Azaire Networks Secures $21 Million for FMC

Azaire Networks, a start-up based in Santa Clara, California, raised $21 million in new funding for its Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) solutions.



Azaire Networks' IP Converged Network Platform (IP-CNP) enables service providers to offer mobile broadband services through the creation of hybrid networks that integrate cellular and IP access networks (such as Wi-Fi and WiMAX).



The new funding was led by Investor Growth Capital and existing Series B investors Convergence Partners, Rustic Canyon Partners and Woodside Fund also participated in the round.



http://www.azairenet.com/

Read More

FiberTower and First Avenue Networks Complete Merger

First Avenue Networks competed its merger with FiberTower Corporation. The old FiberTower Corporation is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, and the company has changed its name to FiberTower Corporation. Shares will be traded on Nasdaq under the new ticker symbol "FTWR".

The merger creates one of largest operators of wireless transport services in the U.S. Both companies operate networks to provide backhaul - transport from cell site to switch - for wireless carriers. The new company will have an installed base in 12 markets with more than 1,000 sites. The companies said their networks and operations are complementary and once combined will have minimal overlap.



The company also holds extensive spectrum in the 24 GHz and 39 GHz bands covering 99% of the United States.



The deal was first announced in May 2006 and valued at $1.5 billion at the time.

http://www.fibertower.com

Read More

Flextronics Software Systems Claims Leading Share for SIP Stacks

Flextronics Software Systems (FSS) has captured the leading global market share in the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) stacks , according to a recent Venture Development Corporation (VDC) report. The company claims 32% share, according to VDC's Telecom Core Infrastructure Market Intelligence Service 2005-2006. http://www.flextronicssoftware.com

Read More

Reliance Infocomm Deploys Ventuti Optimization on CDMA Network

Reliance Infocomm, India's largest CDMA operator, has deployed Venturi Wireless' optimization solution to enable its newly launched Netconnect with Netbooster service -- a mobile broadband service. The Reliance deployment consists of the Venturi VServer along with the VClient software for mobile devices.



Venturi's "Adaptive Airlink Optimization" leverages a patented Venturi Transport Protocol (VTP), developed specifically for wireless IP transport. The optimization improves the Internet Protocol operation over the wireless link, offering mobile data users accelerated access speeds, fewer dropped sessions and interruptions, and a more consistent overall user experience. The VServer, in coordination with the VClient software, delivers up to seven times higher data access speeds as well as significantly improved service availability under all radio frequency (RF) conditions.

http://www.venturiwireless.com

Wireless Transport Optimization Spurs Mobile IP Services

Broadband Internet is leaving the home and going mobile. But to deliver a wireless broadband experience that consistently meets user expectations, carriers must implement a wireless transport optimization solution that addresses the unique challenges of data transport over wireless networks. These include link delay, loss of data, and bandwidth variations�all of which can lead to slow connection speeds, dropped sessions, and inefficient utilization of bandwidth.

Read More

Space Data Awarded $49 Million Air Force Contract For Near Space Communications System

Space Data Corporation of Arizona was awarded a five-year $49 million contract by the U.S. Air Force Space Command Space & Missile Systems Center's Development and Test Wing to provide a near space communications system.

"Near space" is defined as 65,000 to 135,000 feet (19,812m to 41,148m) above the earth--higher than airplanes fly, but lower than satellites.



Space Data said the Air Force Space Battlelab has carried out extensive testing of its system over the past two years. The tests included using the same tactical radios carried by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The results showed that ground-to-ground voice and data communications could be extended from 10 miles to over 400 miles using Space Data's balloon-borne payloads.



Space Data technology also improved communications between troops on the ground and pilots flying air support.



The Space Data system utilizes a balloon-borne platform that takes advantage of the very predictable winds in near space to position communications equipment 20 miles above the earth. The GPS-equipped platforms can be launched from the back of a Humvee, for example, and once at altitude provide excellent communications over thousands of square miles.



Space Data has offered a commercial version of its technology to the energy industry for more than two years. This "SkySite" system operates over the South-central and Southwestern United States and allows energy firms to monitor and control equipment remotely.

http://www.spacedata.net/

Read More

Sierra Wireless Introduces USB modems for EV-DO Rev A and HSDPA

Sierra Wireless introduced its AirCard USB Wireless Modems for EV-DO Revision A and HSDPA networks. Based on Sierra Wireless PCI Express Mini Card embedded modules, the AirCard USB modems can either plug directly into the USB ports of both notebook and desktop computers, or be connected through a docking cradle. This offers an alternative for customers without PCMCIA card slots, and allows them to move a single wireless data service between multiple computers.

img border="0" src="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/11402824/CND/v13n167-sierra.jpg" align="right">


The AirCard 595U for EV-DO Revision A networks is expected to begin shipping in the fourth quarter of 2006. Shipments of the AirCard 875U, for use on HSDPA networks, are expected to follow in the first quarter of 2007.



The modems are compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. An internal battery ensures optimal performance in fringe areas, while built-in GPS functionality allows for delivery of location-based services such as local searches and navigation assistance.



The EV-DO Revision A version offers maximum data speeds of 3.1 Mbps on the downlink and 1.8 Mbps on the uplink. For use in areas where an EV-DO Revision A network is not yet available, the AirCard 595U is also compatible with widely available EV-DO Release 0 and CDMA 1X networks.



The HSDPA version supports peak theoretical data rates of up to 3.6 Mbps on HSDPA networks and is upgradeable to support future network upgrades providing peak data rates of up to 7.2 Mbps. With support for HSDPA and UMTS on the 2100, 1900, and 850 MHz frequency bands, as well as support for EDGE and GPRS on the 1900, 1800, 900, and 850 MHz frequency bands, the AirCard 875U offers international 3G network roaming on networks worldwide.http:/www.sierrawireless.com

Read More

SingTel Launches Global Ethernet Services

Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) launched international Ethernet service for its global corporate customers. SingTel's MPLS-based ConnectPlus Ethernet-VPN provides any-to-any connectivity between two or more countries and comes with Class of Service (CoS) and Service Level Guarantees (SLG).



ConnectPlus Ethernet-VPN will be available immediately between Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and United States. The service offers a bandwidth from 1 Mbps to 45 Mbps, with 1 Mbps increments. Network coverage will be enhanced over the next few months.
http://www.singtel.com

Read More

Extreme Networks Appoints Mark Canepa as CEO

Extreme Networks named Mark Canepa as its new CEO, replacing company co-founder Gordon Stitt, who is retiring. Previously, Canepa was with Sun Microsystems where he served as executive vice president of the Network Storage Products Group. Before that, he served in multiple vice president and general manager roles at Sun, after joining the company in 1996.

http://www.extremenetworks.com

Read More

ZyXEL Selects Texas Instruments' VoIP for Access Devices and IP Phones

ZyXEL Communications, a supplier of residential gateways, has chosen Texas Instruments' VoIP products for its voice-enabled DSL access devices, VoIP gateways and IP phones. The first IP phones with TI's chipset will be available at CeBIT 2007. Prior to that, ZyXEL will roll out its high-port density VoIP gateway, P2024.



TI's VoIP gateway product suite combines hardware and software-based functionality on an optimized architecture and co-defined features for a range of voice over packet applications. http://www.ti.com/http://www.zyxel.com/

Read More

Sumitomo Selects Ikanos' VDSL2 Chipsets

Sumitomo Electric Networks (SEN) has selected Ikanos Communications' Fx 100100-5 and Fx100100S-5 CO and CPE chipsets for its next generation of broadband equipment. Ikanos' products enable symmetric 100 Mbps bandwidth as well as POTS-compatible "IP-Phone" services.

http://www.ikanos.com

Read More

JDSU Posts Revenue of $318.2 million

JDSU posted GAAP net revenue for its fourth fiscal quarter ended 30-June02006 of $318.2 million, up 86% year- over-year, due primarily to 25% growth in its Optical Communications business and the addition of the Communications Test and Measurement segment in August last year. Fourth quarter GAAP net loss of $(45.8) million compares to a GAAP net loss of $(145.7) million in the year-ago quarter, and to GAAP net income of $3.7 million in the third quarter.



"Year-over-year revenue growth and improved profitability metrics highlight JDSU's advancement towards a profitable and sustainable business model," said Kevin Kennedy, JDSU's Chief Executive Officer.

http://www.jdsu.com

Read More

Verizon Removes DSL Supplier Surcharge

Verizon Communications will drop previously announced plans to impose a supplier surcharge for DSL-based Internet access service on its retail customers. A small number of customers who have already been billed for the surcharge will receive a credit.



Verizon Online began notifying its retail customers earlier this month of its plans to pass through a surcharge imposed by its affiliated operating telephone companies to cover costs associated with providing DSL service to customers who do not also subscribe to Verizon's traditional phone service. At the same time that the surcharge was to have been added, a federal government charge, the Universal Service Fund recovery fee, was eliminated from the bills.



In a statement, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said "I am pleased that both Verizon and BellSouth have eliminated fees recently imposed on their DSL customers. Consumers should receive the benefits of the Commission's action last summer to remove regulations imposed on DSL service. The continued deployment of broadband at affordable prices for consumers remains my top priority as Chairman."http://www.verizon.com

• Earlier this week, BellSouth decided to eliminate a $2.97 per month charge associated with consumer DSL service, agreeing to pass on the savings that began when a federal regulatory fee expired earlier in August. According to media reports, the decision followed a set of letters sent by the FCC to BellSouth and Verizon informing them of forthcoming investigations into potential violations of truth-in-billing laws. At issue is whether operators are continuing to collect regulatory fees that the government is no longer assessing.

Read More

TiVo Reaches 4.4 Million Users

TiVo reported better than expected bottom line results with a net loss of ($6.4) million and net loss per share of ($0.07) for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $(0.9) million, or $(0.01) per share, for the second quarter last year. For the quarter, service and technology revenues increased 30% to $52.9 million, compared to $40.7 million for the same period last year.



TiVo-Owned subscription gross additions were 74,000 for the quarter, a 4% decrease compared to 77,000 in the second quarter of last year.



TiVo reported 30,000 new net TiVo-Owned subscriptions. This figure was impacted by a slightly improved year-over-year churn rate set against a higher average subscription base, resulting in an additional 7,000 churn compared to last year.



TiVo reported a net decline in the number of DIRECTV TiVo subscriptions during the period, against several thousand per month of new TiVo subscriptions that were still being added by DIRECTV during the quarter.



Total subscriptions as of July 31, 2006, were up slightly from last quarter to more than 4.4 million, and up 24% over the year-ago subscription totals.



TiVo-Owned ARPU per month was $8.88. DIRECTV ARPU per month was $0.96. http://www.tivo.com

Read More