FCC: Wireless Competition Leads to Surging Usage, Lower Rates

The FCC issued its annual report on the state of competition in the mobile telephone -- or Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS) -- industry. Although the mobile telephone market has become more concentrated as a result of mergers of Sprint/Nextel and Cingular/AT&T Wireless, the FCC concludes there is effective wireless competition, based on several factors, including: the number of competing carriers providing service in an area, market shares,...

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NTT Sets Optical Record: 14 Tbps over a Single Fiber

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) set a new optical transmission record -- 14 terabits per second (Tbps) over a single 160 km long optical fiber. Significantly, the demonstration ran optical signals at 111 Gbps over a DWDM system supporting 140 channels. This greatly exceeded the current record of about 10 Tbps over a single fiber.NTT said its reach is driven to increase the core capacity of its optical transport network, which currently...

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iSkoot Develops Thin-Client VoIP App for Dual-Mode GSM/WiFi Phone

iSkoot, a start-up based in Cambridge, Mass., introduced a thin Java-based client for enabling dual-mode phones (supporting both GSM/CDMA and WiFi networks) to connect with VoIP services, such as Skype, GoogleTalk, AIM, Microsoft Messenger and Yahoo Messenger. iSkoot's Java-based thin client phone application and network server enables VoIP over three different network connections, WiFi which is typically free, 3G/GPRS data which typically is offered...

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Fonpods Debuts Mobile Podcasting Service

Fonpods, a start-up based in Los Angeles, unveiled its new podcast by phone service. Fonpods' proprietary platform is designed to provide convenient, cost-free mobile access to digital audio content -- podcasts in particular - through the mobile phone. The Fonpods service provides users with PC and Internet content optimized for an on-the-go mobile experience -- creating a fusion of interactive content and portable media -- and allowing users to...

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Tektronix Offers TD-SCDMA RF Field Tester for China

Tektronix announced the addition of TD-SCDMA -- the mobile telecommunications standard developed for China -- as an option to its NetTek Wireless RF Field Tester. Tektronix said it is the first manufacturer to provide TD-SCDMA RF field test and measurement capabilities in a handheld form, enabling network providers, network equipment manufacturers and contractors to more easily diagnose TD-SCDMA Node B transmitter problems and effectively manage the roll out of the new technology.The NetTek Tester is a rugged portable platform with multi-standard...

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DSL Forum Completes VDSL2 System Integrator Interoperability Event

The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) and the DSL Forum hosted the first BroadbandAccess VDSL2 System Integrator Interoperability Plugfest last month, attracting the participation of over 20 companies. Participating companies included system integrators, silicon vendors and test equipment providers.The 20 participating companies brought over 45 engineers from around the world to the UNH-IOL facility. The participating companies were:2Wire, Actiontec Electronics, Adtran, Alcatel, Amedia Networks, Aware, Broadcom Corp.,...

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California Approves Video Franchise Bill

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a statewide video franchise bill that will make it easier for new IPTV competitors to enter the market."The Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006," which goes into effect 01-Jan-2007, replaces a decades-old, city-by-city video franchising model with a streamlined, state-issued authorization. AT&T cheered the news. "AT&T has begun a $1 billion initial investment in California to upgrade our digital broadband network, which will deliver faster Internet access speeds...

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REBTEL Raises $20 Million For Cut-Rate, International Mobile Calling

Rebtel Networks, a start-up based in Stockholm, raised $20 million in Series A funding for its plans to offer unlimited international calling from mobile phones for just $1 per week.Rebtel allows registered users to create local phone numbers for themselves and their friends abroad. For example, a person in San Francisco gets a San Francisco phone number to call their friend in London, and the friend in London gets a London phone number to call the...

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Ixia Launches Software Only Version of IxVoice for Testing IMS and VoIP

Ixia launched a low-cost software-only solution for testing IMS and VoIP protocol implementations. IxVoice Lite contains the same features as IxVoice for testing up to 24 channels. The software enables developers, QA test engineers and field engineers of service providers to perform sophisticated IMS and VoIP functionality testing. It addresses all major VoIP protocols: SIP, SCCP (Skinny), H.323, MGCP and H.248/MEGACO. Specifically, its SIP library can be used to test critical CSCF functionality for IMS implementations. IxVoice Lite can be downloaded...

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TranSwitch Trims Q3 Expectations

Citing a change in the production plans by a major customer, TranSwitch Corporation announced that it now expects revenues for the third quarter of 2006 to be approximately $9.3 million compared to revenues in the second quarter of 2006 of $10.3 million. Of the approximately $9.3 million of revenues, approximately $8.0 million will be net product revenues and $1.3 million will be from services revenues. The Company's previous outlook for third quarter revenues announced on the July 26th, 2006 conference call was for revenues of approximately $10.3...

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Interactive Enterprise and Wave7 Partner on FTTP Automated Management and Provisioning

Interactive Enterprise Limited (IE) has partnered with Wave7 Optics to deliver an automated, end-to-end management and provisioning system for operators of FTTH/FTTP networks.Under the partnership, the companies will provide FTTP service providers with an integrated solution where IE's automated provisioning and management system will interoperate with Wave7 Optics' Last Mile Link TM (LML) FTTP platform.http://www.wave7optics.comhttp://www.interactive-enterprise....

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Fujitsu Network Communications Names Sr. VP of Development

Fujitsu Network Communications announced that Joe Massery, former vice president of hardware and physical design, has been promoted to senior vice president of development. Joe is replacing Mr. Takashi Wakabayashi, who will return to Japan in October to serve as group senior vice president of the Photonics group at Fujitsu Limited. Joe will be located at the company's headquarters in Richardson, Texas.http://us.fujitsu.com/tele...

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Cisco Showcases Victim Tracking and Tracing System for Disasters

Cisco Systems and partners showcased a new solution designed to simplify the registration and identification of casualties affected in a disaster.The system, which is called BeViTTS (Belgian Victim Tracking and Tracing System), allows for the rapid exchange and automatic processing of data collected by emergency workers at the scene of a disaster. The critical information is collected in real time using Cisco's mobile and wireless network technology, and stored and made available to the emergency workers via a web-based portal.The crisis management...

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Intel Announces New Ultra-Wideband Silicon and Reference Designs

Intel announced the availability of Wireless UWB Link 1480 MAC (media access controller) silicon and reference designs for ultra-wideband host solutions. The Intel UWB host solutions could enable PCs, printers and digital TVs with existing hi-speed USB ports to be upgraded to support wireless personal connectivity through USB dongles and ExpressCards.The silicon and host design are based on the Certified Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) specification from the USB Implementers Forum and the WiMedia Network specification from the WiMedia Alliance.Intel's...

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SS8 Networks Names New Engineering Vice President

SS8 Networks appointed Dr. Bülent Erbilgin as vice president of engineering, where he will direct development of the company's lawful intercept portfolio, multimedia messaging platforms and signaling products for IMS and AIN applications. Prior to joining SS8, Erbilgin was vice president of platform engineering at Brocade, where his team developed multi-protocol switching platforms.http://www.SS8....

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US House Judiciary Chairman Seeks DOJ Delay in Approving AT&T+BellSouth

The chairman of the U.S. House Judiciary committee has requested that the Department of Justice (DOJ) delay any final decision in the proposed merger between AT&T and BellSouth. At issue is a pending ruling in federal court as to whether two previous mergers (SBC Communications + AT&T and Verizon + MCI) were in fact in the public interest, as the DOJ ruling at the time had predicted they would be.http://judiciary.house.gov/media/pdfs/telecomrelATTAG92806....

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Britain's ntl Offers Quad-Play for £40

Following its recent acquisition of Virgin Mobile, ntl Telewest announced a "Quad Play" consumer offer for £40 per month.The "4 for £40" package includes:Broadband• Up to 2Mb with no limits on downloads• Firewall and anti-virus software included• Installed by an expert and modem includedbdigital tv="" b• Over 30 channels, including Sky One, UKTV Gold, E4, Film4, ITV2 and LIVINGtv• On demand access to a huge library of programmes and films -- watch what you want, when you want• Set-top box included and no need for a dish/bbhome phone="" b• Unlimited...

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T-Com Tests 40 Gbps with Ericsson's DWDM

Deutsche Telekom's fixed network unit, T-Com, and Ericsson completed a trial for next-generation 43Gbps optical transmission technology over a 1000km link in T-Com's DWDM network in Germany. The use of 40Gbps optical transmission facilitates 40 Gbps connections between IP core routers.The trial was conducted over T-Com's optic link between the German cities of Nuremberg and Oschatz (1047km), which is equipped with Ericsson's WDM platform. Ericsson's next-generation 43Gbps optical transmission technology is based on the new modulation format return-to-zero...

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TelstraClear Selects Ericsson for 3G/HSPA in NZ

TelstraClear selected Ericsson to build its 3G/WCDMA/HSPA high-speed mobile broadband network in Tauranga, New Zealand. Under the deal, Ericsson will have turnkey responsibility for building the network, providing network design, deployment and integration services, including packet core, radio network and service layer. The network will use 3G/WCDMA and HSPA technology. On average, users will be able to download up to four-times faster than with current 3G connections, and 20-times faster than a GSM/GPRS connection.The network will be launched...

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Sonus' Platforms Carry 37% of LD VoIP Traffic

A total of 37% of all long distance IP-based voice traffic is carried over Sonus Networks' platforms, according to a report entitled, "VoIP Minutes and Subscribers: 2Q06 Update," issued by iLocus.In August 2006, Sonus carried approximately 25 billion minutes of IP voice traffic, representing an approximately 75% increase compared to August 2005.http://www.sonusnet....

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Verizon Business Expands European Ethernet Access to Private IP Service

Verizon Business has expanded its Private IP network service for enterprises to six additional countries: Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland and Spain. Customers can now use Verizon Business' next-generation Ethernet services to access the company's Private IP network in a flexible way.The announcement extends Verizon Business Ethernet Access to a total of 16 European countries. Customers in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have been able to benefit from Ethernet...

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BBC and Microsoft Sign MoU

The British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) and Microsoft signed a nonexclusive memorandum of understanding covering technology for the delivery and consumption of content and the evolution of next-generation broadcasting. Areas of potential investigation and collaboration include search and navigation, distribution, and content enablement. http://www.microsoft....

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Verizon Sees Positive Uptake for FiOS Rollout

Verizon Communications outlined progress in its rollout of fiber-based FiOS services, saying the historic upgrade to its access network is ahead of plan and already delivering better than expected results."We are on track with our FiOS plans, and we are focused on continued execution to build on the momentum we have gained in the marketplace," said Virginia Ruesterholz, president of Verizon Telecom, in a presentation to investors and the media. Some...

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Teliasonera Selects Kineto Wireless for UMA

TeliaSonera has selected Kineto Wireless' UMA platform to deliver its "Home Free" cellular/Wi-Fi service.Kineto Wireless' technology is used within the UMA Network Controllers (UNC) deployed by TeliaSonera that enable seamless handover between the GSM network and Wi-Fi access points. In addition, Kineto's technology is integrated with the Philips Nexperia platform into the Samsung P200 UMA handset.http://www.kineto.comhttp://www.teliasonera.com/In August 2006, TeliaSonera introduced its Home Free Mobile IP service in Denmark. Based on UMA, the...

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LeCroy Introduces WiMedia Protocol Analyzer

LeCroy announced a major new support initiative for Ultra Wideband wireless technology, focused on the standards promoted by the WiMedia Alliance. The company is enhancing its "UWBTracer" Protocol Analyzers to include support for the new WiNET networking protocol.Ultra Wideband (UWB) is a wireless transmission technology, intended for high-speed wireless interconnection of devices in close proximity. The WiMedia standard, based upon UWB, is a flexible, multipurpose standard, which supports multiple communication standards simultaneously over the...

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Mindspeed Offers Pseudo-wire Solution for Wireless Backhaul

Mindspeed Technologies announced an IP-based backhaul transport solution based on its TSP3 family of network processors and PortMakerIII software suite with pseudo-wire emulation edge to edge (PWE3). Mindspeed's PWE3 and PortMakerIII enable the implementation of an IP-based backhaul network for third-generation W-CDMA, UMTS, and WiMax services. The PWE3 architecture also enables service providers to seamlessly interconnect their existing ATM backbone networks with new Ethernet backhaul networks and a converged IP/MPLS core.Mindspeed said its high-performance...

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RCA Akimbo Player Priced at $179

Akimbo began taking orders for its new co-branded RCA Akimbo Player , which lets users download videos over a broadband connection and play them on their TVs. The RCA Akimbo Player, which can store over 100 hours of programming, is now available at a special pre-order price of $179.99 with a free two-month trial offer for the Akimbo Service. As of mid-October, when the player debuts at retail, its price will be $199.99 and the service will be $9.99...

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Wave7 Adds Network Management Suite for EPON and GPON

Wave7 Optics released its W7 Management Suite, a standards-based element management system supporting its Trident7 Optical Access Platform EPON / GPON product line. The W7 Management Suite gives Wave7 customers "complete OAM&P" support for evolving EPON and GPON-based services, including POTS and VOIP telephony, various data services and RF or IP video.In the area of service connection, Wave7 Optics has created a provisioning mediation system for flow through service provisioning of Wave7 Optics equipment, as well as video head-end controllers...

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Motorola Invests in NextNine for Support Automation

NextNine, a start-up based in Tel Aviv, announced the completion of a round of financing, led by Motorola Ventures. NextNine provides support automation solutions. The company provides end-to-end support automation solutions including Self Support, Proactive Support, Managed Service, Assisted Support, On Demand Managed Service and Partners Support. Financial terms were not disclosed. Motorola Ventures joins NextNine's current investment group, which includes Ascend Technology Ventures, Infinity Venture Capital Fund, Ofer Hi-Tech, Yuma Venture Capital...

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Zhone Cites Slowdown in International Sales

Citing weakness in its international business, Zhone Technologies warned that its revenue for the third quarter 2006 is expected to range between $41 million and $43 million compared to previous estimates of approximately $54 million. Due to the anticipated lower revenue level, gross margins are expected to be between 35% and 36% which is below the previous guidance of approximately 38%.Zhone's chief executive officer Mory Ejabat stated, "Our revenue for the third quarter is expected to be substantially below expectations primarily due to weakness...

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Hibernia Debuts 10 Gig Ethernet LAN-PHY on Transatlantic Cable

Hibernia Atlantic began offering a full 10.31 Gbps Ethernet capacity, allowing for 10 full channels of fiber capacity, across its trans-Atlantic cable system. Traditionally, carriers offer SONET converted to Ethernet, which only allows for 8 ports or channels. Therefore, Hibernia Atlantic's offering now provides 25% more bandwidth, than other trans-Atlantic transport services currently available, offering 10 for 10 GigE ports as opposed to 8.Hibernia...

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Shanghai China Telecom Uses JDSU for IPTV Testing

Shanghai China Telecommunications (China Telecom) has purchased multiple units of JDSU's HST-3000 IP Video test suite with ADSL2+ options and the JDSU QT-200 xDSL and Triple-Play Probe to ensure the installation, maintenance and monitoring of its IPTV services. JDSU's HST-3000 and QT-200 platforms can be used for installing, maintaining and monitoring IPTV services and broadly reducing IPTV mean-time-to-repair (MTTR).http://www.jdsu....

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Tundra Appoints Daniel Hoste as CEO

Tundra Semiconductor announced that Daniel Hoste has been appointed President and CEO, replacing company co-founder Jim Roche, who has stepped down. Hoste has also been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors. He joined Tundra as Vice President of Products in 2005. Previously, Hoste served 16 years with Freescale Semiconductor (formerly the Semiconductor Products Sector division of Motorola), where he held management positions in all three business groups of the company, both in Europe and in the United States.http://www.tundra....

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Atheros Appoints Dr. Sam Endy to Head Mobile Wireless Business Unit

Atheros Communications announced the appointment of Dr. Sam Endy to the newly created position of vice president and general manager of the company's Mobile Wireless Business Unit. Atheros' Radio-on-Chip for Mobile (ROCm) technology, the first family of embedded solutions to be offered by this new division, enables wireless LAN connectivity for cellular and VoIP handsets, media players, digital cameras and gaming device.Endy was most recently president and chief executive officer of TeleCIS Wireless, a leading developer of broadband wireless access...

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Visto Secures $51 Million for Mobile Push Email Services

Visto, a start-up based in Redwood City, California, raised more than $51M in new financing for its secure push email for mobile professionals.Visto said it has more than tripled its subscriber base in the past year, announcing almost a dozen new mobile operator customers across North America, Europe and Asia. Visto now offers support for over 100 of the most popular email- ready mobile phones. These handsets come equipped with Visto Mobile 5.5. It works in real time with POP3, IMAP, Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino email solutions for personal...

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AT&T Launches Online PC Backup for Consumers, SMBs

AT&T announced the extension of its enterprise portfolio of online PC, laptop and server backup solutions to consumers and small and medium-sized businesses. The AT&T Remote Vault service is fully automated and secure. Data from customer servers, PCs or laptops is remotely accessed, copied and stored at an AT&T Internet Data Center, where it is centrally managed and securely protected.The AT&T Online Vault service is available for a standard monthly fee of $5.95 for the first two gigabytes of storage space. For each additional...

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Intel to Include Nokia HSDPA Module in Centrino Mobile

Intel will offer a Nokia-developed HSDPA connectivity module to notebook manufacturers as part of its next-generation Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology platform. The companies said the HSDPA connectivity module will be widely available as an embedded option in a variety of notebooks. In the connectivity module collaboration, Intel takes care of platform design, software, integration and support as well as sales and marketing. Nokia, for its part, brings the 3G HSDPA knowledge, leadership in connectivity products as well as carrier relationships....

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New ZigBee Standard Offer Enhanced Wireless Capability

The ZigBee Alliance announced the completion and immediate member availability of its enhanced version of the ZigBee standard. Public availability of the standard is scheduled for the first quarter of 2007. The original ZigBee standard was ratified by members in December 2004.ZigBee is a wireless technology that targets easily deployable, low-cost, low-power, monitoring and control products for homes, commercial buildings and industrial plant monitoring....

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IBM & Intel Float "Geneseo" Proposal to Extend PCI Express

IBM and Intel, with support from dozens of other companies, have developed a proposal to enhance PCI Express technology to address the performance requirements of new usage models, such as visualization and extensible markup language (XML).The "Geneseo" proposal outlines enhancements that will enable faster connectivity between the processor and application accelerators, and improve the range of design options for hardware developers. Applications that will benefit include visualization, such as complex weather modeling; math and physics, such...

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Cisco Offers Enterprise Digital Media System

Cisco Systems introduced a new product set to enable enterprises to more easily use business-quality, dynamic video and audio. The Cisco Digital Media System allows users to create, manage and deliver live and on-demand digital media in various formats to multiple wired or wireless connected devices. It was developed in Cisco's Emerging Markets Technology Group, an internal venture team that focuses on innovation in adjacent markets beyond Cisco's traditional networking audience.The Cisco Digital Media System comprises three product lines:Cisco...

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Intel and DIRECTV Show STB Design

Intel and DIRECTV previewed an upcoming digital set-top box with integrated digital media adapter (DMA) functionality verified to work with Intel Viiv technology. The unit will provide the ability to record and view 200 hours of standard definition content or 50 hours of MPEG 4 high-definition programming. DIRECTV's new set-top box, the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR, marks the first time a major service provider has endorsed an integrated DMA deployment in...

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Intel's Tera-Flop Chips and Future "Mega Data Centers" with Million-Plus Servers

The coming decade will see the arrival of a new wave of online software services hosted by "mega data centers" with more than a million servers, predicted Intel Senior Fellow and Chief Technology Officer Justin Rattner, speaking at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco. This new power will allow people to access personal data, media and applications from any high-performance device to play photo-realistic games, share real-time video...

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Jazz Semiconductor to be Acquired by Buy-out Firm

Jazz Semiconductor, an independent wafer foundry primarily focused on specialty CMOS process technologies, has entered into a merger agreement with Acquicor Technology Inc., a publicly traded firm focused on acquiring businesses with technologies that can be positioned advantageously in the market. The all-cash deal is valued at $260 million.Jazz Semiconductor was initially formed upon the contribution to Jazz of Newport Fab, LLC by Conexant Systems Inc., together with a $52 million cash investment in Jazz by The Carlyle Group for a controlling...

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JAJAH Promises Free Global Calls from Mobile Phones

JAJAH, a venture-backed VoIP start-up based in Mountain View, California, is unveiling a Mobile Suite that will allow consumers to make free long-distance and global calls directly from their mobile phones. JAJAH establishes phone-to-phone connections through the Internet for cheap calls. The process is simple: callers type in their own number (landline or mobile) at http://www.jajah.com/ , and insert their desired destination number. JAJAH then...

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SIRIUS Introduces Stiletto 100 Portable Satellite Radio

SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced the availability of Stiletto 100, the company's first live portable radio, featuring WiFi, Yahoo! music purchasing software, and the ability to save music for playback later. The Stiletto 100 allows users to store up to 100 hours of SIRIUS content in three ways:Automatically recording hours of 100% commercial-free music from listeners' favorite SIRIUS Satellite Radio channels; Scheduling recordings, of up to 6-hours...

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Nokia N95 Combines GPS with HSDPA

Nokia introduced its N95 , an all-in-one multimedia computer with a 2-way slide concept, integrated GPS functionality, a 5 megapixel camera and support for High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) mobile networks.The 2-way slide concept makes it easier to switch between different modes, going from reading maps to watching a video with a simple slide. A numeric keypad slides out from one end of the device while dedicated media keys slide out from...

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WiMAX Forum PlugFest Tests Mobile Interoperability

The WiMAX Forum's first public mobile WiMAX Forum PlugFest brought together 21 members of the equipment development and operator communities. The showcase, which hosted by Bechtel Telecommunications at its Training, Demonstration, and Research (TDR) Laboratory in Frederick, Maryland, kicked off on September 24, 2006 and will conclude on October 1.Participating companies include: Accton Technologies, Adaptix, Airspan, Alcatel, Altair Semiconductor,...

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Chelsio's 3rd Gen Adapter ASIC Integrates NIC, iSCSI, RDMA and TOE

Chelsio Communications introduced its third generation Ethernet protocol acceleration engine, integrating NIC, iSCSI, RDMA and TOE with wire virtualization functionality to enable convergence of storage, clustering, and networking applications onto a single unified fabric. The Terminator 3 (T3) ASIC runs full wire-rate 10Gbps at less than 5% CPU utilization. It combines NIC, iSCSI Target and Initiator, industry standard iWARP RDMA, and TOE functionalities with integrated dual 1 GbpE / 10GbpE ports and both native PCI-Express and PCI-X 2.0 / 1.0...

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Telecom Italia and Sony Pictures Reach VOD Deal

Telecom Italia and Sony Pictures Television International struck a deal to offer on-demand major blockbuster movies on "Alice Home TV", Telecom Italia's TV via Internet service, and on Rosso Alice, Telecom's Italia ADSL portal."This agreement marks an important milestone for SPTI as we increase and diversify our distribution platforms in Europe" commented Stuart Baxter, Senior Vice President of European Distribution for SPTI. "The Italian TV landscape...

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Bay Microsystems Selects IDT's Network Search Accelerator

Bay Microsystems has selected IDT's (Integrated Device Technology) application-optimized network search accelerator as the packet header processing solution of choice for its recently announced Chesapeake Network Processor. The IDT network search accelerator enables high-performance, low-power packet processing for Bay Microsystems' fully- programmable 40G line-rate network processor and traffic manager. IDT's acceleration chip, which is the first...

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Austria's Energie AG Deploys Atrica's Carrier Ethernet

Energie AG Oberoesterreich, the incumbent utility provider in upper Austria, has deployed Atrica's Carrier Ethernet System for its next-generation Layer 2 transport network. Energie AG, which supplies energy, water and disposal to customers throughout Austria, southern Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, will use the new network to provide customized, high-speed business communications, wholesale, backhaul, aggregation and triple...

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Corrigent Delivers Compact Packet Transport Switch

Corrigent Systems expanded its portfolio of packet transport solutions with a compact fully-redundant and modular Packet Transport Switch (PTS) that measures six rack-units in height.The new CM-104 PTS includes four horizontal user slots for all the generally-available CM-100 User Interface Modules, including Ethernet, PDH, SONET/SDH, and storage interfaces. It supports 10 Gbps or 2.5 Gbps network-side interfaces, and as the rest of the CM-100 product...

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Level 3 to Provide Backbone for Germany's EWE TEL

EWE TEL GmbH, one of the largest regional carriers in Germany, has selected Level 3 Communications' to provide network services across Western Europe. Specifically, Level 3 will provide 10GigE LAN PHY wavelength service, a standard enhancement to the Level 3 intercity wavelength service, connecting EWE TEL's main Internet exchange points in Europe. Financial terms were not disclosed.EWE TEL has approximately 300,000 customers, more than 30,000 business customers, and offers services including mobile, private line, dark fiber and other network...

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Agere Announces Low-Cost Cell Phone Solution with CD-Quality Music

Agere Systems introduced a silicon solution for delivering much more affordable entry-level cell phones that feature compact disc-quality music. The TrueNTRY X125 platform, which consists of semiconductor system chips, software and a product development kit, provides processing power three times greater than most typical cell phones in use today. In addition, Agere's audio software and hardware electronics circuitry and processing technologies play...

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Seagate Ships 750GB Hard Drives for DVRs, STBs

Seagate began shipping its highest storage capacity DB35 Series hard drives to DVR and digital entertainment device manufacturers for the next generation of DVRs. The drives feature Seagate's "DynaPlay" technology, which optimizes the drive's operating parameters. Performance optimization tunes the drive for sequential streaming needed for uninterrupted digital media; drive security tools enhance fair use of digital programming by helping manufacturers...

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Microsoft Renews Xbox Live Hosting Contract with Limelight

Microsoft has renewed an agreement under which the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment service utilizes Limelight Networks' high-performance content delivery network. Limelight currently provide more than 1,000 heavily trafficked rich-media content library items -- spanning on-demand games and other multimedia content -- to the full network of Xbox Live subscribers. Financial terms were not disclosed.:The fast-growing library of extremely popular games for Xbox Live -- led by the likes of Halo 2, Gears of War as well as premium sports titles...

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Huawei Completes TR-069 Testing with SupportSoft

Huawei Technologies' customer premises equipment (CPE) devices have successfully passed interoperability testing with the DSL Forum CPE WAN Management protocol. SupportSoft lab testing has validated Huawei's CPE devices and SupportSoft ServiceGateway software interoperate in accordance with the DSL Forum's specification.Known as TR-069, this specification ensures that Huawei CPE devices can be easily configured, activated and managed from a console in the network, helping service providers to effectively control the costs of deployment and support...

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NETGEAR Debuts "Digital Entertainer" Media Adapter

NETGEAR introduced the first Intel "Viiv" technology-verified digital media adapter (DMA), enabling consumers to stream digital media content, applications and services from PCs, network storage devices, USB devices, and the Internet via a home network to TVs and home entertainment systems.The NETGEAR Digital Entertainer (EVA700)decodes a variety of audio formats (MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC), video formats (MPEG1/2/4, WMV, XviD) and image formats (JPEG,...

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Firetide and Axis Partner on Wireless Mesh Video Surveillance

Firetide and Axis Communications announced a strategic partnership to deliver high quality video over wireless mesh networks. Firetide's mesh technology allows security and network professionals to install and operate Axis network cameras, video servers, and video management software, without the expense and physical limitations of wires or cabling. Firetide's mesh technology works indoors and outdoors.The two companies also announced a joint public safety deployment in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Initially installed in a small, high-crime area...

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Formula Telecom Solutions Rebrands as FTS

Formula Telecoms Solutions, a provider of Business Control, billing & CRM for communication and content providers, has changed its name to FTS. The company is based in Herzliya, Israel and its shares are listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.http://www.fts-soft....

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Motorola Acquires Vertasent for VOD

Motorola has acquired Vertasent, a privately-held developer of VOD resource management solutions, for an undisclosed sums. Vertasent, which is based in Colmar, Pa., offers an application that manage the elements in a "switched" digital video network. Vertasent's Integrated Resource Management solution is based on industry- standard interfaces and protocols. Motorola said that together with its existing on-demand hardware solutions, the Vertasent system can offer service providers three key benefits: (1) an open platform for expanding their program...

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Bell Labs Advances 100 Gbps Ethernet-Over-Optical

Bell Labs, the R&D division of Lucent Technologies, announced the first transmission of 10 channels of 107 Gbps) data over 2,000 kilometers of fiber -- a significant enough distance to prove the technology's viability for the majority of networks where 100G Ethernet is a sought-after technology.The results are being presented in a paper being delivered to the European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communication (ECOC) in Cannes this week.In this same paper Bell Labs researchers also announced the successful transmission and reception...

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FCC Establishes Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau

The FCC voted to establish a new Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, consolidating all its public safety, national security, and disaster management policy making, planning, and outreach activities into a single department. This Bureau will provide a single central hub for the development of policies and rules to promote reliable communications for public safety, national security, and disaster management. One of the Commission's strategic...

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Orange Launches its "Unique" Fixed Mobile Convergence

Orange announced its "Unique" or "Unik" fixed mobile convergence service featuring a single handset and offering unlimited calls to landlines and Orange mobiles from the home. Benefits include one phone number, one address book, one answer phone and one bill from Orange. At home, the mobile handset connects in WiFi mode to the Orange Livebox and calls are routed via the Internet. Outside the home, the phone works over the Orange GSM network. The...

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Intelsat Reports Anomaly on Satellite over Africa

Intelsat's IS-802 satellite, located at 33 degrees E, experienced a sudden and unexpected anomaly on September 21. The satellite, launched in 1997, furnishes telecommunications services to customers on the African continent and the Indian Ocean Region.Intelsat said its control center is communicating with the satellite and the satellite is under control and accepting commands. The company is making alternative capacity available to its IS-802 customers, in accordance with existing contingency plans.Intelsat also said it did not yet know if there...

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Cavalier to Acquire Talk America for $251 Million

Cavalier Telephone & TV agreed to acquire Talk America, a leading CLEC, for $251 million. The price of $8.10 share represents a 23% premium over Talk America's closing price as of Thursday, September 21st, 2006. On a pro forma basis, the combined companies are projecting over $750M in revenue, $130M in adjusted EBITDA and $50M in free cash flow (EBITDA minus CAPEX and interest expense) in 2006. The combined companies currently serve over 550,000...

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SingTel Appoints Chua Sock Koong as CEO

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) announced the appointment of Ms Chua Sock Koong as Group CEO, effective 01-Apr-2007. Ms Chua, who joined SingTel in 1989, has had 17 years of experience with the SingTel Group. She currently holds the positions of CEO (International) and Group CFO. Her International portfolio comprises the key drivers of SingTel's international business, with responsibility for the Group's strategic investments, as...

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Siemens Supplies Turnkey IPTV to T-Com Croatia

Siemens Communications has supplied a turn-key IPTV implementation to Deutsche Telekom's T-Com subsidiary in Croatia.The Croatian T-Com IPTV service, which is launching this month, provides users with an electronic program guide to select from 13 Croatian and around 40 international TV channels. A large number of movies are also available through video on demand. The network is using MPEG4 encoding.Siemens provided the entire IPTV system, including the management systems for all the applications, digital rights management, and the integration of...

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Ericsson Delivers 3G/HSPA in Indonesia

Indonesia's PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (XL) has selected Ericsson to build its 3G/WCDMA network based on High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA). Ericsson will supply its Mobile Softswitch Solution for nationwide deployment, as well as business consulting services. Ericsson will also supply radio access products and be responsible for the performance and improvement of the radio network, as well as providing operations & maintenance services. The 3G network deployment includes Java, Bali and Lombok, with a focus on six major cities. Financial terms...

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Ericsson to upgrade T-Com's DWDM Network in Germany

Deutsche Telekom's T-Com division selected Ericsson to upgrade its metro and regional DWDM transport networks in Germany. Under the contract, Ericsson will deliver its Multihaul WDM solution, the Marconi-branded MHL 3000, to Deutsche Telekom's broadband/fixed network business unit, T-Com. Financial terms were not disclosed.Ericsson said its MHL 3000 Metro offers the combination of low deployment cost and the ability to scale with minimal investment for the various topologies, traffic growth and new service demands inherent in the metro. T-Com...

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Unconditional FCC Approval of AT&T + BellSouth Deal Urged by Chairman

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is urging his fellow commissioners to support an unconditional approval of the historic AT&T + BellSouth mergers, according to press reports circulated on Friday. A vote on the issue is expect at the FCC's upcoming meeting on October 16.http://www.fcc.govIn October 2005, the FCC voted to approve the acquisition of AT&T by SBC Communications and of MCI by Verizon Communications but imposed a set of conditions aimed at alleviating anticompetitive concerns. These included the following:The applicants committed not...

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