Monday, June 19, 2006

Asia Netcom Selects NEC to Double Capacity on Submarine Cable

Asia Netcom awarded a contract to NEC to double the capacity on the southern segment of its Pan-Asian submarine cable system, EAC. The upgrade on the EAC2 ring of the system, which spans Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan, will raise the bandwidth capacity on those routes to 160 Gbps. This will be the third incremental capacity expansion this year for Asia Netcom.

http://www.asianetcom.com

Kalon Semiconductor Raises $10.9 Million for UWB

Kalon Semiconductor, a start-up based in San Diego with offices in Taipei, raised $10.9 million in series A funding. The round was led by Enterprise Partners Venture Capital and includes Avalon Ventures, Cisco Systems, and Mission Ventures.



The company named Ali Hedayati, formerly GM of Intel's Centrino Wireless Product Division, an Enterprise Partners Entrepreneur-in-Residence and a Kalon co-founder, as CEO.



Kalon Semiconductor is developing ultra-wideband (UWB) solutions for applications including in-home multimedia, wireless USB, wireless high definition video (HDMI), and Bluetooth 3.0.

http://www.kalonsemi.com

FCC Approves Intelsat-PanAmSat Merger

The FCC approved the pending merger of Intelsat and PanAmSat. The transaction was unopposed.



Upon completion of the transaction, PanAmSat will become an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Intelsat. Post-merger, PanAmSat and its subsidiaries will continue as separate corporate entities.



Intelsat is an FSS operator that owns and operates a global satellite system providing end-to-end network services to telecommunications operators, corporate network integrators, governments, Internet service providers, and broadcasters around the world. Intelsat primarily serves the voice, data, and interconnectivity requirements of telecommunications and government customers. PanAmSat is an FSS provider that serves the video market in North America and Latin America and provides satellite services elsewhere in the world.



The Commission conditioned its approval on Intelsat's compliance with certain national security and law enforcement commitments and undertakings Intelsat made to the U.S. Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

http://www.fcc.gov

LYCOS Plans Broadband TV Offering based on PermissionTV

LYCOS has launched a broadband TV offering for the nearly 25 million monthly visitors to its sites. LYCOS plans to leverage the PermissionTV platform to acquire a wide range of on-demand content from episodic television, to independent films and programming, to long-form films, providing a totally unique broadband based video experience. The first programming kicked off this month.



Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, PermissionTV is a system for media companies and content owners to distribute high quality television programming via the Internet.

http://www.lycos.comhttp://www.permissiontv.com

Motorola Extends its MediaCipher to DOCSIS IP Video

Motorola is extending its widely-deployed "MediaCipher" Content Security System to protect IP-based video delivered over a DOCSIS- based network, providing cable service providers a migration path to IP video delivery.



Motorola MediaCipher IP uses a common infrastructure with Motorola's traditional cable security system, so digital set-tops on a conventional network, IP-set-tops on a "switched" video network, and IP devices on a DOCSIS-based network can all be managed through a single control platform.



Additionally, Motorola MediaCipher IP technology is compatible with the well-established open software interfaces that are currently deployed in electronic program guides, video-on-demand (VOD) solutions, and interactive applications. This means that service providers can offer a common navigation for both traditional cable programming and newer, IP-based content as the new IP network architecture and services are introduced.

http://www.motorola.com

AT&T Gains Video Franchise in North Chicago

The North Chicago City Council voted to approve a competitive video agreement with AT&T. The agreement is the first of its kind for AT&T in Illinois.



AT&T said it would invest in North Chicago to upgrade its communications network to provide switched IP based video services under its AT&T U-Verse TV brand.

http://www.att.com

Kapsch CarrierCom AG Partners with UTStarcom on IPTV

UTStarcom announced a partnership with Kapsch CarrierCom AG for IPTV in Central and Eastern Europe. The companies will debut the new offering at the IPTV World Forum Eastern Europe, being staged this week in Budapest, Hungary.



Austria-based Kapsch CarrierCom has local business units in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia and Bulgaria, and has a significant presence in other countries through sales and service partners.

http://www.utstar.com

JDSU Expands Home Networking Test Portfolio

JDSU expanded its portfolio of home networking test solutions with the introduction of a new home network installation meter, the IVT-600, and a new software management tool called Plan-Um AP (advanced planning).



The IVT-600 is a home networking installation meter that handles a full range of physical wiring tests for IP-based voice, video and data services in the home or small office. Capabilities include:

  • "Test" - Verification of wiring integrity and wire mapping, including both twisted pair and coaxial cables. It also performs outlet identification and Ethernet verification via the testing of dynamic host and configuration protocol (DHCP) and ping, which help verify network connectivity and ensure server operations are functioning properly.


  • "Talk" - VoIP installation testing and subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) emulation.


  • "Trace" - Advanced tone generation and tracing (including three different tone sounds) with the ability to trace coaxial wires through splitters.


  • The IVT-600 supports both the Home Phoneline Network Alliance (HPNA) and Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) standards.



    JDSU's Plan-Um AP is a software program that allows electrical contractors and broadband service installation technicians to set up simple graphical "blueprints" to plan and maintain home and small office networks.

    http://www.jdsu.com

Motorola Debuts MOTOMOBILE Handsets to "Connect the Next Billion"

Motorola introduced five handsets in its new MOTOMOBILE line aiming to connect the next billion wireless subscribers. The new MOTOMOBILE portfolio begins with two value-priced clamshell handsets, the Motorola W220 and W375. Motorola also unveiled the W170, W208 and W210 in the candy bar form factor.



Responding to a lack of ready access to electricity, the new handsets deliver up to two weeks of stand-by time. Lack of electricity also means a lack of light, so a "lantern" facility has been developed for use at night or in dark environments. For many consumers, radio is the primary source of news and information so all of the new handsets also incorporate an FM radio.

All handsets are expected to be available in the second half of 2006.

http://www.motorola.com

Wave7 Develops Idle-Code Mitigation for RF Video over Fiber

Wave7 Optics, which has pioneered RF video over FTTP, introduced an "idle-code mitigation" technique enabling delivery of enhanced RF video services via EPON and GPON FTTP systems.



One of the key characteristics of data transmission, the use of idle codes, can cause significant interference to RF video signals through a phenomenon known as Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS). Specifically, the downstream data wavelength (1490 nm) is close enough to the required video wavelength (1550 nm) to cause SRS interference. Idle periods significantly exacerbate this problem because the repetitive idle pattern has strong frequency components that overlap key television channels. That interference can result in a significant degradation of the video quality, rendering the RF video service unacceptable to subscribers.



Wave7 said its patent-pending technique significantly reduces this SRS degradation of the video signal, restoring video quality. Importantly, the technique does not violate IEEE 802.3ah or ITU-T G.984 standards, is compatible with existing standards-compliant equipment, is software-based, and enabled via an optional software key.



"This idle-code mitigation technique is an extremely valuable technique because RF video overlay remains a significant component of FTTP deployment," said Jim Farmer, CTO of Wave7 Optics. "When it comes to video and PONs, carriers deploying Trident7 based EPON or GPON can choose between RF and IPTV or both without experiencing any degradation of the video quality. We believe, in fact, that IP and RF will continue to co-exist in FTTP networks for the foreseeable future. With the Trident7, network operators can simultaneously deploy traditional RF broadcast services to deliver basic and premium channels, and IP-based technology for video-on-demand and premium services."http://www.wave7optics.com

Siemens Supplies Amino STBs for IPTV Rollout in Thailand

Amino was selected by Siemens for an IPTV deployment in Thailand. The deployment for ADC (Advanced Datanetwork Communication Co. Ltd) has been rolled out to a substantial number of homes in Thailand for several months adding on-demand and broadcast television channels to the company's existing broadband service offering.



ADC is a part of Shin Corporation, a leading Thai group with business operations in satellite, e-business, wireless communications and media and advertising.



Amino noted that approximately 700,000 AmiNET IPTV set-top boxes are deployed worldwide. http://www.aminocom.comhttp://www.siemens.com/communications

JDSU Expands Home Networking Test Portfolio

JDSU expanded its portfolio of home networking test solutions with the introduction of a new home network installation meter, the IVT-600, and a new software management tool called Plan-Um AP (advanced planning). The IVT-600 is a home networking installation meter that handles physical wiring tests for IP-based voice, video and data services in the home or small office. Capabilities include:

  • "Test" - Verification of wiring integrity and wire mapping, including both twisted pair and coaxial cables. It also performs outlet identification and Ethernet verification via the testing of dynamic host and configuration protocol (DHCP) and ping, which help verify network connectivity and ensure server operations are functioning properly.


  • "Talk" - VoIP installation testing and subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) emulation.


  • "Trace" - Advanced tone generation and tracing (including three
    different tone sounds) with the ability to trace coaxial wires throughsplitters.


The IVT-600 supports both Home Phoneline Network Alliance (HPNA) and Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) standards.



JDSU's Plan-Um AP is a software program that allows electrical contractors and broadband service installation technicians to set up simple graphical "blueprints" to plan and maintain home and small office networks.



JDSU has made a special version of Plan-Um AP available for customers using Test-Um's Validator, a networking instrument for certification testing of Cat-3, Cat-5 and coaxial cables. Customers using Validator can upload and download test-related files using Plan-Um, allowing technicians to archive test results and other information for future reference.

http://www.jdsu.com

Hughes Announces New Broadband Satellite Solution

Hughes Network Systems introduced its HX System, a lower cost connectivity solution that employs DVB-S2 with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM). The HX System is also compliant with IPoS (IP over Satellite).



The HX System give operators the ability to efficiently allocate satellite bandwidth as a "virtual pool." Instead of dedicating bandwidth to specific users, the HX System provides an "IP cloud in the sky." If a customer or group of terminals is not fully utilizing their allocated bandwidth, the HX System reallocates this bandwidth to other users, while assuring that bandwidth will be available when needed.



It uses advanced bandwidth management techniques, enabling operators to provide their customers with a high quality of service while maximizing satellite efficiency. The HX System supports uplink channel rates of up to 3.2 Mbps. Target applications include cellular backhaul, maritime uses, and video conferencing.

http://www.hughes.com

D-Link Marks 20th Anniversary

D-Link marked 20 years since its founding on June 20, 1986. The company has grown from just four employees lead by Founder, Chairman and CEO Ken Kao to a global company with more than a billion dollars in annual revenue and 1,800 employees in 90 offices serving more than 100 countries.http:/// www.dlink.com.tw

BT Launches Total Broadband

BT launched a residential broadband package featuring downlink speeds up to 8 Mbps and centered around a new "Home Hub" gateway. In addition to fast Internet access, BT's Total Broadband provides free internet voice calls, free video calls, and a suite of security software.



BT has upgraded its "Broadband Talk" VoIP suite to include "Broadband Talk Softphone" and "Broadband Talk Video". Developed at BT's Adastral Park research laboratories, BT Broadband Talk is now available with high-definition sound. A new PC-based softphone enables free global PC-to-PC chat and compatibility with BT Broadband Talk through one calling plan and one phone number.



In coming months, BT's Total Broadband will also provide customers access to the intelligent mobile service, BT Fusion, and BT Vision, the next-generation TV service scheduled for launch in Autumn 2006.
















































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