Carnegie Mellon Selects Motorola WLAN for Silicon Valley Campus

Carnegie Mellon University has deployed Motorola's enterprise wireless LAN (WLAN) infrastructure to provide seamless mobile connectivity indoors and outdoors to faculty and students at its campus in Mountain View, California. The campus specializes in graduate programs in software engineering, software and management, security, mobile technology, and engineering and technology innovation and management.


Specifically, Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley installed the Motorola RFS7000 WLAN switch in combination with 802.11a/b/g AP300 access ports (APs) to provide wireless Internet access to students and faculty across the entire campus. Carnegie Mellon will also integrate the Motorola WLAN technology into its Silicon Valley classrooms, utilizing it as a mobility platform for emerging wireless technologies and next-generation networks. The RFS7000 can support seamless mobile access to multiple RF networks, providing interfaces for WLAN, mesh, cellular, RFID and in the future WiMAX.http://www.motorola.com

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Sea Launch Prepares to Launch DIRECTV 11 on March 17

The Sea Launch team entered the final countdown window for the launch of the DIRECTV 11 broadcast satellite. Liftoff is planned at 3:49 pm PDT (22:49 GMT). Sea Launcshaid it will provide live coverage of the launch via its website.


DIRECTV 11 is one of three recent Boeing 702-model spacecraft built for DIRECTV and is among the largest and most powerful Ka-band satellites built to date. The on-board technology of this direct-to-home satellite will enable DIRECTV to continue to expand its massive capacity expansion and further strengthen its position as the leading provider of High Definition programming in the United States. This is the fourth satellite Sea Launch will deploy for DIRECTV. Previous satellites include Spaceway 1 (April 26, 2005), DIRECTV 7S (May 4, 2004) and DIRECTV 1R (October 9, 1999).

http://www.sea-launch.com

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Fastweb Selects Nokia Siemens Networks for MVNO Launch

Fastweb, which is currently serving 1.3 million fixed network customers in Italy, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks as a technological partner when it launches mobile services later this year. Nokia Siemens Networks will provide Fastweb with a suite of convergent core network products and network implementation services to facilitate the launch of mobile data services. Specifically, Nokia Siemens Networks will deliver the network control solution, featuring its Intelligent Service Node (Flexi ISN), during the first quarter of 2008, ensuring that the whole system be in place for the MVNO service launch, scheduled for the second half of the year. The contract also includes a service package for commissioning, installation and launch support to prepare Fastweb for the MVNO operation. Financial terms were not disclosed.http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

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Alcatel-Lucent to Integrate NextWave's WiMAX Broadcast Solution

Alcatel-Lucent will integrate NextWave's recently announced "MXtv" WiMAX broadcast technology into its WiMAX solutions portfolio. The two companies plan to perform a series of interoperability tests with Alcatel-Lucent's commercial WiMAX infrastructure starting in the second quarter of 2008.The goal is to enable WiMAX operators to deliver a broad range of rich and personalized multimedia services including mobile TV, interactive services and digital audio without having to invest in new spectrum or additional network infrastructure.


NextWave's MXtv provides fully-integrated broadcast and unicast of voice, data and rich media over each individual stream. The technology has also been integrated into its low-power, Wave 2 compliant NW2000 series WiMAX subscriber device System-on-a-Chip (SoC). The NW2000 series SoC is currently being integrated into a range of devices, the first of which is planned availability in the second half of 2008.


NextWave said its MXtv technology supports 30 fps QVGA and WQVGA content and is implemented in a 10 MHz channel. WiMAX operators can offer up to 45 broadcast channels, streaming at 300 kbps, in a pure broadcast overlay WiMAX network and up to 20 broadcast channels in a hybrid mobile broadcast and broadband offering, and still have more than 55 percent of their mobile broadband capacity remaining for other services.


Complementing MXtv technology is PacketVideo's (PV) MediaFusion platform, an end-to-end server-client software solution. MediaFusion supports unicast, "networked group" multicast, broadcast and background services such as personal video recording, music, streaming personalized radio, and social networking, with a discovery engine that can drive a number of highly targeted advertising business models. PacketVideo is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NextWave Wireless.http://www.nextwave.comhttp://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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Ixia Launches End-to-end Remote QoE and Service Validation Platform

Ixia introduced an end-to-end remote Quality of Experience (QoE) and service validation platform for Triple Play deployments.

The new IxRave platform actively monitors and isolate faults in a carrier's access network by using inexpensive probes that can be deployed along network edges, at customer premises and at key core points to perform real-time active network validation. The service measurement can then be integrated with a carriers' operation support systems (OSS).


Bell Canada worked with Ixia to deploy remote testing capability for rolling out triple play services on its network. The remote testing has significantly reduced truck rolls previously required to handle a high number of service incidents associated with the carrier's DSL service. IxRave is based on the same remote test software and centralized test approach in use at Bell Canada. The carrier reduced IP-related unwarranted truck rolls by 98 percent, a savings to date of CAN$3.2 million. Bell Canada also recovered 86 percent of DSLAM ports previously tagged defective, a further savings of CAN$3.5 million.


Ixia is offering an ROI calculator for carriers and service providers who would like to see how IxRave can help them reduce operational expenses.http://www.ixiacom.com

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Fujitsu Tweaks Outside Plant Enclosure to Speed Deployments

Fujitsu Network Communications

introduced a new outdoor enclosure that spins for full 180° product access. The enclosure is used for housing the FLASHWAVE 4100 Extension Shelf system. The design allows carriers to quickly deploy and maintain Fujitsu FLASHWAVE equipment.


The new enclosure expands the full range of turnkey outside plant (OSP) solutions from Fujitsu.


The FLASHWAVE 4100 Extension Shelf offers a compact 2RU (3.5") modular solution that supports high concentrations of DS1, DS3, and Ethernet services.http://us.fujitsu.com/telecom

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Microsoft/Nortel Partnership Delivers Four Unified Communications (UC) Solutions

Building on their Innovative Communications Alliance, which was first announced in July 2006, Microsoft and Nortel released four new joint unified communications (UC) solutions, including the Converged Office unified communications suite, Multimedia Conferencing, and solutions for branch offices and hosted service providers.


The companies said customer adoption of their joint solution continues to accelerate with more than 600 wins for unified communications products since the formation of the alliance.


The new solutions include:

• Nortel Converged Office, which integrates the voice functionality of Nortel's Communication Server (CS) 1000 IP-PBX or CS 2100 IP-PBX with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007. CS 1000 is the first and only IP-PBX currently qualified by Microsoft's Unified Communications Open Interoperability Program.



• UC Integrated Branch, which extends unified communications to branch office and remote sites. It combines Office Communications Server 2007 mediation server capabilities into the Nortel Secure Router 4134, while integrating WAN routing, Ethernet switching, security and high quality VoIP capabilities into a single platform. SR 4134 has been qualified by Microsoft's Unified Communications Open Interoperability Program, providing customers a seamless experience with setup, support, and use of the joint solution.



• The Nortel and Microsoft Carrier Hosted Unified Communications Solution, which enables service providers to offer hosted unified communications solutions to SMBs and enterprises using Nortel's Communication Server 2000 softswitch with Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Exchange Server 2007 Unified Messaging. The solution allows providers to equip workers with instant messaging, VoIP, click-to-call, video conferencing and other multimedia services through Microsoft Office Communicator 2007.



• Nortel Multimedia Conferencing 5.0 for Office Communications Server 2007, which provides a reservationless audio conferencing solution that enhances Office Communications Server 2007 conferencing with dial in audio bridge capabilities, enabling external non Communications Server 2007 users to dial into a conference.

http://www.nortel.comhttp://www.microsoft.com

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Packeteer Unveils Smallest WAN Optimization Appliance

Packeteer introduced its PacketShaper 900 (PS900) appliance for providing visibility, control, compression and acceleration of application traffic across WAN links. The new PS900, which is billed as the smallest WAN Optimization appliance, delivers the same functionality of Packeteer's larger PacketShaper models for Intelligent Service Assurance in a small form-factor, energy efficient package that aligns with the needs of remote sites where space and power is at a premium.


Key PS900 features include:

• The ability to monitor and troubleshoot performance, enforce QoS policies, and intelligently accelerate applications on a single device


• High Definition Application Visibility / Analysis (Layer 7 Plus)


• Support for multiple (primary/backup or multi-homed) WAN connections


• Fail-to-wire capability on both pairs of ports to support redundant WAN connections


• Small form-factor and reduced power requirements.

In addition, Packeteer is also introducing the PS900 Lite, which offers the same visibility and optimization technology as the PS900, but reduces the number of traffic classes supported and some of the detailed performance reports. Both products are now available.http://www.packeteer.com

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Qualcomm Acquires Xiam for Content Discovery/Recommendations

Qualcomm has acquired Xiam Technologies, a start-up offering a mobile content discovery and recommendations system, for approximately $32 million. Xiam, which is based in Dublin, Ireland, developed a "My Personal Offers System" (MPOS) that enables mobile operators and brands to make personalized recommendations to individual consumers that are tailored to their unique tastes and preferences using advanced profiling techniques. Consumers can receive personalized offers of new and relevant content over wireless and Web channels, both before and after purchase. MPOS also leverages demographic, contextual and behavioral profiling.


Xiam lists Orange UK as one of its customers.


Qualcomm plans to continue to offer MPOS as a standalone product through Xiam as a wholly owned subsidiary, as well as offer the targeting technology as part of its core solutions and products to present operators and brands with powerful subscriber intelligence and personalization tools that help spur wireless data growth.http://www.qualcomm.com/http://www.xiam.com

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AT&T Partners on State-of-the-Art Facility in Qatar

AT&T is partnering with Qtel and NavLink to jointly develop and deliver advanced data communications services and solutions for Energy City Qatar (ECQ), a landmark business center in the Middle East. ECQ is a major US$2.6 billion development to create the Middle East's first integrated energy and business center for the oil and gas industry. Plans include a carrier class Internet data center (IDC) and a network operations center (NOC) built to AT&T's and Qtel's standards for these types of facilities. NavLink, (a company in which AT&T and Qtel both hold a minority shareholding) will supply network management tools and use both the NOC and IDC to deliver a variety of AT&T managed and hosting services to the ECQ tenants.http://www.att.com

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Highwinds Raises $55 Million for its Content Delivery Network

Highwinds Network Group, a content delivery network operator based in Winter Park, Florida, closed a $55 million round of equity financing led by General Catalyst Partners and Alta Communications. The financing will fund the infrastructure build-out of Highwinds' "RollingThunder" network.


Highwinds also announced a partnership with Digital Rapids Corporation and Knack Networks to create advanced IPTV solutions for professional media companies worldwide.http://www.highwinds.com

• In September 2007, Level 3 Communications' Content Markets Group announced that it is supplying High Speed Internet Access and multiple 10 Gbps wavelength to provide the underlying network backbone services that power Highwinds' RollingThunder network. The Level 3 facilities are being used to link Highwinds' data centers in ten cities throughout the United States and in Europe. This business relationship also enables Highwinds to expand its network capabilities and market reach by tapping into Level 3's internationally deployed network for global content distribution. Financial terms were not disclosed.



• Highwinds operates strategically placed data centers, which house server and storage technology used to manage content, in Amsterdam, Ashburn, Va., Atlanta, Chicago, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Phoenix. Currently, 12 data centers in 10 cities are connected through 10 Gbps wavelengths provided by Level 3.

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Altair Samples its Mobile WiMAX Processor for Handheld Devices

Altair Semiconductor, a start-up based in Israel, announced sampling of its mobile WiMAX baseband processor to leading handheld device and module manufacturers. The company said its design sets new standards in terms of power consumption, size and cost. The device implements full WiMAX Forum Wave-2 physical (PHY) Layer and Media Access Control (MAC) functionality. http://www.altair-semi.com

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Xirrus Raises $26 Million for Wi-Fi Array Integrating Gigabit Switch

Xirrus, a start-up based in Westlake Village, California, secured $26 million in third round funding for its Wi-Fi "Power-Play" solutions. The company offers a Wi-Fi Array that integrates 4, 8, or 16 radios and high-gain directional antennas into a single device along with an onboard Gigabit Switch, Wi-Fi Controller, Firewall, and dedicated Wi-Fi Threat Sensor. The solution is designed as a replacement for Ethernet workgroup switches.


The round was led by Canaan Partners, with additional participation by all existing investors including U.S. Venture Partners, August Capital, QuestMark Partners and Dirk Gates, president and chief executive officer of Xirrus.http://www.xirrus.com

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NEC to Offer Full Scale IPTV Solutions for International Markets

NEC announced plans to will launch full-scale IPTV solutions for international markets. The company will deliver end-to-End IPTV solutions and video delivery systems to service providers. NEC said it will draw on its NGN know-how and extensive experience with broadcasting technology. The company is targeting 50 billion yen in sales by 2010.


NEC intends to adopt the following initiatives to further this goal:

• 1. The delivery of End-to-End IPTV solutions using NEC products, from network architecture to delivery servers and household terminals, in a "Full Line Full Layer" approach. This will make it possible to guarantee the Quality of Service (QoS), Quality of Experience (QoE) and advanced security demanded by carriers and users alike.



• 2. The introduction of the "NC7500-VD" video delivery server (VoD server) in April. This carrier-grade server will offer built-in content protection capabilities, real-time encoding based on Marlin DRM specifications, MPEG-1/2 and H.264 High Profile images, Pro-MPECG FEC (Forward Error Correction) to prevent video quality deterioration due to packet loss, network PVR capabilities, ad insertion capabilities and other advanced features.



• 3. The adoption of CASCADE's "QualiTVision*" middleware, is already being used in IPTV deployments in Hong Kong and Thailand. The middleware supports time shifting, Network PVR, and other interactive services.

http://www.nec.co.jp

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University of Houston to Install 1,000 AT&T U-verse Connections

The University of Houston will deploy AT&T's U-verse IPTV and high speed Internet services every room of a new residence hall for graduate and professional students. The Calhoun Lofts, next to the University of Houston's C.T. Bauer College of Business, will contain more than 700 one- and two-bedroom apartments with 1,000 AT&T U-verse connections. AT&T said this represents the first planned of U-verse services into student housing on a college campus.http://www.att.com

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AT&T Expands Ethernet Services with VPLS

AT&T has expanded its Ethernet service portfolio with the rollout of a global virtual private local area network service (VPLS) and expanded midband Ethernet connection speeds -- including speeds below 10 Mbps -- delivered over copper.


AT&T's VPLS service, called "OPT-E-WAN", will enable businesses to link multiple locations using Ethernet interfaces. The service is expected to be available beginning this summer. Throughout 2008, AT&T plans to make these services available in the U.S. and in 14 overseas locations -- Frankfurt, London, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Dublin/Cork, Milan, Madrid and Zurich in Europe; and Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore, Tokyo in the Asia/Pacific region.


At the same time, AT&T is adding new connection speeds of 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps to its "OPT-E-MAN" switched metro Ethernet service that uses AT&T's MPLS network backbone to transport voice, data and video applications to multiple locations. The new speeds will be available in AT&T's 13-state legacy footprint, and will be supported by AT&T's service level agreements offered with OPT-E-MAN service. AT&T already offers 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps Metro Ethernet speeds in the nine-state Southeast footprint. AT&T said these lower speeds will help businesses connect to Ethernet services over fiber facilities or over copper facilities, eliminating the need for businesses to invest in expensive fiber build outs when copper facilities are readily available.http://www.att.com

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Verizon Business Outlines 2008 CAPEX Plans

Verizon Business outlined plans to expand its global network footprint in 2008 through a number of infrastructure projects in high-growth regions, including China, India, Mexico, Brazil and Australia.


In India, the company is currently implementing a diverse five-city IP, Ethernet and Global Data Link network in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad. Verizon Business recently received its international and national long- distance licenses (ILD/NLD) to offer advanced communications services to India-based and multinational companies with operations in India. In Latin America, Verizon Business is adding MPLS nodes in Mexico City and Monterrey. In Brazil, Verizon Business recently completed an expansion of network capabilities by deploying Private IP, Public IP and Global Data Link nodes in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. In Australia, Verizon Business is implementing national long-distance network expansions, and building an optical backbone serving the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth. Verizon Business is also adding VoIP capabilities in Singapore and Hong Kong; and upgrading its network in Canada with a high-speed optical backbone in Toronto.


Verizon Business other 2008 capital programs include:

• Private IP Deployment - Supporting Verizon Business' fastest-growing service already in more than 121 countries, the company will deploy MPLS nodes for additional PIP expansion to countries in the Middle East and Latin America. MPLS nodes also will be deployed for broader penetration in countries like India, Vietnam, Australia, South Africa and the U.S.



• Converged Packet Architecture - After an aggressive 39-city, 18-country CPA deployment in 2007, Verizon Business will add multiple nodes in six more countries including India, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Mexico and Canada, which will expand its global Ethernet footprint. Verizon Business already offers Ethernet access to Private IP in 40 countries and plans to reach more than 50 countries by year-end. CPA allows customers to move seamlessly from legacy time division multiplexing (TDM) to a packet-based technology resulting in improved efficiency.



• Submarine Cables - With participation in more than 65 submarine cables in the world, the company is making additional investments in submarine cable capacity in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, India, the Middle East and Africa to support the growing needs of network requirements and deliver world-class performance. Verizon Business will activate in the third quarter the first submarine cable system with direct 10 Gbps wavelength access from the U.S. to mainland China. In addition to greater speed and capacity, the Trans-Pacific Express Cable will offer enhanced reliability by adding another major path and geographic diverse routing to the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region. With Verizon Business' longstanding leadership position in the submarine cable industry, the company is able to expedite use of multiple cables around the world during service interruptions.



• Optical Global Mesh - As an industry leader implementing mesh architecture on its Atlantic and Pacific submarine cables routes in 2006 and 2007 respectively, Verizon Business will expand this optical mesh architecture into North America and North Asia. When the TPE cable in the Pacific is completed, the Pacific global mesh network will increase from five-way to seven-way diversity. The mesh network design creates additional paths for use in the event of multiple undersea breaks or network disruptions significantly enhancing reliability for customer voice, data, video and IP traffic.



• Ultra Long Haul - Deployment of 2,000 additional ultra long haul (ULH) miles on the U.S. core backbone network and 1,940 miles on the European network will increase to more than 34,000 the ULH miles deployed on the global network, under a multiyear project. ULH reduces the number of network elements by 70 percent, allowing the network to operate more efficiently while enabling wavelength services. ULH provides customers with reduced provisioning times, improved reliability and lower latency.



• Deployment of ROADM (Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer) technology - the technology is being used to remotely configure wavelengths on the network in local markets. The technology allows for faster provisioning and trouble isolation. Verizon Business will deploy ROADM technology in 19 U.S. markets this year.



• 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps technology - Looking toward higher circuit speeds demanded by customers, Verizon Business will continue deploying 40 Gbps on network routes in the United States. At the same time, the company will continue its aggressive testing of 100 Gbps capabilities in efforts to move the industry toward production quality 100 Gbps in late 2009.

http://www.verizonbusiness.com

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