Metro Ethernet Forum Ratifies Mobile Backhaul IA (MEF 22)

The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) has recently approved "Carrier Ethernet for Mobile Backhaul Implementation Agreement (IA)", or MEF 22, which outlines how to apply existing MEF specifications and industry standards to meet the increasing demands on RAN backhaul.


Mobile backhaul networks until now relied on TDM and ATM technologies, with most locations served by (multiple) T1/E1 lines. Carrier Ethernet services are, however, optimized for packet data traffic and are increasingly available over a multitude of transport media -- including fiber, copper and microwave.


Several factors differentiate Ethernet Backhaul from other Ethernet networks, in particular the rapid handoff between base stations in mobile networks. Ethernet backhaul circuits require very tight performance requirements that must be supported by a deterministic architecture that reduces the number of hops required in a call. They must also provide the same level of network protection as PDH or SONET/SDH based networks. The MEF has identified these specific requirements and MEF 22 advises service providers how to successfully and cost-effectively implement Carrier Ethernet for mobile backhaul.


The MBIA addresses performance and quality of service parameters, synchronization options, recovery and protection mechanisms, and Ethernet OAM services. In addition, a Generic Inter-Working Function (GIWF) is defined for TDM-based traffic to be efficiently carried over the Ethernet network. New packet-based mobile backhaul networks introduce new architecture elements that the MBIA has identified and named to establish a common terminology and help to accelerate the adoption of Ethernet-based mobile backhaul networks across the industry.


The MBIA includes recommendations for the network design, architecture and operation of packet-based mobile backhaul networks and is designed to facilitate the deployment of profitable, data-driven mobile services by explaining both the benefits and technical implementation details. Meanwhile plans are underway for a second phase IA that will address further synchronization methods, emerging standards such as LTE and extended architectures.
http://www.MetroEthernetForum.org/

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Fujitsu Launches LTE eNodeB Base Stations

Fujitsu Network Communications introduced its new BroadOne LS LTE eNodeB base station portfolio featuring simplified maintenance, easy customization, and small size.


Fujitsu said its new BroadOne LS LTE eNodeB family is based on a new architectural concept and will be available in distributed and all-in-one versions. It consists of a Remote Radio Head (RRH) and a Base Band Unit (BBU). The BBU comes in both indoor and outdoor models to meet the diverse deployment environments that exist in the network today. The RRH is designed to take advantage of the lower operational cost of an all-outdoor deployment.


The RRH of the BroadOne LS LTE eNodeB incorporates a high-output amplifier, which uses a gallium-nitride (GaN) High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) device that was developed based on ultra-high-speed transistor technology patented by Fujitsu. This device is coupled with Fujitsu digital pre-distortion technology, which already has a proven track record in 3G systems, to create two high-output power transceivers packaged in a single unit. These technologies allow for efficiencies never before seen in the industry, reducing the power consumption by half over current technologies.


The RRH of the BroadOne LS LTE eNodeB is compact and light weight, enabling installation anywhere there is fiber, up to 20 km from the RRH. The highly efficient design provides low operating costs as less heat translates to no fans, no filters, or any other moving parts. By combining world-class energy efficiency and world-class design, Fujitsu has significantly reduced the costs associated with installing and operating base stations.


"Carriers who purchased AWS and 700 MHz spectrum at record pricing levels want to get the most out of their investment and satisfy consumers who continue to devour more bandwidth," said Jim Orr, principal network architect at Fujitsu Network Communications. "Our LTE solution will allow carriers to make the most efficient use of their spectrum while offering the performance that an increasingly savvy public demands. Fujitsu pioneered GaN HEMT-based amplifiers so we're able to deliver a whole new level of efficiency and operational simplicit'y that hasn't been available before to North America wireless operators.

"Fujitsu is also a leader in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technologies that are fundamental for LTE systems," Orr continued. "With such expertise, we can provide network operators with end-to-end LTE solutions for network infrastructure in a variety of applications and services."


Fujitsu has developed a 3GPP-compliant LTE system for the global market. In fact, Fujitsu was chosen by NTT DOCOMO to be a supplier for its LTE eNodeB in 2006 as well as its LTE core network system in 2008, and is now taking this technology leadership to the rest of the world. In a joint demonstration with NTT DOCOMO, more than 250 Mbps performance was exhibited in an outdoor environment over the Fujitsu LTE eNodeB; also demonstrated at both CEATEC Japan 2008 and CTIA Wireless 2008 in Las Vegas.
http://us.fujitsu.com/telecom

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AT&T to Pay $8.2 Million to Settle False Claims Involving E-Rate

AT&T Technical Services Corp. (AT&T-TSCO) has agreed to pay $8,266,414.33 as part of a civil settlement relating to allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act in connection with the Federal Communication Commission's E-Rate program. The E-Rate program, created by Congress in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, provides funding for needy schools and libraries to connect to and utilize the Internet. Under the E-Rate program, which is funded by monies collected from telephone users, schools apply for funds to pay for hardware and monthly connectivity service fees. The FCC oversees the E-Rate program.


The United States Department of Justice contended that AT&T-TSCO engaged in non-competitive bidding practices for E-rate contracts. Additionally, the government alleged that AT&T-TSCO claimed and received E-rate funds for goods and services that were ineligible for the program's discounts, overbilled the E-Rate program for services provided and facilitated a payment or profit to the applicant from E-Rate funds.


The agreed-to resolution announced today resulted from an ongoing federal investigation of fraud and anti-competitive conduct in the E-Rate program in Indiana.

http://www.usdoj.gov

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Qualcomm Targets Sub-$150 Smartphones with new Chipset

Qualcomm announced its new Mobile Station Modem (MSM) MSM7227chipset designed to enable high-performance, sub-$150 Smartphones. The MSM7227 solution will offer advanced processing and rich multimedia while utilizing HSDPA/HSUPA for broadband data speeds over 3G networks. It also can support all leading mobile operating systems including Android, Symbian S60, Windows Mobile and BREW Mobile Platform.


The new MSM7227 chipset features a 600 MHz applications processor with a floating point unit, 320 MHz application DSP, 400 MHz modem processor, hardware-accelerated 3D graphics, integrated Bluetooth 2.1 and GPS, 8 megapixel camera and 30 fps WVGA video encode and decode and display support. Manufacturers already using Qualcomm's MSM7xxx-series chipsets can transition to the MSM7227 platform as the software is virtually identical and the package pin layout is very similar. The MSM7227 chipset offers a small 12mm x 12mm footprint and lower power consumption than the previous MSM7xxx-series chips.
http://www.qualcomm.com/

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Qualcomm Expands HSPA+ Portfolio

Qualcomm unveiled a new family of chipsets that expand its HSPA+ product portfolio for mobile handsets and data cards.


The family of products also includes a new Qualcomm transceiver--the QTR8610--which supports worldwide 3G bands and integrates Bluetooth, GPS, FM radio, and necessary codecs to deliver a high level of functionality in a single chip.


The new HSPA+ chipsets include the Mobile Station Modem (MSM) devices for mobile handsets, as well as an MSM device for data applications. One handset device supports 3GPP Release 7 HSPA+ for data rates of up to 28 Mbps while the second handset device adds support for Release 8 dual-carrier HSPA+ for even higher data rates of up to 42 Mbps. All three products offer full backward compatibility to previous generation networks and are pin-, software- and functionally-compatible.


The device for data cards features support for 3GPP Release 8 standard, dual-carrier HSPA+ for up to 42 Mbps on the downlink and 11 Mbps on the uplink. By aggregating two HSPA carriers in parallel, Release 8 HSPA+ dual-carrier technology effectively doubles the end user's bandwidth from 5 MHz to 10 MHz to enhance Web 2.0 experiences.

http://www.qualcomm.com

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Ericsson Lands Network Expansion Project in Angola

Unitel, the largest mobile operator in Angola, has selected Ericsson to provide network performance consulting and continued expansion of Unitel's GSM/WCDMA network over the coming three years. The contract includes a comprehensive network performance partnership agreement, to strengthen Unitel's network quality. Under the agreement, Ericsson consultants will perform network improvement and optimization services for the core, radio and transmission networks.
http://www.ericsson.com

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NETGEAR Unveils Residential 3G Femtocell

NETGEAR unveiled a residential gateway that integrates ADSL2+ modem, router, Ethernet LAN, Wi-Fi access point, (VoIP, and a miniature 3G femtocell base station. NETGEAR partner with Ubiquisys on femtocell technology.


"This public demonstration, of advanced 3G mobile voice and data services integrated with landline telephony and wired and wireless multimedia, now proves the relevance of integrating 3G wireless, LAN, voice and WAN technologies into Mobile Operators' networks," said David James, NETGEAR's director of service provider products. "Mobile operators and consumers are rapidly realizing the advantages that femtocells offer in delivering a quad-play experience with improved coverage, capacity and throughput to customers."

http://www.netgear.com
http://www.netgear.com

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TELUS Reports 5% Growth in Q4 200 Revenue

Canada's TELUS Corporation reported fourth quarter 2008 revenue of $2.45 billion, an increase of five per cent from a year ago. The performance was driven primarily by seven per cent growth in wireless revenue and 13 per cent growth in wireline data revenue, more than offsetting declines in local and long distance wireline revenues.

Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), decreased by $16 million due to increased investments in operating efficiency initiatives that resulted in restructuring costs increasing by $32 million. Net income in the quarter was $285 million and earnings per share (EPS) were $0.90, down 29 per cent and 27 per cent respectively.
http://www.telus.com

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Samsung Shows Mobile Phone With Embedded Projection

Samsung Electronics in conjunction with Texas Instruments (TI) introduced the first mobile phones with an embedded projection capability. This would allow a user to share mobile content with a room full of viewers. The project image could be in excess of 50 inches, depending upon the ambient light condition.


The projection capability is based on TI's DLP Pico chipset first announced a year ago and which has now entered production.


Other features of the new phones will include a 5.0-megapixel camera, a high-resolution color OLED touchscreen, intuitive flick navigation to view presentations and photo slideshows, and built-in audio speakers.


TI said its DLP display technology offers clarity down to the most minute detail, delivering pictures rich with color, contrast and brightness projectors for business, home, professional venue, digital cinema and large screen HDTVs. At the heart of every DLP chip is an array of up to 2.2 million microscopic mirrors which switch incredibly fast to create a high resolution, highly reliable, full color image. DLP technology's chip architecture and inherent speed advantage provides razor-sharp images and excellent reproduction of fast motion video. Since early 1996, more than 20 million DLP subsystems have been shipped.
http://www.samsung.com
http://www.ti,com

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