Cisco to Acquire NeoPath for File Storage Mgt

Cisco Systems agreed to acquire NeoPath Networks, a start-up offering high performance and highly scalable file storage management solutions, for an undisclosed sum.



NeoPath developed a "SMART" virtualization technology that simplifies the management of network attached storage (NAS) and other file servers. The company was founded in 2002 and has 55 employees based primarily in Santa Clara, California.

http://www.cisco.cmhttp://www.neopathnetworks.com

• In May 2006, NeoPath Networks raised $11 million in a funding round that included participation by Cisco Systems, and previous investors August Capital, DCM-Doll Capital Management and Gabriel Venture Partners.

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OctWare Offers Echo-Cancellation for Asterisk IP PBXs

OctWare introduced its "SoftEcho", a new per channel upgrade option for Asterisk-based IP PBX systems. SoftEcho is a Line Echo Cancellation (LEC) application for Asterisk systems. The software is available as a download for enhancing Asterisk with sound quality.



OctWare said its transparent algorithm that works better than off-the-shelf echo cancellation solutions. The algorithm has been improved through years of testing in large-scale carrier deployments worldwide through Octasic, OctWare's parent company. That carrier grade quality, already obtainable with interface cards by Digium, Sangoma, and other vendors, that include Octasic's OCT6100 echo cancellation device, is now available in software form for small to midsized businesses using an Asterisk PBX.



SoftEcho's algorithm is auto-tuning meaning that no adjustments are necessary. SoftEcho learns its environment and quickly adapts to it. Its long, well-covered echo path tail ensures carrier proven quality on any calls in trunk side use. SoftEcho handles double-talk and background noise better than the generic echo cancellation solutions currently integrated into popular Asterisk PBX systems.



OctWare's SoftEcho for Asterisk based IP PBX includes performance and voice quality statistics. Downloads are available for $10 per channel through distributors worldwide.

http://www.octware.net

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OKI Develops 2.5 Gbps Laser at 15mW for GPON

Oki Electric Industry Co. announced its development of a 1490nm wavelength semiconductor laser that can transmit up to 2.5Gbps at an output level of 15mW, the industry's highest level over a temperature range of -40 to 85ºC. This semiconductor laser is suitable for use in outdoor FTTH GPON equipment. Samples will be available from mid May to the worldwide market.



OKI has already been providing 1490nm wavelength semiconductor lasers for GE-PON with 15mW of output and 1.25 Gbps for deployment in Japan and Korea.

http://www.oki.com

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Motorola Invests in AMIMON for Wireless HDTV Connections

Motorola Ventures has made an equity investment in AMIMON, Inc., a start-up developing silicon for wireless transmission of high-definition (HD) video. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.



AMIMON's wireless high-definition interface (WHDI) technology is designed for wireless transmission of uncompressed high-definition video streams in the 5GHz unlicensed band. WHDI enables applications such as wireless flat-panel TVs, wireless projectors, wireless HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) and wireless VGA repeaters (dongles).



AMIMON operates internationally out of offices in Herzlia, Israel, Santa Clara, California and Tokyo, Japan. Additional investors include the Cedar Fund, Walden Israel Venture Capital, Evergreen Partners, Stata venture Partners, and Argonaut Ventures.

http://www.amimon.com

http://www.motorola.com

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Verizon Offers FiOS Triple-play Bundle for $99

For the first time, Verizon is offering its FiOS triple-play package of services for $99.99 a month, the same price as the traditional voice, DSL and DIRECTV bundle. The offer is available to customer is Tampa Bay, Florida. The promotion includes the triple play bundle at $99.99 -- a $27.98 a month saving -- and a two-service offer of unlimited nationwide calling and FiOS Internet service at 5 Mbps download speed and 2 Mbps upload for $59.99 - a $24.99 a month saving. Both offers are good for 12 months.

http://www.verizon.com

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AT&T to Invest $750 Million in Global Network in 2007

AT&T will invest more than $750 million in 2007 to accelerate the delivery of global IP services and solutions to businesses and multinational companies in key markets worldwide. The spending, which is part of AT&T previously issued CAPEX guidance, will be targeted at more than 200 initiatives whose goal is to (1) enhance and expand AT&T's portfolio of retail and wholesale services and solutions and (2) extend the global network infrastructure and capabilities needed to deliver services and solutions to businesses and multinational companies in both emerging and developed markets worldwide.



With this investment AT&T will:

• Enhance its Virtual Private Network (VPN) services portfolio and its business VoIP services portfolio, voice, security services and electronic customer service capabilities. Examples include global applications management capabilities on VPNs, global enhanced remote monitoring and management capabilities for hosting customers, global expansion of network-based firewalls, deployment of in-country IP services, enhancements to global IP conferencing and contact centers, and global e-ordering, maintenance and network reporting capabilities.



• Increase Internet Data Center (IDC) capacity by expanding several existing sites (California, Virginia, Arizona and the U.K.), opening new data centers in the New Jersey/New York market in the U.S. and in Canada, and delivering new managed services within the hosting portfolio, incorporating the application software management expertise of recently acquired USinternetworking (USi). By the end of 2007 AT&T will have 38 IDCs deployed around the world, which would include the four centers from USi and BellSouth.



• Extend the deployment of key access technologies, such as Wi-Fi, DSL, Ethernet and satellite to help companies connect to AT&T's global IP network.



• Significantly extending its global IP network and capabilities to deliver more services to business customers in the United States and around the world. Focus markets in 2007 include the high growth economies of Asia Pacific (including China and India), the Middle East and Latin America; and the larger, more developed markets in Europe (France, Germany and the U.K.) and Canada. Last year, AT&T announced the formation of a joint venture in India, opened new offices in the Middle East (Dubai) and extended its network presence in Vietnam.

By year-end 2007, the AT&T global network will provide multi-national
companies with:

• MPLS-based access from 155 countries via more than 2,000 service nodes -- this will include the addition of new network nodes in Vietnam, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Morocco, and the addition of 3 new nodes in India.



• Satellite and long line extension access from 51 countries.



• 13 network interconnects in 22 key regions/countries



• DSL network access in 34 countries.



• Ethernet network access in 31 countries.



• Remote access will be available via cellular data access in 11 countries; Wired Ethernet access from more than 1,600 locations in 17 countries; WiFi access from more than 55,000 hotspots over 80 countries.

http://www.att.com

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BT Launches "Onevoice" Global VPN

BT launched a "Onevoice" enterprise service to help organizations move to IP telephony at a pace that suits BT Onevoice Global VPN is available globally and being launched with key international customers. Key features include:

• A converged VPN including features such as single pricing, one number scheme and single contract for traditional and new wave voice connecting sites in 54 countries



• Global reach through the ability to connect to over 240 fixed, mobile and satellite destinations around the world



• Simplified access to BT's audioconferencing service through BT Onevoice Conferencing

Onevoice Mobile Access, which gives mobile users the option to save costs by running International Direct Dial (IDD) and Roaming calls over BT's international voice network, will launch later in 2007.

http://www.btplc.com/

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QUALCOMM Raises Guidance for Q2 2007

QUALCOMM raised its financial guidance for the second fiscal quarter ending April 1, 2007. The company now expects pro forma revenues to be approximately $2.1 to $2.2 billion, and second quarter pro forma diluted earnings per share to be approximately $0.48 to $0.49, compared to $0.41 in the year ago quarter.



"We are expecting a particularly successful quarter, reflecting strong growth in chipsets, handsets, and applications and services, enabled by mobile broadband capabilities deployed around the world by both CDMA2000 and WCDMA operators. Demand for our high-end, mid-tier and low-tier CDMA2000 chipsets, as well as WCDMA chipsets has accelerated," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chief executive officer of QUALCOMM. "Reports from our licensees for December quarter handset shipments reflected greater than expected strength in Europe and North America. Despite this growth, we believe the CDMA inventory channel continues at a healthy level of less than 20 weeks."http://www.qualcomm.com

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JDSU Cites Sales of Triple-Play Field Test Instrument

JDSU has shipped more than 21,000 units of its HST-3000 triple-play test instruments. The HST-3000 is an all-in-one handheld tester for broadband access network service installation and maintenance. It provides basic turn-up and troubleshooting of VoIP deployment, supporting physical layer analysis through packet metrics, signaling analysis and voice quality determination. HST-3000 capabilities allow packet capture of live VoIP calls, including VoIP call storage and an integrated FTP capability to send captured VoIP calls to be analyzed by JDSU's PVA-1000 software. http://www.jdsu.com

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Towerstream Launches Fixed WiMAX Network in Miami

Towerstream has launched its wireless broadband solution in the Miami metropolitan area -- its eighth fixed WiMAX network in the U.S. Towerstream's first Miami PoP is the city's Four Seasons Hotel, Florida's tallest building.



Towerstream is offering a range of bandwidth options, including T1, T3, 100 and 1000 Mbps connections as well as service reliability backed by an Service Level Agreement (SLA) and a no-risk, money-back guarantee. http://www.towerstream.com/

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Philippine LD Company Selects UTStarcom

UTStarcom has supplied 150,000 lines of its mSwitch IP-based softswitch platform and iAN-8000 Multiservice Access Node (MSAN) as the foundation for a new, next-generation network for Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), the leading telecommunications provider in the Philippines. The deal represents UTStarcom's first contract in the Philippines. Financial terms were not disclosed.



The first phase of the deployment targets unserved and underserved areas, key business locations and areas that need a capacity upgrade in Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Bulacan and metro Manila.

http://www.utstar.com

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