Russia's AMT-Group Partners with Italtel on NGN Solutions

AMT-Group, a leading system integrator in Russia, will partner with Italtel on the joint promotion, realization and support of NGN solutions based on the Italtel i-MSS multiservice platform.


The NGN solutions, based on i-MSS (Italtel Multi Service Solutions) platform, will allow Telecom Operators and Large Enterprises to offer Class 4 and Class 5 solutions that support multimedia convergent Next - Generation Services (NGS) such as Voice transfer, Data and Video over IP, Unified Messaging.


Italtel has been working for many years on the Russian market adopting a direct sale model. With this agreement, the company starts to work in Russia also on a partnership model in order to enlarge its presence on the market. AMT-Group is the first among Russian system integrators to become Italtel partner.


The companies noted that the iMSS has been installed in test laboratory of Technopark ZNIIS (Central Scientific Research Institute of Telecommunications) and is currently in operation in the networks of three important Russian operators.http://www.italtel.comhttp://www.amt.ru/

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Dilithium Unveils Content Adapter for Real-time Mobile Video

Dilithium, which specializes in high-quality transcoding and multimedia delivery over mobile and broadband networks, introduced a high capacity and scalable solution that automates the real-time adaptation and delivery of video content over multiple networks to any device. Dilithium's patented technologies perform real-time, on demand media conversion for multiple devices with minimal latency, avoiding the need for off-line transcoding. The new Dilithium Content Adapter (DCA), which builds on the company's existing 3G mobile video solutions, is designed for the delivery of interactive, 2-way multimedia content to wireless and broadband devices.


Media delivery has typically required customized coding for each device and network type such as 2.5G, 3G, WiFi or WiMAX, which restricted real-time downloads and is resource intensive as it requires extensive human interaction and expensive capital investment in servers and storage. Dilithium's technologies enable on-demand transcoding, transrating and transsizing of multimedia content. This on-demand processing makes it easier for operators to manage content and allows for additional revenue streams such as targeted ad insertion.


Key features of the DCA include:

• Real-time Media Transcoding: Conversion and delivery of streamed media (on-demand) as it is downloaded or streamed from the content source.



• Flexibility: Easily integrated with external platforms such as subscriber databases, billing systems and content management systems. Scripted applications allow control over the con�tent to be played, target bitrates, frame sizes, codecs and file formats from a wide range of sources.



• Easy Integration: DCA uses the industry standard PHP as a common scripting language leveraging the wide range of standard interfaces to other systems. DCA supports a wide range of service and billing models, including dynamically generated content, subscription services and pay-per-view.



• Scalability: DCA can be scaled from small scale trial installations of tens of sessions through to distributed systems suitable for very large scale services through the use of service node clusters.



• Efficiency: Innovative caching facility means that content need only be transcoded once for a specific device or network and can be served to a large number of clients with minimal ad�ditional overhead.



• Reliability: A comprehensive management application allows all elements of the system to be monitored and configured and a wide range of performance statistics recovered.

Dilithium has over 100 deployments worldwide, including with customers such as Telecom Italia Mobile, Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile, China Netcom and others.http://www.dilithiumnetworks.com

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Telefónica Group Reaches 233.5 million Accesses -- Fixed, Broadband, Wireless, TV

As of 31-Mar-2008, the Telefónica Group was serving a total of 233.5 million access points (fixed, broadband, wireless and pay TV customers) across all its markets, up by 12.9% from a year earlier. This growth was underpinned by the increase in wireless (+16.3%), broadband (+26.8%) and pay TV (+64.4%) accesses.


Telefónica reported organic growth in revenue (+7%), OIBDA (+8.2%) and operating income (+17.2%), underscoring the value of its geographic and business diversification. In absolute terms, Telefónica Latinoamérica increased its weight over Telefónica Group revenues, accounting for 37.1% of the total. Telefónica España and Telefónica Europa accounted for 36.9% and 25% of the total revenues of the Telefónica Group respectively.


Some operational highlights for Q1:

• By access type, the Telefónica Group's wireless accesses topped 171 million at the end of the first quarter, with net adds of around 4 million customers. The main contributors were Brazil (839,446), Mexico (724,548), Peru (632,114) and Germany (535,994).



• Retail internet broadband accesses surged 26.8% year-on-year to over 10.8 million at the end of March, driven by: the strong take-up for ADSL, TV and voice bundles, making significant contributions to developing the broadband market and forging customer loyalty. In Spain, retail broadband accesses surpassed 4.8 million (up 20.2% year-on-year), in Latin America, 5.2 million (+29.5% year-on-year) and in Europe, 800,000 (+58.4% year-on-year). Net adds in the third quarter stood at nearly 222,000 in Spain, while this figure amounted to 201,300 and 129,900 in Latin America and Europe respectively.



• Pay TV accesses at the end of the quarter exceeded 1.8 million, 64.4% more than a year before, with operations up and running in Spain, the Czech Republic, Peru, Chile, Colombia and Brazil. Pay TV, Telefónica Latinoamérica already has over 1.2 million pay TV subscribers, with operations in Peru, Chile, Colombia and Brazil, compared to 700,148 customers in March 2007.



• Telefónica Spain continues to drive sector growth, with like-for-like increases in revenue and OIBDA of 2.6% an 6.4%, respectively, fuelled by improvement in the broadband business and a marked increase in wireless data revenue



• Telefónica Latin America delivered healthy organic growth in both revenue (12.6%) and OIBDA (11.8%) thanks to the sharp growth of the wireless business and the penetration increase of broadband and pay TV



• Telefónica Europe reported robust organic growth in revenue (+6.4%) and OIBDA (+5.3%), in a quarter featuring a strong commercial effort in all the markets



• Q1 CapEx amounted to 1,319 million euros, leaving operating cash flow (OIBDA-CapEx) of 4,057 million euros.

http://www.telefonica.es

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Verizon Wireless, SFR, SK Telecom Join LiMO Foundation for Open Handset OS

Verizon Wireless has joined the LiMo Foundation,

a global consortium of mobile leaders delivering an open handset platform for the whole mobile industry. Verizon Wireless joins the foundation's other 39 members in working within LiMo's transparent governance model to shape the evolution of the LiMo Platform, while remaining entirely free to deliver their own compelling and differentiated services to mobile customers.


Launched in January 2007 by six mobile industry leaders--Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics and Vodafone--LiMo was formed to deliver an open and globally consistent software platform based upon Mobile Linux.

Additional new members include Infineon Technologies, Kvaleberg AS, Mozilla Corporation, Red Bend Software, Sagem Mobiles, SFR and SK Telecom.http://www.limofoundation.org

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AT&T's Ralph de la Vega Comments on Wireless Evolution

"The great age of wireless is just ahead of us and AT&T is poised to lead in this space," said Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO of AT&T Mobility speaking at this week's Morgan Stanley Communications Conference. De la Vega cited three key points:

• Focus and execution are strong at AT&T. The company has lived up to its promise of integrating network following the merger and has remained on track regarding customer growth, ARPU, churn and other metrics.



• There is a strong upside potential ahead for new media-rich services. Data service revenue growth is already in the 50% range. The adoption of smartphones is on the rise and currently only 16% of post-paid subscribers have data plans. AT&T has the 700 MHz spectrum depth required to deliver media-rich services. AT&T also sees strong wireless data potential for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, such as delivery trucks, road sensors and automatically-updated signs.



• AT&T has a clear evolutionary path to LTE that can be implemented step-by-step while remaining backwards compatible with GSM.

No comment on 3G iPhones.http://www.att.com/gen/investor-relations?pid=5647

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Verizon Business Wins $678.5 million Networx Contract with Dept. of Homeland Security

Verizon Business was awarded a contract valued at $678.5 million over 10 years to deploy and manage a secure global IP network linking thousands of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sites under a new Networx Universal task order.


Under the contract, Verizon Business will serve as primary service provider under the much-anticipated DHS OneNet program, providing managed IP and security services that support DHS' mission of securing the nation. Specifically, Verizon Business will help the 22 agencies making up DHS combine multiple separate wide area networks onto one common and secure IP network. DHS will rely on Verizon Business to fully manage and secure more than 5,000 agency sites worldwide. As part of the program, Verizon Business has committed to implementing a Security Operations Center (SOC) for DHS.


Additionally, Verizon Business will employ Emergency Communications Services (ECS), a new service available to all government agencies under Networx Universal, to help DHS better prepare for emergency response to man-made and natural disasters. ECS will enable DHS to establish quick, mobile connectivity to any affected area within the United States and its territories to help meet its mission of disaster response and disaster recovery.http://www.verizonbusiness.com http://www.gsa.gov

• In March 2007, The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded a set of contracts under its "Networx" program valued at an estimated $20 billion over 10 years -- believed to be the largest networking contracts ever issued. Contract award recipients include AT&T, Verizon Business Services (MCI), and Qwest Government Services.

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AT&T Offers GPS TimeTrack Workforce Management via Blackberrys

AT&T will begin offering Xora's "GPS TimeTrack" workforce management solution to AT&T' business mobile customers.

Xora GPS TimeTrack uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to give businesses timesheet data collection, job/work-order management, payroll integration and location tracking capabilities on AT&T-powered smartphones.


Xora GPS TimeTrack will be available via wireless download on the BlackBerry 8800, BlackBerry 8820, BlackBerry Pearl 8110 and BlackBerry Curve 8310 handsets, as well as the AT&T Tilt, BlackJack II and MOTO Q 9h global smartphones.


The Xora GPS TimeTrack acts as a mobile version of the punch clock on which employees in the field can log starting and ending times for shifts, breaks and specific jobs by using a simple interface. Back at the office, management can view all of the information on a PC in near real time, including detailed maps showing the current location of all workers, detailed location activity, landmarks and street addresses.


AT&T will offer three monthly subscription plans. Xora GPS TimeTrack Standard is $16.99 for each device, Xora GPS TimeTrack Premier is $24.99 a device and Xora GPS TimeTrack Supervisor, which allows work crew leaders to clock team members in and out, is $29.99 a device. All require a monthly AT&T smartphone data plan. There also is a one-time setup fee of $25 for each subscriber. There also are two Xora add-on services available: Xroutes with TrafIQ for an additional $28.99 a month and EZNav, which provides GPS-guided text and audible turn-by-turn driving directions powered by Garmin, for an additional $6.99 a month for each subscriber.http://www.att.com/locationbasedserviceshttp://www.xora.com

• Xora is a start-up based in Mountain View, California. The company is headed by Sanjay Shirole, who previously spent three years as President of Web Apps, a privately funded enterprise software company that he co-founded. Sanjay also spent five years with Oracle Corporation.

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CoreOptics Raises $25 Million for 10/40/100 Gbps Optical Modules

CoreOptics, which develops and manufactures 10/40/100 Gbps optical networking subsystems, raised $25 million in new financing from existing its investors, bringing the company's total funding to date to more than $90 million.


CoreOptics currently offers 10 Gbps DWDM, 40 Gbps Single Channel Short Reach and 40/43G DWDM transponder modules. The company's product portfolio also includes 43 Gb/s Ultra-FEC, 40G Mux/DeMux for 4x10G client signals and Interface Converter supporting SFI-5s, SFI-4, XFI to enable building of next generation Open Tolerant Networks. Key benefits of this product platform include reduction in first-in CAPEX, by eliminating the need for the conventional Dispersion Compensation Modules (DCMs) and Dual-Stage amplifiers. The OPEX savings include simplification of network planning, installation and provisioning by enabling a complete set of plug-and-play features.


CoreOptics' specializes in highly advanced equalization solutions based on Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimator (MLSE) electronic signal processing algorithm at 10 Gbps. The company's next-generation MLSE-2 technology will enable systems vendors and their carrier customers to benefit from much higher Chromatics Dispersion (CD) and Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) mitigation capabilities, and to set the physical layer of the optical networks for cost effective deployment of 40 and 100 Gbps services.


Investors include T-Com Venture Fund, GIMV, Crescendo Ventures, TVM Capital, High Tech Private Equity, Atila Ventures, Quest for Growth and others. The team includes over 115 highly skilled engineers with extensive experience in RF and digital ASIC design as well as optical systems, applications and network architecture.http://www.CoreOptics.com

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Bharti Airtel Selects Redback's SmartEdge Routers

Bharti Airtel LTD (Airtel), India's largest private integrated telecom services provider, has selected Redback's SmartEdge400 router platform and NetOp policy management software to deliver a mix of pre-paid and on-demand broadband services for its broadband fixed line subscribers. Today, Airtel has more than 55 million total subscribers and is the largest private telecom services provider in India. Over time, Redback and Ericsson will help Airtel unify its fixed and mobile infrastructure to provide a combination of residential and business services. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Redback Networks was acquired by Ericsson in January 2007. Over the last 15 months, Redback has won more than 100 carrier deals with Ericsson in 55 countries, including four of the top 10 mobile carriers and two additional top 20 fixed carriers.http://www.redback.com

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Verizon Business Gains Regulatory Approval in Mexico

Verizon Business has received government approval to directly deliver advanced communications services in Mexico. The company had previously been delivering services through partnerships with local telecommunications providers. Verizon Business will now deliver services via its own local operating company. These services will include Verizon Private IP, Verizon Internet Dedicated and managed network services. Verizon Business is also in the final stages of deploying multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) nodes in Mexico City and Monterrey to support Private and Public IP services.
http://www.verizonbusiness.com

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AT&T U-verse Adopts EPA ENERGY STAR Requirements for STBs

AT&T announced a commitment to operating under new ENERGY STAR requirements for video providers.


As an ENERGY STAR participant, AT&T will provide U-verse TV customers with Motorola and Cisco Systems receivers that meet the new ENERGY STAR efficiency criteria in advance of the January 2009 deadline for when it goes into effect. U-verse TV Internet Protocol (IP) receivers offer increased energy efficiency compared with other digital set-top boxes today.


ENERGY STAR limits for IP set-top boxes are about 36 percent less than cable set-top box requirements. The improved efficiency is achieved, in part, because IP receivers don't have tuners.http://uverse.att.com

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Virgin Mobile USA Confirms Talks with SK Telecom

Virgin Mobile USA, confirmed that it is in preliminary discussions with SK Telecom to explore possible strategic opportunities. No further comments from the companies were offered. http://www.virgin.com http://www.helio.com

• In January 2008, Helio, the U.S. joint venture between SK Telecom and EarthLink, activated its 200,000 mobile subscriber. Average revenue per user (ARPU) is over $85, well above the industry average.



• In September 2007, SK Telecom confirmed plans to invest up to an additional $270 million in Helio, the U.S.. EarthLink was renegotiating its stake in the venture.

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Zain Iraq Awards $150 Million Contract to NSN

Zain Iraq, the country's leading mobile operator, awarded a contract valued at US$150 million to Nokia Siemens Networks to increase capacity while also simplifying and modernizing its existing core network. Nokia Siemens Networks will execute the project over a period of 10 -- 12 months.


Zain Iraq, which claims eight million active customers, was formed by the merger of two mobile operations in Iraq, namely MTC Atheer and Iraqna, which have been providing mobile telephony and data services since December 2003.


Zain was established in 1983 in Kuwait as the region's first mobile operator. Since 2003, it has grown significantly becoming the 4th largest telecommunications company in the world in terms of geographic presence with a footprint in 22 countries spread across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to over 45.7 million active customers (as at 31 March 2008).http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.comhttp://www.zain.com

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Nigeria's Globacom Selects Alcatel-Lucent for Net Upgrade

Globacom (Glo), Nigeria's second largest national operator, selected Alcatel-Lucent to extend the network capacity and performance of its mobile and fixed networks. The project, which is part of the operator's IP network transformation, will enable Globacom to extend the delivery of advanced mobile and triple play services with enhanced quality of service (QoS). The project will enable Globacom to increase its mobile network capacity (including GSM/EDGE and W-CDMA/HSPA technologies) to support up to 35 million subscribers, and to raise its fixed network capacity. The network expansion covers radio access, Mobile NGN core network and microwave transmission, IP/MPLS and optical networking, fixed access networks, intelligent networks and valued-added services, next-generation networks, as well as OSS/Billing. Financial terms were not disclosed.http://www.alcatel-lucent.comhttp://www.gloworld.com

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Bell Labs and NTT Photonics Labs Team on Optical-Packet Research

Alcatel-Lucent's Bell Labs research organization and NTT's Photonics Labs have entered into a collaborative agreement focusing on optical packet switching technologies. The researchers believe demand for innovations in packet transport networks is driven by several factors including: the emergence of very-high bandwidth subscribers, notably with FTTx deployments on a large scale; new reduced power consumption and footprint specifications; and low latency applications such as storage area network (SAN) or grid computing. Through this agreement Alcatel-Lucent Bell Labs and NTT Photonics will cooperate in investigations on optical packet switching technology, including transport multi-protocol label switching (T-MPLS), the initial version of MPLS Transport. Specific terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed.http://www.alcatel-lucent.comhttp://www.ntt.co.jp

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SEC Charges Broadcom Execs in Stock Option Case

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged two current and two former top officers of Broadcom for their alleged participation in a five-year systematic scheme to secretly backdate stock options granted to virtually all Broadcom officers and employees.


The SEC alleges that Broadcom's former CEO Henry T. Nicholas, chairman and CTO Henry Samueli, former CFO William J. Ruehle, and general counsel David Dull perpetrated a scheme from 1998 to 2003 to fraudulently backdate stock option grants, failing to record billions of dollars of compensation expenses and falsifying documents to further the fraud. As a result of the scheme, Broadcom restated its financial results in January 2007 and reported more than $2 billion in additional compensation expenses.


The SEC alleges that, through this scheme, the four officers made it appear that the options were granted at times corresponding to low points of the closing price of Broadcom's stock -- despite the fact that the purported grant date bore no relation to when the grant was actually approved.


For the various charges of federal securities laws, the SEC is seeking permanent injunctions, civil monetary penalties, and officer-and-director bars against each of the individuals, disgorgement with prejudgment interest against Ruehle and Dull, and reimbursement of bonuses and profits from stock sales from Nicholas and Ruehle.http://www.sec.gov/

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