Marconi Launches Wireless AXR Access Radio Platform

Marconi launched its wireless AXR Access Radio platform for deployment as a cellular backhaul solution in the U.S. and Canada. The AXR has been recently introduced into European markets supporting various frequency bands ranging from 7 GHz to 38 GHz, along with a variety of interfaces. The new adaptation for the North American market now adds new frequency bands and standard interfaces such as T1 and OC-3c.


The AXR is the first member of Marconi's newly developed microwave product family that delivers "distributed intelligence," meaning any radio can be used as a broadband multiservice access node with embedded switching and traffic shaping. It can be deployed in point-to-point, ring, mesh and point-to-multipoint topologies. It also offers a wide range of traffic interfaces and supports backhauling of a variety of services such as mobile backhaul, as well as Wi-Fi, WiMAX and other last mile solutions.


Marconi's AXR leverages a dynamic modulation capability to adapt itself to changing environmental conditions and traffic patterns, allowing maximum transmission capacity in any situation. This provides flexibility in optimizing link ranges versus capacity than with conventional radios. Furthermore, AXR supports ATM Private Network-to-Network Interface (PNNI), facilitating end-to-end connection setup, dynamic routing and resilience in networks with suitable topologies.
http://www.marconi.com

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PMC-Sierra Unveils Latest Packet Processors, Framers for Converged Networks

PMC-Sierra introduced the newest members of its FREEDM family of HDLC packet processors and TEMUX family of high-density T1/E1 framers, mappers and multiplexers for multi-service architectures. The FREEDM LE devices add Multilink Point-to-Point Protocol over Frame Relay capabilities to PMC-Sierra's family of production-released HDLC, Point-to Point Protocol and Frame Relay processors that feature reliable, hardware-based processing for Multilink-PPP (ML-PPP) and Multilink-FR (ML-FR). The scalable TEMUX 32 targets rates ranging from T1/E1 up to OC-12/STM-4.


PMC-Sierra said its FREEDM and TEMUX families play a fundamental role in supporting traditional TDM-based networks, while enabling the transition to a converged IP infrastructure. http://www.pmc-sierra.com

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Disney Partners with Cinea on Antipiracy Protection Solution

The Walt Disney Studios will utilize state-of-the-art encryption technology from Cinea, a subsidiary of Dolby Laboratories, for 2005 DVD awards screeners. Disney described the agreement as "a major milestone in the search for an industry-wide solution to deter movie piracy."


Cinea's technology provides copy protection and piracy tracking for DVDs. Cinea's solution includes the S-VIEW DVD player and encryption technology to safeguard content.


A Cinea "S-VIEW" DVD player has been distributed to nearly 12,000 of the collective voting members. Recipients of the Cinea S-VIEW players need to install the player as part of their home entertainment system, as they would install a regular DVD player, and make a phone call or go online to register with Cinea. Cinea encrypts each disc with a code unique to each member. The Cinea disc delivered to each member will play only on the Cinea S-VIEW DVD player registered by that member. A Cinea encrypted disc cannot be viewed on any other DVD player or computer.
http://www.disney.com
http://www.cinea.com

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John Killian to Head Verizon Enterprise Group

John Killian was named to head the new business unit that will encompass MCI and Verizon's Enterprise Solutions Group. Killian previously served as senior vice president and chief financial officer for Verizon Domestic Telecom. He has already named seven other executive appointments for his team, effective one the merger is completed.


The new business unit, whose name is expected to be announced within a few weeks, will provide services to large business and government customers, as well as MCI's current customer base.
http://www.verizon.com

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Verizon Signs Spanish Language Programming Deals

Verizon announced separate programming-distribution agreements with one network group and nine independently owned networks for carriage of 12 Spanish language channels on Verizon FiOS TV.


The channels include De Pelicula, De Pelicula Clasico and Telehit, broadcast by TuTv, a joint venture between Grupo Televisa and Univision. The independently owned networks are Canal SUR, TVE Internacional, Infinito, Cine Latino, Cine Mexicano, La Familia, TV Chile, TV Colombia and EWTN Espanol. All 12 channels are available in FiOS TV's Spanish Language Package, which has a total of 25 channels in Keller, and La Conexion Package, which includes nearly 140 channels with English- and Spanish-language programming.
http://www.verizon.com

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Verizon Wireless Extends Personalized Ringback Tones with Lucent

Verizon Wireless has deployed Lucent's MiRingBack application across its network nationwide to support its Ringback Tone service which was deployed nationally in June 2005. Ringback Tones enable subscribers to select from a wide variety of music or other audio content to play to incoming callers while they are waiting on the line for their call to be answered.


The MiRingBack application runs on Lucent's Enhanced Media Resource Server (eMRS), a carrier-grade, media resource server platform.
http://www.lucent.com
http://www.verizonwireless.com

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Cisco Pitches IP Push-toTalk Phone Solution

Cisco Systems introduced an IP-based wireless/wireline communications system designed to integrate disparate push-to-talk radio systems together with other communication resources like voice, video and data devices.


The goal is to allow organizations to easily collaborate on daily operations, safety, security, and emergency management across different networks, both wired and wireless.


The Cisco Internet Protocol (based) Interoperability and Collaboration Systems (IPICS) technology, which will be one of the "emerging technology" areas of focus for the company, targets large enterprises as well as transportation, retail, finance, public safety, and defense groups. Cisco IPICS is an IP network-based collaboration platform developed by Cisco's engineers that allows users of two-way radios, often called push-to-talk radios, and other voice devices, such as cell phones and regular telephones, to directly communicate and collaborate.


Cisco said existing push-to-talk communication systems typically remain isolated and do not work together with other wireless, voice, and data networks. With Cisco IPICS technology, both proprietary and standards-based push-to-talk radios should be able to interoperate not only with each other but also with analog phones and other IP-based wired and wireless devices including cellular phones, Wi-Fi laptops, PDAs and IP phones.


The key components of Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration Systems technology include:

• Cisco IPICS Server Hardware


• Cisco IPICS Server Software

http://www.cisco.com

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iHollywoodForum Keynote: Microsoft IPTV - Ready to Roll

"IPTV is ready to roll," said Phil Corman, Director of Microsoft TV, speaking at the iHollywoodForum event preceding Telecom05 in Las Vegas. Corman confirmed that initial carrier IPTV deployments based on the Microsoft platform will begin this winter in North America, followed closely be European deployments. Still, even Microsoft is predicting a gradual, long-term migration to IPTV. "We're not going to get to 10 million in the first year," said Cormand, noting that even with a fast adoption rate, most new consumer technologies have taken five years to reach the 10 million milestone.


Corman delivered two other key messages about IPTV:


First, IPTV will have the technical advantage to truly differentiate itself from cable or satellite TV offerings. Corman believes "IPTV is better TV" due to the advanced video applications it enables. This includes the ability to control multiple picture-in-picture (PIP) sessions, advanced electronic program guides, the ability to deliver hundreds of channels, faster channel changing than cable or satellite, integrated and network-enabled PVR capabilities, VOD, and built-in home networking. Microsoft's IPTV will also be able to access streaming content on the Web, as well as other media stored on home networks.


Second, IPTV will provide a sustainable business model for service providers and content owners. For service providers, there will be an ecosystem of technology partners, driving down the cost compared to the closed network architectures of the cable providers. For content providers, Corman acknowledged that there is a learning curve as they "gain confidence in the security model." Over time, he expects IPTV will become deeply integrated into other network services, enabling content to be played on a range of connected devices.
http://www.convergedigest.com/blueprints/ttp03/1.asp?ctgy=Market

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TI Reports Record Revenue, Growth in Communication DSPs

Texas Instruments (TI) reported record quarterly revenue of $3.59 billion, an increase of 11 percent sequentially and 10 percent over the third quarter of last year. Growth was driven by the company's Semiconductor segment, which was up 13 percent sequentially and 13 percent from a year ago with particularly strong demand for digital signal processors (DSPs) and analog chips that are used in a variety of communications and entertainment electronics.


Earnings per share (EPS) in the third quarter were $0.38. As previously announced, the company began expensing stock options in the third quarter, and as a result, EPS included $0.03 of additional expense for stock-based compensation. TI's gross profit was a record $1.77 billion, or 49.3 percent of revenue.


Wireless revenue grew 16 percent sequentially and 20 percent from a year ago; high-performance analog revenue grew 10 percent sequentially and 16 percent from a year ago; and DLP product revenue grew 41 percent sequentially and was even with a year ago.
http://www.ti.com

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Agilent Introduces First VoIP Call-Trace Signaling Analyzer

Agilent Technologies introduced a VoIP call trace signaling analyzer that can identify signaling problems end-to-end across multiple voice technologies such as VoIP over broadband, legacy SS7, 2G, 2.5G or 3G mobile networks.



The Agilent J7844A signaling analyzer VoIP can automatically detect, capture and trace call signaling across multiple points in a network and across multiple telephony networks and technologies, such as for a call that originates from the PSTN and terminates on a 3G mobile phone.


A call initiated by a customer today could originate from the PSTN and terminate on a 3G mobile phone. A call like this can be expected to traverse SS7, through a VoIP network via IMS, prior to reaching the UMTS network.


Agilent said its solution can troubleshoot signaling problems during any leg of the call. The real-time call trace provided key statistics and performance indicators. It also provides the ability to run on the very successful Agilent distributed network analyzer (DNA), DNA PRO and DNA MX platforms to leverage the same hardware used for data analysis.
http://www.agilent.com/comms/voip-signaling

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Agilent Offers EPON Performance Analysis

Agilent Technologies introduced a performance-analysis solution for testing Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPONs). The new N2X N5604A Tri-rate Ethernet EPON Test Card and dedicated software, which run on the Agilent N2X multiport test platform, can be used to generate end-to-end traffic through an EPON, and monitor both data and control protocol traffic directly on the EPON.




The solution could be used by chip vendors, network equipment manufacturers and service providers to verify the fair sharing of bandwidth on an EPON, and pinpoint the precise location and causes of congestion and service disruption.


The test system isolates the source of EPON performance issues to either the Optical Network Unit (ONU) or the Optical Line Terminal (OLT). Engineers can use the trigger, filter, capture and decode capabilities on the test system to analyze and isolate the specific causes of performance or protocol conformance issues. The test solution also inspects Ethernet OAM flows to debug vendor-specific settings. This provides fast time-to-insight because engineers don't have to waste time trying to find the source of performance problems.


The N2X EPON Performance Analysis System can perform the following functions:

• Simulate realistic triple-play services by generating subscriber and network traffic from end to end.



• Verify dynamic bandwidth algorithm behavior across the EPON by monitoring the MPCP and Ethernet OAM flows in each direction.



• Isolate performance problems to the ONU or OLT, providing faster time to insight.



• Debug vendor-specific settings of subscriber box capability settings by examining the Ethernet OAM flows directly with "on-EPON" monitor capability, a key enabler for interoperability testing.



• Exercise EPON OLT features using the Agilent N2X IPTV channel zapping and DHCP protocol emulation software.



• Measure control protocol and message timing to ensure compliance to the IEEE 802.3ah specification.

htp://www.agilent.com/comms/n2x

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IBM to Market Narus' IP Platform

IBM Global Services agreed to integrate and resell Narus solutions and services to telecommunications service providers worldwide. Narus also announced that it has enabled its software solutions on the IBM X-Series and the IBM Blade Server technologies.


Narus' software provides carriers and governments with security, lawful intercept, traffic analysis and mediation applications, all based on its ability to capture and analyze IP traffic in real time at carrier network speeds.


The companies said the combination of IBM Blade Server hardware, IBM software and Narus' IP Platform deployed across a carrier's network would provide real-time knowledge of traffic flows, the proper tools to identify potentially malicious and anomalous traffic using NarusSecure, and managed network services and mediation.htp://www.narus.com
http://www.ibm.com

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Excel Switching Closes Brooktrout Acquisition

EAS Group, the privately held parent of Excel Switching Corporation, completed its acquisition of Brooktrout.


Excel is a worldwide provider of carrier-class, open services platforms, media gateways and media servers.


Brooktrout specializes in media processing, call control, signal processing, and fax communications. The company is based in Needham, Massachusetts.


The companies said their merger would create a leader in enabling technologies for both traditional and next-generation communications networks, with a broad portfolio of products and solutions to help both service provider and enterprise customers offer new applications and enhanced services.


When the deal was first announced in August 2005, the companies valued the transaction at $173 million.
http://www.ExcelSwitching.com

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SureWest Set to Offer HDTV Over an IP Network

SureWest Communications is set to become the first U.S. service provider to offer HDTV commercially over its IP-based fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network. Having completed lab tests, SureWest is launching a full-service round of testing leading up to commercial HDTV deployment.


SureWest has built an FTTP network throughout the Sacramento, CA region, passing more than 80,000 marketable homes. SureWest currently expects to launch HDTV over IP commercially in November 2005. SureWest's fiber network currently provides up to 10 Mbps high-speed Internet service (both downloading and uploading), with the option to double that speed up to 20 Mbps.


SureWest enhanced its ability to deliver advanced IP video service over a fiber network with a Cisco IP Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) featuring Cisco Catalyst 4510 and Catalyst 6509 switches that help enable SureWest to deliver high speeds based on the 100 Mbps standard bi-directional to its residential customers.
http://www.surewest.com

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Broadcom's Latest Security Processors Combine Protocol Processing, Cryptographic Acceleration

Broadcom unveiled its next-generation line of security processors that combine IP Security (IPSec) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol processing, cryptographic acceleration, and hardware-based identity management and authentication into a single-chip solution. The devices could be used for applications such as enterprise routing and e-commerce transactions and are optimized for SSL-based appliances, firewall appliances, and mid- to high-end virtual private networks (VPNs).


Broadcom's BroadSAFE technology enables OEMs to build Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)-certified systems with strong key management and identity management functionality, while significantly reducing the cost of traditional security implementations.


Three new security protocol processors (the BCM5860, BCM5861 and BCM5862) were introduced that include either PCI-X or PCI Express host bus architectures. Each of these new chips provides high-performance cryptographic acceleration and the ability to offload a significant amount of security processing functions from the host processor, resulting in higher performance and optimal CPU utilization.


Broadcom said these these new devices provide a significant performance and security advantages over standard cryptographic processors due to their ability to support advanced protocol processing and their BroadSAFE functionality. The performance can reach up to 2 Gbps of IPSec protocol processing and 14,000 RSA transactions per second. The CryptoNetX security protocol processors offer direct handling of IPv4 and IPv6 packets in IPSec applications, as well as SSL record processing support. As a result, they can be seamlessly integrated into customer VPN and SSL applications.
http://www.broadcom.com

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EMC Offers Ciena CN 4200 Transport and Aggregation

EMC Corporation has added Ciena's CN 4200 FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform to the EMC Select Program, which enables customers to purchase pre-tested products directly from EMC that complete storage infrastructure solutions. In addition, Ciena is now also part of the EMC Authorized Services Network's (ASN) Solution Alliances Program and is able to provide data migration services for EMC customers.


the CN 4200 multiservice transport and aggregation platform features a universal line card that can be remotely programmed and provisioned to support any speed, any function, any wavelength and any protocol, including Gigabit Ethernet, ESCON and Fibre Channel on any port.


EMC has tested the CN 4200 as an extended distance connectivity solution using WDM technology to support EMC "Symmetrix" with Symmetrix Remote Data Facility (SRDF) software over Fibre Channel (FC) and ESCON. It is also qualified with EMC "CLARiiON" network storage systems with EMC "MirrorView" remote mirroring software over FC connections, and both EMC "SAN Copy" Software and Block I/O over FC.
http://www.ciena.com
http://www.emc.com

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Fujitsu Adds ADVA Ethernet Access Devices to Portfolio

Fujitsu Network Communications and ADVA Optical Networking extended their OEM relationship with the addition of ADVA's Fiber Service Platform (FSP) 150 to the Fujitsu FLASHWAVE portfolio. The new FLASHWAVE 5150 Ethernet access platform is positioned as a low cost, IEEE 802.3ah Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) designed for extending services from widely-deployed Fujitsu FLASHWAVE optical infrastructure. The platform is interoperable with SONET/SDH products and Layer 2/Layer 3 infrastructure. It supports services such as E-Line, E-LAN or VPNs.


The FLASHWAVE 5150 product family, powered by ADVA, consists of a customer premises demarcation unit and a set of 10/100Base-T, 10/100Base-X and Gigabit Ethernet aggregation devices. The FLASHWAVE 5150 could be used as either a managed network demarcation unit in point-to-point or tree topologies. It could also function as a service aggregation unit in point-to-point, tree or ring topologies. The ability to support over-subscription through rate control and the combination of multiple 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps and subrate Gigabit Ethernet circuits from up to six customers is one of the key benefits of the FLASHWAVE 5150 Ethernet access platform. Remote bandwidth management and over-subscription of aggregate ports is supported, allowing flexible network deployment with simple service upgrades.


Fujitsu continues to offer and support Atrica's Ethernet solution. Fujitsu positions these products for greenfield networks.http://us.fujitsu.com/telecom
http://www.advaoptical.com

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MetaSwitch Debuts Compact Media/Signaling Gateway and Integrated Softswitch

MetaSwitch introduced a small form-factor, full-feature softswitch, media gateway and signaling gateway designed for end office deployments in the large distributed networks of regional and national carriers.


Based on a common small form-factor chassis, the MetaSwitch VP2510 integrated softswitch, MG2510 media gateway and SG2510 signaling gateway deliver the same carrier class reliability and scalable performance as the widely-deployed MetaSwitch VP3510, MG3510 and SG3510. The new products share an identical architecture to the larger 3510-based systems, offering the same protocol support while increasing rack space efficiency by up to 40%. The hardware architecture features a passive midplane with dual-star compact packet-switched bus. There are 1:1 redundant processors, N:1 redundant interface cards, redundant power supplies, fans and disks; all of which are hot-swappable.


The softswitch's compact design enables carriers to serve up to 15,000 lines. It handles from 384 to 2,304 concurrent calls per chassis, depending on configuration. The softswitch supports VoIP (SIP, MGCP, H.248, SIP-T), VoATM (BLES), VoCable (PacketCable 1.0) and Legacy POTS (GR-303 for DLCs and VoIP/VoATM for Next Generation Broadband Loop Carriers).


The fully-redundant media gateway scales down to enable carriers to deploy trunking closer to the subscriber. Transport options include RTP (VoIP), AAL2/AAL5 (VoATM), or DS1/DS3 (TDM). It supports the same lawful intercept / CALEA capabilities of MetaSwitch's larger platform, including on-board interception of call details and content compliant with TIA J-STD-025A.


The signaling gateway supports IP and SS7.


Metaswitch said its design would ease the migration to IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks. The MG2510 and SG2510 implement the media and signaling gateway (MGW/SGW) functions of the IMS architecture, under control of the media gateway control function (MGCF) using H.248 and SIGTRAN protocols. The design conform to the Multiservice Forum (MSF) Release 2 Architecture.


Metaswitch noted that 80% of Class 5 switches in North America today have fewer than 10,000 lines, positioning the new VP2510 as a cost-effective replacement for this large installed base.


"With this new product range, we are responding to the clear market demand for a smaller footprint switching platform with the full breadth of features and the carrier class reliability that customers have come to expect," said Andy Randall, vice president of marketing at MetaSwitch.


The MetaSwitch VP2510, MG2510 and SG2510 are scheduled for simultaneous release in the fourth quarter of 2005. Pricing varies by configuration.
http://www.metaswitch.com

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