NTT Activates New Cable Linking Japan to Trans-Pacific Express

NTT Communications (NTT Com) launched a new cable route linking Japan to the Trans-Pacific Express Cable Network (TPE), an optical fiber cable system that interconnects Mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States and now Japan.


TPE, which was built by a consortium comprising NTT Com, AT&T, China Telecommunications, China United Telecommunications, Chunghwa Telecom, KT Corporation and Verizon Business, began operating on September 30, 2008.


The construction and operational startup of the Japan--Asia section leg constitutes the second phase of the TPE project. The TPE now comprises approximately 18,000 kilometers of cable and offers maximum transmission capacity of up to 5.12 terabits per second.
http://www.ntt.co.jp

Read More

Huawei Confirms 4G Order from Tele2 and Telenor

Huawei received a major infrastructure order from Net4Mobility, the joint venture by Tele2 and Telenor. Under the contract, Huawei will supply infrastructure and modems for a nationwide 4G network in Sweden. The goal is that 99 percent of the Swedish population will be able to access the new network before the end of 2013, starting with densely populated areas. The deployment also includes increasing the number of base stations for voice traffic in 2G/GSM by 30-50 percent, with enhanced indoor- and outdoor coverage across the country as a result. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.huawei.com

Read More

Ireland's Altobrige Acquires ADC's GSM Base Station and Switching Portfolio

Altobridge has acquired ADC's portfolio of GSM base station and switching products for an undisclosed sum.


The deal includes ADC's existing GSM base station and switching product customer base. Altobridge will retain all of the employees necessary to support the business. In addition, Altobridge is acquiring certain assets and intellectual property related to the product portfolio.


The ADC GSM base station and switching product portfolio supports remote wireless and small national networks, as well as government, emergency and private network communications. Altobridge said these products complement its offerings in several markets, including its Fully Managed Service business for meeting the growing communication needs of emerging markets, and solutions for optimising voice and data transmission for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).


"Mobile Network Operators face a major challenge to deliver accelerating voice and data traffic for declining returns. Altobridge will continue to innovate and deliver further solutions that drive down these underlying communication costs," said Mike Fitzgerald, CEO of Altobridge. "This acquisition will enable Altobridge to broaden our Intellectual Property portfolio and grow our Fully Managed Service business as we work hand in hand with MNOs striving to connect their subscriber groups at lower costs."


Altobridge is headquartered at Kerry Technology Park, Ireland with regional offices in Tyson's Corner, Virginia, USA and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
http://www.altobridge.com
http://www.adc.com

Read More

Alcatel-Lucent Selectecd for IP/MPLS in Ukraine

Kyivstar GSM, the largest operator in Ukraine, has selected Alcatel-Lucent to design, install, and maintain a country-wide Metropolitan transmission packet based IP/MPLS network as part of its larger IP network transformation. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Alcatel-Lucent will supply products from its industry leading Service Router (SR) portfolio including the 7750 SR, 7210 Service Access Switch and the 5620 Service Aware Manager to address the access, aggregation and core network layers. To offer a full end-to-end solution, Alcatel-Lucent will also supply its next generation Enterprise product, the Omni Switch 6250, to deliver residential access and 3G backhauling. Alcatel-Lucent will also provide professional services.


The network transformation will be performed in two phases: phase one will cover the needs of end-users services (HSI, VoIP, IPTV) and up-coming 3G mobile traffic. During the second phase 2G traffic will be gradually moved from SDH to the converged IP network.
http://www,alcatel-lucent.com

Read More

Alcatel-Lucent Enhances 100G Transmission with Coherent Detection

Alcatel-Lucent enhanced its optical networking portfolio with next-generation coherent technology for dealing with transmission impairments, which become extremely severe at speeds higher than 100 Gbps. The technology uses proprietary algorithms in digital signal processing. It has been demonstrated in a 112 Gbps field trial over an existing, heavy loaded real-traffic fiber link of Telefonica's network during which live traffic was transmitted over 1,088 km between four cities, in Spain.


Alcatel-Lucent is implementing next-generation coherent detection in key optical platforms with the goal of helping service providers transform their existing networks to ease the strain caused by high bandwidth applications, while maintaining superior performance. Additionally, the technology will seamlessly support further evolution to higher speeds than 100G over the same future-proof platform when the market dictates.


Alcatel-Lucent said its optical networking portfolio allows for dynamic wavelength assignment and restoration, as well as transmission of any hybrid traffic mix. Ensuring the optimized use of existing fiber plants, it can transmit mixed 10, 40 and 100G signals without the need for guard bands or network reengineering, and traverse multiple nodes without additional regeneration. As a result, operators can implement highly-flexible and scalable meshed transmission networks to cost-effectively carry services in response to end customer demands, today and in the future.


"The advancements to our optical portfolio further confirm the role of optical networking as a critical enabler for competitive transformation to seamlessly move to higher capacities fast and reliably," said Romano Valussi, president of Alcatel-Lucent's Optics activities. "In combination with our customer focus is set to help operators accelerate time to service for new applications, simplify their operations and improve performance for better total cost of ownership."http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

Read More

Telefónica acquires JAJAH for EUR 145 Million

Telefónica acquired JAJAH, a start-up that offers an IP Communications platform enables consumers to make free long-distance and global calls online The deal was valued at EUR 145 million ($207 million) in cash.


With JAJAH, consumers simply enter their phone on the JAJAH site along with their friend's phone number anywhere in the world. JAJAH then sets up an Internet call between both parties.
JAJAH services are used in around 200 countries by millions of people and are integrated into everyday instant messaging and social media applications, as well as through its own JAJAH direct-to-consumer offer.


Matthew Key, Chairman and CEO of Telefónica Europe, said: "The acquisition of JAJAH broadens the scope of our communications offering and opens up new capabilities in the voicem
communication space. People using social networking sites such as Twitter now have an even wider range of communications channels available -- and have the option of speaking directly to each other as well as communicating by text or keyboard."


JAHJAH is based in Mountain View, California with offices in Ra`anana, Israel.
http://www.telefonica.com
http://www.jajah.com

Read More

Qualcomm Announces Changes to Management Team

Len Lauer has resigned as chief operating officer of Qualcomm and has accepted a CEO role at another company.


As a result, the Qualcomm MEMS Technologies (QMT) organization will now report to Steve Mollenkopf, EVP and president, Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT). With the display business entering an important phase of expansion, close partnership with QCT will help QMT as they work with device manufacturers and tackle the challenges of commercializing, scaling and evolving the mirasol product line. All remaining services businesses will now report to Steve Altman, president.
http://www.qualcomm.com

Read More

Mobile Norway Choose Ericsson for 3G

Mobile Norway, the joint venture by Tele2 Norway and Network Norway, has chosen Ericsson as its main vendor for its new 2G/3G mobile network in Norway. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Mobile Norway plans to deploy a nationwide mobile network reaching 75 percent of Norway's population.

http://www.tele2.com
http://www.ericsson.com

Read More

Ford Plans In-car WiFi with Next-Gen Sync

Ford Motor Company plans to include a mobile hotspot capability in vehicles equipped with the second generation of its popular SYNC in-car connectivity system next year.


Inserting an owner's compatible USB mobile broadband modem -- sometimes called an "air card" -- into SYNC's USB port will produce a secure wireless connection that will be broadcast throughout the vehicle, allowing passengers with WiFi-enabled mobile devices to access the Internet anywhere the broadband modem receives connectivity.


"While you're driving to grandma's house, your spouse can be finishing the holiday shopping and the kids can be chatting with friends and updating their Facebook profiles," said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. "And you're not paying for yet another mobile subscription or piece of hardware because Ford will let you use technology you already have."http://www.ford.com

Read More

Intel Expects Faster Netbook Adoption in 2010

Intel unveiled its latest Atom CPUs featuring significant power reduction, performance improvements and smaller package size. Using 45nm high-k metal technology, the new chips reduce average power consumption by 20 percent over previous generation, enabling longer battery life in netbooks.


Since introducing the Atom line in June 2008, Intel has shipped over 40 million Atom chips for netbooks. The company expects the rapid uptake in netbooks to accelerate next year. The company has over 80 design wins to-date for the new Atom platform from such leading OEMs as ASUS, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, MSI, Toshiba, Samsung and Fujitsu.


Worldwide netbook shipments by telecommunications companies such as T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange and others are also growing and expected to fuel another round of expansion. Intel has been working closely with mobile operators and modem vendors to advance 3G capabilities in netbooks in established and emerging markets. To-date approximately a dozen service providers offer netbooks in various markets, and the numbers are expected to grow with the newest platform.


"The Intel Atom processor has fueled an entirely new category of computing over the last year and a half and we think the growth will continue for devices like netbooks and entry-level PCs built around basic computing and Internet usage models," said Mooly Eden, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of Intel's PC Client Group.
http://www.netbook.com

Read More

Pakistan's Wateen Telecom Accelerates WiMAX Rollout

Wateen Telecom has accelerated its rollout of WiMAX services and is on its way to doubling its existing customer premises equipment (CPE) volume from 100,000 to 200,000 by year end.


Motorola announced a new agreement with Wateen, under which it remains the carrier's exclusive WiMAX CPE and infrastructure supplier, delivering reliable, easy-to-install, high performance devices to the Pakistani operator for nationwide distribution.


As part of its latest CPE order, Wateen has chosen Motorola's WiMAX USBw 100, which will be made available to consumers and businesses for the first time in Pakistan, and the outdoor WiMAX CPEo 450, as well as the newly introduced WiMAX CPEi 775 and CPEi 750 for indoor use within a home or office environment. Wateen's services currently cover 22 cities in Pakistan, and the company recently reached a milestone of 100,000 subscribers.
http://www.motorola.com
http://www.wateen.com

Read More

Limelight Networks to Acquire EyeWonder for Monetization Tools

Limelight Networks, which operates a global content delivery network (CDN) will acquire privately held EyeWonder. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Founded in 1999, EyeWonder specializes in monetization solutions that helps Forbes 2000 advertisers, interactive agencies and content publishers create, build, track and optimize rich media and interactive video advertising campaigns. EyeWonder's advertising serving platform is projected to service over $500 million in media spend globally in 2009, helping stakeholders across the digital advertising ecosystem to realize increased return-on-investment from that spend.


The companies said the combination of EyeWonder's value-added monetization solutions and Limelight Networks' delivery, storage, management and consulting services will enable enterprises, agencies and content publishers to unlock the value of their online content and maximize the revenue and profitability of their online strategies. The combined company will have relationships with over 2500 online businesses, over 800 interactive agencies, 900 last-mile access networks and over 20 ecosystem partners who, together, will working toward building a more efficient and intelligent Internet.
http://www.limelightnetworks.com

Read More

Zscaler Appoints Cisco Exec to Head Data Center Operations

Zscaler, a start-up specializing in SaaS security, has hired Gururaj Singh as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Data Center Operations. Previously, Singh served as Vice President and co-General Manager of the $500 million Application Delivery Business unit at Cisco Systems. Prior to that, he was CEO and co-founder of Netiverse which was acquired by Cisco in 2000. In addition, Gururaj has led engineering operations at various successful ventures, including Berkeley Networks (acquired by Fore Systems), Centillion Networks (acquired by Bay Networks) and Adaptive Corporation (acquired by Network Equipment Technologies).


Zscaler is based in Sunnyvale, California.
http://www.zscaler.com

Read More

Meru Networks Files for I.P.O.

Meru Networks, which specializes in enterprise wireless LAN solutions, filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. BofA Merrill Lynch is acting as sole book-runner for the offering. Baird, Cowen and Company, JMP Securities LLC, and ThinkEquity LLC, are acting as co-managers.
http://www.merunetworks.com

• Meru Networks is based in Sunnyvale, California.



• The company was founded in 2002.

Read More

Mformation Appoints Todd DeLaughter as CEO

Mformation Technologies, which supplies mobile device management (MDM) solutions, has appointed Todd DeLaughter as its new Chief Executive Officer. He was most recently president and CEO of Opalis Software, an independent IT Process Automation company. His career also includes over 20 years at HP and Compaq in a wide range of executive, engineering, marketing and product management roles in North America and Europe, including leading HP's OpenView Business Unit.
http://www.mformation.com

Read More

3DTV Working Group Formed by the MPEG Industry Forum

The MPEG Industry Forum (MPEGIF) has formed a new 3DTV Working Group aimed at accelerating the development of 3D video technology.


"3DTV is of keen interest to everyone in the video creation and delivery industries. The challenge we all face is that of sorting through the myriad technical options. Our common goal is to create a 3DTV ecosystem that delivers great new experiences to consumers," says Dr. Sean McCarthy, chair of the newly formed 3DTV Working Group and Fellow of the Technical Staff at Motorola.


The 3DTV Working Group will provide a forum for free exchange of information related to this emerging technology, an industry voice advocating the adoption of standards and for consolidating the overall direction of the 3DTV industry. Its focus and constituency will be derived from video service providers, consumer electronics manufacturers, content owners, equipment manufacturers, system integrators, software providers, as well as industry advocacy groups, industry analysts, financial institutions and academic institutes.
http://www.mpegif.org

Read More

Qwest Secures New $1.035 Billion Revolving Credit Facility

Qwest Communications has entered into a new revolving credit facility. The new $1.035 billion agreement expires on Sept. 30, 2013, and replaces the company's pre-existing revolving credit agreement that was scheduled to expire on Oct. 21, 2010. Wachovia Bank, National Association -- an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC -- acts as administrative agent under the new agreement.
http://www.qwest.com

Read More

DOCOMO Deploys Remote Radio Equipment for LTE Base Stations

NTT DOCOMO is deploying new W-CDMA base stations equipped with newly developed remote radio equipment (RRE) units to provide both existing W-CDMA and forthcoming LTE service.
RRE (also known as remote radio head) allows the relatively easy and efficient installation of LTE base stations to existing W-CDMA base stations. Compared to existing equipment, it also helps to lower operational costs thanks to its reduced weight, size and energy consumption. The RRE-equipped base station comprises a master unit for signal processing and maintenance functions and the RRE for modulating and demodulating both W-CDMA and LTE signals transmitted and received via antenna. The two are linked by optical fiber

NTT DOCOMO said the RRE-equipped base stations will account for about half of the initial LTE base stations when DOCOMO becomes one of world's first operators to launch an LTE service in December 2010.


The deployment is a part of DOCOMO's initial plan to layer a 2GHz LTE network over its existing 3G network to provide dual W-CDMA/LTE service, which will combine the benefits of LTE's high transmission speeds with 3G's wide-area coverage as the LTE network is expanded gradually.
http://www.nttdocomo.com/pr/2009/001465.html

Read More

Zayo Bandwidth Expands Fiber-to-Tower Services in Northwest

Zayo Bandwidth will deploy TDM and Ethernet services to 45 wireless tower sites in Spokane, Washington and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The deployment will support the rollout of LTE wireless network services. This expansion increases Zayo's national tower footprint to more than 1,300 locations.
http://www.zayo.com

• Zayo Bandwidth has committed $65 million in its capital expenditure program for FY 2010. This compares with the $45 million that the company will have spent this year on network expansion. In 2009, Zayo added over 400 buildings across its dense fiber footprint. 75% of that capital expense was deployed in direct support of customer bandwidth requirements.

Read More

Nokia and ST-Ericsson Partner on TD-SCDMA

Nokia will be using ST-Ericsson as a key supplier of chipset platforms in its Symbian based TD-SCDMA devices and solutions portfolio. The companies have entered into a partnership aimed at creating a robust user experience for Chinese consumers.


In October, Nokia launched Nokia 6788, its first Symbian based TD-SCDMA phone and announced the creation of a dedicated TD-SCDMA R&D team in Beijing.


ST-Ericsson, through its Chinese subsidiary T3G, has been fully dedicated to the creation of new TD-SCDMA technology and devices for more than six years.
http://www.stericsson.com
http://www.nokia.com

Read More

Cisco Completes Starent Acquisition -- Mobile Packet Core

Cisco completed its previously announced acquisition of Starent Networks, a supplier of IP based mobile infrastructure solutions targeting mobile and converged carriers. Starent now becomes part of Cisco's new Mobile Internet Technology Group within the Service Provider Group (SPG). In addition, Ashraf Dahod, former president and CEO of Starent Networks, becomes senior vice president and general manager of this new group, reporting to Pankaj Patel, senior vice president and general manager of SPG.


Cisco paid $35 per share in cash in exchange for each share of Starent Networks and assumed outstanding equity awards for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.9 billion.


Starent provides the multimedia intelligence, core network functions and services to manage access from any 2.5G, 3G, and 4G radio network to a mobile operator's packet core network. Starent Networks' access-independent technology is deployed in CDMA2000 (1X, EV-DO), UMTS/HSPA and WiMAX networkshttp://www.cisco.com

• Starent Networks was founded in 2000 and completed its initial public offering in 2007. The company is based in Tewksbury, Mass. and has approximately 1,000 employees worldwide. For the year ended Dec. 31, 2008, Starent Networks reported revenue of $254.1 million, up 74 percent from the prior year.



• Earlier this year, Verizon Wireless selected Starent Networks as a key supplier for the packet core. The company claims over 100 operator deployments in 40+ countries, including eight of the top 10 3G operators.

Read More

Avaya Competes Acquisition of Nortel's Enterprise Solutions Business

Avaya completed its acquisition of Nortel's global Enterprise Solutions business as well as the shares of Nortel Government Solutions Incorporated and DiamondWare. Approximately 6,000 NES employees have joined Avaya, including 25 top managers. Joel Hackney, previously president, Nortel Enterprise Solutions, joins the Avaya Executive Committee as senior vice president and president, Avaya Government Solutions and Data.


The deal enhances Avaya's strategic position in providing business communications solutions and services for enterprise customers. Avaya will now begin the work to integrate the operations and customer care functions of the two organizations. The company expects to provide information about the new combined product portfolio and roadmap within the next 30 days.


The sale of certain Enterprise Solutions assets held by Israeli subsidiaries remains subject to court approval in Israel.



"The completion of this acquisition represents another major step in Avaya's evolution and growth in the communications industry," said Kevin J. Kennedy, president and CEO, Avaya. "Avaya and Nortel Enterprise Solutions share a common vision for the future of business communications. By combining our complementary technology portfolios, deep industry specific domain expertise, sales channels and customer bases, the new Avaya will redefine business communications and help customers to reduce costs, simplify operations and increase their business agility."


"This is our second, large-scale business divestiture, and it represents significant progress on Nortel's plan to preserve the value of its innovation, while maximizing value through the sale of its businesses," said Pavi Binning, Chief Restructuring Officer, Nortel. http://www.avaya.com
http://www.nortel.com

• In September 2009, Avaya prevailed its bid to acquire Nortel Enterprise Solutions at auction for US $900 million in proceeds to Nortel and an additional pool of $15 million reserved for an employee retention program.

Read More

Orange Expands Cloud Computing Strategy

Orange Business Services announced plans to launch a dozen of new cloud computing services in the coming 24 months, covering six main areas including real-time applications, collaboration, security, infrastructure, cloud-ready networking and vertical solutions for specific industries. The carrier already offers a number of cloud services, such as its IT Plan and Flexible Computing offerings.


Orange envisions a full range of services, from infrastructure to real-time business applications, supported by a cloud-ready network that is able to ensure rapid scalability with full security and end-to-end service level agreements. Orange will provide customers with step-by-step guidance during their transition to cloud-based services, accommodating hybrid models, which are the most suitable for many enterprises.


Orange noted that it is already managing 12,000 servers for enterprise customers.


"Operating cloud computing services is in our DNA," said Barbara Dalibard, president and CEO, Orange Business Services. " The network is the cloud, and our experience and expertise in network and communications services place us in the best position to deliver high performance cloud computing services to support our customers' transformation. We are committed to leveraging our global capabilities to deliver secure and flexible cloud computing services to our customers," Dalibard added.
http://www.orange.com
http://www.orange-business.com/cloud

Read More

Google Joins "IP for Smart Objects" (IPSO) Alliance

Google has joined the IPSO Alliance, a group of technology companies with the common goal of promoting the Internet Protocol for smart object communications, allowing items ranging from appliances to factories to cars to "communicate" as individuals do over the Internet.


The IPSO Alliance supports the technical standards being developed by the IETF and IEEE. The alliance performs interoperability tests, documents the use of new IP-based technologies, conducts marketing activities and serves as an information repository for users seeking to understand the role of IP in networks of physical objects. The group was formed one year ago.


Smart objects are defined as things in the physical world that - typically with the help of embedded devices - transmit information about their condition or environment (e.g., temperature, light, motion, health status) to locations where the information can be analyzed, correlated with other data and acted upon. Applications range from automated and energy-efficient homes and office buildings, factory equipment maintenance and asset tracking to hospital patient monitoring and safety and compliance assurance.


The IPSO alliance now boasts 53 member companies, including Bosch, Cisco, Ericsson, Intel, SAP, Sun Microsystems and Texas Instruments.
http://www.ipso-alliance.org

Read More

Tele2 and Telenor select Huawei for LTE

Net4Mobility, the joint venture by Tele2 and Telenor, has selected Huawei Technologies as its lead supplier for LTE for a nationwide 4G network in Sweden. Financial terms were not disclosed.


The goal is that 99 percent of the Swedish population will be able to access the new network before the end of 2013, starting with densely populated areas. The deployment also includes increasing the number of base stations for voice traffic in 2G/GSM by 30-50 percent, with enhanced indoor- and outdoor coverage across the country as a result.
http://www.tele2.com
http://www.telenor.com

Read More

Blu-ray 3D Specification Released

-The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) today announced the finalization and release of the "Blu-ray 3DTM" specification, offering Full HD 1080p resolution to each eye. The specification is display agnostic, meaning that Blu-ray 3D products will deliver the 3D image to any compatible 3D display, regardless of whether that display uses LCD, Plasma or other technology and regardless of what 3D technology the display uses to deliver the image to the viewer's eyes. The association expects the first products to reach the consumer market by mid-2010.


The Blu-ray 3D specification calls for encoding 3D video using the Multiview Video Coding (MVC) codec, an extension to the ITU-T H.264 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) codec currently supported by all Blu-ray Disc players. MPEG4-MVC compresses both left and right eye views with a typical 50% overhead compared to equivalent 2D content, and can provide full 1080p resolution backward compatibility with current 2D Blu-ray Disc players. The specification also incorporates enhanced graphic features for 3D. These features provide a new experience for users, enabling navigation using 3D graphic menus and displaying 3D subtitles positioned in 3D video.


The Blu-ray 3D specification is also designed to allow PS3 game consoles to play back Blu-ray 3D content in 3D. Additionally, the specification supports playback of 2D discs in forthcoming 3D players and can enable 2D playback of Blu-ray 3D discs on the large installed base of Blu-ray Disc players currently in homes around the world.
http://us.blu-raydisc.com/

• A single-layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 25 gigabytes of data and a double-layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 50 gigabytes of data.

Read More

JDSU Expands Carrier Ethernet Field Test Portfolio

JDSU released a new set of Ethernet OAM capabilities that enable technicians to verify Ethernet OAM features in a Carrier Ethernet network. Available for the JDSU T-BERD/MTS 6000A Multi Services Application Module (MSAM), T-BERD/MTS-8000 Transport Module, and HST-3000 Ethernet Service Interface Module (SIM), the new capabilities help carriers meet end-to-end service level agreements (SLAs) and deliver differentiated Ethernet services.


The new features include the addition of link layer OAM (IEEE 802.3ah, Ethernet first mile) and the service layer OAM (IEEE 802.1ag and ITU-T Y.1731) test features. JDSU Ethernet OAM features perform end-to-end testing including verification of connectivity check messages, Ethernet loopback and insertion/receipt of Ethernet AIS/RDI alarming. This helps technicians install and troubleshoot Carrier Ethernet circuits.
http://www.jdsu.com

Read More

Vice President Announces $2 Billion in Broadband Grants

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden announced $2 billion in Recovery Act grants and loans to bring broadband to communities that currently have little or no access to the technology. The initial $182 million investment is for eighteen broadband projects benefiting seventeen states, and has already been matched by over $46 million in private capital. The projects are to be rolled out over the next 75 days.


The broadband grants in the Recovery Act will total over $2 billion in the next 75 days, and over $7 billion within the next year.


In a statement, the White House said a big focus of the new awards is on the "middle mile" -- the infrastructure that connects the Internet backbone to underserved communities across the nation. The middle mile investments are intended to set the stage for private investors to finish the job, with the so-called "last-mile" connections to homes and businesses.


The National Economic Council also released a new report (pdf) called "Recovery Act Investments in Broadband: Leveraging Federal Dollars to Create Jobs and Connect America". This report outlines the Administration's strategy for using stimulus dollars wisely to get the biggest return on investment, in terms of jobs and exciting new opportunities for Americans.


In rural areas and areas with low population density that are difficult to reach, Recovery Act awards will fund investments in the "last mile" of service. The funding is also targeted at community
institutions that provide critical services in urban and rural areas, including schools, libraries, and hospitals.


Significantly, the report notes that the awards come with requirements for "open interconnection," meaning that grantees must make any infrastructure funded with taxpayer dollars available for interconnection with other networks.


Examples of projects getting funding include:

• North Georgia Network Cooperative will receive a $33.5 million grant to deploy middle-mile infrastructure to eight counties in the impoverished Appalachian region of northern Georgia and North Carolina. The 260-mile fiber optic ring will directly connect 245 community institutions. The ring also includes 2,600 interconnection points that will allow Internet service providers to build out last-mile connections to end users.



• A partnership between ION, a for-profit company based in the capital of Albany, and the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC), a public benefit corporation will receive a grant of $39.7 million -- these entities will develop a regional broadband plan that will immediately connect more than 100 community institutions.



• The Biddeford Internet Corporation, a public-private partnership between service providers and the University of Maine, will receive a $25.4 million Recovery Act grant to construct middle-mile infrastructure across rural Maine.

http://www.whitehouse.gov

Read More

Verizon Tests 10 Gbps XG-PON

Verizon is undertaking field-tests of XG-PON, which can transmit data at 10 Gbps downstream and 2.4 Gbps upstream, four times as fast as the current top transmission speeds supporting the company's all-fiber FiOS network.


The XG-PON signal was tested independently on a dedicated passive optical network (PON) as well as overlaid on a fiber providing FiOS service to a customer. The overlay test verified there was no interference between the XG-PON signal and the regular FiOS signal using gigabit passive optical network (GPON) technology and running at 2.5 Gbps downstream and 1.24 Gbps upstream. The test was conducted recently in southern Massachusetts. Previously, Verizon tested the XG-PON signal in the company's Waltham laboratory.


The XG-PON trial consisted of a new optical line terminal (OLT) installed in the Verizon central office, generating a 10 Gbps XG-PON signal transmitted over a wavelength, or color of light. Two tests were conducted: One test transmitted the XG-PON signal by itself on a separate PON fiber between the central office and a new optical network terminal (ONT) device at a customer's home. In the other test, the XG-PON stream was merged as a separate wavelength onto an already-operating live fiber running FiOS with GPON at 2.5 Gbps to provide a total downstream flow of 12.5 Gbps. At the customer's house, the XG-PON and GPON signals were received by ONT devices, showing that the network can simultaneously deliver the GPON and XG-PON signals on the same fiber at the two speeds, without any degradation in service.


Verizon said that XG PON could be used to meet the emerging customer demand for a wide variety of devices and applications that require a network capable of transmitting large amounts of data at very high speeds. The devices and applications could include unicast HD video streaming, ultra-high-definition video, 3D video, user-generated content distribution, video conferencing, and new high-speed data services for medium- and large-business customers.


Final technical standards for XG PON aren't expected until mid 2010. These initial tests used XG PON equipment from Huawei Technologies. Verizon plans to test and validate the next generation of fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) technologies from various vendors to help accelerate standards activities.


"From the earliest stages of the FiOS design, we knew we could repeatedly and progressively leverage the immense capacity of fiber to carry more and more data in support of customer applications," said Mark Wegleitner, senior vice president of technology for Verizon. "Now we're already working on the best way to take the next leap forward in capacity."http://www.verizon.com

Read More

WiMAX Forum Counts 112 WiMAX Networks Deployed in 2009

Wireless broadband Internet deployments based upon WiMAX have reached 519 in 146 countries, according to new figures released by the WiMAX Forum. This includes 95 WiMAX networks deployed by 2G mobile operators. Of the 519 WiMAX deployments, 112 were added in 2009. The WiMAX ecosystem advanced certification activity with 86 products receiving WiMAX Forum Certified status this year.


"Despite the global economy, WiMAX is going strong in 2009," said Ron Resnick, president and chairman of the WiMAX Forum. "The WiMAX Forum membership has continued to bring WiMAX to new markets, certify devices and keep the spirit of delivering mobile Internet services to people throughout the world. We expect 2010 to bring new innovations to the WiMAX ecosystem with completion of the IEEE 802.16m standard, commercialization of the global roaming program and new WiMAX Forum programs to help bring certified devices to retail channels faster."


On the regulatory front, FDD WiMAX was accepted into the IMT-2000 family of standards and more than 50 companies endorsed the IEEE 802.16m IMT-Advanced candidate proposal for a future-proof roadmap.


To support IMT-Advanced and the WiMAX Forum evolution of its technology roadmap, leading suppliers and operators this year expressed their commitment to build and trial WiMAX Release 2 based on the IEEE 802.16m standard. These ecosystem backers included Alvarion, Beceem, Cisco, Clearwire, Huawei, Intel, KT, Motorola, Samsung, Sequans, UQC, Yota and ZTE. The WiMAX Forum also announced that in 2010 it will finalize its WiMAX Release 2 specification in parallel with IEEE 802.16m and IMT-Advanced, ensuring that WiMAX Release 2 networks and devices will remain backward compatible with legacy WiMAX Release 1 based on IEEE 802.16e.


Some other facts highlighted by the Forum:

• Yota has reached 250,000 active commercial users on its Russian network and has passed the breakeven point, thanks to more than 2,300 subscribers added per day to its WiMAX network.

Clearwire has reached more than 555,000 subscribers; its network covers more than 30 million consumers in 34 markets and has an ARPU of nearly $40.

Malaysia's Packet One Networks, which celebrated its first anniversary of operations this year, has reached 130,000 subscribers.

KT covers more than half of the Korean population, and UQ Communications now covers more than half of Japan's population, offering services to consumers via more than 20 MVNO partners.

Motorola recently announced it shipped its 10,000th WiMAX Access Point and one millionth WiMAX CPE.

In 2008, Huawei achieved a 200 percent increase in WiMAX revenue and expects to achieve that same level of growth by the close of 2009.

Alvarion now supplies more than 260 commercial network deployments in more than 100 countries.

Next year, the WiMAX Forum will publish an updated WiMAX Forum subscriber and POPs forecast in early 2010; begin certification of Mobile WiMAX 2.3 GHz products; launch an Open Retail Certification Program.

The Forum is also planning on completing the WiMAX Forum Release 2 specs based on the new IEEE standard 802.16m. Commercialization and deployment of the WiMAX Forum global roaming program is also expected to occur.

Three WiMAX Forum Congress Series Events are planned in 2010, including Asia Congress in April, Global Congress in June and Americas Congress in December 2010 .

http://www.wimaxforum.org

Read More

Hibernia Atlantic Chooses 3Com's H3C for Ethernet Services

Hibernia Atlantic has selected 3Com's H3C S7500E modular switches to deliver Ethernet services across its transatlantic submarine cable network. Hibernia Atlantic owns and operates a fast, direct connection between North America and the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.
http://www.h3cnetworks.com
http://www.3com.com

Read More

GSMA's Mobile World Congress Books Duran Duran

Duran Duran will headline the Congress Party & Awards Celebration on Tuesday 16 February 2010 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. At the official Congress Party & Awards Celebration at the National Palace in Barcelona, three high-profile awards for the year will be presented, including Best Mobile Handset, the GSMA Chairman's Award and Mobile Industry Personality of the Yearhttp://www.gsmworld.com

Read More

KDDI Expands its Managed Network Services with Virtela

Japan's KDDI will expand its international network reach for enterprise network services to more than 190 countries through an agreement with Virtela. Leveraging Virtela's multi-carrier network, KDDI will offer Japanese enterprises an array of high quality, cost effective choices for global network services and support. Virtela aggregates and integrates local, regional and global networks.


By adding a unique overlay of intelligence that performs optimal routing and automatic failover for customer network traffic, Virtela says its multi-carrier Global Service Fabric gives enterprises an inherently higher performing, more resilient and cost effective alternative than traditional carrier networks. Virtela is the single point of contact for expert design, implementation and 24x7 proactive monitoring and management worldwide.
http://www.virtela.nethttp://www.kddi.com

Read More

m:tel Picks Alcatel-Lucent for Converged IP and Optical

Telekom Srpske a.d. Banja Luka (or m:tel), the main public telecommunications provider in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has selected Alcatel-Lucent for a project that will consolidate its IP and optical networks into a common highly leveraged IP network infrastructure.


Alcatel-Lucent will provide its new Converged Backbone Transformation solution which more tightly integrates IP and optical transport resources, enabling service providers to optimize and leverage their transport networks to deal with the growing demand of bandwidth. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

Read More

Tata Teleservices Selects NSN for Mobile Backhaul

Tata Teleservices, one of India's leading private telecom service providers, has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to implement part of its next phase transmission network.


Under the contract, NSN will supply its FlexiHybrid microwave radio to support both legacy Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) and IP on a single platform. The contract also includes the FlexiMetro radio for high capacity and improved bandwidth efficiency, as well as FlexiHopper, a cost-optimized, low-capacity microwave radio for connecting base stations. These three mobile backhaul platforms provide fast wireless connections from base stations to the core of the Tata Teleservices network.


Nokia Siemens Networks' will also deploy its NetAct Operations Support Systems platform for the efficient monitoring, management and optimization of the network to ensure high-quality end-user services as well as its NetViewer suite for managing the microwave radio networks. The full turnkey solution includes an array of services such as project management, network planning, installation and commissioning. Nokia Siemens Networks will continue to operate Tata Teleservices' network under an existing Managed Services contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

Read More

Huawei and Telefónica O2 UK Demo LTE Speeds of 150 Mbps

Telefónica O2 UK has achieved LTE downlink speeds of 150 Mbps during technology trials conducted with Huawei Technologies.


During the trial, a cell peak downlink rate of 150 Mbps was achieved in the Slough area, the headquarters of O2 in the UK.


Huawei claims to be the first of Telefonica's trial LTE vendors to have successfully implemented a live trial LTE network. Huawei's end-to-end LTE/SAE solution provides an All-IP, high speed, low latency and highly spectrum efficient mobile network, which greatly enhances the experience of mobile multimedia services.


Huawei also noted that it has now deployed 25 LTE/SAE networks with tier one operators located in Europe, North Amercia, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
http://www.huawei.com

Read More

FCC Outlines Framework of National Broadband Plan

Encouragement of competition will be a guiding principle of the FCC's forthcoming National Broadband Plan, which is scheduled for delivery to Congress in February 2010. According to an interim report released this week, the FCC plan may recommend changes in the law in some cases, but those changes are likely to be limited in number.


The interim report focused on policy recommendations in ten key areas: Universal Service, infrastructure access, spectrum, Tribal lands, set-top boxes, consumer information, media, adoption of broadband, accessibility for people with disabilities, and public safety. Other areas that are to be addressed by the plan, including education, energy, health care, civic participation and others, will be addressed further in January.


Some of the proposals being considered for the National Broadband Plan include:


USF -- Cutting inefficient spending in the High-Cost fund to free up funds for broadband while removing barriers to use of E-Rate-funded connections in schools for adoption and community use. Consider a comprehensive overhaul of USF in conjunction with other proceedings, such as intercarrier compensation and special access.


Infrastructure -- Setting uniform and fair rental rate for pole attachments. Adopting rules that reduce costs and increase speed of access to poles, ducts, conduits and rights-of way


Spectrum -- A large, new spectrum allocation is essential to improving broadband competition. Resolve pending proceedings such as Advanced Wireless Services-3 (AWS-3) and Wireless Communications Services (WCS). Apply market forces to all bands while taking into consideration other policy objectives in allocation decisions.

Set-Top Boxes -- Address current shortfalls in implementation of CableCard to help create an open device market. Require video services providers to supply a small, low-cost, network-interface device whose only function is to bridge proprietary network elements with retail navigation devices.
http://www.fcc.govhttp://www.broadband.gov

Read More

Texas A&M University Upgrades with ADVA's FSP 3000

Texas A&M University has installed a new Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) using ADVA Optical Networking's FSP 3000 platform, replacing defunct Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) equipment previously operated by the university. The new DWDM deployment is immediately capable of supporting 40 wavelengths and is expandable to 80 wavelengths. It can support 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps transponders as well as Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) up to 8 degrees when needed.


The MAN includes four nodes deployed in a ring connecting locations on the Texas A&M campus, within the university's data centers and elsewhere within the city. Off the ring, there are two independent spurs reaching other remote offices in the College Station area. Portions of the fiber making up the network are owned by the university while other sections belong to the city of College Station.


Texas A&M's MAN provides voice, video and data transmission in support of the university's administration along with research-related activities on and around the main campus at College Station, Texas. This includes Internet access and core campus applications. It also provides connectivity for partner organizations including local government agencies, school districts and other educational entities associated with the university.
http://www.advaoptical.com
http://www.tamu.edu/

Read More

Vietnam's CMC Selects Alcatel-Lucent for GPON

Vietnam's CMC Telecom Infrastructure Corporation (CMC TI) has selected Alcatel-Lucent for a GPON project to new residential developments and SMEs. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Alcatel-Lucent will deploy its 7342 Intelligent Services Access Manager Fiber-to-the-User (ISAM FTTU), the company's flagship GPON solution for the delivery of ultra-high-speed services to residential and business users. The GPON platform will be complemented by the Alcatel-Lucent 5520 Access Management System (AMS) -- Alcatel-Lucent's next-generation element management system that covers the entire ISAM product portfolio, encompassing DSL as well as fiber-based access.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
http://www.cmc.com.vn

Read More

Bell Labs to Open Research Center in Korea

Bell Labs, the research arm of Alcatel-Lucent, will open a new facility in Korea in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Korea University. The facility will be called Bell Labs Seoul and is expected to focus its efforts from the outset on broadband and mobile applications and services and their enabling sciences and technologies.


Located in the Digital Media City (DMC) at Seoul's Sangam District, Bell Labs Seoul will operate using a highly collaborative open innovation model that complements the efforts of research staff by engaging partners from academia, government, and industry who will work together in solving complex problems and conceiving innovative solutions that benefit customers and society.


The opening of Bell Labs in Seoul brings to eight the number of Bell Labs research facilities maintained worldwide. Other locations include Belgium, Germany, China, India, France, Ireland, and the U.S.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

Read More

Intune Selects Aricent to Optical Burst Switching System

Intune Networks, an Ireland-based telecom company delivering next generation platforms based on ultra-fast dynamic optical technologies, has selected Aricent to co-develop a highly advanced Optical Packet Switch and Transport networking platform for next generation Metro Networks.


Intune Networks uniquely solves switching bottlenecks by virtualizing physical networks through a distributed Layer 2 switch. The company says the advantage of its collapsed layer network design is a highly simplified network with predictability and quality of performance guaranteed.


In conjunction with Aricent's Intelligent Switching Solution (ISS) software, Intune Networks' OPST technology is currently in trials as part of Ireland's Exemplar Smart Network.


Intune is leveraging Aricent's optimized ISS framework, which is a feature-rich software framework for developing a wide range of Intelligent Ethernet switching solutions. Aricent ISS key features include:

• Advanced Layer 2 Switching


• IPv4 and IPv6 Unicast and Multicast Routing


• MPLS


• VPN


• Chassis and Redundancy Management

http://www.aricent.com/Products/IntelligentEthernetSwitching.aspxhttp://www.intunenetworks.com

Read More

Lightower Completes 100G Optical Trial with Nortel

Lightower Fiber Networks, which operates a metro fiber network in the northeastern U.S., has completed a series of 100G trials using Nortel's optical transmission platform


Over a four day period, Lightower send production network traffic error-free over a 600km 100G link from New York to Boston. As an existing Nortel optical customer with 10G and 40G already running on their network, the in-service trial demonstrated the ability of evolving from 10G to 40G to 100G with Nortel's solution. It also shows that Nortel's solution allows 10G, 40G and 100G wavelengths to be sent over the same fiber and network infrastructure. Lightower already has 2,000 km of fiber upgraded to 40G. As with Lightower's existing 40G network, the 100G trial was powered by Nortel's OME 6500 along with its 40G/100G Adaptive Optical Engine technology.
http://www.nortel.com
http://www.lightower.com

Read More

NTT Com Opens IP-VPN POP in Chennai, Enhances Service in NZ

NTT Communications is preparing to open a point of presence (POP) for its Arcstar Global IP-VPN managed network service in Chennai, India. The new POP, established in cooperation with Tata Communications, in Chennai will enable NTT Com to offer high-quality IP-VPN services at affordable prices in the area surrounding this southern Indian city, where Japanese and other multinational companies are increasingly establishing a business presence. NTT Com already offers POPs in Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi in cooperation with Tata Communications.

NTT Com is also enhancing the interconnection of Arcstar Global IP-VPN with the IP-VPN service of TNZ, New Zealand's largest telecommunications company. Previously, customers were required to use access lines from an NTT Com POP located outside of the country.
http://www.ntt.com

Read More

Quantenna Opens Taiwan Office

Quantenna Communications has opened an office in Taiwan to accelerate volume production and global delivery of its Full-11n chipsets for ultra-reliable Wi-Fi networking, including full HDTV quality with 1080p video resolution. The company plans to expand its current staff of 60, worldwide, in the coming year, including adding significant headcount in the Asia region.
http://www.quantenna.com

Read More

Sierra Wireless Releases M2M Studio Environment

Sierra Wireless announced a new major release of M2M Studio, its development environment for embedded machine-to-machine (M2M) software.


The new release includes a software redistribution feature which enables developers to create their own embedded software plug-ins and make them accessible to other M2M Studio users.


"Since its initial release in January 2009, M2M Studio has proved its appeal to developers of a wide range of innovative M2M applications, including home security systems, asset tracking devices, in-vehicle fleet management, smart utility meters, and fixed wireless telephones," says Didier Dutronc, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Sierra Wireless. "This new release of M2M Studio enables even more creativity and freedom to users when developing and customizing embedded software applications."http://sierrawireless.com
http://www.wavecom.com/m2mstudio

Read More

JDSU Adds Capture/Decode Features for 10 Gbps Ethernet Testing

JDSU has added a T-BERD/MTS capture/decode feature set to capture traffic on 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps Ethernet interfaces, J-Mentor utilizes standard .pcap formatted capture files to identify common problems that impact SLAs such as half duplex ports, excessive TCP retransmissions and top IP talkers that may excessively use network bandwidth.


JDSU said its J-Mentor expedites Carrier Ethernet troubleshooting in the network by building on the capture/decode feature set. Traditionally, a technician with advanced IP troubleshooting skill is dispatched to a location with test equipment and a PC for analysis in order to resolve a problem. With JDSU capture/decode, the same technician can perform a packet capture and then analyze the file on the test set itself.
http://www.jdsu.com

Read More

IBM Builds Cloud Computing Platform for SK Telecom

IBM has build a Cloud Computing platform for SK Telecom, which serves 24 million mobile customers in South Korea. The cloud environment provides developers with the necessary software and hardware to develop applications that will allow SK Telecom to offer up to 20 new services to their customers by the end of 2009, such as sports news feeds and a photo service.


IBM said that putting all the servers, storage and middleware required for application development into a secure cloud environment lowers the risk and the cost of new application development for the network operator.


For this project IBM Korea worked jointly with SK Telecom to develop the entire cloud environment - from concept planning to hardware and software selection and implementation. The cloud includes 80 systems, comprised of both System x and blade servers, Xen virtualization technology and IBM middleware and service management technology. Service management is performed using IBM's Tivoli Service Automation Manager to enable software to be leased and installed seamlessly, and virtual machines provisioned accordingly. In planning the cloud architecture, SK Telecom also utilized implementation services and operation process consulting from IBM Global Technology Services. through to implementation services and operation process consulting.
http://www.ibm.com

Read More

Atheros Completes Acquisition of Intellon for Powerline Chips

Atheros Communications completed its acquisition of Intellon Corporation. With this acquisition, Atheros enhances its networking technology portfolio to include Intellon's powerline communications (PLC) solutions for home networking, networked entertainment, broadband-over-powerline (BPL) access, Ethernet-over- Coax (EoC) and smart grid management applications.


Intellon, which is based in Orlando, Florida, specializes in powerline communications, providing HomePlug compliant and other powerline integrated circuits for home networking, networked entertainment, BPL access, Ethernet-over-Coax (EoC), smart grid management and other commercial applications. Intellon created and patented the baseline technology for HomePlug 1.0, and is a major contributor to the baseline technology for the 200-Mbps PHY-rate HomePlug AV powerline standard and the draft IEEE P1901 powerline standard. The company has sold more than 34 million HomePlug-based ICs to date.
http://www.atheros.com

Read More

BLOCKBUSTER Deploys Widevine for Internet Movie Service

Widevine announced a deal to supply its DRM and video optimization for the BLOCKBUSTER On Demand Service, which enable U.S. customers to browse and rent movie titles directly through an connected device such as Samsung's Blu-ray players and televisions.


Widevine said its multiplatform, multiformat DRM solution enables Blockbuster to deliver content to any device, in any format for the widest audience possible. Its video optimization tools are optimized for content streamed over the Internet. This includes instant startups, no buffering and trick play capabilities such as rewind, fast-forward and bookmarking for multi-location viewing.
http://www.widevine.com

Read More

Russia's Yota Builds Mobile WiMAX Network in Nicaragua

Yota, which operates mobile WiMAX networks in Moscow, ST. Petersburg and other Russian cities, is also deploying mobile WiMAX in Managua, Nicaragua. The Yota network was rolled out in record time - in three months since the beginning of construction.


In July 2009, the public international tender for 2.5-2.7 GHz spectrum was announced in order to provide the whole territory of Nicaragua with communications services based upon the Mobile WiMAX standard. Yota became the winner of the tender.


Yota will start to operate in Nicaragua with its wireless broadband Internet access service. Later the company plans to increase the number of services and will concentrate on the high-quality voice services demanded in the market.


Yota also plans further WiMAX rollouts in Latin America, CIS as well as other countries in Asia and Africa.
http://www.yota.ru/en

Read More

Comcast Launches On Demand Online Fancast Service

Comcast announced nationwide availability of its Fancast XFINITY TV online service in in beta at no additional cost to customers. The new service gives customers an "anytime anywhere" entertainment experience -- at home and on-the-go - and expands the video content customers can watch online by giving them quick and easy access to thousands of hours of cable TV shows, movies and independently produced content.


Both Comcast customers and non-Comcast customers across the nation currently have access to over 12,000 hours of great online content through Fancast.com -- the company's online TV site and a top TV destination on the web -- for free. Comcast cable customers gain access to thousands of additional titles from the cable channels in their subscription packages.


"This is a beta product only, but the consumer feedback has been great so far. We look forward to more feedback as we make it available to even more customers" said Amy Banse, President of Comcast Interactive Media. "We think Fancast XFINITY TV gets us one step closer to our multiplatform goal and is just the beginning of delivering an entirely new TV viewing experience."http://www.comcast.com

Read More

Sandvine and Optenet Develop Network-based Parental Controls

Sandvine and Optenet announced a strategic partnership to launch optimized parental controls for broadband subscribers worldwide. The integrated solution leverages OpenNet's content filtering and threat analysis technology and Sandvine's application- and subscriber-awareness platform.



The companies said their joint solution provides real-time classification of Web content, with the capability for subscribers to configure preferences at an individual and household level to determine what content is acceptable. It allows operators to provide an integrated residential broadband service, including enhanced parental control capability. End-users do not have to seek additional protection from a third-party security vendor.


The joint parental controls solution has been successfully integrated in a third-party lab environment, demonstrating readiness for deployment in service provider networks.
http://www.sandvine.com
http://www.optenet.com

Read More

HDBaseT Alliance Targets Whole-home Video Distribution

A new cross-industry HDBaseT Alliance has been established to promote and standardize "HDBaseT" technology for whole-home distribution of uncompressed HD multimedia content. Founding members of the group include LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Valens Semiconductor.


HDBaseT aims to provide a way to connect TVs and other display equipment with entertainment devices, such as a Blu-ray DVD player, for in-home converged distribution of HD multimedia content. A single LAN cable supports uncompressed full HD digital video, audio, 100BaseT Ethernet, power over cable and various control signals.
http://hdbaset.org/http://www.valens-semi.com/

Read More

SK Telecom Selects Alcatel-Lucent's Packet Optical Transport

SK Telecom, which serves over 24 million mobile subscribers in Korea, awarded a new contract to Alcatel-Lucent to deploy a mobile backhaul network and assist SK Telecom's Packet Transport System (PTS) business in its network evolution.


Alcatel-Lucent will deploy its 1850 Transport Service Switch (TSS) implementing innovative features like T-MPLS with alignment with MPLS-TP, to optimize traffic transport and aggregation from the base stations to the core networks. As multiple traffic types -- from TDM to Ethernet to packet -- are handled onto the same platform, SK Telecom is taking a significant step in network simplification for minimized operational expenditures. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
http://www.sktelecom.com

Read More

Hibernia Acquires MediaXstream for HD Video Transport

Hibernia Atlantic, which operates a trans-Atlantic undersea cable system, has acquired MediaXstream Inc., a provider of transport and managed network services for the media production and broadcast industries.


MediaXstream is currently operational in 20 major markets in the U.S. and Europe, serving the increasingly growing demand for High Definition video networking and production services by TV and film production, sports, news, mobile content and IPTV.


Hibernia Atlantic said that by adding MediaXstream's high quality transport services to its financial and carrier-focused network, the combined reach, performance and product offering will add significant marketplace opportunities, technological innovation and customer value. In particular, the deal significantly expands the network reach of MediaXstream into more than 10 key European markets while MediaXstream expands Hibernia's North American network to 17 additional key Points of Presence in 14 new cities in the South and West, including Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Tampa, Miami, Atlanta, Washington DC, Baltimore, San Diego and Las Vegas.
http://www.hiberniaatlantic.com
http://mediaxstream.tv/

Read More

Silver Spring Networks Raises $100 Million for Smart Grid solutions

Silver Spring Networks, a start-up based in Redwood City, California, announced the closing of a $100 million preferred equity round to support its development of new smart grid applications.


The investment round was led by institutional investors and included existing investors Google Ventures, Foundation Capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Northgate Capital.


Silver Spring provides the hardware, software and services that allow utilities to deploy advanced applications, including Smart Metering, Demand Response, Distribution Automation and Distributed Generation, over a single, unified network. Silver Spring's Smart Energy Platform is based on IP standards, allowing continuous, two-way communication between the utility and devices on the grid.


"We have a terrific opportunity to accelerate the development and deployment of next generation smart grid initiatives," said Warren Jenson, Chief Financial Officer of Silver Spring Networks. "At a time when world leaders have gathered in Copenhagen, we're honored to be partnering with some of the most progressive utilities in the world to address energy efficiency by building out the smart grid. We are pleased to have a great set of investors that share our vision."http://www.silverspringnetworks.com

Read More

Verizon Wireless Adds Free Access at Thousands of Wi-Fi Hotspots

Verizon Wireless has begun offering its mobile broadband customers with access to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots at no additional charge. Verizon Wi-Fi is available in locations across the United States, including airports, bookstores, coffee shops, hotels and other public locations. The service is also available at locations in Canada and Mexico, so customers can reduce data roaming charges in those countries when connected to a Verizon Wi-Fi hotspot. Customers must have a monthly Mobile Broadband or GlobalAccess plan.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/wi-fi

Read More

Broadcom Supports IEEE P802.3az Energy Saving Silicon

Broadcom announced a range of new silicon devices that support the Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) IEEE P802.3az draft standard, including new Ethernet controller and physical layer (PHY) device solutions.


The IEEE P802.3az specification provides for energy savings at the PHY level when the network link is idle. Network infrastructure components can take advantage of power savings when the network stack experiences periods of inactivity, starting with both sides of the media access controller (MAC)/PHY interface, when a port is in EEE mode.


On top of this, Broadcom said its Energy Efficient Networking provides additional power savings by:

• Supporting the enhanced Layer 2 savings mechanism (currently optional for triple speed products and mandatory for 10 Gigabit speeds in the IEEE 802.3az specification).



• Implementing comprehensive control policies in Broadcom PHY and controller chips that allow for optimized, customizable and enhanced energy savings for a wide variety of applications.



• Broadcom Energy Efficient Networking implements energy savings metrics that allow Broadcom end-customers to quantify the savings that are realized during operation.



• A Broadcom EEE draft-compliant PHY lowers power consumption by up to 70% during periods of low traffic utilization when compared to a PHY without EEE implemented. The overall power consumption is reduced on products including switches, storage systems, servers and personal computers that have a Broadcom EEE-enabled PHY in their design.



• Broadcom's AutoGrEEEn technology allows a Broadcom EEE-enabled PHY to be in EEE mode when interfacing with a non-EEE enabled MAC, without requiring changes to the non-EEE device.

The new silicon includes a highly integrated Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) controller targeted for PC applications. It integrates both the Ethernet MAC and PHY on a single chip to provide wired network connectivity for desktop, notebook and netbook systems. Broadcom is also introducing a highly integrated GbE controller and 5-in-1 memory card reader supporting the latest standard for memory cards, and a dual-port GbE controller targeted for server and workstation applications supporting a PCI Express v2.0-compliant host interface. http://www.broadcom.com

Read More

Optimum Lightpath Builds Ethernet Services with Tellabs

Optimum Lightpath is working with Tellabs to build its next-generation optical network in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. The network will support a variety of aggregated Ethernet services and optical wavelength services, along with integrated time division multiplexing (TDM) and packet switching features. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.tellabs.com

Read More

AT&T Wins MEF Carrier Ethernet Service Provider Award

AT&T was awarded a 2009 MEF Carrier Ethernet Service Provider award for the Best Service Portfolio.
http://www.att.com
http://www.metroethernetforum.org/

Read More

IBM Selected for SmartGrid Pilot in Australia

IBM has been selected by Australian energy provider Western Power as the systems integration and project management partner for its SmartGrid-Advanced Meter Infrastructure pilot program. Specifically, IBM will build a roadmap for the design and implementation of an intelligent network, comprising smart meters and a communications backbone that will enable Western Power to deliver more reliable, sustainable and cost effective energy solutions to homes and businesses in the south-west of Western Australia.
http://www.ibm.com

Read More

BBN Wins Army Contract for Network Science Research Center

Raytheon BBN Technologies was awarded an $81 million contract by the Army Research Laboratory to create a collaborative technology alliance in network science.


Under the five-year contract, Raytheon BBN Technologies will pursue fundamental research in network science to identify the commonalities that apply to diverse kinds of networks.


The ARL Network Science Collaborative Technology Alliance will examine communication, information, and social and cognitive networks and will include leading researchers from all of these disciplines. The effort will include more than 30 university and industrial labs. An Interdisciplinary Research Center (IRC) will be established at the Raytheon BBN Technologies headquarters in Cambridge, Mass. http://www.bbn.com
http://www.raytheon.com

Read More

Continuous Computing Develops Application-Ready LTE EPC Systems

Continuous Computing has incorporated Trillium FastPath protocol software into its pre-integrated, application-ready system solutions for Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network elements.


Leveraging the 6WINDGate software suite from 6WIND, Trillium FastPath enables key protocols such as Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) and GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) to move into the native execution environment on Continuous Computing's ATCA-PP50 packet processing blade. The company said it is able to achieve performance gains of up to 3X over generic implementations for next generation mobile cores.


The Third Generations Partnership Project's (3GPP) choice of SCTP as the IP-transport layer for all signaling in the LTE EPC has created a significant strain on SCTP processing that was not anticipated when the protocol was first defined. In addition, the focus on small cell wireless deployments has also increased the sheer number of SCTP connections that need to be managed by the EPC. While the built-in reliability mechanisms of SCTP are attractive for providing carrier-grade networks, they create substantial overhead and thus generic SCTP implementations are unable to scale sufficiently to meet the massive core networking requirements of the EPC.


Similarly, 3GPP has identified GTP as the primary bearer plane protocol in the EPC. Since each LTE eNodeB could provide more than seven times the current throughput of today's 3G base stations, the EPC will be expected to handle a much larger amount of data traffic than legacy mobile networks. Coupled with the fact that both voice and data are expected to traverse the core and that consumer appetite for data remains insatiable, the EPC must be built to support massive data plane scalability. Trillium FastPath SCTP and GTP are designed to meet these demands whereas standard implementations fall short.


Trillium FastPath software complements the company's extensive selection of Trillium LTE protocols, including S1AP, X2AP, Diameter and more. All Trillium LTE protocol stacks are optimized for multi-core / multi-threaded processing architectures and each stack includes a reference application for the relevant LTE network interfaces including LTE-Uu, S1, S6, S7, S10 and X2.
http://www.ccpu.com

Read More

TelisSonera Reports 20-80 Mbps on New LTE Service

In a press conference launching its new LTE service in Stockholm and Oslo, TeliaSonera said it is delivering up to 100 Mbps downlink rates with both the network and the LTE modem. Typical user rates are expected to be in the 20-80 Mbps range. The service uses a Samsung LTE dongle modem.


The Samsung dongles currently are 4G only, although TeliaSonera expects to offer models with a fall-back to 3G in those locations outside of its LTE footprint.


TeliaSonera has three nation wide 4G/LTE licenses; in Sweden, Norway and also recently in Finland. The network roll out is in progress to offer 4G to Sweden's and Norway's largest cities.


Evaluation of suppliers for TeliaSonera's common 4G core network and radio networks in the Nordic and Baltic countries is in progress and vendors will be selected in the beginning of 2010.


Ericsson provided TeliaSonera with LTE Radio Base stations, which are part of the new RBS6000 series, an Evolved Packet Core network, a mobile backhaul solution including SmartEdge 1200 routers, the latest EDA multi-access aggregation switch and an Operation and Management System. The LTE system is based on 3GPP standards for Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio technology and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) technology.


Huawei delivered both network infrastructure and services, including access network gear, core network equipment, operation support systems, and network planning and optimization.
http://www.ericsson.com

Read More

Nortel Confirms 100G Optical Shipments

Nortel confirmed commercial sales of its 100 G optical transmission solution. The capabilities are delivered using two new, compact 100G cards within Nortel's flagship Optical Multiservice Edge 6500 platform . Nortel's Common Photonic Layer line system can also be used as part of the 100G solution for in-line amplification and wavelength switching.


Nortel's 100G solution provides for single-channel 100G transmission in a format that can coexist over the same fiber infrastructure with 10G and 40G networks. A Nortel 100G line card transmits the full 112Gbps payload within a single ITU standard 50GHz-spaced channel, allowing for a full 88 wavelengths over a single fiber.


Nortel said its 100G solution is based on technologies such as coherent detection, DP QPSK modulation, and advanced electronic digital signal processing techniques, all of which Nortel is the first and only vendor to successfully commercialize to date. More than 50 service providers and operators worldwide already rely on these technologies in live deployments of Nortel's 40G solution, which has been generally available since May 2008. In addition to Verizon's industry-first live 100G deployment, Nortel has previously conducted eight successful trials of its 100G solution with service providers around the world.
http://www.nortel.com

Read More

New Submarine Cable Links Reunion in Indian Ocean

A new Lower Indian Ocean Network (LION) submarine cable was officially inaugurated in Reunion, an island located in the Indian Ocean that is one of the overseas départements of France.


The new submarine cable, which connects Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius, adds significantly to the broadband capabilities of the island. It was financed by a consortium made up of Orange Madagascar, Mauritius Telecom and France Telecom S.A.
http://www.orange.com

Read More

Dell'Oro: Wireless LAN Market Surges

The worldwide Wireless LAN market grew to more than $1 billion in the third quarter of this year, due in large part to the increased spending in the healthcare and education sectors, as well as a rise in sales of higher valued 802.11n products, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group.
<>

According to the report, product revenues for Cisco, HP, and Enterasys each grew more than 30 percent in the third quarter. HP's wireless LAN product revenues were the strongest ever, growing more than 60 percent in the third quarter.


"Second quarter 2009 supply constraints were largely resolved, and overall Wireless LAN market revenues rebounded to pre-2009 recession levels," stated Loren Shalinsky, Senior Analyst of Wireless LAN research at Dell'Oro Group. "During the third quarter, the overall market was boosted by strong growth in the enterprise segment. In particular, Cisco benefited from strong sales in North America and HP showed strength in the hospitality sector with sales of their integrated wireless LAN and wired access device," added Shalinsky.



http://www.delloro.com

Read More

IEEE Forms SIEPON Working Group

The IEEE Standards Association is forming a new Working Group with the task of developing a new communications standard, IEEE P1904.1, "Standard for Service Interoperability in Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (SIEPON)."


Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPON) already serves an estimated 30 million subscriber lines using 1G technology. Deployment volumes are soon expected to reach more than 10 million new subscribers annually. The SIEPON standard project will develop system-level specifications, targeting "plug-and-play" interoperability of the transport, service, and control planes in a multi-vendor environment.
http://www.ieee.org

Read More

Motorola Offers Point-to-Multipoint for WiMAX in 3.3 - 3.8 GHz

Motorola introduced its PMP 320 wireless broadband access network solution offering secure wireless connectivity based on 802.16e standards. Motorola's PMP 320 fixed licensed outdoor access solution operates in the 3.3 - 3.8 GHz licensed frequency bands. It features all-outdoor integrated radios and standards-based servers, so it does not require specialized gateways, routers or servers. Its supports standard WiMAX QoS profiles, is interoperable with WiMAX 802.16e CPEs, and uses standard AAA/ RADIUS servers for authentication. With 2x2 MIMO and matrix B functionality, 10 MHz channels, and 802.16e coding/error correction, the PMP 320 delivers high throughput with excellent coverage and link budgets.


"Motorola's PMP 320 provides a reliable and secure connectivity solution that enables network operators and enterprise customers to leverage standards-based technology," added Tim Mason, senior director for Wireless Network Solutions, Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions. "Robust, standards-based networks deliver a new level of business agility for both public and private network operators."http://www.motorola.com

Read More

Verizon Activates 100G Ultra-Long-Haul Optical in Europe

Verizon is now carrying live, commercial traffic over a 100 Gbps ultra-long-haul optical system. This system was deployed on the company's European optical core network between Paris and Frankfurt. The accomplishment marks the first time for deployment of ultra-long-haul 100G using a single channel on a production network.


Specifically, Verizon is using Nortel's commercially available 100G solution to carry live Private IP traffic between Verizon's core routers over the 893-kilometer (555-mile) route without modifying the system. Verizon sent a true 100G signal by using the same spacing between wavelengths that is used for a single wavelength, demonstrating the company's drive to promote 100G in a serial fashion on just one information channel. The 100G transmission was conducted on a Verizon ultra-long-haul optical system carrying other live 10G wavelengths.


Verizon said that by installing advanced optics and electronics on the existing network facilities, the upgrade to 100G was done easily and quickly. The objective is to implement a "plug and play" approach that avoids any changes to embedded network equipment and facilities.


"This latest 100G-first gives Verizon the edge in meeting the growing bandwidth demands of our customers," said Mark Wegleitner, senior vice president of technology at Verizon. "By consolidating traffic onto one large pipe rather than several smaller ones, customers will benefit from increased network capacity, improved transmission quality and greater network efficiencies."http://www.verizon.com
http://www.nortel.com

Read More

NETGEAR Cable Gateway and Cable Modem Earn DOCSIS 3.0 Certification

NETGEAR's newest Cable Gateway has achieved DOCSIS 3.0 certification in CableLabs Certification Wave 71.The device delivers DOCSIS 3.0 service via four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and 802.11n wireless. The resulting data rates of up to 160 Mbps downstream and 120 Mbps upstream. It is IPv6 compliant and is also fully backwards-compatible with IPv4 and DOCSIS 2.0 and 1.1. It supports remote management and provisioning, simple plug-in installation, and post-installation manageability with Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).


A separate cable modem unit, the CMD31B, also achieved DOCSIS 3.0 certification in CableLabs Certification Wave 71. The CMD31B bonds eight downstream and four upstream channels, significantly exceeding the minimum 4 x 4 requirement of the DOCSIS 3.0 specification. The resulting data rates of up to 320 Mbps downstream and 120 Mbps upstreamhttp://www.netgear.com

Read More

Verizon Adds On-Screen Self-Help to FiOS TV

Verizon has implemented a new on-screen self-help tool that can diagnose and solve problems with its FiOS TV service. The tool uses the advanced FiOS network to diagnose issues, report back to customers, and then quickly and automatically fix most problems. The on-screen version is initially available to FiOS customers in Texas, California and parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.


The new on-screen agent is being deployed coincident with the current upgrade of the Verizon Interactive Media Guide, being introduced progressively across the FiOS footprint.
http://www.verizon.com
http://www.verizon.com/inhomeagent

Read More

MetroPCS Selects Bridgewater for LTE in 2010

MetroPCS Communications has selected Bridgewater Systems' LTE product suite including tits Home Subscriber Server and Policy Controller, both anchored by Bridgewater's Subscriber Data Broker for its 4G LTE network. A deployment is planned for the second half of 2010. Financial terms were not disclosed.


MetroPCS will deploy the Bridgewater Home Subscriber Server (HSS), a master repository that contains subscriber and device profile and state information, and manages subscriber identities, service profiles, authentication, authorization, and quality of service in real time. The installation will also include the Bridgewater Policy Controller (PCRF), which provides smart network, application, and subscriber policies to manage mobile data growth and deliver personalized services. Bridgewater's Subscriber Data Broker provides a common subscriber data management platform that brings together rich, dynamic subscriber data with the sophisticated tools to broker that data to multiple systems and applications to personalize services.
http://www.bridgewatersystems.com

Read More