Metro Ethernet Forum Extends Certifications to Service Providers

The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) launched Phase 2 of its Carrier Ethernet Certification Program, which is aimed at accelerating the global uptake of Carrier Ethernet. Certifications will be issued to service providers complying with MEF specifications.The initial certifications for E-Line and E-LAN Ethernet services will be announced during the first quarter of 2006. AT&T, Met-Net, Qwest, SBC Communications Inc. Time Warner Telecom, T-Systems and Verizon are among the first service providers to express their commitment to Ethernet service...

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Alcatel Debuts 7250 Ethernet Access Switch

Alcatel introduced a carrier-class, customer-located Ethernet access switch designed for enterprise services. The new Alcatel 7250 Service Access Switch is a customer-edge device that complements the Alcatel 7450 Ethernet Services Switch (ESS) at the service edge and the Alcatel 7750 Service Router at the metro core, enabling Ethernet, Virtual...

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DISH Network Introduces Portable Media Drive

EchoStar Communications' DISH Network satellite TV service rolled out its PocketDISH, a new line of portable media companions. The units can download or record content from a PC or Mac, digital cameras, mass storage devices, as well as other video or audio sources such as DVD players, camcorders and VCRs. DISH Network customers will enjoy a special feature of ultra-fast video transfer speeds when attaching PocketDISH to select DISH Network digital...

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Covista Selects MetaSwitch for 200,000-Subscriber Network

Covista Communications, a facilities-based provider of telecommunications services, selected Metaswitch for its next generation network. With more than 200,000 subscribers and switching centers in Chattanooga, Dallas and Minneapolis, Covista operates an extensive local and long distance network. Covista will deploy MetaSwitch's Class 4/5 distributed softswitch and UC9000 hosted IP applications platform to reduce network operating costs and facilitate new services, including IP Centrex and a Web portal for unified communications. It will also remove...

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Ericsson and BenQ Target IMS services for Java-enabled Mobile Handsets

Ericsson and BenQ Mobile will lead the specification development in the Java Community Process (JCP) to define IMS services for Java-enabled mobile handsets. JCP's Java Micro-Edition has approved the specification request submitted by Ericsson and Siemens Mobile Handsets (today BenQ Mobile). The specification (JSR-281, IMS Services API) will define a high-level Java Application Programming Interface (API) that will offer service-level support to enable easy development of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) applications.The companies said using Java...

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Linksys and Skype Introduce VoIP Cordless Handset

Linksys and Skype will begin marketing a new cordless phone for the free Skype service. The handset also supports SkypeOut, SkypeIn and Skype Voicemail. Key features include:Supports call waitingMute button3 available ring tonesIntercom support to between multiple handsetsBuilt-in speakerphoneColor LCD panelUp to 120 hour standby time and 10 hour talk timeHold ButtonCaller IDAddress Book that supports up 120 contactsRinger -Off/On switchNavigation...

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BigBand Networks Names John Reister Chief Architect IPTV

BigBand Networks announced the appointment of John Reister to chief architect, IPTV. Reister most recently served as chief technology officer of Copper Mountain Networks, acquired by Tut Systems. http://www.bigbandnet.c...

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Marvell Introduces 300 Mbps Wi-Fi Chipset

Marvell introduced a chipset based on the Enhanced Wireless Consortium's (EWC) recently announced technology specification for next gen, 802.11n WLAN products. The Marvell 88W8360 chipset has a peak data rate of 300 Mbps. Supporting 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, as well as 20 MHz and 40 MHz channelization, the Marvell 88W8360 has the advanced Quality of Service mechanisms required to support the emerging digital home market by enabling transmission of multiple high-definition video streams while simplifying the end-user experience. Marvell said it...

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UK's ntl Selects Alcatel for Metro Ethernet

ntl, which is the UK's largest cable operator, selected Alcatel to build a Metro Ethernet Transport Network that will extend to more than 260 points of presence (POPs) across the country. Alcatel will provide the entire network infrastructure for locally based Ethernet services, and will aggregate other Ethernet-based products and services, such as video-on-demand, digital television, and cable and DSL modem traffic. The network will be based on the Alcatel 7450 Ethernet Service Switch and 5620 Service Aware Manager. Financial terms were not...

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KPN Selects Alcatel's Ethernet Aggregation for Triple Play

KPN, the incumbent operator in The Netherlands, has selected the Alcatel 7450 Ethernet Service Switch (ESS) and the Alcatel 5620 Service Aware Manager (SAM), to upgrade its broadband aggregation networking in order to deliver triple play services across the country. KPN will use the Alcatel solution to deliver triple play services from 28 main Points of Presence (POP) located in 14 different regions. Financial terms were not disclosed.http://www.alcatel.comIn March 2005, Alcatel announced a contract with KPN for the upgrade of its existing DSL...

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Microsoft and Yahoo! to Connect IM Services

Yahoo! and Microsoft announced a landmark agreement to interconnect their instant messaging (IM) services on a global basis by Q2 2006. In addition to exchanging instant messages, consumers from both communities will be able to see their friends' online presence, share select emoticons, and easily add new contacts from either service to their friends' list, all as part of their free IM service.The companies said their joint efforts would create "the largest consumer IM community in the world, estimated to be more than 275 million strong." "This...

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QUALCOMM's Second-Generation HSDPA Runs at 7.2 Mbps

QUALCOMM has begun sampling its second generation Mobile Station Modem (MSM) chipset supporting HSDPA. The chipset integrates advanced receiver technologies such as Receive Diversity and Equalizer, enabling it to support data rates of up to 7.2 Mbps.QUALCOMM's MSM6280 chipset is pin-, RF- and software API-compatible with QUALCOMM's first HSDPA chipset, allowing handset manufacturers to leverage existing hardware and software platforms for faster time to market and reduced development costs. Additionally, the MSM6280 interfaces with the company's...

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Apple Enters Market for Online Video Sales

Apple's Steve Jobs unveiled the company's fifth generation iPod featuring the ability to play video. The new iPod, which is available in a 30GB model for $299 and a 60GB model for $399, plays music, audiobooks, audio Podcasts, video Podcasts, home movies, music videos and VOD titles.A new version of Apple's iTunes Music Store already features 2,000 music videos and select hit television shows for $1.99. The videos can be played on a Mac or PC,...

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Nokia E-Series Targets Mobility Applications

Nokia unveiled three Eseries devices aimed at business mobility applications, such as mobile email and advanced voice calling functions. The new Nokia E60, Nokia E61 and Nokia E70, which will be available in Q1 2006, support corporate mobile email solutions like BlackBerry Connect, GoodLink from Good Technology, Inc., Nokia Business Center, Seven Mobile Mail, Seven Always-On Mail and Visto Mobile. The new Nokia Eseries devices are built on the...

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