Redback Enhances Service Control for IP Video Networks

Redback Networks released a new version of its NetOp Policy Manager for its SmartEdge platform aimed at on-demand video and broadcast IP TV services.



Based on the industry standard RADIUS protocol, the NetOp Policy Manager 2.0 is designed to work over residential and business broadband access technologies including DSL, Wi-Fi, Cable, Leased Lines, ATM/Frame Relay and Ethernet.



The NetOp Policy Manager 2.0 solution tightly integrates with the Redback SmartEdge Service Gateway to assure high-quality on-demand video services by auto-adjusting bandwidth and expanding Quality of Service (QoS) functionality. From the content entry point into the network through the content delivery to the end customer, the NetOp Policy Manager intelligently identifies bandwidth and QoS requirements to ensure seamless appropriation of network resources within the Smart Broadband Network environment.



New NetOp Policy Manager 2.0 Capabilities include:

• Open and flexible Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for seamless integration and customization with CRM and call center systems



• Intuitive and scalable GUI allows service providers to easily define bandwidth and QoS profiles for tiered service offerings



• Security lockdown features, including anti-virus, firewall, and automated password administration, to prevent login attacks

The NetOp Policy Manager 2.0 product can be licensed as a run-time software with feature enhancements based on feature roadmap, or the entire source code can be licensed which gives service providers the ultimate flexibility to customize the product. http://www.redback.com

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The Cloud Plans European Wi-Fi Expansion with Tropos

Tropos Networks and The Cloud, the largest hot spot operator in Europe, announced a collaboration to deliver metro-scale mesh networks to city centers in the UK and Europe. The collaborative deployments will begin in 2006. Both parties anticipate the adoption of the joint solution to be aggressive, with a number of European projects to be announced during the year.



The Cloud's networks are open to any service provider who would like to provide advanced wireless services to their customers.



The Tropos MetroMesh architecture allows multiple user communities to operate on a single wireless infrastructure, with each group afforded the opportunity for individual security and authentication settings, bandwidth provisioning and unique network identification.

http://www.tropos.com

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ThingMagic Raises $21 Million for RFID Readers

ThingMagic, a start-up based in Cambridge, Mass., has raised $21 million in financing to support the development of its radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.



ThingMagic's Mercury4 RFID reader platform is designed with a unique Software Defined Radio architecture. It is certified by EPCglobal and MET Labs for all three Generation 2 RFID modes, including the complex Dense Reader mode. The Mercury4 readers can be remotely updated for any future Generation 2 variants and other new RFID standards.



New investors include Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, and Nicholas Negroponte, Wiesner Professor of Media Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and founding chairman of MIT's Media Laboratory.

http://www.thingmagic.com

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Amino Confirms Interoperability with H.264 Encoder Vendors

Amino confirmed that its H.264 AmiNET124 IP set-top box is fully compatible with leading H.264 (otherwise known as MPEG4-AVC) encoders.

The Amino set-top box is now certified to interoperate with H.264 encoded video from Harmonic, SkyStream, TANDBERG Television and Tut Systems.

http://www.aminocom.com

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Congress Sets February 2009 DTV Deadline

DTV-related provisions were included in Congress' budget reconciliation bill, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on February 1.



The final bill sets February 17, 2009, as the date certain for completion of the DTV transition; it allocates $990 million of the analog spectrum auction proceeds toward a digital-to-analog converter box program, with a provision that allows for the amount available to increase to $1.5 billion if Congress needs more money to fulfill the program; and the bill allocates $1 billion to be used for a grant program to help public safety agencies obtain and deploy interoperable communications systems.
http://www.tiaonline.org

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Motorola and NTT DoCoMo Develop 3.6 Mbps HSDPA Prototype

Motorola and NTT DoCoMo have co-developed a high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) prototype that can be used on WCDMA(3GPP Rel5) networks worldwide. The prototype which achieves a downlink data rate of up to 3.6 Mbps.



The companies plan to actively undertake the interoperability test partnering with carriers and vendors from around the world. http://www.motorola.com

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Nortel and Huawei Establish Joint Venture for Broadband Access Market

Nortel and Huawei Technologies will establish a joint venture for developing ultra broadband access solutions for markets around the world. The two companies have also entered into a supply agreement that allows Nortel to immediately begin engaging customers with Huawei's current broadband access portfolio.



The new company will combine Huawei's broadband access solutions with Nortel's voice and broadband networking technologies to create a new product portfolio designed to be a leader in the industry in value and performance. These products will give service providers the ability to converge the delivery of voice, video, data and wireless services to business and residential customers onto a common IP platform that supports copper, fiber and fixed wireless networks.



The parties intend that the joint venture will be majority-owned by Nortel and headquartered in Ottawa. The joint venture will be focused on product enhancements for Huawei's current broadband access portfolio and the development of a new ultra broadband product portfolio. This portfolio will be sold exclusively to Huawei and Nortel as channel providers.



Nortel said it revenues for the global broadband access equipment market approached US$9 billion in 2005 and included a US$1 billion IP-DSLAM segment that is forecast to reach nearly US$2 billion in 2008.



"Nortel is focused on seizing opportunities that will generate new revenue and expand operating margin. This joint venture is a bold opportunity to combine the strengths of Huawei and Nortel into a company that can aggressively target and win share in the rapidly expanding ultra broadband market," said Mike Zafirovski, president and CEO, Nortel.

http://www.nortel.comhttp://www.huawei.com

• In November 2005, LG Electronics and Nortel officially launched their joint venture, LG-Nortel Co. Ltd., will offer leading-edge communications and networking solutions in the wireline, optical, wireless and enterprise markets in South Korea and the rest of the world. LG-Nortel's headquarters will be in South Korea, with sales and marketing located in Kangnam, Seoul; R&D facilities in Anyang in the province of Gyeonggi; and an employee population of approximately 1,400.



• In February 2004, Nortel announced strategic alliances with three suppliers of access equipment: Calix, ECI Telecom, and Keymile. Nortel has been integrating, marketing and supporting Calix's ultra-broadband loop carrier products on a worldwide basis under a three-year strategic alliance. ECI Telecom has provided access and aggregation platforms for central office DSLAM, Optical Line Termination (OLT), and remote terminal applications.



• In November 2003, 3Com and Huawei Technologies launched their joint venture company. The new Huawei-3Com Co. Ltd. sells enterprise networking solutions, including routers and LAN switches. 3Com has the rights to market and support the Huawei-3Com products under the 3Com brand in all countries except China and Japan. In China and Japan, Huawei-3Com will sell products sourced internally as well as from 3Com.

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Verizon Extends Global Ethernet Footprint in U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific

Verizon Business has expanded the availability of its Ethernet access services in key cities in the United States, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.



Underlying the Ethernet service is the interconnection of the Verizon Ethernet network with the company's Converged Packet Access (CPA) hub switches to deliver consistent Ethernet access to Private IP customers globally.



Immediately available, Verizon Business' extended Ethernet portfolio includes Ethernet Private Line (EPL) and Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL), which provide service in 85 metro markets in the U.S. and in nine countries in Europe; E-LAN Services with 55 metro markets in the U.S.; E-Access for Private IP nationwide; and Internet Dedicated Services in 25 U.S. markets, nine countries in Europe and in six countries in the Asia-Pacific region.



In the coming months, Verizon Business will continue to invest in its Ethernet infrastructure and product portfolio with plans to broaden Ethernet access to Dedicated Internet Services from 25 markets to more than 60 markets nationwide. Verizon Business also plans to launch a Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS), a nationwide Ethernet-based Layer 2 VPN, in mid-2006.



Verizon Business' Ethernet portfolio will be available on the Verizon network via the company's direct fiber connections to buildings and in select locations outside the network. Unlike traditional data pricing models, Verizon Business' Ethernet Services are sold on a per megabit basis, so that customers only pay for what they need. Verizon Business supports its suite of Ethernet solutions with comprehensive service-level guarantees.



Key U.S. markets in the Verizon footprint include Boston; New York City; Dallas; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; Seattle; and Tampa, Florida. Ethernet access services are also available in new European locations, including: Belgium -- Brussels; England -- London; France -- Lyon and Paris; Germany -- Hilden and Frankfurt; Italy -- Milan; Sweden -- Stockholm; Switzerland -- Zurich; and the Netherlands -- Amsterdam.



In addition to Verizon Business' U.S. and European Ethernet footprint, Private IP customers can now access their networks using Ethernet in the Asia-Pacific region in the following locations: Australia -- Melbourne and Sydney; Hong Kong; Japan -- Tokyo and Osaka; New Zealand -- Auckland; South Korea -- Seoul; and Taiwan -- Taipei.

http://www.verizonbusiness.com

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Cavium and Atheros Team on 802.11 Secure Gateways

Cavium Networks introduced an 802.11 a/b/g broadband wireless gateway reference design based on its newly unveiled OCTEON CN30XX MIPS64 SoCs (system-on-chip) and Atheros Communications' AR5006XS single chip WLAN solution. Cavium Networks also announced that it will be supporting the upcoming 802.11n standard.



The OCTEON reference and evaluation platform is suited for wired and wireless Broadband Remote Access and Universal Threat Management Routers and Gateways, including the emerging 802.11n standard. Combined with the Atheros AR5414 single chip MAC/Baseband/Radio solution ODMs will be able to launch next generation Small-to-Medium Business & SOHO wireless gateways.

The new OCTEON CN30XX SoC processors provide multi-100 Mbps application performance and include integrated Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. They integrate a custom MIPS64 processor core with advanced multi-layer application acceleration and security processing hardware.

http://www.caviumnetworks.comhttp://www.atheros.com

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Lucent Enhances VIVO's 1xEV-DO Network in Brazil

VIVO, the largest mobile operator in the Southern Hemisphere, selected Lucent Technologies to expand and enhance its 3G CDMA2000 1xEV-DO network. Lucent will provide additional infrastructure equipment and services and also work with Riverstone Networks and Juniper Networks to deliver a core IP/MPLS network serving Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.



As part of the agreement, Lucent is upgrading more of VIVO's existing Lucent-supplied base stations to support CDMA2000 1xEV-DO and also providing new Modular Cell 4.0 and 4.0B base stations. Lucent Worldwide Services is providing network integration and installation services.



Riverstone Networks is providing the Ethernet infrastructure, supporting the "backhauling" of data traffic from VIVO's 3G base stations to expand the delivery of IP/Ethernet services over metropolitan access networks.



Juniper Networks is supplying M-series multiservice routing platforms, which will aggregate traffic from multiple base stations.

http://www.lucent.com

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Motorola Offers Push-to-Talk Over Cellular Service for Pre-paid

Motorola introduced a Push-to-Talk Over Cellular (PoC) Prepaid Mediation service that enables wireless operators to extend PoC services to prepaid customers in parallel with their postpaid subscribers.



The solution works with the Motorola Global Application Management Architecture (GAMA) and virtually any billing system. It enables swift authentication and debiting of the customer account without a delay in call set-up and can support various types of PoC Prepaid billing scenarios that require a more customized approach to rating, such as pay per minute, pay per session or unlimited calling. GAMA also provides the service providers with a common service delivery and content management architecture that simplifies and accelerates the creation, deployment and management of end-user applications and services.



Motorola said its mediation solution can be extended to support other applications' prepaid billing needs by integrating with operators' network services enablers such as messaging, location-based services, video streaming and email solutions.

http://www.motorola.com

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Nortel Gets US$1.3 Billion Financing Commitment

Nortel Networks entered into binding commitments for a new one year credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of US$1.3 billion arranged by J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking, or their affiliates. The new facility will be used to refinance the outstanding US$1.275 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Notes due February 15, 2006.

http://www.nortel.com

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QUALCOMM Names Gina Lombardi to Lead MediaFLO

QUALCOMM announced the appointment of Gina Lombardi as president of MediaFLO USA, replacing Richard Sulpizio who served as interim president of MediaFLO USA since January 2005. Lombardi worked for 15 years at QUALCOMM. For the past 5 years she has served as senior vice president of marketing, product management and developer relations at QUALCOMM Internet Services, playing a critical role in driving the growth and adoption of QUALCOMM's BREW solution.

http://www.qualcomm.com/

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Brasil Telecom Selects Lucent for IMS Elements

Brasil Telecom (BrT), one of the largest broadband service providers in Latin America, selected Lucent Technologies to deploy new multimedia elements in the operator's networks in Curitiba, Sao Paulo and Brasilia regions. The agreement covers equipment and software on Lucent's MiLife services platform, which includes multiple elements in Lucent's IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution, that enables new applications over BrT's IP network. Financial terms were not disclosed.



Lucent said it now has seven IMS contracts and 77 trials of IMS elements ongoing with 16 service providers worldwide.

http://www.lucent.com

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AT&T Says Merger Synergies Above Expectations, Outlines Growth Sectors

AT&T issued new financial guidance, saying cost synergies from its recently completed merger are ahead of expectations and power double-digit adjusted earnings per share growth and strong cash flow growth over the next three years.



The company said the net present value of AT&T merger synergies is now expected to be approximately $18 billion, versus its January 2005 estimate of $15 billion. AT&T now expects total synergies from the merger to reach an annual run-rate approaching $3 billion in 2008. Overall integration costs are largely unchanged from earlier estimates, although they will be incurred sooner due to the transaction's earlier-than-expected close and accelerated project schedules.



"Through strategic investments and internal growth, we've significantly reshaped our revenue mix to concentrate on the industry's best growth areas for the future -- wireless, broadband and business services," said AT&T Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Edward E. Whitacre Jr. "Progress on the revenue side combined with our focus on lowering our overall cost structure provides a clear path for strong performance."



AT&T has four major operational priorities over the next three years: lead in business, lead in wireless, grow in broadband and reshape the company's cost structure.

• In wireless, Cingular is on or ahead of schedule in all of its major integration initiatives and expects to deploy its 3G UMTS/HSDPA wireless data network in most of the top 100 metropolitan areas by the end of this year. Over the past several quarters, Cingular has seen accelerating revenue growth rates, and in 2006, it expects to deliver an upper single-digit percentage increase in revenues. Cingular expects to achieve industry-leading metrics, including margins, by the end of 2007.



• In business services, AT&T targets growth in areas such as managed services, network security, optical networking, enhanced VPN (virtual private networking) and enterprise wireless.
  
  
  
  Separately, AT&T announced plans to offer a range of integrated wireless voice and data services on a GSM network to enterprises under the AT&T brand starting later this year.
  
  
  
  Additionally, AT&T announced the general availability of AT&T Multi-Carrier Solutions, a managed service designed to help enterprises analyze and achieve the most cost-efficient and effective wireless services for their business needs.



• In broadband, AT&T expects to continue expansion of its DSL line base, and it is on track to scale Project Lightspeed service starting in mid-2006, reaching 21 markets by year's end. AT&T began a controlled market launch of the service in December 2005. Customers are seeing bandwidth speeds of at least 20-25 Mbps, which will deliver four streams of high-quality video -- including one HD stream -- along with high-speed Internet access and, in the future, consumer VoIP service.



• In cost-structure improvements, AT&T has initiatives under way and planned across its operations. These projects, which are in addition to merger integration, are expected to deliver run-rate cost savings of approximately $500 million this year, growing to $1.2 billion in 2008.

CAPEX in 2006 are expected to be $8 billion to $8.5 billion -- in the low teens as a percentage of revenues. This includes capital for merger-integration projects and Project Lightspeed deployment.

http://www.att.com

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Cable and Wireless Announces Restructuring

Cable and Wireless announced a significant restructuring of its business, including the following points:

• splitting the company into two self-contained operational units -- UK (including Bulldog) and International



• the resignation of the Francesco Caio and the elimination of his position as Group Chief Executive.



• a reduction of its corporate operations



• John Pluthero has been appointed head of the UK operations, while Harris Jones will serve as managing director of International operations.

The company currently expects EBITDA for its UK operations to be no higher in its next fiscal year than at present. Cable & Wireless cited several reasons for its actions, including continuing margin erosion, high levels of churn and the acceleration of the switch from legacy services to IP.



http://www.cwplc.com

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Cisco, Intel and Oracle Push for Medical IT Improvements

Cisco Systems, Intel Corporation, and Oracle have formed a Silicon Valley Pay-for-Performance Consortium aimed at pushing leading medical care providers in the area to adopt health information technologies.



The Silicon Valley Pay-for-Performance Consortium brings together Cisco, Intel and Oracle as well as some of the largest medical groups and IPAs in Northern California, including Camino Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, San Jose Medical Group, Santa Clara County IPA, Santa Cruz Medical Foundation and Stanford Hospital and Clinics.



By establishing rewards for the use of processes and technology, the collaborative hopes to accelerate the transition to electronic health records and the use of automated decision support tools. Such tools can help doctors determine which course of therapy might be best for a particular patient given the latest science and medical and family histories.

http://www.cisco.com

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Belgium's Mobistar Selects Redback's SmartEdge

Mobistar, part of the Orange Group and Belgium's second largest mobile operator, has selected Redback's SmartEdge Service Gateway platform to build a DSL network to deliver new broadband services across Belgium. The SmartEdge Service Gateway systems are being deployed both in the core and at the edge of Mobistar's new broadband network, providing carrier class routing and consumer scale subscriber management services.

http://www.redback.com

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Georgia's Pineland Telephone Deploys Occam's BLS

Georgia's Pineland Telephone Cooperative is deploying Occam Networks' BLC 6000 System to deliver a full array of Triple Play services to residences and businesses in an eight-county area of south central Georgia. Currently, the cooperative has installed the Occam BLC 6000 in approximately 35 remote cabinets and is delivering POTS, ADSL and IP Video service to its subscribers, with hundreds of its 13,000-plus subscribers receiving IP Video service to date.



In 2001, Pineland began a five-year plan to shorten its local loops with a goal of bringing the electronics closer to the subscriber. At the time, the cooperative's access network was ATM-based, but as it began the process of shortening its local loops it became clear that the industry was moving to IP and Ethernet technologies in the access network. Pineland began using the BLC 6000 to deliver POTS and ADSL. In 2004, the cooperative made the decision to begin offering IP video services to its subscribers, building their own video headend and using the BLC 6000's Ethernet capability as a transport for the video stream.

http://www.occamnetworks.com

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Telewest Chooses Corning NexCor Fiber for Upgrade

Telewest, a leading UK broadband communications and media group, will deploy Corning's access-optimized NexCor single-mode fiber in the latest upgrade of its hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) networks. Telewest is progressively upgrading its network, which currently passes 4.7 million homes. This latest expansion, which includes Corning NexCor fiber, will serve network upgrades in the Preston and Liverpool networks in northwest England.

http://www.corning.com/opticalfiber

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Silver Peak Raises $13 Million for Network Acceleration Appliances

Silver Peak Systems, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, secured $13 million in series B funding for its enterprise-class network acceleration appliances.



Silver Peak is developing "Local Instance Networking" technology that reduces "server sprawl" and achieves exceptional acceleration for all applications, including email, web, file transfers, real-time applications like Citrix and media applications such as VoIP. Silver Peak's NX Series appliances use "Network Memory" to eliminate the transfer of redundant information over the WAN to deliver a secure, LAN-like experience for distributed applications. It is the only solution to operate at the network layer, providing scalability and performance enhancements across all enterprise applications through a combination of local information storage, advanced data fingerprinting, data reduction, compression, QoS and latency/loss mitigation.



Duff Ackerman & Goodrich (DAG) LLC led the round, which also included investments from Benchmark Capital, Greylock Partners and Pinnacle Ventures.

http://www.benchmark.com

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Zhone Reports Q4 Revenue of $53.2 Million

Zhone Technologies reported Q4 2005 revenues of $53.2 million, compared with $28.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2004. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2005, calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), was $107.2 million or $0.73 per share compared with a net loss of $3.8 million or $0.04 per share for the fourth quarter of 2004.



Zhone noted that it shipped over 675,000 DSL access ports in 2005, putting it among the top three suppliers of DSLAM equipment in North America.



"We are very pleased with this quarter's performance, especially in the continued adoption of our flagship SLMS products," said Mory Ejabat, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Zhone.

http://www.zhone.com/about/investors

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TranSwitch Acquires Mysticom for Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Transceivers

TranSwitch has acquired Mysticom, a privately-held developer of high-performance, low-power, multi-Gigabit Ethernet transceivers for the communications industry. TranSwitch acquired the Israel-based company for approximately $5 million in stock.



Mysticom, a fabless semiconductor company, designs, develops and markets 10 Gigabit Ethernet transceivers for a variety of applications, including data center, enterprise, server, storage and high-definition video. Mysticom's family of 10 Gigabit Ethernet transceivers delivers superior interconnect performance over a variety of cable media and is fully compliant with CX4, LX4, and XAUI standards. The patented designs of these products provide extremely low-power consumption in very small form factors. Mysticom also markets intellectual property (IP) cores for Fast Ethernet (10/100) and Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) PHY applications.
http://www.transwitch.com

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Cisco Appoints Michael Capellas to Board of Directors

Cisco Systems announced the appointment of Michael Capellas, former president and CEO of MCI, to its board of directors. Capellas, 51, joined MCI as chairman and CEO in 2002 and became president and CEO in March of 2004. Capellas left MCI as planned in early January 2006 upon the company's acquisition by Verizon Communications Inc. Previously, he held multiple CXO level positions at Compaq including serving as chairman and CEO from July 1999-May 2002, until Compaq merged with Hewlett Packard, at which time he became president of the combined company.



With the election of Capellas, Cisco's board now consists of 12 members, including: Carol A. Bartz, chairman and CEO, Autodesk, Inc.; M. Michele Burns, former CFO, Mirant Corporation; Larry R. Carter, senior vice president, Cisco Systems, Inc.; John T. Chambers, president and CEO, Cisco Systems, Inc.; John L. Hennessy, Ph.D., president, Stanford University; Richard M. Kovacevich, chairman and CEO, Wells Fargo & Company; Roderick C. McGeary, chairman, Bearing Point, Inc.; James C. Morgan, chairman, Applied Materials, Inc.; John P. Morgridge, chairman of the board, Cisco Systems, Inc.; Steven M. West, founder and partner, Emerging Company Partners; and Jerry Yang, co-founder, chief Yahoo! and director, Yahoo! Inc.

http://www.cisco.com

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Cingular Wireless and Motorola Debut SLVR with iTunes

Cingular Wireless announced the availability of the ultra-slim Motorola SLVR L7 mobile phone with iTunes.
SLVR's design includes sleek metal housing, a vivid color display and precision cut keypad. Key features include VGA camera, video capture and playback, and 512 megabytes of optional expandable memory. iTunes functionality allows for up to 7 hours of music, or about 100 songs. Cingular is pricing the phone at $199.99 with a two-year service agreement.

http://www.cingular.comhttp://www.motorola.com

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Boingo Adds 850 Hot Spots in Portugal

Boingo Wireless signed a roaming agreement with PT Wi-Fi, a division of Portugal Telecom, that adds more than 850 popular Portuguese wireless locations including hotels, airports and retail centers to the Boingo Roaming System.



Boingo now offers access to over 25,000 locations from more than 100 leading Wi-Fi operators into one worldwide network.

http://www.boingo.com

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NBC Employs Avaya IP telephony for Torino Olympic Winter Games

NBC is using an Avaya IP telephony solution to provide communication capabilities linking the International Broadcast Center and NBC's Field Shop with sports venues in Torino, Italy, NBC Olympics headquarters in Stamford, Conn., and NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City.



This is the fourth consecutive Olympics Games at which Avaya as provided services to NBC.




http://www.avaya.com

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AWA Builds Mesh VoWLAN in Spain with Meru, Firetide

AWA, a privately held wireless company in Spain with ties to I+D, plans to roll out commercial WLAN and mesh networks with more than 12,000 access points in Spain. The network that AWA is currently deploying will place more than 4,500 of the 12,000 access points in gasoline stations. Access points will also be deployed in the main shopping centers and in public buildings.



The European distributor OptiCall will deliver products from Firetide and Meru Networks to build the network. The network will be centrally managed by the NMS platform.



OptiCall's VoWLAN solution includes Firetide's HotPort Mesh Network, Meru Networks WLAN System, and QTEK dual mode mobile phones with preinstalled WBX/Uniphone client from OptiMobile which ensures a single user interface for both VoIP over WLAN and GSM.

http://www.akiwifi.comhttp://www.firetide.com

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USAF Awards Lockheed Martin $491M Contract for 3rd EHF Satellite

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for $491 million to build a third spacecraft for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (Advanced EHF) program constellation.



The Advanced EHF system is the successor to the Milstar system and will offer greater total capacity and offer high channel data rates capable of handling tactical military communications such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data.



Lockheed Martin said development of the first Advanced EHF satellite is progressing on schedule. The team recently delivered the spacecraft core structure to Lockheed Martin's Mississippi Space & Technology Center for integration with its propulsion subsystem. The second spacecraft is close behind in the production flow.
http://www.lockheedmartin.com

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Mazu Networks Hires Former VeriSign CSO

Mazu Networks, a start-up offering behavior-based network security solutions, named Charles Kaplan as chief security strategist. Previously, Kaplan was the chief information security officer for VeriSign Managed Security Services (MSS), where he provided subject matter expertise and direction internally as well as customer facing security guidance to the company's top MSS clients.

http://www.mazunetworks.com

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Lockheed Martin Upgrades Legacy Global Positioning System

Lockheed Martin has upgraded the software processing and modeling for the U.S. Air Force's legacy Global Positioning System (GPS).



The recently completed update, named the Legacy Accuracy Improvement Initiative (L-AII), doubles the amount of navigation data collected and provided to Air Force operators, enhancing the Air Force's ability to monitor GPS satellites and improve system accuracy 10-15 percent for users worldwide.



Lockheed Martin is also the prime contractor for the GPS IIR program and is under contract to modernize eight GPS IIR satellites which will provide significantly improved navigation performance for U.S. military and civilian users worldwide. The first modernized GPS IIR satellite was launched successfully in September 2005 and became operational in December 2005.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com

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Hammerhead Secures $30 Million for Layer 2.5 Aggregation

Hammerhead Systems, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, closed $30 million in Series C funding, for its traffic aggregation and switching platform.



Hammerhead's HSX 6000 is a purpose-built Layer 2.5 Aggregation Switch that features MPLS Pseudowire technology. It provides dense Ethernet aggregation, Pseudowire termination, legacy Frame Relay and ATM support, and Service Interworking. It features a "Layer 2.5" edge aggregation approach designed to integrate access services (wireline, broadband, broadband fixed wireless and 3G) that are typically based on Layer 2 connection-oriented technologies with new services that are based on Layer 3. The platform supports the migration of Frame Relay / ATM services onto MPLS backbones, so that it can be used as an aggregation platform in an Ethernet service architecture, offering native Gigabit Ethernet as well as Ethernet-over-SONET (both GFP and x.86) trunking capabilities. On the subscriber side, the HSX 6000 switch offers high-density fan-in across a range of new and legacy service interfaces, media and speeds, including Ethernet.




Hammerhead has a strategic partnership with Fujitsu Network Communications in North America for distribution, joint marketing, product planning, and customer support and services.



The latest funding was led by new investor Silver Creek Ventures and joined by new investor Apex Venture Partners. All existing investors participated in the round which now brings the total equity raised by Hammerhead Systems to $80 million.



The company said it raised the new funding, in part, based on the strength of its top tier customer activity. Commercial installations are underway, although customer names have not been announced. The new funding will be used for working capital including expanding sales, marketing and customer support in North America and internationally, as well as the acceleration of product development in response to customer demand and establishing volume manufacturing.

http://www.hammerheadsystems.com

• In September 2005, Hammerhead Systems introduced an enhanced EMS capability based on XML/SOAP that enables its HSX 6000 Layer 2.5 aggregation platform to support up to a thousand different service profiles on a single port, including VoIP, IP Video, Internet, email and business services, while supporting up to a million flows per system. Each of these profiles can be "pre-engineered" onto the network, enabling virtually instant provisioning of new services using automated tools.
  
  
  
  Hammerhead's new Pegador SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) supports the TeleManagement Forum 854 XML/SOAP Interface, which is a loosely coupled Internet-based framework mandated by large service providers. SOA will enable service providers to address the operational challenges in the deployment of higher value services and facilitate the development of web-based services and customer network management offerings. This could include the integration of business systems to management systems for reliable billing, web applications for transaction processing as well as integration to supplier and partners for purchase order fulfillment and order tracking, and service revenue opportunities for the enterprise in verticals such as the financial, retail, manufacturing or transportation sectors.
  
  
  
  Hammerhead said its Pegador SOA could be used to facilitate such applications services, to bind IP networks with application networks, and to provide a high levels of flexibility for the service provider. XML/SOAP provides the critical link between service providers' business and management systems to deliver web-based applications that leverage the advanced service, quality and management capabilities of network elements.

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Siemens Supplies Real-Time IP System for USAF

Siemens Communications' HiPath 4000 Real-Time IP System will soon serve as the central dispatch and communication platform -- for emergency as well as routine communications -- at more than 100 U.S. Air Force command posts worldwide.



Siemens and RS Information Systems Inc. (RSIS), a federal systems integrator and telecommunication services provider, are part of a nearly $10 million Northrop Grumman Corp. task order to upgrade communication and command and control systems at 26 Air Force posts, including 17 in the United States. The deployment is part of Northrop Grumman's Network Centric Solutions (NETCENTS) contract.



The project will enhance circuit switched Siemens equipment with VoIP capabilities. More than 70 Air Force posts throughout the globe are already IP-enabled with solutions from Siemens.



The Siemens HiPath 4000 solution supports a touch-screen dispatch console for single-touch conferencing and the real-time collaboration of critical contacts, regardless of location and regardless of whether emergency preparedness personnel and others are communicating via landline, air-to-ground, mobile phone, land mobile radio (LMRs), satellite communications (SATCOM) or other devices and modes. Command post upgrades also enable open-line broadcasting, digital recording, easier system management and additional alarm monitoring and sensory capabilities for quicker response to natural disasters, security breeches and other emergencies.

http://www.usa.siemens.com/communications

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Korea Internet Data Center Installs Force10 10G Switches

Korea Internet Data Center (KIDC), a leading data center operator in Korea, has installed Force10 Networks' TeraScale E-Series family of switch/routers. Through its extensive peering relationships, KIDC has built a network with the largest aggregate bandwidth in Korea. Leveraging that bandwidth, KIDC is building out a resilient, secure infrastructure with the Force10 TeraScale E1200. The high Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet densities of the Force10 TeraScale E-Series, enable KIDC to reduce network complexity as well as capital and operating expenses. The TeraScale platform support 1,260 Gigabit and 224 Ten Gigabit Ethernet ports per system. They also provide the ability to support more than one million access control lists (ACLs) without compromising performance.

http://www.force10networks.com

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Ciena Supplies Access Platform for Slovenia's VDSL Network

T-2, a Slovenian alternative service provider, has selected Ciena's CN 4200 FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform to provide multiservice aggregation and transport of telephone, Internet and television services delivered via VDSL.



Ciena's CN 4200 is a multiservice transport and service aggregation platform that enables service-selectable migration to packet for networks transitioning from TDM. For new networks like T-2, which is using ITU G.709, the platform provides software-defined service ports.

http://www.ciena.com

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Entone and Verimatrix Partner on VOD Content Protection

Entone Technologies has integrated the Verimatrix Content Authority System (VCAS) into its StreamLiner network video recorder (NVR) for IPTV services.



By integrating the VCAS software with Entone's StreamLiner video streaming technology, the companies are providing a digital rights management (DRM) and video on demand (VOD) solution that streamlines the process from content creation, processing, distribution and playout. Currently with most DRM systems, VOD content is distributed over a core network and stored at the operator's site on a stand-alone system called a "catcher." This content is manually copied to another server where encryption technology is applied, and then copied again to an on-site VOD server.



Entone said its solution enables operators to avoid the extra intermediate step of copying a file. By running VCAS natively on Entone's StreamLiner, when a new VOD asset appears on the catcher, Entone's StreamLiner NVR automatically copies the content and seamlessly moves it to a VOD server for playout. For operators, this results in a simpler and error-free workflow that enables them to deliver VOD assets to subscribers faster and more efficiently.

http://www.entone.comhttp://www.verimatrix.com

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Texas Instruments Debuts Carrier Infrastructure Platform

Texas Instruments introduced new DSP-based carrier infrastructure platform designed for fixed and mobile communications applications. The new systems on chip (SOC), which is example in the second half of 2006, will be capable of delivering multimedia/3G services, such as fixed-mobile-convergence, within an IP multimedia services (IMS) environment.



TI's new carrier infrastructure platform is comprised of three elements -- silicon, software and reference designs that include evaluation modules.



The silicon architecture expands on that of the company's previous VoIP infrastructure products, offering even higher solution density and the ability to support a greater breadth of applications, like video processing. The new processor is based on the company's TMS320C64x+ core.



The second element of this platform includes the company's widely-deployed Telogy voice software as well as a rich library of software modules designed to support the needs of fixed, mobile and cable network equipment manufacturers. These elements will address a variety of standards and technologies, including those features and functions required for Class 4 and Class 5 replacement, PacketCable 1.5, modem/fax transmission, wireless transcoding applications, wireless media gateways, wireless trunking, encryption, redundancy, diagnostics and service enhancements. TI is also working with key value-added third parties to offer complementary solutions.



The third element of this platform is a fully functional evaluation module.

http://www.ti.com/cis

• Earlier this month, Texas Instruments introduced a scheme that leverages its digital signal processor (DSP) technology and embedded software solutions to monitor and improve the quality of IP-based services, such as voice, data and video. TI's new "PIQUA" utilizes real-time calculations to instantly assess quality parameters related to the user's experience, allowing both equipment manufacturers and service providers to dynamically adapt to changing conditions and make adjustments which today are either impossible or done manually. These quality management tools enable the discovery, monitoring and repair of services, devices and networks, allowing operators to proactively manage factors like echo, dropped-packets and line-delay.



• In September 2005, Texas Instruments unveiled its DSP-based DaVinci silicon technology aimed at next generations of digital video products. The DaVinci product portfolio, which will include processors, software, tools and partnership solutions, addresses digital video requirements across a range of applications, including video security, IP set-top boxes, video conferencing, automobile infotainment, portable media players and digital cameras. DaVinci processors, some of which are already on the market, consist of combinations of DSP and ARM cores, memory configurations, video accelerators, and peripheral interfaces for specific applications. DaVinci silicon is based on the new TMS320C64x+ core and it is code compatible with TI�s TMS320C64x DSPs. TI will support a full range of audio, video and imaging codecs. A key feature of the DaVinci portfolio will be common Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to accelerate the development of new consumer products. APIs will make it easier for OEMs to develop interoperable code that will work with other DaVinci-based applications. TI is also developing an en-to-end video ecosystem through a range of partners. Over the coming year, TI and its third parties plan to introduce a large number of products, including multiple development platforms, reference designs, software and silicon based on DaVinci technology.

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Virtela Offers Virtualized SSL VPN Integrated With Global MPLS Network

Virtela, a global network solutions provider, introduced a virtualized network-based SSL Virtual Private Network (VPN) service tightly coupled with a global MPLS network. Similar to Virtela's existing Managed SSL VPN Services, the new Virtela SMB SSL VPN service provides highly secure remote access to the corporate network from any Internet web browser without the need for a pre-installed client. Virtela provides expert design, implementation, 24x7 monitoring and management of the SSL VPN infrastructure.



Virtela said the new virtualized design enables small- and medium-sized businesses worldwide to more easily and inexpensively exploit the benefits of SSL-based remote access to their enterprise network resources. The virtualized SSL VPN addresses the expense of SSL equipment, as well as the added costs of training and maintaining staff required to successfully self-manage the service. With the new offering, Virtela hosts the SSL gateway securely within the Virtela network, relieving customers of SSL equipment purchases and ongoing management while delivering optimized performance benefits.



Multinationals can leverage the service in tandem with Virtela's site-to-site MPLS VPN service, bringing SSL access "into the cloud" to create one seamless service for both site-to-site and remote access users.

http://www.virtela.net

• Virtela operates a global, multi-carrier MPLS network with dynamic best path routing and automatic failover capabilities. Network and Security Operations Centers in Denver and Mumbai, India monitor and manage outsourced customer networks. The new Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) suite lets customers maintain control of and visibility into their infrastructures via on-line ticketing, reporting, and administration using a Web portal. The services also provide certified, hands-on expertise for managing and troubleshooting platforms from major equipment vendors worldwide.

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Siemens Invests in G2 for Mobile Resource Management Chips

Siemens Venture Capital has made a strategic investment in G2 Microsystems, a start-up based in Oakland, California, that is developing chips for the Mobile Resource Management (MRM) market. Mobile resource management enables businesses to monitor, track and manage assets either within a facility or throughout a supply chain.



G2 Microsystems is developing a range of ultra low-power, active MRM chips that leverage Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11). The company said its system-on-chip (SoC) solutions would provide the right balance of cost, power, functionality, and size to meet the demanding asset tracking (otherwise known as RFID) and monitoring requirements in all industries including healthcare, automotive, transportation, government, biopharmaceutical, oil, gas, and chemical.



Other investors in G2 include UPS Strategic Enterprise Fund, Starfish Ventures and DB Capital Partners, the private equity and venture capital arm of Deutsche Asset Management (Australia) Ltd.

http://www.g2microsystems.com

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Alcatel to OEM Stratex Wireless Platforms

Alcatel will resell a broad range of Stratex Networks Eclipse wireless transmission solutions as part of the Alcatel worldwide product portfolio. Under the terms the four-year agreement, Alcatel will license certain Eclipse software and products from Stratex Networks.



Alcatel said the deal would make its Point-to-Point microwave portfolio even more complete and competitive, particularly in the high capacity mobile backhauling segment.



Separately, Stratex announced the first commercial shipments of next-generation Eclipse products. The first products being introduced extend the E300 family of Eclipse high capacity radios. The new Eclipse E300hp is a high performance, cost-effective, outdoor mounted radio designed for high-volume applications and for wider commercial distribution than any previous product from Stratex Networks.



Stratex Networks is based in San Jose, California.

http://www.alcatel.comhttp://www.stratexnet.com

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Limelight Uses Quova for DRM Tied to Geolocation

Quova introduced its geolocation solution developed specifically for online digital rights compliance. The flagship customer for Quova Media is Limelight Networks, which operates a content delivery network for digital media. Limelight is incorporating Quova's technology into its content delivery network to offer customers of its two services, Limelight Content Edge and Limelight MediaEdge Streaming, the precise geographic location of online users in order to comply with content rights restrictions.



Quova said its geolocation technology has already enabled viewers worldwide to watch Major League Baseball, the Tour de France and the World Track and Field Championships live on their personal computers.

http://www.quova.comhttp://www.limelightnetworks.com

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Cavium Launches Single and Dual Core MIPS64-based OCTEON Processors

Cavium Networks unveiled ten new highly integrated single and dual core MIPS64 processors starting at under $20 price points and designed for next generation networking, wireless, control and storage applications. Cavium's OCTEON family of MIPS64 processors now scales from single core to sixteen cores. The OCTEON processor family is being designed into a wide array of networking equipment, including routers, switches, unified threat management (UTM) appliances, application- aware gateways, triple-play gateways, WLAN and 3G access and aggregation devices and storage networking equipment.



The new SoC (system on chip) processors integrate a custom MIPS64 processor core with advanced multi-layer application acceleration and security processing hardware, along with a wide range of networking I/O options. The new OCTEON CN31XX and CN30XX are fully software compatible with Caviums' OCTEON CN38XX family of multi-core processors.



The OCTEON CN31XX Processor Family includes the CN3110 and the CN3120 Processors. The CN3120 features dual cnMIPS64 cores while the CN3110 features a single cnMIPS64 core at up to 550MHz with 256KB L2 cache. The I/Os include 3 GE interfaces, 64 bit DDR2-667, optional second 16 bit DDR2 for pattern storage, TDM/PCM, 32/100 PCI-X, USB 2.0 in an 868pin BGA package with 4 - 7W power consumption. Each processor is available in CP, SCP and NSP versions. These processors are ideal for Enterprise Routers, Gateways, UTM appliances, Service cards and Triple Play gateways. The CN31XX Processor Family provides multi-Gbps performance at less than a third system power and cost compared to alternative solutions.



The OCTEON CN30XX Processor Family includes the CN3005 and CN3010 Processors. The CN3005 processor includes a cnMIPS core at up to 400MHz, 64KB L2 cache, 16 bit DDR2, two GE interfaces, 32/66 PCI, USB 2.0 in a 350pin BGA package with a low power consumption of 2-3W. The CN3010 processor include a cnMIPS processor core at up to 500MHz, 128KB L2 cache, 32 bit DDR2, 3 GE interfaces, TDM/PCM, 32/66 PCI, USB 2.0 in a 525pin BGA package with a very low 2-4W power consumption. Each processor is available in CP and SCP versions. These processors are ideal for Wired and Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n) Broadband Routers and Gateways, Wireless Access Points and Home NAS products. The CN30XX Processor Family brings for the first time to the marketplace 64 bit computing with an integrated Level 2 cache at sub $20.
http://www.cavium.com

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Tektronix Introduces IPTV Video Quality Measurement

Tektronix introduced its "Spectra2|VQM" (Video Quality Measurement) monitoring solution for the diagnosis and analysis of streaming video transmitted over IP.



Spectra2|VQM is a portable monitoring solution that helps identify the causes of poor digital image quality, such as packet loss, delay or data corruption in the IP transport network.
It offers support for multiple-level QoS scores and video industry standard, non-proprietary Forward Error Correction (FEC) analysis.



The Spectra2|VQM is a Windows-based software package that is part of the Tektronix Internet Protocol Diagnostics (IPD) product portfolio. The IPD portfolio provides network equipment manufacturers and service providers with easy-to-use test and measurement tools for the analysis and QoS measurement of media over IP and protocols in the core of converged multi-service networks.



Spectra2|VQM monitors video streams transported over RTP and MPEG2-TS (transport stream) protocols. Spectra2|VQM supports measurement of multiple concurrent standard-definition (SD) video streams as well as high-definition (HD) video streams. Users can generate real-time video streaming quality metrics such as presence, accuracy and objective Mean Opinion Scores (MOS) that they can use to diagnose a range of video-related problems at the IP, transport, and content levels. The availability of MOS QoS measurements based on transport and actual uncompressed video content allows users to correlate QoS at both the transport and content levels.



Spectra2|VQM supports both CoP-R3 and RFC 2733, the two main non- proprietary, video industry FEC analysis standards. Spectra2|VQM can perform and analyze FEC algorithms, a technique for improving the reliability of packet transmission over networks which do not provide guaranteed packet delivery. This technique allows the user to view the effectiveness of the correction mechanism and ensure a successful user experience. The software can detect codec over-compression and incorrectly configured FEC for fine- tuning bandwidth versus quality. Users can detect perceived video image quality in real time or historically for individual video streams so that they can develop systems and services that match the visual quality that viewers have come to expect from traditional television broadcasts.

http://www.tektronix.com

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Atheros Posts Q4 Revenue of $53.1 Million - 7.7 Million Chipsets Shipped in Q4

Atheros Communications reported Q4 revenue of $53.1 million, up 16 percent from the $45.8 million reported in the third quarter and up 27 percent from the $41.7 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2004. Gross margins in the fourth quarter were 46.7 percent, above the company's target range of 43 to 45 percent and above 43.5 percent gross margins recorded in the third quarter. The company recorded fourth quarter net income (GAAP) of $13.1 million or $0.24 per diluted share.



The company shipped a record 7.7 million Wi-Fi chipsets in the fourth quarter, 74 percent of which were single-chip solutions.

http://www.atheros.com

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AudioCodes Reports Q4 Results

AudioCodes reported Q4 2005 revenue of $30.6 million, compared to $29.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and $25.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2004. Fourth quarter revenues grew 3% sequentially and increased 21% compared to the fourth quarter of 2004. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2005 was $3.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.5 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2005 and $2.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the corresponding period last year.

http://www.audiocodes.com

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Tut Systems to Expand IPTV Headend with MPEG-4 AVC at Iowa Network Services

Iowa Network Services (INS) is deploying Tut Systems' Astria content processor (CP) with MPEG-4 AVC encoding and transcoding solutions.
Tut Systems' Astria CP platform today serves as the core video processing system for INS' 177 channel MPEG-2 digital headend currently serving 17 video service providers throughout the state of Iowa. The headend has the potential to serve more than 100 additional service providers. When deployed, the MPEG- 4 AVC headend from INS will yield better picture quality while significantly lowering the bandwidth required for standard definition video and also will deliver up to 20 channels of HDTV when high-definition set-top boxes become available in 2006. Furthermore, it will allow for overall lower system costs, reduced infrastructure requirements and new video applications for the service providers. Financial terms were not disclosed.

http://www.iowanetworkservices.comhttp://www.tutsys.com

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Cavalier Telephone Acquires Elantic

Cavalier Telephone completed its acquisition of Elantic Telecom (formerly known as Dominion Telecom), which operates an 8,200 route mile fiber network connecting major cities on the Eastern portion of the United States. For the past 18 months, Cavalier has been providing management, engineering and operating support to Elantic through a management services agreement.



The Elantic fiber network connects over 52 cities in a self-healing fiber ring design. The network reaches west from Chicago, and North thru New York, expands down the East coast and South to Wilmington, North Carolina. The network also includes former Telergy assets that were deployed throughout many metropolitan areas in New York state. The largest concentration of fiber is in Virginia where fiber rings encircle much of the state. Over $1 billion dollars was invested to create the Elantic footprint.



Cavalier Telephone is a facilities-based, full-service local telephone company (CLEC) serving over 35,000 business and 200,000 residential customers in Richmond, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, Maryland, Philadelphia, Delaware, Southern New Jersey, and the District of Columbia.



Cavalier said its existing business customers will benefit from the city to city fiber services not previously available. Gigabit Internet service, video conferencing and multi-office data networking are a few of the enhanced features available to Cavalier customers.



The Elantic network will also play a pivotal role in Cavalier's IPTV initiative. Hundreds of video channels will emit from Cavalier's Superheadend in Richmond for IPTV delivery to homes across the Mid-Atlantic. Cavalier's Triple Play will include Telephone service, Broadband Internet, and Cable TV services for $95.95 per month.
http://www.cavtel.com

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Telecom Italia and Cisco Target DoS/DDoS Attacks

Telecom Italia Sparkle (TI Sparkle) is rolling out a network-based solution designed to provide more effective protection against Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks for international wholesale customers of the TI Sparkle IP backbone (SEABONE). S@FE is the result of close cooperation between TI Sparkle and Cisco Systems. Trials are currently underway.

http://www.cisco.comhttp://www.telecomitaliasparkle.com

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Deutsche Telekom Reaches 8.5 Million DSL, and 86.6 Million Mobile Subscribers

Deutsche Telekom released key growth figures for 2005, citing gains the broadband and mobile sectors. Some highlights:

• The Mobile segment remained the key growth driver for Deutsche Telekom in the fourth quarter of 2005 and the group now has over 86.6 million users. Organic customer growth over the full year amounted to just under 12 percent or around 9.0 million. Around another 200,000 customers can be added from the newly consolidated Monet/Montenegro.



• T-Mobile USA added 1.4 million net new customers in the fourth quarter of 2005 and served 21.7 million customers at the end of the year.



• T-Mobile Deutschland achieved an increase of more than 2.1 million customers to 29.5 million in 2005, of which over 48 percent postpay customers.



• During Q4 2005, the number of broadband lines in Germany and abroad rose by around 10 percent, or 762,000, to 8.5 million. In Germany, around 7.9 million DSL lines provided by T-Com were in operation at the end of 2005. Some 660,000 new DSL lines were put into operation in the fourth quarter.



• The Broadband/Fixed Network segment registered around 182,000 own new DSL lines in the retail business on a net basis and around 479,000 resale lines that are sold by competitors.



• The number of DSL lines provided by DT companies in Central and Eastern Europe more than doubled year-on-year to 541,000. Broadband lines exceeded the 100,000 mark at both T-Hrvatski Telekom and Slovak Telecom by the end of 2005 as a result. The growth accelerated in the fourth quarter with 48,000 new broadband customers in Hungary, 30,000 new customers in Croatia and 24,000 new customers in the Slovak Republic.



• The number of narrowband lines in Germany and abroad fell by 3.7 percent to 41.2 million, in Germany by around 4 percent to 35.2 million year-on-year. The decrease in the number of ISDN lines was greater than that of analog lines.



• T-Online increased the number of customers with a billing relationship to 14.0 million by the end of the year. The company delivered 15.5 million music downloads in 2005. The Video on Demand service offered by T-Online Vision currently delivers about 80,000 movie downloads per month.

http://www.telekom.de

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3Com Names New CEO

3Com named R. Scott Murray President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Bruce Claflin who retires. Murray also assumes Claflin's position on the 3Com Board of Directors. Murray will shortly become Chairman of the company's joint venture in China, Huawei-3Com.



Prior to accepting the role of CEO for 3Com, Murray was the CEO of Modus Media International, a global provider of supply chain management and hosted services. While at Modus, he expanded the company's operations in Europe and Asia, particularly in China. In addition to his work with Modus Media, Murray also was president and chief operating officer for Stream International, an outsourced Customer Relationship Management (CRM) services company. He previously served as CFO for the Learning Company, a publicly traded software company.

http://www.3com.com

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ITU Standardizes on PacketCable 1.5 Suite

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) approved a suite of CableLabs' PacketCable specifications as standards for the international version of services including VoIP.



PacketCable-based standards are known internationally as IPCablecom, and this recently approved suite covers such topics as architecture, network call signaling, call management server (CMS) to CMS signaling, quality of service (QoS), support for multimedia and other functions necessary to provide time-critical interactive services over a cable television network using IP.



The ITU approval stems from work carried out in October by ITU Study Group (SG) 9, which is entitled Integrated Broadband Cable Networks and Television and Sound Transmission group. SG 9 is chaired by CableLabs President and CEO Dr. Richard R. Green. ITU approval came in late November after consultation with its member states and sector members.



Many of the approved recommendations originated in CableLabs. In addition to the suite of 16 PacketCable 1.5 specifications that now are international standards, the ITU also standardized on CableLabs contributions from the DOCSIS and CableHome projects. J.128 references a Set-top Gateway specification for transmission systems for interactive cable television services. J.197 pertains to high-level requirements for a Digital Rights Management Bridge to a Home Network and a revision to J.192, a residential gateway to support the delivery of cable data services, which aligns it with CableHome 1.1.

http://www.cablelabs.org/news/pr/2006/06_pr_itu_pc15_012606.html

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GlobeCast Renews Contract with Intelsat for IA-5 Capacity

GlobeCast WorldTV renewed a long-term, multi-transponder contract for Intelsat-Americas 5 (IA-5) satellite capacity to support the substantial growth of its international television distribution platform over North America. IA-5, located at 97 degrees W, hosts one of the largest neighborhoods of international video programming in the U.S. and has been home to GlobeCast WorldTV since 1998.



GlobeCast WorldTV is an aggregator and distributor of premium international television and radio channels in North America for delivery via direct-to-home (DTH), cable, IPTV, hotels, multiple dwelling units (MDU's) and commercial establishments. More than 161 WorldTV television and radio channels originate from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas, and represent 41 countries in over 33 languages, offering a unique line-up of native homeland programming as well as original in-language programming tailored for U.S. audiences.

http://www.intelsat.com

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Amaru Prepares to Launch Global IPTV Service over the Internet

M2B World, a company based in Singapore with a subsidiary named "Amaru" based in Hollywood, California, is launching a Global IPTV service that will offer 40-channels of content streamed over the Internet to an Amaru-provided set-top box. Amaru is partnering Zentek Technology Singapore (Zentek) for the design of the set-top boxes and for technical service support to customers on a worldwide basis. Amaru said its content will range from Hollywood movies, documentaries, music, fashion and lifestyle to travel and leisure, corporate training and professional development. In addition, an "IPTV cache" will feature karaoke on-demand, Asian programming (in particular Korean serials) and the latest Hollywood blockbusters.



Amaru operates video server farms in Singapore and in San Jose, California.



Amaru and its M2B World subsidiaries target to ship 250,000 set-top boxes worldwide within the year.



The service launch is planned for February 2006. Pricing has not yet been announced.

http://www.m2bworld.com/

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Sri Lanka Telecom Deploys Juniper for MPLS

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) has further expanded its network with Juniper Networks M-series multiservice routing platforms and E-series Broadband Services Routers.



The M-series platforms enable SLT to offer advanced MPLS-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) services to business consumers in Sri Lanka. SLT has also upgraded its broadband infrastructure with Juniper's E-series to enable advanced multiservice broadband offerings.



SLT previously deployed Juniper Networks M-series to replace its legacy Internet gateway routers. The carrier now plans to introduce MPLS Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs, and VPLS, as well as integrated voice, video and data (triple play) broadband services. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.juniper.net

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AOL Signs New Broadband Deals with BellSouth, Time Warner and Verizon

AOL announced new broadband partnership deals with major network operators, including BellSouth, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and other DSL carriers.

The deals enable AOL to offer its premium Internet service over a high-speed connection for as low as $25.90. In BellSouth's territory, AOL High Speed will be offered at $29.90.

AOL said its plans to launch aggressive marketing for the new AOL High Speed offering, hoping to encourage its dial-up subscribers to upgrade to broadband. AOL is working with BBDO New York for national television, radio and print advertising.

"With the new AOL broadband network, we're leveraging the strength of our service and our customer relationships to make the most of the shifting broadband marketplace," said Jonathan F. Miller, Chairman & CEO of America Online, Inc. "We are taking advantage of the improving economics of broadband access to create an offering that combines the AOL service with the speed of broadband at a competitive price. In so doing, we're building a better experience for our members, bringing new subscribers to our network partners, and enhancing the lifetime member value of our customer relationships."http://www.aol.com

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Cisco Cites CRS-1 Core Router Deployments in China

China Education and Research Network (CERNET), the world's largest education network, has deployed the Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System to provide increased bandwidth and improved performance to more than 20 million Internet users in China. The Cisco CRS-1 in its core network nodes in five cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Nanjing. The CERNET network links more than 1,000 major universities and research institutions in China.



Shanghai Telecom has replaced numerous routers powering its "super" point of presence "POP," or high-speed core IP network, with the Cisco CRS-1. Shanghai Telecom is the first telecom operator in China to adopt the Cisco CRS-1 Multichassis System, which can be scaled up to 72 line-card shelves, totaling 1,152 slots, providing room for system expansion to satisfy the company's needs for the next 10 to 15 years. Shanghai Telecom offers IP-based services and network connections to ChinaNet, China Telecom's national Internet network.



As China's largest Internet service network, ChinaNet currently offers services countrywide with more than 18 million broadband subscribers and a total capacity of 4,000 Gbps, accounting for more than half of China's bandwidth for Internet services. Cisco CRS-1 transited the previous multi-router structure of ChinaNet's core network nodes in eight cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Xi'an, Chengdu, Wuhan and Nanjing. After integration, ChinaNet significantly enhanced the network capacity and improved management efficiency, enabling China Telecom to strengthen broadband business as well as laying foundation for the development of next-generation Internet applications.

http://www.cisco.com

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Lockheed Martin Awarded $2 Billion USAF Networking Contract

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $2 billion contract to lead the development of an advanced, high-bandwidth, global communications network for the U.S. Air Force.



The 10-year contract for the TSAT Missions Operations System (TMOS) program will link the Transformational Satellite Communications Systems (TSAT) program to the Global Information Grid (GIG) and is expected to commence operations in 2014. TSAT will provide mobile forces a high-bandwidth connection to the GIG from virtually anywhere in the world, while protecting its users from enemy detection, eavesdropping and jamming. Its high-capacity links are expected to significantly increase the military's capability to support its deployed forces with real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.



Lockheed Martin said work on the TMOS program will be conducted in San Jose and Los Angeles, California to start and will eventually involve more than 300 people including subcontractors working around the country. The Lockheed Martin-led team includes leading defense and commercial IT experts, including Northrop Grumman, Telcordia Technologies, SAIC and Verizon.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com

• In late 2003, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) selected Science Applications International Corporation's (SAIC's) to build its Global Information Grid - Bandwidth Expansion (GIG-BE) system. GIG-BE is designed to enhance the Defense Department's network infrastructure to operate at 10 Gbps in support of voice, data, video, and transport services among more than 100 key locations worldwide. Analysts estimated the cost of the project in the hundreds of millions of dollars. SAIC has awarded a number of subcontracts under the project: Ciena for optical transport systems; Sprint/Sycamore for optical digital cross connect equipment; Juniper Networks for IP routers; and Qwest Government Services/Cisco Systems for multi-service provisioning platforms. Ciena confirmed that it will supply its CoreStream optical transport and switching platform for deployment in DISA's GIG-BE optical IP terrestrial network. Juniper Networks also confirmed that it was been awarded a multi-year contract for its M- and T- series routing platforms. Deployment commenced in early 2004.



• The Global Information Grid - Bandwidth Expansion (GIG-BE) program reached full operational capability as of December 2005

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Movaz Raises $20 Million for its Optical Networking

Movaz Networks closed $20 million in equity financing and secured an additional line of credit for $12 million, supporing its optical networking solutions.



Movaz recently announced the in-service deployment of its multi-degree ROADM, providing dynamic reconfigurability across rings, at hub locations, and through spur junctions.



The company claims 90 customers around the world and over 4,000 nodes currently in service.



Movaz said the combined $32 million financing enables it to support its expanding operations and also provides a solid foundation for continued revenue and customer growth. The company said it saw its revenue increase by a record 66% in 2005 over the previous year. The top-tier investor syndicate that led this financing included Anschutz Investment, Comcast Interactive Capital, Menlo Ventures, Oak Investment Partners, Meritech Capital Partners, and Worldview Technology Partners.

http://www.movaz.com

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Redback Reaches Revenue of $48.0 million, up 32% Sequentially

Redback Networks reported net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2005 of $48.0 million, an increase of 32 percent from the third quarter of 2005. Net revenue was up $15.9 million, or 50 percent, over the fourth quarter of 2004. Net revenue for the fiscal year 2005 jumped to $153.3 million, compared with $115.6 million in fiscal year 2004. GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2005 was $0.3 million or $0.01 per share attributable to common stockholders compared to a GAAP net loss of $12.0 million or $(0.23) per share in the fourth quarter of 2004.

http://www.redback.com/investors

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Microsoft Launches "Live Labs" Research Initiative

Microsoft announced the formation of "Live Labs," a new initiative between MSN and Microsoft Research aimed at providing "consistency in vision, leadership and infrastructure as well as a nimble applied research environment that fosters rapid innovations."



Microsoft Live Labs, which will be headed by Dr. Gary William Flake, noted industry technologist and Microsoft technical fellow, will focus on Internet-centric applied research programs including rapidly prototyping and launching of emerging technologies, incubating entirely new inventions, and improving and accelerating Windows Live offerings. Ray Ozzie, Craig Mundie and David Vaskevitch, Microsoft's chief technical officers, will serve as the Live Labs Advisory Board.



Live Labs will investigate a broad and comprehensive set of research topics such as multimedia search, machine learning, distributed computing and data mining, and will engage in rapid prototyping and the incubation of disruptive technologies. Unlike basic research, which is geared toward visionary discoveries that may or may not end up in actual products, and product development, which is feature-focused and geared toward solving tactical engineering problems, Live Labs' applied research will study the relationship and applicability of theories or principles to the solution of a problem or an actual product or service.

Microsoft also announced the hiring of Dr. Ashok Chandra, a notable industry and academic researcher, as general manager of Search Labs, a new organization devoted to innovation and incubation that will be closely aligned with Live Labs. Search Labs will be stationed in Redmond and at the Microsoft Silicon Valley campus in Mountain View, Calif. Search Labs will focus on areas such as personalization, socialization and improved user experiences while maintaining strict regard for user privacy. In addition, Chandra's teams will build technologies for data mining, vertical industries and parametric capabilities to go beyond the search bar experience.http://labs.live.com

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Nokia Estimates 2 Billion Mobile Subscribers Globally, 795 Million Mobile Phones Shipped in 2005

Nokia shipped 84 million mobile devices in Q4 2005, up 26% sequentially and 27% year on year. The company calculates it held 34% of the global market, which is it estimates at 244 million units, up 23% sequentially and 25% year on year .



Jorma Ollila, Nokia's Chairman and CEO, said "Our quarterly sales reached more than EUR 10 billion for the first time ever this quarter, and we achieved record breaking device volumes and healthy device market share gains during the full year. Nokia's sales grew 16% in 2005, the highest sales growth we have seen since 2000, while our EPS grew 20%.



For our industry, it was another year of strong growth in mobile device volumes. Nokia estimates that the global device market grew 24% in 2005, to 795 million units for the full year, with an estimated 2.2 billion mobile subscribers worldwide by year end.



Nokia's own mobile device volumes in 2005 increased 28%, reaching a record 265 million units. We also increased our full year global market share to an estimated 33%, driven by gains in China, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. At the same time we more than tripled our market share in WCDMA."



Outlook for 2006



Nokia expects the mobile device market volume to grow more than 10% in 2006, from its preliminary estimate of approximately 795 million units in 2005. Nokia also expect the device industry to experience value growth in 2006, but also expect some decline in industry average sales prices (ASPs), primarily reflecting the increasing impact of the emerging markets.



Nokia expects moderate growth in the mobile infrastructure market in EUR terms in 2006.

http://www.nokia.com

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Level 3 to Acquire Florida's Progress Telecom for $137 Million

Level 3 Communications agreed to acquire Progress Telecom, a regional wholesale network services company based in St. Petersburg, Florida, for $137 million, consisting of $68.5 million in unregistered shares of Level 3 Common Stock and $68.5 million in cash.



The Progress Telecom network features diversely routed fiber, DWDM and SONET connecting nearly 200 POPs across the south-eastern U.S. The infrastructure includes over 8,524 route-miles of fiber and 29 metro networks. Progress Telecom currently generates annualized revenue of approximately $70 million and approximately $7 million of annualized positive free cash flow.



Progress Telecom is jointly owned by Progress Energy and Odyssey Telecorp.



"This transaction represents a unique opportunity to expand Level 3's footprint in the southeastern region of the United States, where we have seen strong demand for our services," said Kevin O'Hara, president and chief operating officer of Level 3. "More importantly, we serve a number of the same large, key customers, particularly certain wireless and international customers. We believe that the completion of this transaction will enable us to expand our relationship with these customers and offer them a broader set of services in more markets outside the southeast. Progress Telecom is a very successful wholesale carrier in the southeastern United States and this acquisition will increase the extent of our network coverage in the region."http://www.level3.comhttp://www.progresstelecom.com

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Tellabs Reports Revenue of $521 million, up 16% YoY

Tellabs reported Q4 2005 revenue of $521 million, up 37% from $379 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. For the year 2005, Tellabs revenue totaled $1.9 billion, up 53% from $1.2 billion in 2004. Compared with the full revenues of Tellabs, AFC and Vinci Systems, revenue increased 16% for the fourth quarter of 2005 and 13% for the full year.



Tellabs earned $92 million or 20 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2005 on a GAAP basis, compared with a year-ago net loss of $139 million or 32 cents per share.

• Transport -- Revenue from transport systems totaled $170 million, up 8% from $157 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. For the full year, transport revenue was $638 million, up 7% from $598 million in 2004.



• Access -- Revenue from access solutions totaled $180 million, up from $53 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. Compared with the full fourth-quarter 2004 access revenues of Tellabs, AFC and Vinci Systems, access revenue increased 46%. Access revenue for 2005 was $617 million, up from $53 million in 2004. Full-year 2005 access revenue was 29% higher than the full 2004 access revenues of Tellabs, AFC and Vinci Systems.



• Managed Access -- Revenue from managed access systems was $91 million, down 19% from $112 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. Managed access revenue for 2005 was $365 million, up 10% from $331 million in 2004.



• Broadband Data -- Revenue of broadband data products was $31 million, compared with $3 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. Full-year 2005 revenue in broadband data was $60 million, more than triple the 2004 year-end revenue of $17 million.



• Voice-Quality Enhancement -- Revenue from voice-quality enhancement amounted to $6 million, versus $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. VQE revenue for the full year was $36 million, down from $75 million in 2004. Since Tellabs has incorporated voice-quality enhancement features into its transport products, in 2006 the company will include this revenue in the transport category.



• Services and Solutions-Services and solutions revenue was $44 million, up 8% from $40 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. Services revenue for 2005 totaled $167 million in 2005, up 6% over the 2004 total of $158 million.

"Customer demand for broadband wireless and fiber access continues to propel Tellabs' growth," said Krish A. Prabhu, Tellabs president and chief executive officer. "Tellabs is well-positioned to grow as our customers invest in upgrading their network infrastructure to handle the proliferation of broadband devices and multimedia Internet content."http://www.tellabs.com

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Avaya and SAP Team on CRM

Avaya and SAP America will jointly market mySAP Customer Relationship Management (mySAP CRM) with Avaya Interaction Center software. Initially, both companies will be working with select customers to build awareness of the relationship and the intrinsic value of Intelligent Communications that will result from the joint solutions that are being developed.

The companies said this combination of Avaya intelligent routing within the context of information from mySAP CRM will get the right customer to the right business associate more efficiently, reducing holding times, delays and call backs for customers while optimizing company resources.



Customer service agents using SAP's market leading CRM solution will have the capability to interact with customers through voice, email, and Web communication through their mySAP CRM console, enabled by Avaya contact center software.

http://www.avaya.com

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Casio Licenses QUALCOMM's 3G CDMA

QUALCOMM has granted Casio a worldwide license to develop, manufacture and sell subscriber units implementing any 3G CDMA standard. The royalties payable by Casio are at QUALCOMM's standard rates and are the same irrespective of the CDMA standard implemented by the subscriber unit.



QUALCOMM also signed a worldwide subscriber unit license agreement with Yulong Computer Technology Co., a subsidiary of China Wireless Technologies, to develop, manufacture and sell subscriber units implementing any 3G CDMA standard (i.e., CDMA2000(R) 1X/1xEV-DO, WCDMA/UMTS). The royalties payable by Yulong are at QUALCOMM's standard rates and are the same irrespective of the CDMA standard implemented by the subscriber unit.

http://www.qualcomm.com

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EMC Scales Storage Array to Over One Petabyte

EMC introduced the first storage array capable of scaling to more than one petabyte (1,024 terabytes) of capacity. The record capacity is made possible through the qualification of Symmetrix DMX-3 system configurations supporting up to 2,400 disk drives and the availability of new 500 gigabyte low-cost Fibre Channel (LC-FC) disk drives.



The new disk drive technology, which compatible with the company's Symmetrix DMX systems, enables the consolidation of more information, applications and storage tiers into fewer arrays and storage networks. EMC said it is the first to deliver this new disk drive technology in a high-end array.



EMC also introduced a new entry-level Symmetrix DMX-3 system that enables customers to incrementally scale the performance and capacity of a single array from 7 terabytes, using 96 disk drives, to more than a petabyte with 2,400 disk drives.

http://www.emc.com

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BT to Manage Microsoft's Global Call Center Routing

BT was awarded a 2-year contract to manage Microsoft's global OneCall call center routing. Under the agreement, BT will design, build, deploy and manage a solution to unify and manage Microsoft's contact centers throughout the world into a single network-based contact center environment. The contract calls for an 18-month deployment schedule across 77 Microsoft call centers around the world, with potential to expand to more than a hundred centers globally.



The OneCall solution will enable Microsoft's call centers world-wide to be centrally managed for call routing, resulting in improved customer service levels and better use of call center agents. The call centers support customer service and support, sales and marketing.

http://www.btplc.com

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Cypress Deploys Overtures Multiservice Access Devices

Cypress Communications has deployed Overture Networks' ISG 5000, ISG 2200, and ISG 45+ multiservice access devices within its fiber and copper infrastructure. Cypress provides managed communications in 29 major metropolitan U.S. markets. Overture's platform is designed to deliver any mix of Ethernet and TDM service combinations. The ISG converged packet access platform supports a variety of interfaces ranging from NxT1/E1 to Gigabit Ethernet.

http://www.overturenetworks.comhttp://www.cypresscom.net

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Terayon Restructures to Pure-Play Digital Video Company

Terayon Communication Systems is changing its corporate strategy to focus solely on its digital video applications and reduce its overall cost structure as a pure-play video business. The company is reviewing strategic alternatives for its Home Access Solutions product line, including the possibility of a sale.



"Our decision to concentrate solely on digital video applications enables us to laser-focus the company on a growing market for real-time network digital video processing and expand our applications and services," said Jerry Chase, Terayon, CEO.

http://www.terayon.com

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Broadcom Posts Revenue of $820 Million, up 18% Sequentially

Broadcom reported net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2005 of $820.6 million, an increase of 18.1% from the $695.0 million reported for the third quarter of 2005 and an increase of 52.1% from the $539.4 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2004. Net income (GAAP) was $194.8 million, or $.50 per share (diluted).

"Trends in communications and convergence provided a one-two punch that drove Broadcom to record levels of revenue, net income, and cash and marketable securities in 2005," said Scott McGregor, Broadcom's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The continued migration to Gigabit Ethernet in the enterprise, the convergence of voice and Wi-Fi into broadband modems, the adoption of personal video recording and high definition video in cable, satellite and Internet Protocol (IP) set-top boxes, the convergence of video and audio in portable devices, and the adoption of Bluetooth into cell phones, headsets and PCs are just some of the communications and convergence trends occurring in our end markets."http://www.broadcom.com

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Acme Packet Supplies Session Border Controllers to Korea's DACOM

Dacom, the second largest long-distance service provider in Korea, is deploying Acme Packet's Net-Net session border controllers in its national, VoIP network. The Net-Net products are being integrated with the Dacom's Next Generation IP Softswitch platform to offer more enhanced services. CommVerge Solutions Korea is the network integrator.

http://www.acmepacket.com

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Verizon Reports 613,000 Broadband Net Adds and Record Wireless Growth

Verizon Communications reported Q4 revenues of $19.3 billion and earnings of $1.7 billion, or 59 cents per diluted share, highlighted by an industry-record quarterly total for net new wireline broadband connections, as well as continued record growth and sustained margins at Verizon Wireless.



The earnings were down compared with $3.0 billion, or $1.08 per share, in the fourth quarter 2004.



Highlights for the quarter include:

• Verizon's wireline business segment added a net of 613,000 wireline broadband connections (DSL and FiOS), giving the company a total of 5.1 million wireline broadband connections at year's end.



• The FiOS FTTP rollout now passes a cumulative 3 million homes and businesses in 16 states. In markets where Verizon has been selling FiOS data services for at least nine months, the average penetration rate at the nine-month mark was 14 percent. Market penetration in Keller, Texas -- Verizon's first video market -- is 21 percent in four months.



• Operating revenues on a comparable basis at Domestic Telecom were $9.4 billion in the fourth quarter 2005, a 1.8 percent decrease compared with the fourth quarter 2004.



• Revenues from DSL and FiOS data contributed to total wireline data revenues of $2.2 billion in the fourth quarter 2005, a 9.0 percent increase compared with the fourth quarter 2004.



• Verizon's total customer connections (wireline switched access, wireless customers, and wireline and wireless customers using broadband connections (EV-DO, DSL or FiOS) -- increased to 105.3 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2005. This is an increase of 5.7 percent compared with the fourth quarter 2004, and an increase of 1.8 million customer connections compared with the end of the third quarter 2005.



• Switched access lines totaled 48.8 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2005, a decline of 6.7 percent compared with the end of the fourth quarter 2004. This has been more than offset by increases of 47.6 percent in wireline broadband connections and 17.2 percent in total wireless customers over the same period.



• Wholesale voice connections -- which includes resale, Unbundled Network Element-Platform (UNE-P) and end-to-end wholesale voice services provided under commercial agreements -- totaled 5.5 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2005, down 16.1 percent from the end of the fourth quarter 2004.



• Verizon Wireless added more than 1.5 million customers, giving it a total of 51.3 million customers.



• Verizon Wireless total churn was 1.2 percent for the fourth quarter 2005 (matching the company's previous quarterly record) and 1.3 percent for the year.



• Verizon Wireless revenues were $8.7 billion in the fourth quarter 2005, an 18.3 percent increase compared with $7.3 billion in the fourth quarter 2004



• In 2006, Verizon expects that net pension and OPEB costs will reduce earnings by 34 cents to 36 cents per share.



• 2006 CAPEX, including MCI, is expected to be from $17.0 billion to $17.4 billion.



• Network savings represent nearly half of the synergies, as bringing traffic onto Verizon's networks is expected to save more than $200 million in 2006. Workforce reductions and information technology savings each represent about 20 percent of the synergy totals.

http://www.verizon.com

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AT&T Posts Q4 Revenues of $12.97 Billion

In its first quarterly financial report since closing its mega-merger, the new AT&T reported consolidated fourth-quarter 2005 revenues of $12.97 billion and earnings of $1.66 billion, or $0.46 per diluted share, including special merger and hurricane recovery related items. The results were ahead of market forecasts driven by growth at Cingular Wireless, broadband and enterprise services.



Some highlights for Q4 2005:

• Wireline segment revenues, which are made up of former SBC wireline results, totaled $9.43 billion, up 1.3 percent from the fourth quarter of 2004. Wireline consumer revenues grew 4.6 percent, and business revenues increased 1.9 percent.



• Business and consumer revenue growth was partially offset by expected declines in wholesale revenues, reflecting a reduction in UNE-P access lines.



• Added 425,000 net DSL customers, the same as in the year-earlier fourth quarter, and ended 2005 with 6.9 million DSL lines in service



• Data revenues increased 7.8 percent versus results in the year-earlier quarter to $3.10 billion, driven by DSL/Internet growth, along with solid results in transport services.



• Long distance revenues increased 13.4 percent to $984 million, with 177,000 long distance lines added during the fourth quarter to reach 23.5 million in service.



• Wireline retail business lines declined by 54,000 in the fourth quarter of 2005, compared with a decline of 74,000 in the year-earlier quarter.



• Consumer retail primary lines declined by 129,000 versus 73,000 in the fourth quarter of 2004. Additional lines declined by 99,000 versus a decline of 119,000 in the year-earlier quarter.



• Total switched wholesale lines declined by 490,000 versus a decline of 302,000 in the fourth quarter of 2004. Wireline operations ended the year with 49.4 million switched access lines in service.

http://www.att.com

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Amino Selected for Canal Digital's IPTV

Canal Digital has deployed Amino's AmiNET110 MPEG-2 set-top boxes in its Nordic market. The service roll-out will cater initially to subscribers who will be able to receive popular Canal Digital content over DSL and FTTH. Subscribers to the IPTV service will also be able to order individual movies or games.
http://www.aminocom.com

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Shanghai Telecom Deploys Cisco CRS-1

Shanghai Telecom is deploying the Cisco CRS-1 multichassis carrier routing system to collapse the super point of presence ("Super-POP") for its current high-speed core IP network and to expand its gateway capacity to meet its future growth. It is the first telecommunications carrier in China to deploy the Cisco CRS-1 multichassis carrier routing system.



Through the deployment of the Cisco CRS-1, the current network nodes for Shanghai Telecom's IP network gateway will be collapsed into super nodes with increased uplink and downlink bandwidth. The Cisco CRS-1 adopted by Shanghai Telecom can be scaled up to 72 line-card shelves, totaling 1,152 slots. Cisco said this will provide room for system expansion to satisfy the company's expected needs for the next 10 to 15 years.

http://www.cisco.com

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Airwide Raises $25 Million for Mobile Infrastructure

Airwide Solutions, a start-up based in London, secured $25 million in Series D funding, for its mobile infrastructure software. Airwide supplies software to carriers for mobile messaging applications. Airwide is also active in the mobile security market, with more than 200 million mobile phones around the world secured by Airwide's fraud prevention products. Its customers include over 70 wireless operators worldwide.



The financing was led by a new investor, Advent International, with participation from existing investors Artiman Ventures, Axiom Venture Partners, Key Venture Partners, and Kodiak Venture Partners.

http://www.airwidesolutions.com

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Analog Devices Offer High-end Baseband Processor for Mobiles

Analog Devices introduced a high-end multimedia baseband processor enabling advanced audio and video functions in EDGE and GSM/GPRS cellular phones. The new SoftFone chipset consists of the AD6900 digital baseband processor and the AD6855 analog baseband processor, which together offer 3.0-megapixel camera support, USB On-the-Go, 128-voice MIDI ringtones and full-duplex speakerphone capability, without requiring a separate applications co-processor. The chipset is based on Analog Devices' award-winning RAM-based SoftFone architecture.

http://www.analog.com

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Salira Supplies GEPON in Bangladesh

Salira Systems is supplying its IEEE 802.3ah-compliant optical platform to build the first GE-PON network in Bangladesh. Sirius Broadband has been using Salira's equipment to deliver commercial-grade bandwidth to downstream carriers for more than two years in the city of Dhaka. http://www.salira.comhttp://www.siriusbroadband.com

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Maxim and RAD Develop TDM-over-Packet Pseudowire Chips

Maxim Integrated Products, its subsidiary Dallas Semiconductor, and RAD Data Communications announced a partnership to produce the TDM over Packet (ToP) chips. Specifically, RAD will develop a circuit emulation "core" based on its key technologies, to be incorporated by Dallas Semiconductor, alongside its own integrated T1/E1/J1 transceiver technologies, into the ToP chips.



The companies said the ToP solution will be the only TDM-over-Ethernet/IP/MPLS (ToP) family of devices to provide circuit emulation over PSN capability and the Dallas Semiconductor framer and line interface unit (LIU) in the same device.



The chip will feature a robust clock-recovery engine onboard and will provide full IETF PWE3 TDMoIP, SAToP, and CESoPSN draft compliance. The ToP devices are expected to have low power consumption, offer a substantial cost reduction over the processor-based solutions, and be available in several pin-compatible, compact packages.



The RAD technologies to be incorporated into the chips are:

• TDMoIP (TDM over IP) Pseudowire



• Circuit Emulation Service over Packet Switched Networks



• Structured Agnostic TDM over Packet

The Dallas Semiconductor technologies integrated into the chips are:

• Full-Featured, Integrated T1/E1/J1 Transceivers



• Long-Haul/Short-Haul, Low-Power LIUs with On-Board Software-Selectable Termination

http://www.rad.comhttp://www.maxim-ic-com

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Juniper Posts Revenue of $575 Million

Juniper Networks reported revenue of $575.5 million for Q4 2005, compared with $430.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2004, an increase of 34 percent. Net income on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis for the fourth quarter of 2005 was $105.5 million or $0.17 per share, compared with a GAAP net income of $66.0 million or $0.11 per share for the fourth quarter of 2004.



"I'm pleased to report another strong quarter and the completion of a year characterized by growth across multiple dimensions," commented Scott Kriens, chairman and CEO, Juniper Networks. "Juniper remains at the intersection of opportunity, where the increasing and strategic importance of today's network demands the integrated best-in-class solutions that the company was built to deliver. As we surpass annual revenues of $2 billion on the eve of our 10th anniversary we see a bright future, founded in the confidence our customers have placed in Juniper."http://www.juniper.net

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NetLogic to Acquire Cypress's Network Search Engine

NetLogic Microsystems will acquire all of the assets and intellectual property associated with Cypress's standard Network Search Engine products. The deal includes the Ayama 10000, Ayama 20000, and NSE70000 Network Search Engine families as well as the Sahasra 50000 Algorithmic Search Engine family. Cypress, meanwhile, will retain and continue to support its custom TCAM1 and TCAM2 products. NetLogic Microsystems will pay approximately $50 million in NETL common stock upon closing, and, if certain revenue targets are achieved in a 12-month time period, up to an additional $10 million in cash and approximately $10 million in NETL stock.



"This acquisition is positive in numerous ways," said Ron Jankov, president and CEO of NetLogic Microsystems. "The Sahasra algorithmic technology is synergistic with our recently announced Layer 7 processing initiative. We see this algorithmic technology as a critical component in driving towards low-cost Layer 7 applications acceleration and security processing solutions. This acquisition gives us a four-year head start in the development of products to address this low-cost requirement, based on Cypress's leadership position in developing this advanced technology."http://www.netlogicmicro.comhttp://www.cypress.com

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