TMG: France Telecom Ranks as Largest IPTV Provider with 1.1 Million Subs

France Telecom currently ranks as the largest IPTV operator worldwide with 1.1 million subscribers, according to a new report from Telecommunications Management Group. There were 9.9 million IPTV subscribers around the world at the end of 2007, more than double the previous year, and TMG projects more than a 500 percent increase over the next three years. Hong Kong's PCCW has the most successful overall uptake, with more than 50% of broadband users taking the service.http://reports.tmgtelecom.com/iptv

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California Congresswoman Proposes Free Wireless Broadband Legislation

A proposed "Wireless Internet Nationwide for Families Act (WIN)" would foster the deployment of a new nationwide wireless broadband network by requiring the FCC to auction additional spectrum that is currently lying fallow. The winner of the auction would be required to build and complete a network within 10 years that must provide coverage to at least 95% of the country. The licensee would also be required to provide service for free to consumers and public safety users. The WIN Act would also requires the licensee to deny access to obscene and indecent material on the free service tier. The proposed legislation is backed by Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) and Rep. Christopher Cannon (R- UT).


"The results of the 700 MHz auction disappointed many of us who hoped that a new entrant would emerge. 70% of the spectrum auctioned went to only two carriers. While the auction required under this legislation is open to anyone, it is my hope that the bold conditions of requiring free, family friendly service will encourage the entry of a new kind of national broadband service provider," commented Anna Eshoo.http://eshoo.house.gov

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Telecom Italia Selects Huawei for Fiber Access in Milan

Huawei will provide Telecom Italia with its Fiber to the Building (FTTB) solution for deployment in Milan. The contract covers Huawei's SmartAX MA5600Tand MA5606T, which incorporates GPON and VDSL2 . Financial terms were not disclosed.


"We are proud to further our partnership with Telecom Italia," added Mr. William Xu, President of Europe Region, Huawei Technologies. "As the exclusive provider of FTTB technologies to Telecom Italia in the Milan area, we are committed to delivering a high-quality service. We will spare no effort in helping Telecom Italia extend its leadership in the dynamic and fast-growing broadband market."http://www.huawei.com

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Hong Kong's PCCW Extends Free Wi-Fi to Public Housing Estates

PCCW, the incumbent telco in Hong Kong, announced the provision of free Wi-Fi at outdoor and indoor areas of the public rental housing estates, including those at the Outlying Islands. Wi-Fi service at public rental housing estates will be provided free of charge between 6 am to 11 pm every day.


The move follows PCCW's provision last year of free Wi-Fi Internet access to universities and other institutes serving over 120,000 students. Free Wi-Fi Internet access is also provided across Hong Kong for accessing Hong Kong Government service websites to promote the concept of eGovernment. PCCW also provides free Wi-Fi at Hong Kong International Airport.

The number of PCCW Wi-Fi hotspots throughout Hong Kong has increased from 400 in 2006 to more than 4,000 in early 2008.

PCCW's Consumer Group Managing Director, Tom Chan, said: "PCCW is a socially responsible corporate citizen and is committed to help enhance Hong Kong's position as an Asian center of technology and business excellence. This latest initiative to provide free wireless broadband service at public rental housing estates is the latest development in a continuous PCCW effort to push the territory to the top of the global league-table of Wi-Fi cities."http://www.pccw.com

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NTT DoCoMo Unveils New Corporate Logo

NTT DoCoMo unveiled a new corporate logo and other re-branding elements that will be introduced beginning July 1.


The company said red symbolizes its energy and dynamism. DoCoMo also underlined its commitment to achieve customer satisfaction by understanding the needs of customers and building stronger relationships with them, and to maximize the creativity of its workforce and remain a leading innovator in the mobile communications industry.


The new brand slogan will be "Unlimited Potential, in Your Hand".http://www.nttdocomo.com

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Nokia Siemens Networks Wins Contract in Algeria

Wataniya Telecom Algerie will deploy Nokia Siemens Networks' 3GPP Release 4 mobile softswitching solution. The deployment includes Nokia Siemens Networks' MSC Server System in the core network. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Wataniya Telecom Algerie (WTA) is an Algerian mobile operator, part of the Qatar Telecom (QTel) Group since March 2007, after Qtel's purchase of 51% of the capital of Kuwait-based National Mobile Telecommunications Company.
Nedjma is operating a GPRS/EDGE network, providing advanced wireless voice and data services to a customer base of nearly 5 million in Algeria.http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

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Nortel Appoints Head of Global Sales

Nortel announced the appointment of Michael Pangia as senior vice-president, Global Sales Operations and Strategy -- a newly created position. Pangia is currently president of Nortel's Asia Region and will remain in this position in the short term until a successor is named. Previously, Pangia held senior level global roles in both finance and operations.
http://www.nortel.com

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Freescale Supplies Processors for NEC's "Lui" Home Platform

Freescale Semiconductor is supplying 32-bit ColdFire embedded processors for a new line of "Lui" home client/server solutions from NEC Corporation. Freescale's low-power MCF5328 ColdFire processor will provide remote-access capabilities for its Lui models of VALUESTAR R desktop PCs for the home media server market. The MCF5328 processor enables the Lui system to operate within a 1 W power envelope.


The MCF5328 features an integrated Fast Ethernet controller and I2C bus interface. It runs on the uClinux operating system supplied by Freescale.http://www.freescale.comhttp://www.nec.com

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