of people to create a public-facing entity that represents the presence of any individual currently in that role. Requests for an instant messaging session with the role can be dispatched to any or all of the available members in the group.



• Custom Alerting Application Sample for Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 shows how to build an application that allows team members to determine whether other team members are online, and to send an instant notification to those members. The application is integrated with Active Directory service and Live Communications Server.

Microsoft said its vision for collaboration is to provide software and services to deliver pervasive capabilities to help enable people to work together more effectively. Software providers, including BrightWork, K2.net, Meridio Inc., OSIsoft Inc., Siebel Systems and Singularity, are integrating presence and real-time collaboration features into their productivity and line-of-business applications.
http://www.microsoft.com

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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 news clips updated throughout the day.
http://www.msntv.com/

• In October 2004, Microsoft launched MSN TV 2, a broadband-home-network-enabled device manufactured by Thomson under the RCA brand. The device is powered by an Intel 733 MHz Celeron processor and the Windows CE operating system. It includes 128 MB of RAM and 64 MB of flash memory. It has an Ethernet port and two USB ports for accessories such as digital media card readers, wireless network adapters and printers. The unit also ships with a wireless keyboard and remote control and has an MSRP of $199.95 plus a subscription fee of $9.95 monthly (or $99.95 annually) for users who connect through their own broadband service.

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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 SiriusConnect SIR-ALP10T tuner, the first SIRIUS tuner to incorporate both audio entertainment and traffic data services, will be able to simultaneously receive and play SIRIUS' programming while monitoring the data channel for traffic messages. Through its broadcast data service, SIRIUS will deliver NAVTEQ's information to the SIR-ALP10T tuner, which interfaces with the Alpine NVE-N872A Satellite Traffic Ready navigation system. The unique structure of SIRIUS' data service will allow other data services, such as weather, to be seamlessly added in the future.


The suggested retail price for the SiriusConnect SIR-ALP10T tuner is $299.99, and $1,700 for the Alpine NVE-N872A Satellite Traffic Ready navigation system (navigation monitor sold separately). Alpine Satellite Radio-Ready headunits range from $250 to $1,600, including two models with built-in navigation monitors. The SIRIUS traffic data service bundled with SIRIUS' regular audio programming will cost $16.99 per month or $9.99 per month for traffic data only.
http://www.sirius.com/

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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. Listeners can turn the knob to find their favorite SIRIUS channel, tilt to pause, rewind, fast-forward or save a favorite song or show. MSRP is $359.99, and includes wearable accessories (6-hour rechargeable battery, ear buds, belt clip, armband, USB cable and AC adapter) and a car dock, which includes an adhesive mount, custom cigarette lighter power adapter, a remote control, ultra-low profile antenna, DC input and line output.
http://www.sirius.com

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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.com

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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 deliver high-performance, low-cost mobile voice, data and IMS services to subscribers over the broadband Wi-Fi access networks, dramatically increasing mobile service usage while decreasing costs for operators.
http://www.nokia.com
http://www.kineto.com

• Earlier this year, Nokia announced that Saunalahti, a leading Finnish operator will be deploying a number of Nokia's convergence solutions, including UMA technology from Kineto, to offer services like VoIP and rich multimedia to both mobile and fixed telephony customers.



• In June 2004, Kineto Wireless, a start-up based in Milpitas, California, raised $35 million in Series C financing for its Mobile over Wireless LAN (MoWLAN) solutions. The round was led by Oak Investment Partners. Existing investors including 3i, Mitsui & Co. Venture Partners, SeaPoint Ventures, Storm Ventures, Sutter Hill Ventures and Venrock Associates also participated in the financing round. Kineto has raised over $59 million to date.

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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 of three extensions. Existing Virtual Office subscribers can add a Virtual Attendant as a second auto-attendant with independent menus from their primary system while utilizing common Virtual Office unlimited and/or metered extensions and/or ring groups from another system.
http://www.packet8.net

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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.


Verizon supports four routing protocols for its IP VPN service - Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), static routing, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF). Four classes of service (CoS) are available.
http://www.verizon.com

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