China's Ministry of Public Security Selects Alcatel NGN

China's Ministry of Public Security will deploy a next generation network (NGN) from Alcatel. Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel will provide an integrated IP communication solution to meet the large capacity needs of the Ministry and provide efficient and secure communications across 32 provinces and cities.



Upon the completion of the project by the end of September 2006 , the staff of the Ministry of Public Security of China will be able to enjoy interactive and multimedia services including video telephony, video conferencing, Find-Me Follow-Me; which enables a user to receive calls anytime, anywhere through any device, voice virtual private network (VPN) and soft phone applications.



The new network will include the IMS-compliant Alcatel 5020 Softswitch and Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise. Financial terms were not disclosed.

http://www.alcatel.com

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Optical Entertainment Network Selects Raptor Switches

Optical Entertainment Network, which is building a fiber-based, Triple Play network in Houston, has selected Raptor Networks Technology as its core switching provider. A purchase order for the commissioning stack of four ER-1010 network switches was received, with priced options for an additional 500 ER-1010s.

http://www.raptor-networks.com

• Raptor Networks' ER-1010 is a 1U Layer 2–4 data classification switch offering configurations for both pluggable fiber and copper module I/O boards at 1 GbE and 10 GbE. The switches can be deployed in a distributed network architecture, with all of the capabilities and features of each ER-1010 are maintained between switches even at distances of up to 80 km (or further over CWDM/DWDM).



• Raptor Networks is based in Santa Ana, California.

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FCC's AWS Auction Bids Top $10 Billion

After 20 rounds, the FCC's auction of licenses for Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-1) spectrum has topped $10 billion in bids. The leading bidder remains T-Mobile, which so far has bid in excess of $3.0 billion, followed by Cellco Partnership (Verizon Wireless) at $2.8 billion, and Spectrum Co. (backed by Comcast, Time Warner, Cox and Sprint Nextel) at $1.5 billion.



Notably, Wireless DBS, which was backed by DirecTV, News Corp, Fox, EchoStar, Rupert Murdoch, and EchoStar, has withdrawn from the auction.http://wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/default.htm?job=auction_summary&id=66

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Extreme BlackDiamond 12804 Switch Validated With Avaya

Extreme Networks' BlackDiamond 12804 switch completed interoperability testing with Avaya IP telephony solutions. The companies evaluated performance, scalability and resiliency of the switch in converged Ethernet networks using multiple switching domains and protocols.



The BlackDiamond 12804 switch passed 20 of 20 interoperability test scenarios. Highlights of the tests include:

• Fast convergence and enhanced network resiliency and service recovery with Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) and multiple Ethernet automatic protection switching (EAPS) domains, in under 50 milliseconds.



• Network scalability using Provider Bridging (standardized as IEEE 802.1ad) and Provider Backbone Bridging (being standardized as IEEE
  802.1ah) to extend enterprise connectivity virtually across multiple
  locations. This test demonstrates preservation of virtual local area
  networks (VLANs) and traffic priority across multiple connected sites.



• Quality of Service (QoS) for applications with interoperability of
  802.p/Q priority packets at Layers 2/3, and VLAN support with 802.1x
  authentication for data and voice traffic.

http://www.extremenetworks.comhttp://www.avaya.com

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8x8 Awarded VoIP Patent

8x8 has been awarded U.S. Patent No. 7,092,379 for technology used in routing telephony signals over the Internet and standard switched telephone communications networks.



The company now holds 62 U.S. patents related to voice and video communications.



"This is the second fundamental VoIP technology patent 8x8 has received this summer, reflective of the pioneering research and development advances 8x8 has produced dating back to the early days of VoIP," stated Bryan R. Martin, 8x8's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

http://www.8x8.com

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Sony Now Shipping 50GB Dual Layer Blu-ray Disc Media in US

Sony Electronics has begun U.S. shipments of 50GB dual layer Blu-ray Disc recordable (write-once) media. The company also plans to start shipping 50GB dual layer rewritable BD media later this year.

"The arrival of 50GB Blu-ray Disc media is an important milestone in the evolution of this new format," said Mike Lucas, director of marketing for Sony Electronics' Media and Application Solutions Division. "The capacity represents more than four hours of HD quality video, at a 24 Mbps transfer rate."

Sony's 50GB dual layer recordable disc has a suggested retail price of around $48.

http://www.sony.com

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Sonus Networks Delivers Enhanced Billing Support

Sonus Networks released an updated version of its billing platform, enabling network operators to further streamline the integration of next generation applications with existing Operational Support Systems (OSS).



The Sonus Insight Management System supports the rapid integration of new multimedia services into existing billing platforms. Sonus' billing mediation solution, the DataStream Integrator (DSI), mediates and correlates billing records, whether generated from Sonus-based platforms or from third party application platforms, and incorporates the information into traditional as well as next generation billing systems.



The latest release of the billing solution includes the availability of a new streaming billing functionality for the GSX4000 Open Services Switch. This feature eliminates the need for local storage of billing records by allowing multiple GSX4000s to stream records to a single, centralized DSI Billing System rather then dedicated local servers, driving down the cost of the overall network and maintaining the benefits of a smaller form factor the GSX4000 was designed to address.



"One of the primary benefits of a highly distributed architecture is the ability to rapidly and seamlessly introduce new services into the network, but those new services are only valuable to the network operator if the infrastructure is in place to properly bill for them," said Vikram Saksena, vice president, chief architect, Sonus Networks.

http://www.sonusnet.com

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"Wi-Fi Protected Setup" Program Slated for Q4

The Wi-Fi Alliance today announced "Wi-Fi Protected Setup" as the name for its upcoming consumer ease-of-use program, formerly code named "Wi-Fi Simple Config." Slated for launch in Q4 of this year, the program is planned as an optional certification based on a standardized method for security setup in home Wi-Fi networks.



The Wi-Fi Protected Setup certification will join the portfolio of certifications available to Wi-Fi Alliance members that manufacture a wide variety of devices, ranging from PCs and printers to televisions, cameras, and gaming consoles.

http://www.wi-fi.org

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Cablemas Granted Local Fixed Telephony Concessions in Mexico

Cablemas, the second largest cable television operator in Mexico based on number of subscribers and homes passed, announced that Mexico's Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) granted the company local fixed telephony concessions in thirteen of the main cities in which it currently operates. These concessions will allow Cablemas to add telephony to the suite of directly-provided services, which already includes video and Internet. To roll out telephony services in these cities, Cablemas will enter into interconnection agreements with telecommunications firms.



This month, Cablemas expects the SCT to issue the Convergence Agreement wherein the rules of fair competition between telecommunication firms and cable operators in terms of interoperability, interconnection, and number portability will be defined.



As of March 31, 2006, Cablemas' cable network served 612,734 cable television subscribers, 133,962 high-speed internet subscribers, and 9,936 IP telephony lines, with over 1,728,039 homes passed.

http://www.cablemas.com

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Cognitronics Names New CEO

Cognitronics, a supplier of carrier class media server platforms, announced the appointment of Michael Mitchell to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. He replaces Brian J. Kelley, who has tendered his resignation as an officer and director of the company. Mitchell formerly served as President and CEO of ThinkEngine Networks, which was acquired by Cognitronics in November 2005.

http://www.cognitronics.com

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Continuous Computing Names New President

Continuous Computing Corporation announced the promotion of Ron Pyles to company president. After joining the company in 2003 through the Trillium acquisition, Pyles started as vice president of worldwide sales and progressed to become executive vice president of sales and marketing. Prior to joining Continuous Computing, Pyles built more than 20 years of marketing and sales experience at AT&T where, among other responsibilities, he was vice president of business sales for the central United States.

http://www.ccpu.com

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Vietnam's State Bank Selects Cisco Unified Communications

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the country's central bank, has selected the Cisco Unified Communications and Cisco Self-Defending Network solutions to help increase operational efficiencies in its countrywide infrastructure and provide a platform to regulate the banking system in alignment with developments in financial markets around the world. The end-to-end Cisco network will be deployed in SBV's major hubs and branches around the country. The Cisco Unified Communications portfolio of products will be installed in the major hubs and branches. The system will help SBV employees collaborate in real time, using advanced applications such as videoconferencing; integrated voice and data; IP phones; voicemail; etc.

http://www.cisco.com

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SafeNet Hardware Token Enables Wrapping Protection for Microsoft .NET

SafeNet released an enhanced version of its Sentinel Hardware Keys token capable of wrapping protection for Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0.



The Sentinel Shell is an automated process that 'wraps' an executable file allowing developers to license and protect their software application.



SafeNet said that by providing multiple security layers, its Sentinel Shell thwarts hacking attempts by forcing a would-be hacker to break each layer in order to remove the software protection. Additionally, the Shell provides protection against memory dumping and includes protection against debuggers, which are tools that can be used to automatically dump code so a hacker can remove the protection calls.



The Microsoft .NET Framework is a platform for building, deploying, and running Web Services and applications. http://www.safenet-inc.com

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Mu Security Attracts World-Class Security Advisors

Mu Security, a pioneer in the new security analyzer market, announced the formation of a new company advisory board comprised of leading industry, government and academic security experts. Members include: Four-star General Anthony C. Zinni; Dug Song, Arbor Networks co-founder and Chief Security Officer; Dr. Jeannette M. Wing, President's Professor of Computer Science and the Head of the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University; and Sri Reddy, Alcatel's VP Software Engineering for Edge Routers.
http://www.musecurity.com

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Juniper Holds No.2 Market Position in Service Provider and High-End Enterprise Routing

Juniper Networks continues to hold the No. 2 market share position in both Service Provider Routing with 18.3 percent and in High-End Enterprise Routing with 27.9 percent for the quarter ending June 30, 2006, according to a report issued by Synergy Research Group.



In the Service Provider Routing category, Juniper also maintained its Number two market share position in the Service Provider Core, BRAS and Multiservice Edge Routing categories with 34.5, 31.8 and 19.4 percent respectively.



"It was another steady quarter for Juniper maintaining their number two market share position in Service Provider Routing, which they have held for more than four years," said Ray Mota, chief strategist, Synergy Research Group.

http://www.juniper.net

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Juniper M-series Deployed for Local Japanese Government Network

The Yamanashi Prefecture region of Japan has deployed Juniper Networks M-series multiservice routers to help create the Yamanashi Information Highway, a next gen network that connects local government offices, cable television providers, banks and other businesses within the region. The Yamanashi Information Highway, deployed in July 2006, consolidates all data communications and broadcasting networks on a single, converged IP/MPLS network, and leverages the JUNOS operating system to create a customizable management interface for connected institutions.
http://www.juniper.net

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China Mobile Deploys Array Networks' SSL VPN Solution

China Mobile, the world's largest mobile service provider, has deployed Array Networks' SSL VPN platform to secure its internal Office Automation Intranet and Supplier Extranet. The Array SSL VPN provides China Mobile employees with remote access to its intranet and extranet applications, which streamlines business collaboration, improves efficiency and reduces costs. Array also offers granular security control. Financial terms were not disclosed.

http://www.arraynetworks.net

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mPhase Partners with Oracle to Scale IPTV

mPhase Technologies has joined the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) as a systems integrator.



The mPhase TV+ System uses a cluster architecture where services control is managed through its Services Management System (SMS). The software, which resides on general purpose servers, provides web-based interfaces for customer management, billing, logging and feature definition logic. mPhase offers network failover features and scalability to hundreds of thousands of subscribers using Oracle database technology.



"An alliance with Oracle is a key milestone in our IPTV program, because it provides us with the software tools to scale up the ability of the mPhase TV+ System to the anticipated market requirements," said Ronald Durando, mPhase president and chief executive.

http://www.mPhaseTech.com

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Boingo Raises $65 Million for Wireless Aggregation

Boingo Wireless, a wholesale network aggregator and operator of neutral-host Wi-Fi networks, raised $65 million in Series C funding. The funding will be used for long-term working capital and to underwrite the recent acquisition of Concourse Communications.



Boingo now provides access to over 45,000 locations from more than 130 leading Wi-Fi operators.



The funding was led by Mitsui & Co. -- with new investors Mitsui Corporate Development Funds of Mitsui & Co. and Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. participating. Other new investors include Steelpoint Capital Partners and Red Rock Ventures. Roy Thiele-Sardina, Managing Director of Steelpoint, will join the Boingo Board of Directors.

http://www.boingo.com

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