Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Fujitsu Integrates 40G Wavelengths on Flashwave 7500

Fujitsu Network Communications has integrated 40 Gbps transmission capabilities into its FLASHWAVE 7500 Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM), enabling 10-Gbps metro DWDM networks based on the platform to grow from 400 Gbps to 1.6 Tbps of total capacity.



Fujitsu has developed an advanced modulation scheme and per-wavelength variable dispersion compensation (VDC) to support the 40 Gbps rate. Optical performance requirements such as optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), chromatic dispersion, polarization mode dispersion (PMD), and spectral width become much more stringent as bit rates increase.



Fujitsu said that by utilizing a Return to Zero Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (RZ-DQPSK) modulation scheme and per-transponder VDC, there is no need to change dispersion compensation of existing networks when upgrading to support 40 Gbps wavelengths. These technologies significantly improve PMD tolerance and OSNR performance of DWDM networks, resulting in longer spans, fewer regeneration sites, and increased number of ROADM nodes per network.



Three new 40 Gbps units for the FLASHWAVE 7500 ROADM offer options for multiple deployment scenarios. The 40 Gbps transponder provides a full band tunable network interface and a 40 Gbps client interface, designed primarily for interconnection of core routers. The 40 Gbps muxponder combines four 10 Gbps client interfaces into a single wavelength operating at 40 Gbps, which provides additional capacity expansion on constrained routes. The 40 Gbps regenerator unit eliminates back-to-back transponders on long spans, reducing cost and complexity. Each unit plugs directly into the existing FLASHWAVE 7500 chassis with no changes required to support 40 Gbps wavelengths across existing metro/regional DWDM networks.



"While many of our potential competitors have chosen a 40 Gbps solution that requires an external shelf and alien wavelengths to work, we believe that our fully-integrated approach offers a far more compelling and manageable option for carriers. By integrating 40 Gbps capability directly into the ROADM, we will achieve greater distance performance, while simplifying operations with fewer fiber jumpers, better performance monitoring, fewer spares, and an overall reduction in space and power," said Bill Erickson, senior vice president of planning and development at Fujitsu Network Communications.

http://us.fujitsu.com/telecom
  • Fujitsu's FLASHWAVE 7500 ROADM is widely deployed in the RBOC and MSO markets for core network consolidation, metro/regional capacity relief, and triple-play service delivery. It uses a Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) architecture to add, drop or pass-though up to 40 channels at any node with single channel granularity.



MetaSwitch Launches MetaSphere App Suite and Service Delivery Platform

MetaSwitch introduced a service delivery platform (SDP) and suite of applications aimed at helping carriers migrate toward next generation service-oriented networks.



The MetaSphere service delivery platform, which is designed specifically for telecommunications applications, is pre-integrated with MetaSwitch's session control, PSTN emulation server and media gateway technologies.



Based on core technology from MetaSwitch's parent company Data Connection, the MetaSphere SDP includes a graphical service creation and personalization environment (SCAPE), a service execution environment that supports carrier-grade availability and scalability to tens of millions of users via clustering of commercial off-the-shelf server hardware, a service capability interaction manager (SCIM) to facilitate interaction between multiple applications, and a library of common services providing access to media server, session control, "virtual home subscriber server" (HSS) data storage, diagnostic, provisioning, auditing/logging and billing functions. Another key element of the MetaSphere SDP is CommPortal, a client-server framework that uses Web 2.0 techniques to deliver a highly responsive, flexible and unified user interface to all MetaSphere services.



Metaswitch said its MetaSphere architecture is fully aligned with the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) standards, acting as a combined Application Server and Media Resource Function in IMS networks.

Applications supported include:

  • Unified Messaging


  • Incoming Call Manager - a rich user interface that is tightly integrated with other services via CommPortal, ICM manages incoming calls based on who is calling and the time/day/date of the call, as well as enhanced call handling options including Reject, Forward and Find Me/Follow Me;


  • Desktop Notifier - provides instant desktop notification of new voice and fax messages with fast access and retrieval, helping users respond to messages in a more timely fashion;


  • Desktop Communication Manager - tools to manage call functions (e.g. reject, forward, ignore, send to voicemail, etc.), access contact lists, click-to-dial options, presence setting, broker calls and transfer call;


  • Live Message Screening - solves the number one barrier to adoption of network-based voicemail: the ability to screen incoming calls.


  • Incoming Call Transfer - this fixed/mobile convergence application allows calls to be seamlessly transferred between wireless and wireline devices, without requiring a dual-mode cellular device.
http://www.metaswitch.com

Motorola Boosts Broadband Services Router with DOCSIS 3.0

Motorola introduced a DOCSIS 3.0 channel bonding module supporting 32 QAM channels in a single slot within the fully redundant, Motorola BSR 64000 router chassis. The downstream channels on the TX32 module can be coupled with the downstream and upstream channels on existing 2:8 CMTS modules to provide up to 138 downstream channels and up to five gigabits of aggregate downstream capacity in a single chassis.



The module supports new DOCSIS 3.0 as well as legacy DOCSIS 1.X and 2.0 cable modems and can support channel bonding and load balancing across TX32 and 2:8 module downstream channel configurations.



Motorola calculates that the module's channel density will decrease the cost per downstream channel by more than 60%. When added to a BSR 64000 router, the TX32 module provides functionality to every single installed card, helping to ensure that existing investments are protected.
http://www.motorola.com/

Level 3 Completes Internet2 Optical Network Implementation

Level 3 Communications confirmed that it has completed deployment of the new, 100 Gbps Internet2 nationwide, dedicated network services backbone, which is now operational. Under a multiyear agreement, Level 3 is providing dedicated backbone facilities comprising 13,500 long-haul route miles, multiple customer colocation suites and newly deployed metro fiber. Under the agreement, Level 3 is also providing wavelength and high-speed IP services to Internet2 with options for private line, metro and long-haul dark fiber services to interconnect the backbone with academic institutions. The network delivers the underlying optical technology required for Internet2 to dynamically provision multiple 10 Gbps wavelengths.
http://www.level3.com

BT Joins Forces With Extricom for Converged Wireless

BT iNET will integrate Extricom's "Interference-Free" Enterprise Wireless LAN System into BT's wireless and mobility convergence solutions. The first joint customer to benefit is Bishop's Stortford College in Hertfordshire, where BT iNET designed and deployed a wireless network, using Extricom's WLAN system at its core, to cover pupil boarding houses located on the 130-acre campus of the independent school.

http://www.bt.com/btinethttp://www.extricom.com

Verizon Introduces Three Business FMC Services

Verizon is introducing three new fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) services to help on-the-go professionals seamlessly bridge wireline and wireless networks. These services are Wireless Office, PBX Mobile Extension and Mobile Conference Connection. Key capabilities include: a single phone number that simultaneously rings to an office, home and cell phone; a unified mailbox that consolidates voicemail from multiple devices; and instant conference calls that can be organized and initiated with just a few clicks on any Research in Motion BlackBerry or Microsoft Windows Mobile smart phone or PDA.



Wireless Office, powered by the Verizon Wireless network, is immediately available for U.S. businesses. It delivers a network-based solution for small and mid-sized businesses to merge their fixed and wireless voice communications by extending common private branch exchange (PBX) calling features -- such as abbreviated dialing, closed user groups and call control - - to wireless devices. The service includes two different pricing options for either "on campus" wireless calling or on-net calling for calls that originate from a wireless handset to corporate office extensions.



PBX Mobile Extension enables a large corporate campus or large numbers of mobile workers -- including executives, sales personnel or field service technicians -- to answer calls and respond quickly. This service works with a company's existing PBX system to provide a single phone number that simultaneously rings on a user's cell phone, home phone or any pre-selected phone number. If a user can't answer the call, PBX Mobile Extension uses a company's existing voice mail system to provide a unified voice mailbox, eliminating the inefficiencies of multiple voice mail systems. Outbound calls by employees using cell phones show the caller's office phone number via caller ID. Cell phone callers also can use other PBX functions such as call-transfer, park, hold and more.



Mobile Conference Connection enables road warriors to initiate or join a conference call with a few clicks on any RIM BlackBerry or Microsoft Windows Mobile smart phone or PDA. Users of Verizon's Global BlackBerry 8830 service can use Mobile Conference Connection to initiate or participate in conference calls from 150 countries.



Verizon said it plan to add additional new services, including:

  • Satellite access in Europe and Asia to enable companies without terrestrial access to remain connected to corporate resources.

  • Additional automatic wireless primary and backup access options to help enable companies to remain up and running.

  • Mobile satellite access where users can access their network in hard-to-reach areas such as mountainous regions.

  • Integrated VoIP offerings to support mobile workers.

  • Managed Wireless backup to Private IP.
http://www.verizon.com

Yahoo! Signs Six Mobile Deals in AsiaPac

Yahoo! has signed partnership agreements with six major mobile operators across Asia for distribution of its mobile search service, Yahoo! oneSearch, which launched in Asia in May of this year. The six mobile operators are Globe Telecom (Philippines), Idea Cellular Limited (India), LG Telecom (Korea), Maxis Communications Berhad (Malaysia), PT Telekomunikasi Selular "Telkomsel" (Indonesia) and Taiwan Mobile (Taiwan).



These carriers represent a combined subscriber base of nearly 100 million.

http://www.yahoo.com

Motorola Enhances Web Based Support for Broadband Service Operators

Motorola released a new version of its web-enabled support software, eCare, for broadband service operators. Motorola eCare is a web-enabled interactive support solution that enables technical support staff to reach out over the Internet and resolve customers' problems through the end-user's desktop. Motorola is offering the software as both a hosted solution and as a licensed server. http://www.motorola.com

AT&T Launches HD Homezone Service

AT&T has added HD video to its Homezone service, which integrates AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet, AT&T | DISH Network satellite television and AT&T Home Networking services via a single device. It also features digital videorecording technology and remote access to the system through Web-enabled PCs or WAP-2.0 compatible wireless phones.





The upgrade includes more than 30 national HD channels -- and additional local HD channels for each market - provided by AT&T | DISH Network.

http://www.att.com

Motorola Introduces Enhanced CWDM

Motorola introduced its Enhanced Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (E-CWDM) solution designed for increasing the downstream service delivery capacity of cable networks by transmitting multiple CWDM optical signals over a single fiber optic connection, enabling operators to segment serving areas into three, four or five discrete areas. Each optical signal can carry a full 1 GHz loading of broadcast and narrowcast content over distances up to 25 kilometers between the hub and optical node.



Motorola says that by increasing bandwidth through greater segmentation, operators can raise overall voice, data and video broadband throughput while avoiding the expense of adding new fiber.



Motorola's E-CWDM technology is utilized in its widely-deployed Motorola OmniStar GX2 optical transport platform and SG4000 optical node platform.

http://www.motorola.com

Sonus Networks and PCTEL Team on IMS-based FMC

Sonus Networks and PCTEL have completed interoperability testing between the customized PCTEL Roaming Client - Voice Enabled (VE) solution and the Sonus Broadband-Mobile Convergence (BMC) solution. The joint solution will enable the seamless handoff of mobile calls between Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) and traditional cellular networks and delivery of broadband-mobile converged services through dual mode handsets.



Sonus' BMC solution is IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-ready and is based on standard protocols as defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The solution includes the Sonus IMX Multimedia Application platform and third-party solutions such as those from PCTEL.



PCTEL's Roaming Client - VE delivers advanced voice and messaging capabilities, including seamless roaming and in-call handoff capabilities on dual mode devices. It enables users to seamlessly roam between and connect to the highest bandwidth, lowest cost source of connectivity at any location including enterprise networks, Wi-Fi Hot Spots and cellular networks.



PCTEL said its Roaming Client - VE has been deployed in over 25 trial sites worldwide and has been integrated with native cellular phone applications on several leading handset platforms including Windows Mobile.

http://www.pctel.com

http://www.sonusnet.com

Verizon Reaches One Millionth FiOS Internet, 500,000 FiOS TV Customers

Verizon has exceeded the one million customer milestone for its FiOS Internet service and has nearly 500,000 FiOS TV customers. Verizon expects its FiOS FTTH network to pass 9 million homes by the end of 2007 and 18 million by the end of the decade. The subscription TV service was first introduced in September 2005.



In a keynote address at the Nxtcomm tradeshow in Chicago, Verizon Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg said that by the end of the decade - when cable competitors say they'll be transitioning to DOCSIS 3.0 - Verizon will be preparing for the next generation of electronics. Verizon expects is already trialing 100 Mbps service over the company's existing BPON architecture and a GPON launch is planned. http://www.verizon.com