Corning Announces Bendable "nanoStructures" Optical Fiber

Corning Incorporated announced a "nanoStructures" optical fiber design that allows the cabled fiber to be bent around very tight corners with virtually no signal loss. This is especially useful in FTTH deployments in apartment building because exiting optical fiber installations lose signal strength and effectiveness when bent around corners and routed through a building.



Corning described the nano fiber design as a breakthrough technology because it changes the way light travels through a fiber. The result is fiber that is 100 times more bendable that existing single-mode fiber. The new fiber also enables simpler and more aesthetically pleasing designs for the cable, hardware and equipment used in the deployment.



"This is a game-changing technology for telecommunications applications," said Peter F. Volanakis, president and chief operating officer at Corning. "We have developed an optical fiber cable that is as rugged as copper cable but with all of the bandwidth benefits of fiber. By making fundamental changes in the way light travels in the fiber, we were able to create a new optical fiber that is over 100 times more bendable than standard fibers."



Corning said it has been collaborating with Verizon Communications on this technology. In February of this year, Corning and Verizon commissioned a joint working team to solve the problems of multiple dwelling unit installation using this new fiber solution.



Corning plans to introduce a full suite of optical fiber, cable and hardware and equipment solutions based on its nanoStructures technology this fall.

http://www.corning.com

Read More

IEEE 802.3 Working Group Targets 40 Gbps Ethernet, 100 Gbps Ethernet, Energy-Efficient Ethernet

The Ethernet Alliance reported that the IEEE 802.3 working group has accepted project authorization requests (PARs) for the next generation of Ethernet technologies, including 40 Gigabit Ethernet, 100 Gigabit Ethernet and Energy-Efficient Ethernet.



The Higher Speed Study Group (HSSG) was formed in July 2006, and its proposal envisions a single project encompassing a 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) rate for server and storage applications and a 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) rate for network aggregation. The Energy-Efficient Ethernet Study Group (EEESG) was formed in November 2006, and its proposal envisions a protocol to permit power savings in Ethernet networking equipment.



The HSSG investigated the needs and requirements for the next speed of Ethernet technology. A key finding was a divergence in bandwidth demand between the networking and computing industries. It was discovered 100GbE would likely best meet the demands of the next generation Internet backbone and network aggregation points. In enterprise computing, 40GbE better matches the bandwidth demand driven by server technologies such as host bus interfaces, memory speeds, and multi-core processing.



The HSSG has established a set of objectives including copper and optical physical layer (PHY) interfaces tailored for the intended applications. The 40GbE rate includes PHY solutions to cover distances up to 100 meters, and the 100GbE rate includes PHY solutions to cover distances up to 40 kilometers.

Other design objectives include preserving the 802.3 / Ethernet frame by utilizing the 802.3 Ethernet MAC;





The EEESG investigated the technical feasibility and market potential for a protocol to change the link speed on-the-fly to realize power savings in under-utilized links. The EEESG has established a set of objectives to include unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) copper cabling links and backplane Ethernet links.



The Ethernet Alliance is an industry group whose mission is to accelerate industry adoption and remove barriers to market entry by providing a cohesive, market-responsive industry voice on IEEE 802 Ethernet projects.

http://www.ethernetalliance.orghttp://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/3/hssg/index.html

Read More

Plato Networks Secures $20 Million for low-power 10Gbps Ethernet Chips

Plato Networks, a start-up based in Santa Clara, California, raised $20 million in second round funding to accelerate development of its ultra low-power 10Gbps Ethernet products. The funding round was led by Granite Ventures, who was joined by STIC International and founding investor Crosslink Capital. http;//www.platonetworks.com

Read More

TI Reports Q2 Revenue of $3.42 Billion

Texas Instruments reported Q2 revenue of $3.42 billion, up 7 percent compared with the prior quarter as demand for the company's semiconductor products began to rebound following an inventory correction in the semiconductor market, but down 7 percent compared to a year earlier.
Earnings per share (EPS) were $0.42. This was a $0.07, or 20 percent, increase from the prior quarter and a $0.05 decrease from the year-ago quarter. http://www.ti.com

Read More

Ericsson and TI Co-develop 3G Solutions for Handset Manufacturers

Ericsson and Texas Instruments (TI) will work together to develop custom solutions for new Open OS enabled 3G devices. The partnership combines 3G modems from Ericsson Mobile Platforms with high-performance OMAP applications processors from TI. Solutions from the joint engagement will include OMAP, custom basebands and connectivity technologies and will be capable of supporting the major Open OS. The result of this joint effort will enable all device manufacturers to offer advanced Open OS handsets for both the high-end and the rapidly growing mid-range market.



The companies said handsets based on these solutions are expected to be available on the market in the second half of 2008.

http://www.ericsson.com

http://www.ti.com

Read More

Aruba Acquires Network Chemistry's Wireless Security Business

Aruba Networks has acquired Network Chemistry's line of RFprotect and BlueScanner wireless security products.



The RFprotect and BlueScanner wireless products detect network vulnerabilities, intrusion attempts, and policy violations. RFprotect Distributed is a patent-pending wireless intrusion detection and prevention system that uses a central security engine and purpose-built sensors to automate threat detection, attack prevention, and 'no wireless' policy enforcement. RFprotect Mobile is a portable analyzer for conducting site surveys, security assessments, and incident responses of wireless networks, while BlueScanner is a portable Bluetooth discovery and vulnerability assessment tool.



Aruba said it plans to integrate the newly acquired products into its secure mobility solutions.



Network Chemistry said the divestiture enables it to focus entirely on its growing IT management business.

http://www.arubanetworks.com

http://www.networkchemistry.com

Read More

Atheros Posts Revenues of $101 Million

Atheros Communications reported Q2 revenue of $100.8 million, up 6 percent from the $95.5 million reported in the first quarter of 2007 and up 38 percent from the $73.2 million reported in the second quarter of 2006. Net income (GAAP) was $9.3 million or $0.16 per diluted share. This compares with a GAAP net income of $7.6 million or $0.13 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2007.



"Revenue from our 802.11n products grew significantly in the second quarter, and our 802.11g business remained strong. We continued to see strength in our PC OEM segment, a result of increased shipments of both our wireless LAN and Ethernet products," said Craig Barratt, president and CEO of Atheros.

http://www.atheros.com

Read More

Netflix Sees Decline in Online DVD Subscribers in Q2

Netflix ended Q2 with approximately 6,742,000 total subscribers to its online DVD rental service, down by about 55,000 from the end of the previous quarter, compared to an increase of 303,000 for the same period of 2006 and an increase of 481,000 for the first quarter of 2007.



Gross subscriber additions for the quarter totaled 1,028,000, representing 4 percent year-over-year decline from 1,070,000 gross subscriber additions in the second quarter of 2006 and 32 percent quarter-over-quarter decline from 1,520,000 gross subscriber additions in the first quarter of 2007.



Of the 6,742,000 total subscribers at quarter end, 98 percent, or 6,609,000, were paid subscribers. The other 2 percent, or 133,000, were free subscribers.



Netflix cited intense competition. Earlier, the company cut prices in two of its monthly subscription plans.

http://www.netflix.com

Read More

Hifn Acquires Siafu Software for Secure Storage

Hifn has acquired Siafu Software, a developer of secure storage solutions for the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) market, for an undisclosed sum.



Siafu's products include Siafu Swarm IP SAN Appliances and Siafu Sypher Encryption Appliances, which securely compress data and encrypt tapes destined for offsite locations.



Siafu Software is based in Poway, California (near San Diego). The company's founder, president and CEO, John Matze, is one the original architects of the IETF's iSCSI standard.



Hifn said the deal extends its strategy of vertically integrating data protection solutions to fill the gap in the convergence of storage, security and networking infrastructure.

http://www.hifn.com
http://www.siafusoftware.com/

Read More

HP to Acquire Opsware and Neoware

HP announced two acquisitions aimed at extending its capabilities in data center automation: Opsware and Neoware.



HP will acquire Opsware for approximately $1.6 billion in cash ($14.25 per share). The company's software, the Opsware System, automates the entire data center, from provisioning to patching, configuration to compliance and discovery to deployment, turning data center operations into a competitive advantage for business. HP said that combining Opsware's solutions with its own enterprise IT management software will deliver a comprehensive and fully integrated solution for IT automation. Opsware is the latest in a series of strategic software acquisitions, including Mercury Interactive and Peregrine Systems.



Separately, HP will acquire Neoware, a provider of thin client computing and virtualization solutions, for approximately $214 million in cash ($16.25 per share). Key capabilities of Neoware's thin client computing and virtualization solutions include the ability to run Linux, Microsoft Windows and Web applications across a network; stream virtualized operating systems on demand; and connect to mainframes, mid-range, UNIX and Linux systems. HP said the acquisition will combine Neoware's Linux-based thin client solutions and software with HP's thin clients based on Microsoft Window XPe and Windows CE and its virtualized client solutions, such as blade PCs, blade workstations, virtual desktop infrastructure and server-based computing.

http://www.hp.com

http://www.opsware.com

Read More

QUALCOMM Signs FLO Chip Agreement with Korea's Telechips

QUALCOMM signed a royalty-free agreement that enables Telechips, a Korean semiconductor firm, to use QUALCOMM's patented technologies to design, manufacture and sell certain semiconductor chip products that implement FLO technology.



FLO is an air interface standard for mobile TV and a key component of the MediaFLO System.

http://www.qualcomm.com

http://www.floforum.org/

Read More

AT&T's IMS-based "Video Share" App Now Available in 160 Markets

AT&T announced the nationwide launch of AT&T Video Share in nearly 160 markets. The IMS-based Video Share application runs over the 3G network and enables one-way live streaming-video feeds that can be seen by both parties while they are participating in a two-way voice conversation. Once the parties have initiated a Video Share call, either one can be the one generating the video stream for the other to see.



AT&T said services such as Video Share eventually will be accessible over any of the three primary screens that customers use most frequently - the wireless device, the PC and the television. AT&T Labs is working on service enhancements that eventually will enable wireless video feeds to be shared over IPTV or PC screens.



To use the service, a Video Share-capable handset is required. Two Video Share service packages will be available for $4.99 a month for 25 minutes of Video Share usage or $9.99 a month for 60 minutes of usage.

http://www.attvideoshare.com/

Read More

deltathree Launches Enhanced VoIP Open Network Platform

deltathree, which provides SIP-based VoIP solutions for service providers and consumers, has launched an upgraded network telephony backend infrastructure to its Open Network Platform offering customers greater flexibility and new features.



The Open Network Platform was primarily developed to support the launch of joip, deltathree's newly formed consumer group that powers the VoIP service of Panasonic's new GLOBARANGE hybrid landline/VoIP phones. GLOBARANGE phone owners automatically become part of the global joip community, where members can call each other around the world for free, and enjoy a wide variety of advanced features and services.



joip enabled GLOBARANGE phones will be available this summer in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Austria and Russia.



deltathree said its Hosted Consumer VoIP Solution and Reseller customers benefit from the Open Network Solution. The Hosted Consumer VoIP Solution is a comprehensive, customizable turnkey solution for service providers looking to launch their own VoIP offering with minimal investment and rapid deployment. Service providers will experience higher load capacity and greater flexibility to work with third party components during call flows. Service providers also gain a simpler VoIP integration into their facilities including managing localized emergency, directory assistance and other local dialing services through an easy-to-use interface, thus lowering the integration costs involved in penetrating new markets. New network features allow deltathree's customers to determine "*" codes, customize network error messages to any language, format phone numbers per country regulations and route them accordingly with fewer prefixes. The Simultaneous Ring and Follow Me service can now accommodate an infinite amount of phone numbers.



The Open Network Platform enhances the real-time call rating engine to present service providers with a higher level of cost control. Service providers can now specifically disable/enable outbound/inbound calls, apply fees and rates on service levels, and add/deduct features to customer offerings through a user-friendly management interface. New rating features allow service providers to determine rounding, grace periods, connection fees, minimum call charges and different rates during a call.
http://www.deltathree.com

http://www.joip.com

Read More

XM and SIRIUS to Offer A La Carte Programming

SIRIUS Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio promised that if their merger goes through, they will offer consumers the opportunity to choose programming on an a la carte basis.



On Tuesday, XM and SIRIUS will file their joint reply comments with the FCC, including detailed programming and pricing plans, including two a la carte options. One option will allow subscribers to choose 50 channels for $6.99 -- a 46 percent decrease from the current standard subscription rate of $12.95. Under this option, customers will also be able to include additional channels for as little as 25 cents each. The second a la carte option will allow subscribers to choose 100 channels and will allow SIRIUS customers to select from some of the best of XM's programming (and XM subscribers to choose from some of the best of SIRIUS' programming). The combined SIRIUS-XM will also offer several other new programming packages, including two "family-friendly" options, as well. http://www.siriusmerger.com/http://www.xmmerger.com/

Read More