SingTel Launches SIP Trunking Service for Enterprises

Singapore Telecommunications announced the launch of "Meg@POP" SIP Trunking service, enabling enterprise customers to integrate their voice and data networks by connecting them directly to the domestic telephone network.



Meg@POP customers already enjoy free "on-net" VoIP calls within the company with Intranet connections. However, for "off-net" calls outside of this network -- calls to the fixed-line and mobile networks -- customers have to pay for separate data links (such as ISDN-30) to deliver their VoIP calls from their IP-based corporate phone systems (IP-PBX or IP-KTS).



SingTel Meg@POP SIP Trunking removes the need for separate data links by enabling convergence of voice and data communications.



The new service also targets customers who are not on Meg@POP but are using Local Leased Circuits as tie-lines to link up their multi-site IP-PBX or IP-KTS, in addition to ISDN-30 links to the domestic telephone network.

http://www.singtel.com

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BT Vision Signs More Content Providers

BT Vision, the forthcoming TV-via-broadband service launching this autumn, signed four new video-on-demand film, TV and music deals with independent producers and distributors.



The new deals are with Entertainment Rights plc, the media group specialising in the ownership of children's and family programming, characters and brands; NBD Television, producer and distributor of drama, children's, music, entertainment, and documentary programming; Wall to Wall Television, producer of factual and drama programming and Portman Film and Television, the independent film and TV distribution company.

http://www.btplc.com

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BT Offers Free Evening and Weekend calls for Contracted Customers

BT is now offering free evening and weekend calls for a year to all UK customers willing to sign up for an 18 month contract. There is no need to sign-up to a phone, broadband or mobile bundle. Customers will simply just pay line rental. At the end of the 12 month period, customers will pay £3.95 a month for all the evening and weekend calls that they wish to make.



BT said customers make around 4.5 billion off-peak calls a year and 12.6 million BT customers pay for these on Option 1 while 1.4 million BT customers currently pay £3.95 a month for BT's Option 2 package of inclusive off-peak calls.

http://www.btplc.com

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Efonica Registers 400,000 VoIP Users in 2 Months

The new Efonica VoIP service from Fusion Telecommunications International has registered more than 400,000 subscribers since launching two months ago. The company said it has added an additional 150,000 subscribers in the last two weeks alone.



Efonica offers consumers the ability to call each other for free using their existing landline or mobile telephone numbers. Calls can be made to and from any combination of PCs, Internet phones and regular telephones (with a SIP adapter), connected to either a wireless, broadband or dial-up Internet connection.

http://www.efonica.com

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KT and ArrayComm Announce Collaboration on Enhanced WiBro

ArrayComm is working with KT to its new mobile broadband WiBro network in the 2.3 GHz band by integrating multi-antenna signal processing technologies. Specifically, ArrayComm multi-antenna signal processing software (A-MAST) is being incorporated in WiBro and WiMAX client devices and base stations by multiple manufacturers to reduce costs and improve performance.



ArrayComm and KT teams will conduct several joint efforts, including:

• Modeling the capital and operating financial benefits from application of MAS in WiBro;



• Incorporating MAS algorithms into KT's network planning in order to understand the coverage, client data rate, and capacity benefits that MAS can bring to WiBro services;



• Conducting field trials in Q4 2006 of MAS-enabled products to validate performance characterization and refine product requirements; and



• Making continuing contributions to the industry's standards bodies to further enhance WiBro's leverage of MAS technology.

http://www.arraycomm.comhttp://www.kt.co.kr

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IBM Outlines its Open Source Roadmap Beyond Linux

IBM unveiled eight key open source initiatives beyond Linux, aimed at accelerating the adoption of open standards and extending existing product lines to reach new customers. The company will work with the open source community to improve the development of general Linux kernel functionality, expanding its Linux focus around virtualization, Cell processor technologies, and security.



"IBM is going to be as bold and aggressive with open source as we are with Linux, more broadly and permanently transforming our company with the open movement," said Scott Handy, Vice President Linux and Open Source, IBM.

The eight new disciplines focusing on open source business opportunities include:

• Client-side Middleware -- Supporting the Eclipse Rich Client Platform project for hosting cross-platform applications.



• Development Tools -- Built on Eclipse, a universal open integration platform of frameworks and exemplary tools.



• Web Application Servers -- Based on Apache open source projects like Geronimo.



• Data Servers -- Building on the open source Apache Derby and no-license fee IBM DB2 Express-C.



• Systems Management -- Including open source Aperi storage project.



• Open Hardware Architectures -- Community-driven collaborative innovation with Power.org and Blade.org.



• Grid Computing -- Expanded support for Open Grid Services Architecture and the Globus Alliance.



• IBM Research/Business Consulting and Technology Services -- Enabling customers to innovate with open source-based solutions and development models.

IBM Linux Technology Center Targets Key Kernel Initiatives:

IBM said the market opportunity for Linux approached nearly $7 billion dollars in overall revenue, growing some 35% in 2005. Linux grew five times faster than Windows and eight times faster than the overall server market.

Other key development innovations include:

• Integrate Cell BE processor Into Linux Kernel -- IBM developers are integrating support for Cell BE processor technologies in the Linux kernel and creating Cell software development tools available for download.



• IBM developers are working with the community to extend Security-Enhanced Linux. This security underpinning of the Linux kernel compartmentalizes applications and services into distinct security domains, providing a highly secure platform for applications or data.



• Extend Open Source Virtualization -- IBM technology experts are working on key components of open source virtualization software with focus in the areas of systems management, security, and POWER architecture enablement. The move builds upon IBM's 40-plus years of virtualization experience on the mainframe.

http://www.ibm.com

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Cox Cites Subscriber Gains from Satellite Customer

Cox Communications is gaining converts from satellite TV subscribers. Among new connections, the percentage of basic cable customers who are former satellite customers has nearly doubled in two years. Cox Communications' President Patrick Esser will discuss these results and other year-to-date achievements today on a teleconference sponsored by Aryeh Bourkoff of UBS, as part of his "Frontline" conference call series.

"In 2004, 6% of our basic connects were former satellite customers; in 2006, we've driven that number to 11%," said Patrick Esser, Cox's President.

• Cox has added approximately 84,000 basic cable customers since July 2005.



• Cox remains the nation's leading provider of cable telephony with more than 1.8 million residential subscribers. It claims the highest telephony market penetration to basic subscribers of any cable company, at nearly 35%.



• At the close of the second quarter, Cox had more than 3.2 million bundled customers, 5.4 million basic video subscribers, and 3.1 million high-speed Internet customers.



• Cox gained nearly 1.3 million RGUs year over year - two-thirds of which are subscriptions to Cox High Speed Internet and Cox Digital Telephone.

http://www.cox.com

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Kuala Lumpur Int. Airport Upgrades with Cisco

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has completed an upgrade to its network, enabling improved wired and wireless Internet access at more than 150 areas, including the new Low Cost Carrier Terminal, located some 15 kilometers from the Main Terminal Building. The airport was fitted with a 10 Gigabit Ethernet network that utilizes Cisco equipment, replacing the ATM network that previously supported KLIA's Total Airport Management System.

http://www.cisco.com

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WiMAX Telecom AG Expands Alvarion Deployment

WiMAX Telecom AG has again selected Alvarion's BreezeMAX 3500 for expanding its WiMAX networks in Austria and Slovakia. Upon acquiring its nationwide 3.5 GHz license last year, WiMAX Telecom first began building its WiMAX network with Alvarion's BreezeMAX and now plans to deploy more than 10,000 additional BreezeMAX PRO CPEs by the end of 2006.

http://www.alvarion.comhttp://www.wimax-telecom.net

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XO Offers Perimeter Email Protection Solution for Businesses

XO Communications introduced a Perimeter Email Protection service, expanding on its existing XO email and hosting service.

XO Perimeter Email Protection service provides the following features:

• User Validation: Validates incoming email against legitimate e-mail users provided by the business and rejects unwanted email before it arrives at the customer's server, resulting in better mail server performance.
  
  
• Email Protection: Provides on-premise mail servers with a robust level of protection against e-mail based denial of service and dictionary attacks as well as spam.
  
  
• Email Disaster Recovery: Reduces loss of all incoming email if the mail server goes down and delivers email when the server is restored.
  
  
• Reporting: Provides daily reports on how a business' email server is being protected.

http://www.xo.com

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Broadcom Introduces Next Gen Server I/O Controllers

Broadcom introduced its second generation of server I/O controller silicon based on HyperTransport technology.



A server I/O controller chip acts as the interface from processor(s) to other I/O protocols, such as PCI-Express (via the open standard HyperTransport bus technology) to facilitate data transmission in a server system.



The new Broadcom HT-2100 server I/O controller chip and platform solution designed to solve cost and usability issues for server OEMs. The modular architecture of the HT-2100 controller enables server OEMs to use the same chipset family and software for multiple server markets, requiring minimal changes.



The HT-2100 server I/O controller features a high performance HyperTransport to PCI-Express bridge that is capable of tunneling data between two HyperTransport ports. The HT-2100 also features 1 GHz HyperTransport technology, 24 lanes of PCI-Express and a HyperTransport tunnel to provide the speed and bandwidth required for next generation I/O protocols.

http://www.broadcom.com

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Space Systems/Loral to Build TerreStar-2 Satellite for Mobile Services

Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) was awarded a contract to build the TerreStar-2 MSS (mobile satellite services) satellite for TerreStar Networks Inc.



TerreStar's two satellite system, which includes the TerreStar-1 satellite currently under construction at SS/L, together with an Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC), is designed to provide next-generation, 2-GHz mobile voice and data communications, monitoring and messaging services throughout the United States and Canada.



Scheduled for delivery in 2009, TerreStar-2 will have a service life of 15 years and carry a state-of-the-art MSS payload featuring a large unfurlable reflector. The satellite will generate hundreds of spot beams covering the Continental U.S., Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

http://www.ssloral.comhttp://www.terrestarnetworks.com

• Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) technology allows existing satellite phone spectrum to also be used over dedicated terrestrial networks, with call capacity managed and reallocated, in real time, between satellite and terrestrial networks via a common control center. Calls can be made over either network using the same phone handset. ATC technology could be used to supplement satellite phone service with a ground-based network to provide a "back-up" signal in and around buildings where satellite signals cannot reach.

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WebEx Launches On-Demand Contact Center Solution

WebEx introduced a contact center support solution with an automated intelligent routing system and click-to-connect support capabilities.



WebEx Remote Support can be used as a stand-alone contact center solution or integrate seamlessly with applications to add click-to-connect capabilities to existing resources.



A part of WebEx Support Center, WebEx Remote Support delivers call center functionality using an Internet-based console giving end-users an instant portal for access to support agents. Via a click-to- connect button, support requests are dispensed to the most qualified agents using skill-based routing and intelligent distribution. In addition, WebEx Remote Support customers can create multiple support queues that align to their company's business needs whether it is customized branding, request forms or specific routing rules for each queue.



According to market analyst firm Datamonitor, the contact center technology market is expected to grow 30 percent a year reaching $4.7 billion by 2009. The availability of on-demand solutions such as WebEx Remote Support is a key driver in the growth of "virtual" contact centers with geographically dispersed agents.

http://www.webex.com

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Lucent Mgt Software Selected for Lockheed Martin HUD Project

Lockheed Martin has selected Lucent's VitalQIP DNS/DHCP (Domain Name Server/Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and IP Management software for use in its infrastructure upgrade for U.S. Department of Housing of Urban Development (HUD). The Lucent VitalQIP network management software automates and administers IP services over a combination UNIX and Microsoft Windows network environment.

http://www.lucent.com

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Verizon Offers HD Video Transport in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

Verizon Business launched a high-definition digital video transport service for broadcast and entertainment companies and other businesses in 13 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.



The new service, Hi-Def DVTS, addresses a need to cost-effectively transport video content without the use of costly compression equipment and without affecting the quality of the video.



Hi-Def DVTS expands and complements the existing Verizon Business suite of digital video transport services and leading-edge solutions for multi-channel syndication, fast turnaround production and digital media asset-management.



Verizon Business also offers Analog TV-1, a video transport service that is available in the Northeast and select Verizon franchise areas; and Serial Digital Component (SDI) broadcast video service. http://www.verizon.com

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SureWest Boosts DSL to 6 and 10 Mbps

SureWest Communications is enhancing the top DSL Internet speeds available to its Roseville, California customers to 6 and 10 Mbps. SureWest's residential Internet packages begin at $42.95 for the 6 Mbps product and $49.95 for 10 Mbps. Furthermore, businesses in SureWest's Roseville territory can also purchase the 6 or 10 Mbps services in addition to current business offerings of T1 and fiber-based Internet.

http://www.surewest.com

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Leap Wireless Selects Huawei for CDMA2000

Leap Wireless selected Huawei Technologies for its 3G rollouts in Spokane, Washington, Boise, Idaho, and Reno, Nevada. The agreement represents the first commercial contract between the companies and is a significant win for Huawei in the U.S. market. Financial terms were not disclosed.



The contract calls for a Huawei CDMA2000 network with 1xEV-DO Rev A capable BTS. The solutions will include Huawei's SoftX3000-Softswitch, Air Bridge BSC6600, UMG8900-Universal Media Gateway, and High Capacity BTS 3606. The implementation of this distributed network will reduce the long-distance backhaul while simultaneously supporting 1xEV-DO Rev 0 and Rev A.



Huawei noted that its CDMA solutions currently serve more than 40 million CDMA subscribers worldwide. The company has more than 3,000 engineers engaged in CDMA research and development.

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

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