Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Vodafone Iceland Selects Zhone Multi-Service Access Platform

Vodafone Iceland has selected Zhone's MALC multi-service access platform (MSAP) to deliver voice and premium-tiered data services. Vodafone Iceland currently serves more than 150,000 business and residential customers, offering mobile, fixed internet, and multi-megabit data services.



Zhone's MALC MSAP supports voice, data and symmetric EFM services over copper or fiber access lines. New services such as IPTV can be offered via the addition of new line cards into the system chassis.

http://www.zhone.com

Ikanos and Wintegra Offer Ethernet Bonding for VDSL2

Ikanos Communications and Wintegra announced an Ethernet bonding solution for VDSL2. The solution combines Wintegra's Access Packet Processors and Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) bonding software with Ikanos' multi-mode VDSL2 central office (CO) chipsets.



The companies said a key benefit of Ethernet bonding at the line-card level is that it simplifies provisioning and minimizes operational issues for the carrier, which can now bond two or more copper pairs that are connected to the line card. Wintegra's latest software, which includes Ethernet bonding for multi-mode VDSL2, also offers TR-101 functionality in both the data and control paths. Ikanos' multi-mode VDSL2 chipsets and firmware support the transmission of EFM fragments to facilitate line card bonding.



The initial EFM bonding software release from Wintegra, which runs on its Access Processors, is available now and is fully interoperable with firmware on Ikanos' multi-mode VDSL2 CO chipsets.



"Line-card-based bonding is a truly differentiated offering," said Piyush Sevalia, vice president of marketing for the Access Products Group at Ikanos. "Carriers are searching for ways to increase revenue and ROI by reaching more customers with revenue-generating triple play and IPTV services. We believe that Ethernet bonding over VDSL2 is an effective solution for these carriers."http://www.ikanos.com

http://www.wintegra.com

Orange Awards Huawei UMTS/HSPA Contract in Poland

Huawei Technologies has been awarded a UMTS /HSPA contract by PTK Centertel, Orange Poland. The contract reaffirms Huawei's position as a significant 3G supplier to PTK Centertel, with a 50 percent share of the operator's UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network). Financial terms were not disclosed.



Over the next three years, Huawei will deploy its new generation Node B solution across Poland's major cities. Huawei's new generation Node Bs supports full-performance HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High-Speed Uplink Packet Access), and IP RAN (IP-based Radio Access Network).

http://www.huawei.com

Orange Switzerland Outsources Mobile Network to Alcatel-Lucent

Citing market conditions characterized by sinking prices and strong competition, Orange Switzerland has decided to transfer the
extension of its mobile network, as well as the technical operation and maintenance of the entire network, to Alcatel-Lucent. The key strategic aspects of network development and planning, as well as customer support in connection with the network, will continue to be managed by
Orange.



Orange Switzerland said it is taking the step in order to focus on core tasks, such as the marketing of products and services and running customer services.



At total of 146 Orange employees will be transferred to Alcatel-Lucent.

http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

http://www.orange.ch

Alcatel-Lucent Develops New Integrated Optoelectronics

Alcatel-Lucent disclosed three new innovations in optoelectronics in three post-deadline papers accepted at this week's European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communication (ECOC) in Berlin. These include:

  • a novel compact optoelectronic receiver for differential quadrature phase-shift keying (DQPSK) reception, which may ultimately contribute to reducing the cost and size of high-data-rate advanced-modulation-format optical transceivers. In contrast to the current generation of receiver technologies where multiple components must be connected together with precise path lengths in order to support advanced modulations formats, this technology integrates an optical demodulator and four photodiodes on a single 3.2 mm x 0.8 mm InP (Indium Phosphide)-based chip -- producing a single integrated optoelectronic device that has a footprint that is more than two orders of magnitude smaller than today's typical DQPSK receivers. This was developed at Bell Labs.


  • the first integrated version of a laser and an electro-absorption modulator (EML) with a record bandwidth of 60 GHz. Alcatel-Lucent said this result is a major step toward the next generation 100 Gbps source for Very Short Reach (VSR) transmission. In addition, it is seen as a potential low cost approach because the company has also demonstrated its high operating temperature capability (43 Gbps up to 70°C, IPRM'07) This was developed at Alcatel-Thales III-V lab, France.



  • a 42 GHz mode-locked laser source with a record wavelength tunability of 16nm, keeping constant both the output power and the narrow pulse width of 2 picoseconds. These performances have been reached thanks to a new active layer made of Quantum Dots. In addition, the optical pulses are Fourier-transform limited, which is quite suitable for propagation in the fiber : these features make such a laser very attractive for very high bit rate tunable optical transmission. This was developed at Alcatel-Thales III-V lab, France.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

Russia's RASCOM Deploys Nortel DWDM

RASCOM, an international traffic carrier for Russian service providers, has deployed a high-speed Helsinki to Stockholm network segment using Nortel 40Gbps-ready DWDM gear. Financial terms were not disclosed.




The current RASCOM network connects Moscow, Helsinki and Stockholm with a high-speed backbone route that delivers network capacity up to 720 Gbps and scalable to 40Gbps enabling the delivery of high bandwidth multimedia services. RASCOM is using the network to deliver carrier backbone access services in Russian and European cities. The deployment uses Nortel's Adaptive All Optical Portfolio including CPL-series (Common Photonic Layer) and Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 equipment to enable integration of IP-traffic transmission and efficient management of the SDH circuits within a single converged hardware platform.



Along the fiber-optic telecommunications line, nine new communications structures were installed of which two, located in Stockholm and Helsinki, are access sites that allow the allocation of drop-off channels. In Stockholm, RASCOM'S existing facilities were also supplemented with another access site to provide the company's customers with more ways to connect to other networks.

http://www.nortel.com

http://www.rascom.ru

Verizon Business Deploys Nortel's Metro Ethernet Internationally

Verizon Business is deploying the Nortel Metro Ethernet Networking solution across Europe and Asia-Pacific using the Nortel Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 as a wideband digital cross-connect to deliver transport convergence for Verizon's TDM and packet services, which are available in 17 European countries and four countries across Asia. Financial terms were not disclosed.



Nortel's Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 combines cross-connect switching granularity with growth capacity, modularity and Ethernet capability. The platform supports a mix of global managed services ranging from lower speed electrical private line service through high speed SONET/SDH, Ethernet private line and switched virtual Ethernet Services.



Nortel said that by using the same modular platform to support unrestricted traffic management of both TDM and Ethernet traffic, a seamless end-to-end and scalable multi-service network capability is created for Verizon Business. As the volume of Ethernet private line services grows, the platform's Layer 2 Service Switch (L2SS) capability will provide efficient head end aggregation and a scalable network solution.



Verizon Business can also use its OME 6500 platform to leverage its extensive DWDM network and support new 10 Gigabit Ethernet services. http://www.nortel.com

http://www.verizon.com

Intel Sees WiMAX Integration in 2008

In the first half of 2008, Intel plans to deliver its first platform designed from the ground up for Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs) -- codenamed Menlow, which will deliver 10x lower power compared to the first UMPCs in the market. Menlow will be followed by another platform -- codenamed Moorestown -- which will increase battery life an order of magnitude by reducing idle power by 10x compared to Menlow.



Menlow is based on Silverthorne a 45nm Hi-k low power microarchitecture-based processor and next-generation chipset, codenamed Poulsbo. Also featured on the Menlow- based customer designs are optional standardized communications capabilities such as Wi-Fi, 3G and WiMAX to enable more of an always-connected experience.



Intel demonstrated a number of early working prototypes at this week's Intel Developers Forum in San Francisco.



Also due out in later in 2008 is Intel's Montevina processor technology, which will span the full range of notebook designs from mini-notes to full size. Also featured in Montevina is integrated HD-DVD/Blu-ray support for consumers and next generation data manageability and security features for the enterprise. Montevina will be Intel's first Centrino processor technology for notebooks to offer the option of integrated Wi-Fi and WiMAX wireless technologies.



A number of OEMs, including Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Panasonic and Toshiba, have expressed their intent to embed in to the next gen Centrino-based notebooks.



http://www.intel.com


MetroPCS Launches Service in Los Angeles

MetroPCS Communications launched its flat rate unlimited wireless service in Los Angeles. Pricing plans start at $30 a month. Customers pay by the month, not by the minute, and services do not require a signed contract, minimum balance or deposit. Long distance service to the 48 contiguous states is available with service plans at $35 a month and up.

http://www.metropcs.com

QuickPlay Media Raises $15 Million for Mobile TV

QuickPlay Media, a start-up based in Toronto, raised US$15 million in Series C funding for its mobile TV and video solutions.



QuickPlay said its OpenVideo platform powers mobile video services for 10 major mobile operators in Canada and the United States, providing both live and on demand content from over 120 different media companies. Key features of the QuickPlay service delivery platform include a superior content management system, open APIs for ease of partner integration and advanced service delivery capabilities.



The financing round was led by Ventures West. Also participating were General Catalyst, J.L. Albright Venture Partners and Up Capital Ltd.
http://www.quickplay.com/

Digital Lightwave Announces GFP over OTN Testing Capability

Digital Lightwave announced support for GFP (Generic Framing Procedure) mappings over OTN (Optical Transport Network) utilizing the versatile Next Generation Multi-Rate (NGMR) module. The NGMR supports the mapping of GFP into both OTU-1 (2.66Gbps) and OTU-2 (10.7Gbps) protocols. This module is available on all NIC Platform products. GFP over OTN will be available as a license-based Test Option for existing NGMR modules.



Digital Lightwave said GFP over OTN facilities allow for generation of Ethernet-filled GFP frames, mapped directly into OTN. There is no intervening SONET/SDH layer which reduces the amount of overhead and enables more efficient utilization of bandwidth. The NIC with GFP over OTN allows equipment manufacturers and service providers to deploy networks using the latest technologies.

http://www.lightwave.com

Motorola Milestone: 100,000th Wireless Enterprise Switch

Motorola, announced a milestone in the enterprise mobility market -- the sale of its 100,000th wireless LAN (WLAN) switch, the most by any vendor in the market. Motorola -- through its acquisition of Symbol Technologies -- claims the leading market share position for WLAN switches.


http://www.motorola.com/EnterpriseWLAN

D-Link Joins Multimedia over Coax Alliance

D-Link Systems has joined the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA), an open, industry-driven initiative that promotes distribution of digital video, data and entertainment through existing coaxial cable in the home.
http://www.dlink.com http://www.mocalliance.org

AT&T Offers BlackBerry with Wi-Fi

AT&T and Research In Motion (RIM) announced that the first cellular and Wi-Fi BlackBerry handset.



The BlackBerry 8820 provides support for 802.11a, b and g with enterprise security features, extending the BlackBerry platform to business customers at public hot spots and on wireless local area networks. Customers can use a BlackBerry 8820 to link to their enterprise through home Wi-Fi networks. They also will be able to access broadband services. It supports the standard BlackBerry feature set, which includes call management and premium phone features, built-in Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) -- with support for such solutions as TeleNav GPS Navigator and TeleNav Track -- AT&T's Push-to-Talk service, Bluetooth 2.0, built-in media player and a microSD expandable memory slot for music, photo and video storage.



The BlackBerry 8820 will be available for $299.99 -- with a two-year contract and rebate.

http://www.att.com

http://www.rim.com

Apple Confirms T-Mobile as Exclusive iPhone Partner for Germany

Apple announced T-Mobile as the exclusive German carrier of its iPhone. The unit, which will debut in Germany on November 9, will use T-Mobile's EDGE GSM network. It will be sold in Germany through Telekom Shops of Deutsche Telekom and the T-Mobile web shop. iPhone requires a new 2-year T-Mobile tariff and will be available in an 8GB model for EUR 399 including V.A.T. http://www.apple.com

Conterra Raises $41 Million for Transport Services

Conterra Ultra Broadband, a provider of broadband transport services based in Charlotte, North Carolina, announced the closing of a $41 million private financing to support its continued growth. The company serves mostly suburban and rural markets. DukeNet Communications, a wholesale telecommunications subsidiary of Duke Energy Corporation, is among the investors.

http://www.conterra.com/

Alcatel-Lucent Announces Optical Networking Breakthroughs

Alcatel-Lucent demonstrated several new advances in optical transmission, paving the way for the future introduction of 100 Gbps Ethernet optical networks. The advancements include:

  • The transmission of 12.8 Terabit/s of data through a single optical fiber over a record distance of 2,550 km -- a precursor for long-haul transmission at 100 Gbps per wavelength. This experiment, which was conducted by Alcatel-Lucent's researchers in Villarceaux, France, involved the transmission of 160 WDM channels modulated at 80 Gbps each. The company said this represents an improvement by a factor of more than 8 over previous records. The system involved several innovations, namely polarization division multiplexing, multi-level optical modulation, coherent detection and powerful electrical signal processing.


  • A pioneering 8 Terabit/s data transmission using a simple and cost effective 100 Gbps channel modulation. This experiment, which conducted by Alcatel-Lucent's researchers from Stuttgart and Villarceaux, achieved an 8 Tbps Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) transmission with 80 channels, each modulated at 100 Gbps, transmitted over 520 km. Such a density represents a breakthrough, as the channels were very densely packed, separated by no more than 100 GHz from each other. Alcatel-Lucent said this modulation is a simple, robust and cost-effective way to generate and transmit a 100 Gbps bandwidth by channel.



  • The first hybrid DWDM transmission of 100 Gbps and 40 Gbps channels in the same system -- demonstrating migration and coexistence capabilities of both. This experiment, which was conducted at Bell Labs, achieved a record overall spectral efficiency of 1.4 bits/s/Hz. This experiment is significant in that it demonstrates a feasible upgrade path for DWDM transport equipment to support 100 Gbps Ethernet channels using existing 50-GHz channel plans. These results are an extension of Alcatel-Lucent's recent successful demonstration of a similar capacity upgrade - where researchers replaced 10 Gbps OOK channels with 40 Gbps DQPSK channels, co-existing with 40 Gbps DBPSK channels, in the same system (post-deadline paper at OFC/NFOEC 2007).
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com