EC Backs Measure to Open Deutsche Telekom's Broadband Networks

The European Commission endorsed a regulatory measure that would give new competitive carriers bitstream access to German consumers via the broadband networks of Deutsche Telekom. The measure, which is also backed by the German telecom regulator Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA), is meant to remedy the position of dominance of Deutsche Telekom on the German broadband market.The Commission said it believes bitstream access be competitive carriers should be required regardless of the technology used by Deutsche Telekom (ADSL2, ADSL2+, SDSL and VDSL). The...

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Skype Devices to Embed GIPS Voice Engine

Skype-compatible IP phones will utilize Global IP Sound (GIPS)software to enhance voice quality. The two companies have enjoyed a long, productive relationship, beginning with Skype's licensing of GIPS VoiceEngine PC in the summer of 2003.http://www.globalipsound.comhttp://www.skype.comGIPS VoiceEngine Mobile provides acoustic echo suppression and noise suppression, to maximize the quality of VoIP conversations. It also includes GIPS NetEQ, which is an advanced jitter buffering and packet loss concealment module that dramatically improves sound...

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Brasil Telecom Awards Five-Year Billing Contract to Convergys

Brasil Telecom S.A. awarded a new five-year contract to Convergys for its Infinys software to support wireless, wireline, data, and Internet services. Since 2002, Convergys' Infinys has supported Brasil Telecom's fixed telephony customers and, as of 2003, its wireless subscribers.Brasil Telecom has over 10.8 million fixed lines and over 2.2 million customers.http://www.convergys....

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Harmonic Introduces Third generation MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) Encoder

Harmonic introduced the DiviCom Electra 5400, its third generation MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) standard definition (SD) encoder that delivers up to four full resolution SD channels in a one rack-unit package, as well as simultaneous low resolution content for picture-in-picture (PiP), mobile video services or other applications. The Electra 5400 is aimed at large-scale deployments of telco/IPTV, satellite and DVB-T services. Harmonic said its new encoder sets a new standard for bandwidth efficiency in SD H.264 with bit-rates more than 30 percent lower...

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Cognio Enhances WiFi Spectrum Troubleshooting Tool

Cognio, a start-up based in Germantown, Maryland, introduced a new version of its Spectrum Expert tool for troubleshooting WiFi networks. The new Spectrum Expert 3.0 adds diagnostics for determining whether a WiFi problem is in the "Air" or in the wired network. Cognio's Spectrum Expert 3.0 tells the user what physical layer issues are causing WiFi network problems, helps analyze and optimize WiFi throughput, and adds alerting when performance or...

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Cognio Enhances WiFi Spectrum Troubleshooting Tool

Cognio, a start-up based in Germantown, Maryland, introduced a new version of its Spectrum Expert tool for troubleshooting WiFi networks. The new Spectrum Expert 3.0 adds diagnostics for determining whether a WiFi problem is in the "Air" or in the wired network. Cognio's Spectrum Expert 3.0 tells the user what physical layer issues are causing WiFi network problems, helps analyze and optimize WiFi throughput, and adds alerting when performance or security violations are detected. New features include:Channel Utilization Chart - indicates which...

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SES AMERICOM to Expand HD-PRIME Service for MSOs

SES AMERICOM announced that Comcast, Bresnan Communications, Brighthouse Networks, and Metrocast are among the first group of domestic U.S. cable MSOs to participate in its new triple-feed antenna program, offering access to the next generation of HD channels.New triple-feed antennas, produced and delivered by Patriot Antenna Systems, enable MSOs to receive programming over three SES AMERICOM satellites. Cable operators, many who already get programming from SES AMERICOM's Americom2Cable neighborhood (AMC-1 at 101 degrees WL and AMC-4 at 103 degrees...

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Sprint Nextel Announces Departure of Len Lauer, COO

Sprint Nextel announced that Len Lauer, its chief operating officer, is no longer with the company. No reason was given for the change.Gary Forsee, president and chief executive officer, will assume Lauer's operating responsibilities and the chief operating officer position will not be filled.http://www.sprint....

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Nortel Wins HSDPA Contract with France's Bouygues Telecom

Bouygues Telecom has selected Nortel's HSDPA technology to provide customers in France with services such as high-quality live TV, high definition video on demand, MP3 streaming and multi-user mobile gaming when it goes live in early 2007. The new 5-year contract stipulates that Nortel is responsible for rolling out the network in 4 out of 6 of Bouygues Telecom's operational regions in France; including the Western, South Western, Northeastern and Mediterranean regions.Nortel's HSDPA solution can provide connectivity at speeds up to 7.2 Mbps.Nortel...

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GUBA Slashes Prices on Movie Downloads

GUBA, a leading video entertainment site, significantly lowered prices for downloads from its library of movies and TV programs. GUBA users can buy downloadable movies for $9.99 on the same day that the movie is released on DVD. Users can buy catalog movie titles for $4.99 and TV show episodes for $0.49. During this promotion users can rent movies for $0.99.GUBA now claims to be the first web service enabling users to buy and rent premium content...

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Nokia Wins a Microwave Contract From Telenor

Telenor has awarded Nokia a global frame agreement for cellular transmission solutions and services. Nokia will supply Telenor with Nokia Hopper microwave radios to be used for transmission from both base stations and fixed applications when new sites are deployed, or an increase in capacity is needed. The agreement covers all regions where Telenor and its affiliated companies have operations. http://www.nokia....

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Bain Capital and Apax Partners Invest in Philips' Semiconductor Unit

Bain Capital and Apax Partners have joined Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Silver Lake Partners, and AlpInvest Partners has agreed to acquire an 80.1 percent stake in the Semiconductor Division of RoyalPhilips Electronics.Philips' semiconductor business is a leading supplier of silicon system solutions for mobile communications, consumer electronics, digital displays, contactless payment and connectivity, and in-car entertainment and networking. The business employs about 37,000 people worldwide, and had sales in 2005 of EUR 4.6 billion.htt...

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Avaya Enhances "one-X" SIP-based P2P Technology

Avaya announced significant enhancements to its one-X Quick Edition, which eliminates the need for a central server and embeds the functionality of an IP-PBX into the phones themselves using SIP-based peer to peer (P2P) technology. The enhancements include Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking capabilities, which allow small office locations to reduce costs by routing voice traffic securely over an Internet connection. Companies that need to quickly set up offices to assure business continuity -- whether it involves setting up temporary offices...

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Ikanos Selects MIPS32 Processor Cores

Ikanos Communications has selected MIPS Technologies' "24KEc" processor core for its fiber-fast broadband access chipsets. Targeted applications will include Customer Premise Equipment (CPE), home networking, SOHO and enterprise networking.http://www.mips....

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WildBlue Secures $350 Million Debt Financing

WildBlue Communications, which provides broadband connectivity via satellite, completed a $350 million debt financing led by Liberty Media Corporation and Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC.The credit facility refinances a portion of the shareholder financing WildBlue secured in January of 2006, and also provides $170 million of additional financing for the company.http://www.wildblue.comIn June 2006, WildBlue Communications signed five year wholesale distribution agreements with both DIRECTV and EchoStar Communications for its broadband Internet...

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Michelle P. Connolly Named FCC Chief Economist

Dr. Michelle P. Connolly has been named Chief Economist of the FCC. Dr. Connolly is also a member of the Economics faculty at Duke University.http://www.fcc....

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