O2's Manx Telecom to Launch First European HSDPA Next Month

Manx Telecom (a wholly owned subsidiary of O2) plans to launch a commercial HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) network service on the Isle of Man on November 1, making it the first service provider to commercially deploy HSDPA in Europe. The Lucent-supplied UMTS/HSDPA network enables Manx Telecom to introduce UMTS voice services and new, mobile high-speed data services such as DVD-quality streaming video, fast downloads of very large files including music, as well as Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to corporate networks.


The 3G UMTS and HSDPA network comprises Lucent's end-to-end commercial UMTS solution, including Lucent's OneBTS base stations (Node Bs) -- which support HSDPA -- Radio Network Controller (RNC), Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), and 3G Mobile Switching Center based on the Lucent Network Controller and Lucent Network Gateway. Lucent's industry-leading IMS solution is being integrated with the current system and will be operational offering a suite of innovative, end-user services early next year.
http://www.lucent.com

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ECI Offers Mini Outdoor Cabinet for Triple Play

ECI Telecom introduced its Hi-FOCuS MiniCAB, an Outside Plant (OSP) solution that can serve as a replacement for a street cabinet. The Hi-FOCuS MiniCAB supports ADSL2+ and VDSL2-based capabilities.


The Hi-FOCuS MiniCAB has all features built-in including GigE network interface, POTS splitters, DSL modems, line protectors, and local or remote power, removing the need to install separate systems. The unit is durable and weatherproof and can be located on poles or walls, or bolted onto existing cabinets.


The Hi-FOCuS MiniCAB ADSL2+ version is currently available. The VDSL2 version will be available in Q1 2006.
http://www.ecitele.com

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Concurrent and Capella Team on VOD in Canada

Capella Telecommunications, a Canadian VAR, will provide a direct sales and marketing channel along with system integration support for all of Concurrent's on-demand technology, including their MediaHawk 4000 Series VOD servers. The MediaHawk 4000 separates critical functions like ingest, storage and streaming. http://www.ccur.com
http://www.capella.ca

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SBC Offers IP-Based Surveillance and Monitoring

SBC Communications has begun offering an IP-based solution for remote monitoring of business network equipment and other critical IT infrastructure. The SBC IP Surveillance solution, which is powered by equipment from NetBotz, allows businesses to monitor equipment at multiple sites from a centralized location.


The SBC solution can combine IP cameras with many combinations of motion detectors, temperature sensors, power surge detectors, humidity sensors, fluid detectors, particle sensors, door sensors, and other detection equipment based on specialized customer requirements for larger spaces, such as data centers or manufacturing floors, or small spaces, such as equipment closets and server rooms. The solution automatically alerts authorized individuals of potential problems through a variety of methodologies, including e-mail, SNMP (simple network management protocol), HTTP POST, telephone or pager. Customers can deploy the right mix of monitoring and alert options to meet their specific, unique business needs.


The SBC service is now available 19 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
http://www.sbc.com

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Indonesia's Telkomsel Selects Siemens for Expansion

Telkomsel, the leading Indonesian mobile operator, has commissioned Siemens Communications Group (Com) to expand its network capacity. In the coming four months, Com will supply the customer with products and systems for its mobile switching network worth a total of more than EUR 70 million.


Telkomsel provides GSM cellular services in Indonesia, through its own nationwide Dual band 900/1800 MHz GSM network, and internationally, through 356 international roaming partner networks in 145 countries (June 2005). http://www.siemens.com

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BSkyB to Acquire Easynet, Gaining Access to UK Broadband

BSkyB (British Sky Broadcasting) agreed to acquire Easynet, a leading ISP in the UK, for approximately GBP 211 million. The offer represents a premium of approximately 81% over Easynet's closing price on the previous day. BSkyB said the deal would give it:

• an established presence in UK broadband



• a leading position in Local Loop Unbundling in the UK with 232 local exchanges unbundled



• managerial and technical expertise to expand this local infrastructure through the unbundling of additional exchanges



• ownership of key parts of a national network, giving it control over the quality and availability of services to customers and the ability to offer differentiated and innovative products



• an attractive source of new revenues and new customers for BSkyB as a result of involvement in a fast growing segment of the UK communications sector. The number of UK broadband connections increased from approximately 4.4 million to 8.1 million, an increase of 86 per cent., in the twelve months to 30 June 2005, and is projected to continue to grow further in the future



• the opportunity to build on its nearly 8 million DTH subscriber relationships.

The BSkyB Group currently owns, operates and distributes 17 television channels including Sky Movies, Sky Sports, Sky One and Sky News. In addition, the BSkyB Group currently retails 109 third party television channels and holds equity interests in a number of joint venture channels. As of the end of June 2005, there were approximately 7,787,000 DTH subscribers to the BSkyB Group television service, and approximately 3,872,000 subscribers to the cable operators to hom the BSkyB Group supplies certain of its channels, in the UK and Ireland.
http://www.sky.com

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AT&T Reports Profit in Last Fiscal Quarter

In what is expected to be its final quarterly financial report prior to an expected acquisition by SBC, AT&T posted Q3 2005 consolidated income was $1.0 billion in the third quarter of 2005, and a margin of 14.4 percent. This compares to a consolidated operating loss of $11.3 billion in the prior-year third quarter.


Consolidated revenue of $6.6 billion, which includes $5.1 billion from AT&T Business and $1.5 billion from AT&T Consumer, a decline of 13.3 percent versus the third quarter of 2004, primarily due to continued declines in long distance (LD) voice and data revenue. Notably, IP&E-services revenue increased 7.3 percent over the prior-year Q3, led by growth in services such as Enhanced Virtual Private Network (E-VPN) and IP-enabled frame relay services, partially offset by declines in mature products such as Managed Internet Access and Virtual Private Networks.


Some highlights from the quarterly report:


AT&T Business

• Revenue was $5.1 billion, a decline of 9.5 percent from the prior-year third quarter, primarily driven by ongoing pricing pressure in traditional voice and data services and volume weakness in data services. Continued year-over-year growth in IP&E services favorably impacted revenue.



• Long distance voice revenue decreased 12.7 percent from the prior-year third quarter. Ongoing pricing pressure led to revenue declines, despite an approximate 10 percent increase in volumes, as growth in wholesale more than offset the decline in retail volumes.



• Data revenue declined 11.1 percent from the prior-year third quarter as a result of continued pricing pressure and lower volumes, including the impact of technology migration. Data revenue was also negatively impacted by approximately 1.5 percentage points due to higher customer disconnects of prepaid network capacity in the prior-year third quarter.



• Local voice revenue declined 19.7 percent from the prior-year third quarter, reflecting lower payphone-related revenue as a result of the sale of the company's National Public Markets business. The decline also reflects the company's ongoing strategy of selectively approaching the small business market, placing a greater focus on profitability than overall market share.



• IP&E-services revenue increased 7.3 percent over the prior-year third quarter.



• CAPEX was $344 million at AT&T Business.

AT&T Consumer

• Revenue was $1.5 billion, a decline of 24.3 percent versus the prior-year third quarter, largely driven by a decline in standalone long distance revenue due to volume declines associated with competitive customer losses and the continued impact of wireless and Internet substitution, partially offset by targeted price increases. In addition, the revenue decline was impacted by decreased bundled revenue./li>

http://www.att.com

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Verizon Video Franchise Approved by Public Utility Commission of Texas

The Public Utility Commission of Texas today approved Verizon's state-issued franchise application to offer Verizon FiOS TV service to 21 communities in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. This is in addition to Verizon's previously obtained video franchise agreements in the communities of Keller, Sachse, Westlake and Wylie.


Verizon said it plans to make FiOS TV available to nearly 400,000 North Texas households with over 1 million potential viewers by the end of 2006.
http://www.verizon.com

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