Allot Partners with PeerApp and Qosmo

Allot Communications and PeerApp announced a joint solution that integrates Allot deep packet inspection (DPI) devices with PeerApp's intelligent media caching solutions to optimize the delivery of video content over the Internet.

The solution helps ISPs control network bandwidth costs, increase subscriber loyalty, and create new revenue-generating services by reducing the irritating delays caused by multimedia content buffering. When deploying the PeerApp UltraBand Intelligent media caching solution with the Allot NetEnforcer or Service Gateway, Allot's DPI engine identifies Internet Video streams in real time and redirects them to the UltraBand platform.


Ultraband uses caching technology to free up bandwidth, thereby speeding up the download process and improving the subscriber experience. Allot's Service Gateway or NetEnforcer can also be used to prioritize the video application traffic to all or premium-plan subscribers, which enables ISPs to create new, revenue-generating services from Internet Video instead of just being passive purveyors of over-the-top content.


Separately, Allot Communications and Qosmos are offering a joint solution in which Allot DPI devices work in conjunction with Qosmos Information Extraction appliances to capture business-critical information and implement QoS policies in real time, to optimize any VoIP service. The integrated solution was developed as part of Allot's Service Gateway strategy, utilizing its DPI technology to enable a wide array of revenue-generating services. The companies said their solution can help Service Providers overcome the challenges associated with providing VoIP services such as billing, fraud prevention and guaranteeing Quality of Service.http://www.allot.comhttp://www.peerapp.com

Read More

Juniper Enhances its Ethernet Services Routers

Juniper Networks has expanded the range of interface cards for its MX-series portfolio of Ethernet Services Routers

with the addition of three new interchangeable dense port concentrator (DPC) families.

The new dense port concentrator (DPC) cards, which are interchangeable across the entire MX-series family -- including the MX240, MX480 and MX960 -- include:

• New copper-based Tri-rate (10/100/1000) Ethernet DPCs which enable customers to support low-speed interfaces as well as the existing high-speed interface options.
  
  
• New 20 Gbps DPCs, which are more cost effective and efficient, requiring less power than full 40 Gbps cards. The 20 Gbps DPCs enable cost- or energy-conscious customers to benefit from the long-term investment protection that comes from the MX-series' superior performance and scalability, while keeping capital and operational costs at a minimum.
  
  
• New Multi-rate DPCs, which increase flexibility and efficiency by enabling customers to support both Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces on a single line card.

The Tri-rate Ethernet and 20 Gbps DPCs are available immediately; the Multi-rate DPCs are expected to become available in the second half of 2008.http://www.juniper.net.

Read More

The DSL Forum becomes The Broadband Forum

Refelecting its broadened work scope, The DSL Forum has changed its named to The Broadband Forum.


The Broadband Forum said its expanded mission is to develop the full potential of broadband. The organization is focused on home-to-core network and management solutions.


"Broadband has already changed lives considerably since our organization first began in 1994 - but now the world stands on the brink of a giant leap forward in converged communications," said George Dobrowski, Chairman and President of The Broadband Forum. "For some time now, we have been dealing with much more than DSL," continues Dobrowski. "Yet we discovered that because of the DSL in our name, many of our specifications that are access agnostic, management related or provide solutions to broader broadband issues, were being missed by the standards community because they mistakenly thought our work was just DSL specific."http://www.broadband-forum.org

Read More

NEC Unveils IMS-Enabled Residential and Business Services

NEC Corporation of America (NEC) announced the availability of residential and business IMS-enabled services on its "Light IMS" solution, which is realized by its Service Convergence Integrated Platform (SCI-P), a carrier-grade converged multimedia and SIP-based network architecture.


At this week's NXTcomm08, NEC is showing two end-user focused services: Home Monitoring for the residential market, and Unified Communications (UC)/Centrex, a voice-centric SaaS (Software as a Service)-based offering that addresses business telephony requirements. These new-generation services will enable users to communicate and work more efficiently, by delivering a combination of applications to a single device -- further driving the paradigm shift from a network-centric approach to a customer-driven service delivery model.



NEC's Home Monitoring service enables end-users to receive customized home security updates on any IP-enabled device. The seamless convergence of wireless/wireline access and an end-user's Home Monitoring service, allows the IP network to carry information to the end-user device; informing them of a potential security breach. As the network and services are all SIP-based, operators can rapidly roll-out these highly-scalable service offerings that work in a device-agnostic environment.


NEC is also targeting the business market with its UC/Centrex service. This VoIP offers end-users value-added enterprise-ready telephony services, in a carrier-hosted environment. In addition to lowered operational expenditures for PBX service features achieved through minimal maintenance, management and training costs, end-users receive a variety of advanced premium service features by working with CRM (Customer Relation Management) through their API. Premium services include: Social Networking, Dynamic Conferencing, Click-to-Call, Voice Recording, among others. Additionally, as part of the UC/Centrex platform, NEC offers business users a Web Universal Communications service, which allows multiple sites to share documents by using a Web browser and a regular telephone set, without the need for special client devices.


The Home Monitoring and UC/Centrex services are available today for either trial or deployment on NEC's SCI-P. Additional services available include: NEC's Background Music Call service, IP Messaging service, Web Phone Book service, among others. Additionally, the NC7000, NC9000 and NC5000-software suites are available for carrier-grade deployments today. SCI-P employs some of these software suites in a one-package implementation. NEC currently has a number of global operators optimizing services on its SCI-P/NGN platform.http://www.necam.com

Read More

Motorola Selected by TDF for WiMAX in France

TDF, a leading European provider of network services to broadcasters and telecom operators, has selected Motorola to design and deploy 802.16e WiMAX networks for several regions in France where HDRR, a TDF subsidiary, holds WiMAX frequency licenses. The three-year frame agreement with TDF follows an initial pilot at the end of 2006 and successful deployments in Loiret, Sarthe and Limousin regions which enabled the roll-out of innovative networks enabling the delivery of high speed broadband access to end users.

http://www.motorola.com/wimax

Read More

WiMAX Forum Announces First Certified MIMO 2.5 GHz Mobile WiMAX Products

The WiMAX Forum announced the first ten Mobile WiMAX products received the WiMAX Forum Certified Seal of Approval for the 2.5 GHz profile (titled MP05) .


The announcement included four base stations and six mobile station modules (also known as terminals) operating in the 2.5 GHz frequency band from eight WiMAX Forum member companies, including Airspan Networks, Alvarion Ltd., Beceem Communications Inc., Intel Corporation, Motorola Inc., Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd., Sequans Communications and ZyXEL. All of the newly certified 2.5 GHz mobile station modules passed the mandatory MIMO testing protocols.


Alvarion Ltd., Motorola Inc., Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. and Sequans Communications each received the WiMAX Forum Certified Seal of Approval for a 2.5 GHz base station. Airspan Networks, Beceem Communications Inc., Intel Corporation, Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd., Sequans Communications and ZyXEL each received the WiMAX Forum Certified Seal of Approval for a 2.5 GHz mobile station module.


These 2.5 GHz products were certified at the WiMAX Forum's lead certification testing laboratory, which is operated by AT4 wireless in Malaga, Spain. Products achieving Mobile WiMAX certification were tested for functionality that supports mobility through rigorous testing including interoperability amongst vendor equipment and MIMO capabilities.


In addition, The WiMAX Forum also revealed its roadmap for 3.5 and 2.3 GHz equipment certification. The first equipment in the 3.5 GHz band to is expected to achieve certification by the end of 2008.http://www.wimaxforum.org.

Read More

Alloptic and NEC Magnus Partner on VDSL2 ONT

Alloptic is partnering with NEC Magnus Communications to develop a GE-PON VDSL2 ONT. Alloptic's Xgen7500 ONT supports 24 VDSL2 ports to provide up to 100Mbps bandwidth for both uplink and downlink. It is fully compliant with ITU-T G.993.2 VDSL2 standards.


Alloptic is a leading supplier of RFoG and PON technology. http://www.alloptic.com

Read More

Motorola's One Point Wireless Software for Design, Deployment and Mgt.

Motorola released a new set of software products for designing, deploying and managing outdoor wireless networks. The new Motorola One Point Wireless Suite features MeshPlanner, PTP LINKPlanner and introduces Motorola's new Wireless Manager which provides IT managers and network operators enhanced visibility and control of Motorola's wireless broadband products.


Motorola said its One Point Wireless offers planning software to take the guesswork out of designing networks for optimal coverage, capacity and performance. Template-based configuration automates and speeds device configuration. The visually enhanced management software allows operators to see every node in the network and enables the efficient management of the entire system -- including the access, backhaul and mesh layers. Automated device monitoring facilitates performance verification and accelerated problem detection and resolution.http://www.motorola.com

Read More

Global Crossing Adds 340 Gbps of Transatlantic Capacity

Global Crossing has expanded the capacity on its Mid-Atlantic Crossing (MAC) undersea fiber-optic cable system by 340 Gbps to meet rapidly growing demand for IP and Ethernet transport among its customers, and to enhance connectivity between North America, Latin America and Europe. The MAC system provides 10 Gbps services with a current design capacity of 1.3 Terabits. The new capacity will enable 10 Gbps IP ports and also SDH at rates up to 10 Gbps (STM-64).


The system includes approximately 4,600 route miles (7,500 Km) of fiber-optic cable and landing stations in Brookhaven, N.Y., Hollywood, Fla., and St. Croix, U.S.V.I. MAC connects Global Crossing's Pan-American Crossing (PAC(R)), South American Crossing (SAC(R)) and Atlantic Crossing 1 (AC-1(R)) subsea systems to provide full connectivity between North America, Latin America and Europe.http://www.globalcrossing.com

Read More

EXFO Launches PBT/MPLS Field-Test Solution

EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering introduced test enhancements for its Packet Blazer Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GigE) test modules, including support for Provider Backbone Bridge-Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE) and Internet Protocol/Multi-Protocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) functionalities.


In addition, this new software suite introduces a number of testing features including support for advanced multi-stream traffic filtering techniques and 1X and 2X Fibre Channel testing. These new capabilities on the FTB-8510B and FTB-8510G Packet Blazers, combined with full-line rate TCP throughput testing and bi-directional RFC 2544 measurements, offer NSPs a comprehensive and portable tool for deploying, maintaining and troubleshooting next-generation Ethernet services.
http://www.exfo.com

Read More

Tellabs 8800 MSR Adds Carrier Ethernet OAM

The Tellabs 8800 multiservice router (MSR) series has been enhanced with Carrier Ethernet operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P) functionality, so providers can efficiently manage and monitor networks from the network edge all the way to the customer site. The new features include enhanced support for the IEEE 802.1ag and 802.3ah standards. The enhancements enable service providers to:

• monitor the network's heartbeat across multiple management domains so they can take action before issues arise;



• interoperate with third-party products, so providers have intelligence about the services they deliver over more network elements;



• remotely conduct maintenance and manage links between provider and customer hardware;



• receive alerts if failures occur;



• bundle multiple links between routers into one large link; and



• remotely detect and block loops in the network.

http://www.tellabs.com

Read More

Aperto Selected By NextPhase Wireless for Nationwide WiMAX

NextPhase Wireless, a service provider based in Southern California, has selected Aperto Networks for a nationwide WiMAX network in the 3.65 GHz band. NextPhase will deploy a combination of the 12-sector PacketMAX 5000 macro base stations and single-sector PacketMAX 3000 micro base stations. Deployment will start in Orange County and then expand to the rest of Southern California, including the Los Angeles and San Diego markets. Later, the deployment will go national with additional coverage in states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Financial terms were not disclosed.


In addition to supporting the 3.65 GHz and 5.8 GHz bands, PacketMAX also supports the 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 4.9 GHz bands.http://www.apertonet.com/

Read More

Verizon Business Expands Unified Communications Services

Verizon Business is expanding and strengthening its unified communications services for multinational companies.

Specifically, Verizon Business is announcing the following new features and capabilities of the company's suite of unified communications and collaboration offerings:

• Expansion of the Verizon VoIP portfolio, which provides a foundation for unified communications, to four more European countries -- Spain, Italy, Ireland and Sweden -- bringing the total to 10. From a single user interface, workers can control incoming and outgoing calls, access a single unified voice mail, manage their online presence, send instant messages, synchronize their contacts and calendars, and expand their mobility and teleworking capabilities, including softphone functionality.
  



• International expansion of the company's Integrated Communications Package (ICP), part of the UC platform, to 10 countries in Europe in local languages and integration with Verizon Conferencing for more efficient collaboration. The service was originally introduced to U.S. customers in August 2007. ICP users will also be able to manage conference-call scheduling and manage presence to initiate Instant Meeting and Net Conference calls by seeing who is available to invite and participate. They will also be able to import conferencing meeting subscriptions, "drag and drop" conference participants into a meeting scheduler, and schedule single or recurring audio and Net conferences.



• Employment of the newest Microsoft Office Live Meeting platform for Verizon Net Conferencing, including a redesigned interface and support for live video. In addition, Verizon Business is introducing enhanced Web-based tools to better manage conference calls. Net Conferencing powered by Office Live Meeting makes it easier for large businesses and government organizations to experience the benefits of Web conferencing, whether users are conducting simple impromptu collaboration sessions, formal Web-based meetings, advanced online training or large communication events. Verizon Business is rolling out the new version in phases, and it should be available to all Net Conferencing customers by the end of the summer.

http://www.verizonbusiness.com

Read More

Microsoft Acquires Navic Networks for TV Ad Insertion

Microsoft has acquired Navic Networks, a start-up specializing in interactive television advertising solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Navic's technologies include sophisticated campaign management tools that use relevant data to optimize the delivery and placement of targeted interactive television media and through Admira provide a unified ad network for targeting audiences across television advertising inventory. Navic Networks is a privately held corporation headquartered in Waltham, Mass.


Microsoft said the Navic acquisition will boost its advertising platform across online and offline environments. Together, Microsoft and Navic plan to consult and work with the key constituents in the television advertising industry to better understand how its campaign management and advertising platforms for digital television can help advertisers, content owners and distributors maximize yield and achieve their media objectives.http://www.microsoft.comhttp://www.navic.tv/

Read More

Alcatel-Lucent Offers Integrated PBB/VPLS Architecture

Alcatel-Lucent unveiled a network architecture that integrates Provider Backbone Bridging (PBB) and Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) technologies to increase the scale and reach of Carrier Ethernet VPN services. Whereas many vendors support PBB on Ethernet Switches and others support MPLS on routers, Alcatel-Lucent's architecture combines the scalability benefits of PBB and the resiliency, traffic engineering and convergence benefits of VPLS and MPLS. The integrated PBB and VPLS solution is especially aimed at enhancing network and service scalability - both in terms of reach and MAC addressing.


These new capabilities are being offered via a software upgrade on Alcatel-Lucent's IP/MPLS Service Router portfolio. Key elements of the upgrade include:

• IEEE 802.1ah PBB support on the 7750 SR, 7710 SR and 7450 ESS. It includes PBB integration with MPLS and VPLS. This industry-first PBB/VPLS implementation enables market leading service scale while retaining the traffic engineering and resiliency benefits of MPLS and providing inter-operability with currently deployed native Ethernet and VPLS implementations.



• Secure VPN services - The IPSec-Integrated Services Adapter (IPSec-ISA) enables service providers to extend their business VPN services offering to include secure VPN options for remote-access to L3 VPNs, secure site-to-site and secure network infrastructure services.



• PPPoE support for business VPN services -- PPPoE is a protocol typically used in many DSL networks that allows a client (PC, routed gateway) to be connected to a B-RAS using a tunnel (PPP session) over an Ethernet path. PPPoE sessions can now be directly terminated on a subscriber interface of a L3 VPN or Internet Service on a 7750 SR, thus eliminating the need for a separate B-RAS when using DSL to deliver VPN services to small or medium business customers.



• IPv6 enhancements - IPv6 addressing support for Layer 3 VPNs (also known as 6VPE). This feature set will enable broader market applicability of the 7750 SR in Asian and other early adopter IPv6 markets and allow service providers to expand their IPv6 based service offerings.



• IEEE 802.1ag Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) -- This standards based interoperable OA&M capability enables service providers to proactively monitor and troubleshoot services on an end-to-end basis and thus allow them to offer stricter Service Level Agreements to their customers.



• 5620 SAM and 5650 CPAM provide extensive network & service provisioning and assurance features for deploying and managing L2/L3 VPN services in a uniform manner.

Other capabilities being introduced on the Alcatel-Lucent IP/MPLS Service Router portfolio include broad support for IEEE Carrier Ethernet Operation Assurance and Management (OA&M) standards, which provide service assurance and reduce trouble-shooting time. In addition, Alcatel-Lucent 5620 Service Aware Manager (SAM) and 5650 Control Plane Access Manager (CPAM) enhancements provide extensive network and service provisioning and assurance features for deploying and managing Layer 2 and Layer 3 (L2/L3) VPN services in a uniform manner.


In addition, Alcatel-Lucent introduced support for DSL-based IP VPNs, leveraging support for Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) and eliminating the need for a separate Broadband Remote Access Server (B-RAS) when using DSL to deliver VPN services to small or medium business customers.


http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/ipnews

Read More

BT Selects Alcatel-Lucent IP Service Router for 21CN Ethernet

BT has selected Alcatel-Lucent to supply its IP Service Router in an expanded role within its 21CN all-IP national rollout. Alcatel-Lucent is a preferred supplier to the 21CN project with the 7750 Service Router (SR) operational in many locations. The 7750 SR deployments will now be expanded in line with BT's announced customer-driven plans to extend its Ethernet services with additional points-of-presence in the metro elements of the network. The value of the contract has not been disclosed.


Alcatel-Lucent said its IP Service Router enables BT to offer true Ethernet any-to-any, multi-site solutions as well as multiple classes of service on an on-demand and application-by-application basis. In addition, Alcatel-Lucent is also supplying professional services to BT 21CN, including development of automated programs to migrate subscribers to the new networks. It is also providing a service to manage provision of spares for BT's existing network under a single-point-of-contact multi-vendor contract.http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/ipnews

Read More

Alcatel-Lucent to acquire Motive for Broadband Service Mgt Software

Alcatel-Lucent agreed to acquire Motive, a provider of service management software for broadband and mobile data services, for approximately US$67.8 million (US$ 2.23 per share). This represents a premium of approximately 53% over the closing price of the shares on June 16, 2008 and a premium of approximately 51% over the average closing price of the shares for the 90 days prior to June 16, 2008.

Motive provides service management software for broadband and mobile data services is used by wireline, wireless, cable and satellite operators worldwide deliver a IP-based services. The software is used to automate and remotely manage key customer touch points throughout the service lifecycle, across multiple services, networks and devices.


Alcatel-Lucent and Motive already jointly develop and sell remote management software solutions for automating the deployment, configuration and support of advanced home networking devices called residential gateways. The companies have more than 40 joint customers including AT&T, Verizon, BT, Vodafone Portugal and Swisscom.


Alcatel-Lucent also resells Motive's solutions that help service providers seamlessly integrate voice, video and data into a single, connected experience by automating and remotely managing key customer touch points throughout the service lifecycle, across multiple services, networks and devices.


Motive has 300 employees worldwide with R&D operations in Austin, Texas and Bangalore, India and will become part of Alcatel-Lucent's Fixed Access Division, within the Carrier Business Group.http://www.alcatel-lucent.comhttp://www.motive.com

Read More