Infonetics Mobile WiMAX Market up 5% in 4Q08

The overall WiMAX equipment and device market held steady in 4Q08 over 3Q08 at $275 million, as the 802.16e mobile WiMAX segment increased 5% to counter a slight dip in the 802.16d fixed WiMAX segment, according to a new report from Infonetics Research.


"The WiMAX market will be leaner in 2009, leading vendors to rationalize their strategies: Nortel has exited, Alcatel-Lucent has transitioned its mobility R&D to its LTE program, and others will have their commitment to WiMAX tested. As the year progresses, we will see more intense competition for the fewer new contracts, and a tight race for market leadership. Currently Alvarion, Alcatel-Lucent and Motorola lead the field, but there is evidence to suggest that both Huawei and Cisco are coming up on the outside lane," said Richard Webb, Directing Analyst at Infonetics.



Some highlights of the report:

• The overall WiMAX equipment and device market held steady in 4Q08 over 3Q08 at $275 million, as the 802.16e mobile WiMAX segment increased 5% to counter a slight dip in the 802.16d fixed WiMAX segment



• Year-over-year, worldwide sales of 802.16e mobile WiMAX equipment (ASN gateways, BTS, CPE) grew 188% in 2008



• Worldwide sales of 802.16e mobile WiMAX devices (Ultra Mobile PCs, phones, and external data cards) grew 121% in 2008, though the range of devices is still very limited



• While WiMAX infrastructure revenue is subdued by the current global economic climate, strong CPE sales will drive overall mobile WiMAX market growth in 2009, as more services launch and new subscribers adopt WiMAX services for the first time



• In 2008, the number of fixed and mobile WiMAX subscribers hit 3.9 million, up 120% from CY07



• Alcatel-Lucent took the lead in annual worldwide mobile WiMAX revenue share overall in 2008, pushing Motorola into 2nd place; Alvarion's strong second half of 2008 edged them past Samsung for 3rd position



• A fierce vendor market share battle is playing out in the mobile WiMAX market, with Alvarion consolidating its top spot on the overall WiMAX equipment revenue market share leaderboard in 4Q08



• Huawei and Cisco continue to gain ground on the market leaders with a steady succession of both publicly announced and undisclosed WiMAX customer wins.

http://www.infonetics.com

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Thailand's CAT Telecom Selects ZTE for National Optical Backbone

Thailand's CAT Telecom has selected ZTE to construct a large-scale national backbone optical network covering the entire territory of Thailand. Financial terms were not disclosed. The two organizations have collaborated in previous projects.


Under the agreement, ZTE will provide CAT Telecom with its DWDM ZXWM M900 backbone transmission platform that will deployed over a network spanning some 10,000 kilometers. ZTE will also supply multiple ROADM (Re-configurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer) equipment that will be installed in different sites in Thailand. The network will be equipped with DWDM long-distance and provincial trunk lines, and local MANs (Metropolitan Area Network) that will extensively carry IP services, including 1GE, 10GE and other access services.
http://www.zte.com.cn

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Occam Networks Posts Q4 Revenue of $31.7 million, up 26% Sequentially

Occam Networks reported Q4 2008 revenue of $31.7 million, up 26 percent from the prior quarter and up 49 percent from the same quarter a year ago. Sequential revenue growth was primarily due to increased volume in the company's copper business.


Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $13.1 million, or 41% of revenue, compared with $10.8 million, or 43% of revenue, for the prior quarter. Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2008 was impacted primarily by an inventory provision for certain product components. Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $9.2 million, or 43% of revenue.


Net income (GAAP) available to common stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $1.1 million, or $0.06 per basic and diluted share, compared with a net loss of $659,000, or a loss of $0.03 per basic share, for the third quarter and with a net loss of $4.6 million, or a loss of $0.23 per basic share, for the fourth quarter of 2007.


"During the year, our key goal was to position Occam for profitability by growing our overall customer base and launching sales of our GPON product, and these drove the successful execution of our business during the quarter," said Bob Howard-Anderson, president and CEO of Occam. "During the quarter we also experienced some slowdown in bookings and have seen additional order delays during the first quarter, as customers reacted to the economic environment."


As a result of the current environment, the company anticipates first quarter 2009 revenues to approximate those of first quarter 2008. In addition, due to the economic uncertainty, the company will not be providing financial expectations for 2009 at this time.
http://www.occamnetworks.com

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Sonus Networks Posts Q4 Revenue of $89.5 Million

Sonus Networks reported revenue for Q4 2008 of $89.5 million, compared to $62.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 and $97.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. The company's loss from continuing operations on a GAAP basis was $99.0 million, or $0.37 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $19.0 million, or $0.07 per share, for the third quarter of 2008, and income from continuing operations of $14.7 million, or $0.05 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2007.

"We continue to make progress on aligning the business to our market opportunity," said Richard Nottenburg, president and chief executive officer of Sonus Networks. "We are focusing our investments on delivering products and services which enhance the value proposition we bring to customers, and we believe the actions we are taking will further strengthen our competitive position for the time when the economic recovery commences and we return to growth mode."

http://www.sonusnet.com

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Vonage Ends 2008 with 2.6 million Lines in Service

Vonage Holdings reported full year 2008 revenue of $900 million, up 9 percent from $828 million in 2007. Net loss excluding debt extinguishment costs narrowed to $34 million from $93 million excluding certain charges. GAAP net loss was $65 million or $0.41 per share in 2008.


Marc Lefar, Vonage Chief Executive Officer, said, "We improved our financial position throughout 2008, and for the first time in Vonage's history, delivered adjusted operating profit and positive cash from operations for a full year. Vonage also delivered record level pre-marketing operating income(1) reflecting increasing levels of cash generated by the existing customer base. This progress occurred despite the uncertainty and challenges of the current economy."


"While our financial performance was sound, we fell short in our ability to substantially grow our subscriber base. However, we are confident Vonage has significant opportunities to create future value for shareholders," Mr. Lefar said. "Not only is the business model solid, but the market opportunity for digital voice remains robust."


Some highlights:

• Revenue in 2008 increased 3 percent from the prior year to $222 million driven by an increase in average revenue per line (ARPU) and subscriber lines. Revenue declined 2 percent sequentially as a result of a decline in ARPU.



• ARPU was $28.33, up from $28.19 in the year-ago quarter and down from $28.75 sequentially. Telephony services ARPU was $27.28, down from $27.42 reported a year ago and $27.52 sequentially. The sequential decline in telephony services ARPU was the result of a decline in currency value of the Canadian dollar and British pound and an adjustment in international revenue which totaled $0.33. Excluding these impacts, telephony services ARPU increased $0.09 sequentially.



• The company lost 14,700 net subscriber lines, finishing the quarter with more than 2.6 million lines in service. Churn declined to 2.9% from 3.0% sequentially.

http://www.vonage.com

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JDSU Expands its CWDM/DWDM Line

JDSU released of new additions to its WaveReady product line of scalable optical transport solutions designed for access and metro optical networks. Added to the portfolio are a 10 Gbps tunable transponder with forward error correction (FEC), a power balancing system, and a 40-channel universal multiplexer/de-multiplexer.

• The WaveReady WRT-852, a compact C-Band or L-Band tunable transponder with Forward Error Correction (FEC) designed for reliable and cost effective transport of 10 Gbps services. The WRT-852 supports the transport of multiple services, including OTN, SONET/SDH, Ethernet, and Fibre Channel. The WRT-852 improves the transmission performance of 10 Gbps services with Forward Error Correction (FEC) and provides statistics on SONET/SDH and Ethernet traffic;



• The WaveReady WRS-05AD1C00B, providing per-channel power balancing capabilities for tunable, amplified networks; and



• The WaveReady 40-channel Universal Multiplexer, featuring high isolation and low insertion loss in a compact platform compatible with point-to-point or OADM deployments.

http://www.jdsu.com/waveready

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BroadSoft Enhances its BroadWorks Platform

BroadSoft introduced new product enhancements to its BroadWorks VoIP application platform that allow telecommunications service providers to simplify the deployment of hosted business communications solutions. New device management functionality that enables service providers to pre-configure end-user access devices.



BroadSoft said the ability to pre-configure devices solves one of the most complex and time-consuming phases of delivering VoIP services. Traditionally, providers need to either pre-provision devices before shipment, rely on standalone FTP servers to store files or provision each phone at the customer site, all of which take time and require experienced technicians.


Through BroadSoft Device Management, providers can quickly provision analog terminal adapters (ATAs), IP phones, integrated access devices (IADs) and IP PBX equipment -- any access device that uses XML/HTTP for profile management -- at the customer site. A simple login process is used to retrieve the appropriate user-specific files directly from BroadWorks. Providers manage and control all aspects of device configuration centrally in the network, reducing the time it takes to provision phones from hours to minutes and eliminating the need for a technician visit.


To further ease the deployment of Hosted VoIP solutions, BroadSoft and Polycom introduced a new phone-based login capability for Polycom IP phones. Leveraging BroadSoft's Xtended Services Platform, Polycom developed a "Quick Setup" key that is activated when the phone is powered up. This new key enables users to directly retrieve their phone's configuration files from the BroadWorks platform via a one-time secure phone login. With this capability, it is no longer necessary to individually match physical Polycom phones to users, saving time and expenses for service providers and providing flexibility to end users.
http://www.BroadSoft.com

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Deutsche Telekom Plans Tighter Mobile/Wireline Integration

Deutsche Telekom intends to adopt more of a regional focus with greater emphasis on integration between its wireline and wireless operations.


"The distinction between our fixed-line and mobile operations will be abolished. We intend to bundle product development, IT and technology across Europe in future," stressed Deutsche Telekom CEO René Obermann. "We have already proved with integrated mobile and fixed-network sales in Germany that we are capable of increasing our market share by working more closely together." At the same time, René Obermann made clear that this was not a staff reduction program. Agreement had been reached with the employee representatives on the key points for implementation on a cooperative basis."


The concept for this new Deutsche Telekom was presented by René Obermann to the company's Supervisory Board and the Board of Management.


Some of the aspects of this transformation include:

• The sales, marketing and customer service functions for German mobile and fixed-network business will be consolidated in one Board of Management department in future.



• Products and innovation, IT and technology will be managed at a pan-European level, procurement globally. This function is to be bundled in the new Board of Management department for Operations (COO).



• a Board department was created for South Eastern Europe. Guido Kerkhoff (41), previously Head of Group Accounting and Controlling, will immediately start setting up this new Board department as a member of the Board of Management.



• Timotheus Höttges (46) has been appointed as the company's new CFO with effect from March 1.



• Niek Jan van Damme (47) will take the lead at T-Home, Sales & Service, Mr. van Damme will take on responsibility for the sales, marketing and service activities of the fixed-network and mobile operations in Germany from mid-2009.

Deutsche Telekom said this new management structure is a continuation of a strategy that has proven successful to date. Deutsche Telekom has already had success with integrated mobile and fixed-network sales in Germany and Hungary. The coordination of product development, networks and IT systems has also been successfully implemented at T-Mobile International. In the future, other functions will also be managed on an integrated basis -- such as marketing, human resources and finance.
http://www.deutschetelekom.com/media

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Telstra on "Upward Glide Path" Exiting 2008, But Calling Volume Slows

Noting that it continues to outperform domestic and global peers in key products and segments, Telstra reported a strong first half result with free cash flow growing by 44% to $1.9 billion.


Telstra's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sol Trujillo, said: "We are on an upward glide path to hit our key targets for 2010 and beyond for free cash flow, margins, returns and top line growth. Telstra is seeing world class growth in core businesses such as wireless services, broadband, IP business services, advertising and media services, despite Australia facing the most volatile and challenging economic conditions for decades. The growth more than offsets the 5.1% decline in PSTN revenue. The decline was skewed to the wholesale business with retail PSTN revenues falling only 1.8%."


However, the company said its fiscal 2009 results are being affected by reduced calling volumes, as people manage their usage down more than expected in the deteriorating macro environment. Telstra expects revenue growth in the range of 3-4% this year and EBITDA growth in the range of 5-6% (previously 6-7%) and EBIT growth in the range of 3-5% (previously 6-8%).


Other key financial results include:

• Sales revenue grew 3.2% to $12,644 million, while total revenue grew 2.7% to $12,710 million.



• Reported EBITDA rose 3.1% to $5,334 million. Reported EBIT fell 1.3% to $3,079 million, in line with expectations.



• Retail business units grew revenue 4.1% or 5.1% excluding handset sales.



• Mobile services revenue grew 12.4%, with 284,000 postpaid SIOs added. Total mobile ARPU grew almost 10% to $53. At the end of December, the wireless broadband SIO base reached 828k, which is close to 50% of the total market.



• Retail broadband revenue grew 31.3%, with fixed broadband SIO growth three times our nearest competitor.



• IP Access data revenue grew 28%.



• Foxtel revenues grew 13%.



• Sensis grew sales revenue 8.4%.



• Full time employment levels were reduced by 1,300, bringing the total reduction to more than 10,000 since 2005.



• Retail broadband revenue in the half was $1,204 million, up 31.3% year-on-year. The number of customers on high-speed broadband plans (20Mbps or more) more than doubled to 200,000 helping ARPU increase 6.1%.



• IP and data revenue growth accelerated to 10.7%, driven by a 28.2% increase in IP access revenue to $323 million.

http://www.telstra.com

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Sol Trujillo to Step Down as Telstra CEO on June 30

Sol Trujillo will step down as chief executive of Telstra effective 30-June-2009. Trujillo and the company's Board agreed that now was a suitable time for a transition to a new CEO. The company will now formally commence a wide-ranging search for a suitable successor.



Prior to joining Telstra in 2005, Trujillo was CEO of London-based Orange, the first American to lead a CAC-40 company; President and CEO of US West Dex Inc.; President and CEO of US West Communications; and CEO and Chairman of US West Inc.


"Telstra is outperforming domestic and global peers in virtually every category. We are well positioned to hit the key transformation targets we set in November 2005 and I have every confidence that Telstra will continue to deliver world-leading results for shareholders," Trujillo said.
http://www.telstra.com

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Cisco Names Rob Lloyd as EVP of Worldwide Operations

Cisco has named Robert Lloyd, 52 as its Executive Vice President (EVP) of Worldwide Operations, replacing
Richard Justice, who is stepping down from his day-to-day responsibilities due to health reasons. Justice will remain at Cisco as a part-time executive advisor to Chairman and CEO John Chambers.


In his new role, Lloyd will report directly to Chairman and CEO John Chambers, and will be responsible for oversight of Cisco's Worldwide Sales, Worldwide Channels, Internet Business Solutions Group and Strategic Alliances organizations. Corporate Development, also previously within Justice's organization, will now report directly to Chambers under the continued leadership of Senior Vice President (SVP) Ned Hooper. Lloyd has worked at Cisco for 14 years, most recently as SVP of U.S., Canada and Japan Operations.
http://www.cisco.com

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Telefónica Posts Continued Growth Driven by Mobiles in Latin America

Driven by mobile growth in Latin America (+12.9%), Telefónica posted full-year 2008 financial results that were ahead of market expectations. Despite the prevailing operating environment, Telefónica posted growth in all income areas: topline growth was 7.3% (prior guidance range: 6%-8%), OIBDA growth was 10.6% (prior guidance range: 7.5%-11%), while growth in operating profit exceeded guidance at 20.4% (prior guidance range: 13%-19%).


Telefónica's total accesses grew by 13.2% versus 2007 to around 259 million. This growth was driven by the increases in wireless (+16.6%), broadband (+20.9%) and pay TV (+29.7%) accesses. By region, the contribution by Telefónica Latinoamérica is especially noteworthy, with over 158 million accesses across the region at the end of December (up 18.0% on December 2007).


Some highlights:

• Telefónica earmarked 69% of free cash flow to shareholder remuneration both in dividend payments and share buybacks.



• CapEx in the full year amounted to 8,401 million euros, up 4.7% on 2007. This increase was mainly driven by investment in broadband, pay TV and expansion of the coverage and capacity of wireless networks in Latin America.



• By access type, the Telefónica Group's wireless accesses stood at approximately 196 million at the end of 2008, with 6.7 million net adds in the fourth quarter and around 24 million6 in the full year. The main countries contributors to net adds were Brazil (7.5 million), Mexico (2.8 million), Peru (2.5 million) and Germany (1.7 million).



• Retail internet broadband accesses stood at around 12.5 million, a year-on-year increase of 21%, driven by the growing penetration of voice, ADSL and pay-TV bundles. In fact, in Spain over 85% of retail broadband accesses are bundled as part of some kind of dual or triple service package while in Latin America 49% of retail broadband accesses are bundled as part of Duo or Trio packages. In the fourth quarter net adds amounted to 0.4 million accesses, with a total of 2.1 million accesses in the full year, of which 1.0 million originated in Latin America, 0.6 million in Spain and 0.5 million in Europe.



• Pay TV accesses stood at over 2.2 million at the end of 2008, up almost 30% on the prior year, driven by net adds of 109,500 in the fourth quarter and some 519,500 in the year. At the end of 2008, the company offered pay TV services in Spain, the Czech Republic, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela.



• In absolute terms, Telefónica Latinoamérica accounted for 38.3% of total Group revenues in 2008 (+2.7 percentage points from 2007), with Telefónica España and Telefónica Europe accounting for 36.0% and 24.7%, respectively.



• At the end of 2008, Telefónica España managed 47.3 million accesses, a year-on-year increase of 2.0%, boosted by a 3.4% advance in mobile accesses (to over 23.6 million) and 13.7% growth in wireline retail broadband Internet accesses to over 5.2 million. Telefónica had an estimated 14% share of the Pay TV market in Spain at year-end, having added 22,943 customers in the fourth quarter and 101,407 in 2008, leading to a total of 612,494 customers (up 19.8% year-on-year). The Spanish wireless market totalled 53.1 million lines at the end of 2008, with an estimated penetration rate of 116% (an increase of more than five percentage points from December 2007).



• At the end of 2008 Telefónica Latinoamérica managed 158.3 million accesses in the region, 24 million more than in 2007, a year-on-year increase of 18.0%.



• Telefónica Latinoamérica had a total of 123.4 million mobile accesses (+22.7% compared with December 2007; +18.1% in organic terms18), with solid growth across all its operations. This increase is due both to the larger number of gross adds reported in the year (+17.8%; +14.2% in organic terms19), and the strong performance of churn, which remained stable compared with 2007. The largest increases in mobile accesses were reported in: Brazil, where Telefónica strengthened its position as market leader with almost 45 million mobile accesses (11.5 million more than in December 2007, with close to 4 million added following the acquisition of Telemig in April 2008); Mexico, where Telefónica continues to gain market share thanks to 22.3% year-on-year growth in its customer base to 15.3 million; Peru, where customer numbers increased by 31.6% year-on-year to over 10.6 million mobile accesses; and Colombia, where accesses grew by 19.0% to almost 10 million customers. The Company also performed well in markets with high penetration levels, such as Argentina, Chile and Venezuela where it continues to achieve significant year-on-year increases in its customer.

http://www.telefonica.es

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