Qwest Offers Windows Live Services to Broadband Users

Qwest Communications is the first communications provider in the U.S. to offer its broadband customers Microsoft's Windows Live services.



Windows Live from Qwest is available at no additional charge to residential Qwest Broadband customers who choose Microsoft as their ISP. These services include:

• Qwest.Live.com: A customizable home page that includes Live Search and hundreds of gadgets for weather, sports, news, games, etc.



• Windows Live OneCare from Qwest: an all-in-one security and performance service for customers' computers, including anti-virus, anti-spyware and computer health and optimization features.



• Qwest Mail by Windows Live: An updated, more powerful e-mail platform with new features such as a reading pane, drag-and-drop functionality and AutoComplete address population.

http://www.qwest.com

http://www.microsoft.com

Read More

AT&T Selects Sun Servers and Storage Arrays for U-verse

AT&T will use Sun Microsystems' servers and modular arrays for its U-verse IPTV service. Specifically, AT&T has decided to deploy Sun Fire X4600 servers and Sun StorageTek storage arrays, which will provide access to the U-verse TV Video-on-Demand library.




The servers and arrays will be rolled out in new deployments of IP-video super hub offices and IP-video hub offices in the AT&T U-verse network.



The AT&T solution from Sun will also include Sun Fire X4500 servers, which combine the performance of a four-way Sun x64 server and the highest storage density available. AT&T will also use Sun Support Services and Sun Professional Services to help manage the system. Financial terms were not disclosed.

http://www.sun.com

http://www.att.com

Read More

Ericsson Selected for GPON Rollout in Cyprus

CYTA, the leading operator in Cyprus, selected Ericsson for a GPON rollout. The contract includes delivery of central office optical equipment and devices for the homes, EDA1200 and EDA1500, and passive infrastructure such as fiber systems and cables. Apart from the GPON network (point-to-multipoint configuration), the pilot project includes also a point-to-point network, using Ericsson's equipment (switches and CPEs). Financial terms were not disclosed.htp://www.ericsson.com

http://www.cyta.com.cy/

Read More

Alcatel-Lucent to Supply Fiber Backbone for Libya

The Libyan Post Telecommunications & Information Technology Company (LPTIC) selected Alcatel-Lucent to supply a nationwide, 4,400 km fiber backbone that will link all the major cities in the country. The contract is valued at more than EUR 90 million.

http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

Read More

India's Reliance Awards US$400 Million Wireless Contract to Alcatel-Lucent

Reliance Communications, India's largest integrated telecom service provider, awarded a contract valued at US$400 million to Alcatel-Lucent for expansion of its wireless network to more than 20,000 towns and 600,000 villages. Alcatel-Lucent described the project as one of the largest telecom expansions undertaken by a telecom operator anywhere in the world.



Under the contract, Alcatel-Lucent will upgrade Reliance's CDMA and GSM network with additional mobile switching centers and base stations. Alcatel-Lucent also will provide a comprehensive suite of network integration services, including network optimization, system support and general project manager.

http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

http://www.reliancecommunications.co.in

Read More

MSF Releases NGN Implementation Guidelines

The MultiService Forum released their R3 "NGN Guidelines," which are a distillation of the technical specifications based on the MSF Implementation Agreements (IAs) validated in last October's GMI 2006 event. The Guidelines are meant to provide a coherent framework for the practical implementation of large scale Next Generation Networks. The Guidelines are now freely available for downloading from the MSF website.



The MSF Release 3 Architectural Framework provides the essential context for the implementation of the physical components required in a multi-service, multi-vendor, open architecture Next Generation Network. The MSF Architectural Framework describes how key NGN components work together, and identifies key open interfaces. MSF IAs describe in detail how these physical interfaces should be implemented, selecting not just protocols but also specifying options and required additional functionality to increase interoperability between components from different vendors. Key interfaces covered in the guidelines range from transport control, through media gateway and session control, to application and database interfaces.



The MSF has also issued an invitation to companies to publicly declare their compliance with the MSF approach to making an open, standards-based NGN architecture work in practice. Acme Packet, Alcatel-Lucent, Fujitsu, MetaSwitch, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel and ZTE have already pledged their support.

http://www.msforum.org

Read More

Disney Offers Movie Rentals Through Xbox LIVE

Microsoft and Disney-ABC Domestic Television announced an agreement to offer films from The Walt Disney Studios to U.S. members of Xbox LIVE, the online games and entertainment network on Xbox 360.



The service launches today, offering access to a growing catalog of new and classic movies from The Walt Disney Studios, including titles from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films.



Xbox LIVE Marketplace currently offers more than 2,350 hours of premium entertainment content from 15 partners.



Microsoft said that in the seven months since video content was launched on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, there have been nearly 10 million downloads of entertainment content.

http://www.microsoft.com

http://www.xbox.com

Read More

Skype Now Available for the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet

Thanks to an OS upgrade from Nokia, Skype is now available for use on the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet. The Nokia feature upgrade also introduces Adobe Flash 9 browser plug-in taking a step forward in web compatibility, support for largercapacity memory cards and considerably enhanced online use-times among other improvements.


http://www.nokia.com

http://www.skype.com

Read More

XO Expands Broadband Wireless Coverage to 36 Markets

XO Communications has expanded its broadband wireless coverage from 12 to 36 metropolitan markets across the U.S. The services are delivered in partnership with Nextlink, an affiliated XO company, and the nation's largest holder of Local Multipoint Distribution System (LMDS) spectrum with licenses in 75 metropolitan markets.



The new markets are: Akron, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Columbus, Colorado Springs, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose, Tucson and Wilmington, DE. In addition to the new markets announced today, XO Communications also utilizes broadband wireless technology in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, DC.

http://www.xo.com

Read More

Bookham Appoints Alain Couder as President and CEO

Bookham announced the appointment of Alain Couder as president and CEO, succeeding Dr. Peter Bordui, acting president and chief executive officer, who will continue to serve as Chairman of the company's board of directors.





Couder was most recently President and CEO of Solid Information Technology Inc., a supplier of database solutions. Prior to joining Solid, Couder served as President and CEO of Confluent Software, Inc., and IP Dynamics, Inc., and as Chairman and CEO of Packard Bell NEC, Inc.

http://www.bookham.com/

• In February 2007, Dr. Giorgio Anania resigned his position as Bookham's president and chief executive officer, as well as resign his seat on the company's board of directors. Dr. Peter Bordui, Bookham's current non-executive chairman of the board of directors, assumed the position of president and chief executive officer on an interim basis.

Read More

Orange Business Services Expands in India via Acquisition

France Telecom has acquired the enterprise and managed services divisions of GTL Limited, an Indian company specialized in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) including integration and managed services. Financial terms were not disclosed.



This acquisition strengthens the local presence of Orange Business Services, the business communications arm of the France Telecom Group. Services for Indian and multinational corporations (MNCs) throughout the region include:

• PBX/IP Voice solutions, WAN/LAN integration and optimization



• CRM solutions and CRM application integration capabilities



• On-site and remote management of networks, servers, desktops and security services.

The acquired divisions generated revenues of approximately EUR 21 million in fiscal year 2006-07, growing 34% year-on-year. It counts 591 employees, including 200 certified engineers, and a customer base of 450 Indian and multinational clients (such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, Deloitte, WNS, First Source, etc.).

http://www.orange.com

Read More

Level 3 Acquires Ireland's Servecast for CDN

Level 3 Communications has acquired Servecast Limited, a Dublin-based provider of live and on-demand video management and streaming services for broadband and mobile platforms. Level 3 has paid approximately EUR 33 million in cash.



Founded in 1998, Servecast offers publishing and distribution tools for video rights holders to monetize their digital assets. These tools enable customers to manage, protect, deliver and track online audio and video content. Servecast supports multiple stream rates, languages, currencies and formats, including Adobe Flash, Real Player, Windows Media Player and Apple QuickTime.



Level 3 said it plans to maintain Servecast's headquarters and broadcast operations center in Dublin, as well as its data centers in London and Amsterdam. Servecast's existing streaming server sites throughout Europe and North America will also be incorporated into Level 3's Content Delivery Network.
http://www.level3.com

http://www.servecast.com/

• Earlier this year, Level 3 completed its acquisition of the Content Delivery Network (CDN) services business of SAVVIS. The deal included certain network elements, customer contracts, and intellectual property used in SAVVIS' CDN business.

Read More

Motorola Expects Revenue Shortfall for Q2

Motorola announced preliminary estimates for the second quarter of 2007 saying it now expects Q2 sales to be in the range of $8.6 billion to $8.7 billion, compared with previously announced guidance that Q2 sales would be essentially flat with first quarter 2007 sales of $9.4 billion. Motorola now expects a second quarter GAAP loss per share from continuing operations in the range of $(0.02) to $(0.04), including estimated net charges of approximately $0.03 - $0.04 per share related to previously announced workforce reductions and other highlighted items.



Motorola cited attributed the shortfall to lower overall unit volumes in the Mobile Devices business in Asia and Europe. The company expects second quarter Mobile Devices shipments to be approximately 35 to 36 million handsets. The company's Mobile Devices business is expected to have a larger operating loss in the second quarter as compared to the first quarter.



For the full year 2007, Motorola no longer expects the Mobile Device business to be profitable. Second quarter results for Connected Home Solutions and Networks & Enterprise businesses continue to meet the company's expectations. Motorola will provide further perspective on the year during the company's quarterly earnings call.



Full results are expected on July 19, 2007.



Separately, Motorola today announced that Stu Reed, executive vice president of Motorola's Integrated Supply Chain organization, has been named president of Motorola's Mobile Devices business. http://www.motorola.com

Read More

European Commission Approves Public funding of Fiber Network in France

The European Commission approved the funding by Sicoval (an association of municipalities on the south-east side of Toulouse) of a fiber network serving businesses and public organizations on its territory. The construction and operation of the network has been delegated to the consortium Marais Contracting -- Vinci -- Alcatel, which was selected by invitation to tender and will receive aid of EUR 2 million.

http://www.europa.eu

Read More