Monday, July 20, 2009

IBM to Resell Juniper's Ethernet Product under OEM License

IBM has entered into an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

agreement to resell Juniper's Ethernet networking products and support within the IBM data center portfolio of products. The companies said the deal reflects their shared vision of advancing the economics of networking and the data center by reducing costs, improving services and managing risk.



The agreement builds on an existing partnership between IBM and Juniper. Earlier this year, the companies demonstrated how enterprises can seamlessly extend their private data center clouds. The demonstration between Silicon Valley and Ireland showed a use case where customers could take advantage of remote servers in a secure public cloud to ensure high priority applications are given preference over the lower priority ones when computing resources become constrained. IBM and Juniper are installing these advanced networking capabilities into IBM's nine worldwide Cloud Labs for customer engagements. Once installed in the nine worldwide Cloud Labs, IBM and Juniper will be able to seamlessly move client computing workloads between private and publicly managed cloud environments, enabling customers to reliably deliver on service level agreements.


'With Juniper's Ethernet technologies added to our data center portfolio, IBM is able to offer customers more choice and flexibility in their networking solutions to address the growing demands being placed on their IT environments,' said Jim Comfort, IBM VP of Enterprise Initiatives. 'This new OEM agreement with Juniper will help support IBM's data center networking initiatives through unparalleled network scalability, carrier-class reliability and operational simplicity, accelerating the deployment of our customers' virtualized applications and services, and extending the value of their networks.'http://www.juniper.nethttp://www.ibm.com
  • In May, Juniper Networks released a new 16-slot EX8216 Ethernet platform boasting a switch fabric capacity of up to 12.4 terabits and optimized for high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) data center and cloud computing environments. The modular EX8216 switch delivers wire-rate performance, low latency and carrier-class reliability. The EX8200 line, which also includes the eight-slot EX8208, features a per-slot capacity of 320 Gbps and delivers up to two billion packets per second (pps) performance. It also offers a built-in migration path to 100 GbE.



  • In June, Avaya and IBM announced an expansion of their alliance to deliver unified communications solutions backed by newly Avaya certified security products for enterprise clients and government organizations worldwide. The two companies also plan to focus support on Avaya Aura -- Avaya's new unified communications architecture -- by incorporating Avaya Aura into existing IBM converged communications services.
  • Parks Associates: 40 Million Telco/IPTV Households Worldwide in 2009

    The number of subscribers worldwide to telco/IPTV services will approach 40 million by year-end 2009, according to a new report from Parks Associates. Parks Associates reports the number of telco/IPTV households worldwide grew by nearly 80% in 2008 to exceed 20 million. The growth rate will exceed 50% in 2009, according to the firm.
    http://www.parksassociates.com

    NTT Com Selects Infinera for Tokyo Metro Backbone

    NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) has selected Infinera for its new IP backbone network in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. The new network will leverage Infinera's Digital Optical Networks to deliver a broader range of services with greater speed and flexibility to Internet Service Providers.


    NTT Com operates an extensive infrastructure including the Arcstar Global IP-VPN and Global e-VLAN, as well as a Tier-1 IP backbone reaching more than 150 countries in partnership with major Internet service providers, and secure data centers in Asia, North America and Europe. Financial terms were not disclosed.


    NTT Com's Tokyo Metropolitan area IP backbone network will leverage the digital intelligence of the Infinera Digital Optical Networks to achieve large capacity and network flexibility.


    Infinera's Bandwidth Virtualization architecture puts a minimum of 100 Gbps of capacity throughout the network, enabling NTT Com to deliver to its customers a full range of services between any points on the network more quickly and cost-effectively than ever before. The GMPLS intelligence in the Infinera DTN network will enable NTT Com to deliver new services in days or minutes, as compared to weeks or months with traditional DWDM networks.
    http://www.infinera.com

    Infinera Posts Q2 Revenues of $69M, Stronger Orders, CEO to Step Down

    Infinera reported Q2 revenues of $68.9 million compared to $66.6 million for the first quarter of 2009 and $90.8 million on an adjusted GAAP basis in the second quarter of 2008. GAAP gross margins for the quarter were 29%. GAAP net loss for the quarter was $27.1 million, or $0.28 per share.


    "We saw a number of positive developments in the second quarter, with both existing and new customers," said Jagdeep Singh, president and chief executive officer at Infinera. "There was a significant quarter-over-quarter increase in orders, including over 2,000 TAMs booked, and we continued our new customer win momentum adding four new customers to our roster. We also announced another tier one win today with NTT, the world's second largest service provider.


    Infinera added four new customers this quarter bringing total customer count to 62. This included a win at COLT for a Pan European network.


    In addition, Jagdeep Singh announced plans to step down as the company's CEO on January 1, 2010 and become executive chairman of the company. Tom Fallon, currently Infinera's COO, will succeed Singh as President and CEO at that time.
    http://www.infinera.com

    TerreStar Completes Handset-to-Handset VoIP Call Over New Satellite

    TerreStar Networks successfully completed the first end-to-end VoIP phone call over its newly launched TerreStar-1, the world's largest, most advanced commercial communications satellite. The call used two handsets developed by EB (Elektrobit).


    The satellite-terrestrial smartphone reference design represents the world's first quad-band GSM and tri-band WCDMA/HSPA device running the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, and offering integrated satellite-terrestrial voice and data capabilities.
    http://www.terrestar.com
    http://www.elektrobit.com

    MatlinPatterson Bids $725 Million for Nortel's CDMA/LTE, Topping NSN

    MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners III, a private equity firm with $9 billion under management, announced a bid to acquire substantially all of Nortel's CDMA and LTE Access assets for US$725 million. The bid effectively tops the $650 million acquisition proposal from Nokia Siemens Networks submitted last month.

    MatlinPatterson is proposing to form a "New Nortel" with long-term viability in order to maximize value for all stakeholders. This independently held business would provide a range of opportunities -- from additional bolt-on acquisitions to partnerships to reinvention and new ideas from within the technology asset base.


    The company said its alternative proposal is substantially similar to the NSN proposal, but it is notably different in that it offers $75 million more than NSN's bid for the selected CDMA and LTE Access assets, it provides existing creditors with the opportunity to participate side-by-side in its investment, and it creates potentially value-enhancing alternatives for additional Nortel assets other than liquidation.


    For customers and suppliers, MatlinPatterson said its proposed new company would provide a smooth transition and continuity of normal commercial relations. MatlinPatterson would be positioned to acquire additional Nortel assets to meet the global needs of the existing customer base. For employees, MatlinPatterson would aim to preserve as many, if not more, jobs as the NSN proposal with the potential to save many thousand more Nortel jobs.


    MatlinPatterson has engaged a team of industry advisors led by former Nortel executives Dion Joannou, Richard Piasentin and Tony Pirih, to assist in evaluating transaction alternatives. Its team also includes former executives at AT&T, Alltel and Motorola.
    http://www.MatlinPatterson.com
    • On June 19, Nokia Siemens Networks announced its bid to acquire Nortel's key wireless assets for $650 million. The deal would bring together the assets of the two companies in the field of mobile radio access, especially in CDMA, where Nortel is a leading supplier. The acquisition of Nortel's profitable CDMA business would significantly improve Nokia Siemens Networks' presence in North America and make it a leading supplier of wireless infrastructure products in the region.

    Qwest and DIRECTV Extend Agreement for 5 More Years

    Qwest Communications and DIRECTV announced a 5-year extension to their existing strategic partnership that allows Qwest to continue to offer DIRECTV services to residential customers. Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.


    The agreement extends a strategic alliance that started in October 2004. Under the deal, Qwest will provide an enhanced customer experience through streamlined customer support and the development of integrated products and services in partnership with DIRECTV.


    In addition to the new agreement, Qwest and DIRECTV have launched a new suite of integrated services, including Remote Recording, Integrated Calling and management from the TV set (currently in beta).


    http://www.directv.com
    http://www.qwest.com

    Samsung Launches "Mondi" WiMAX-Enabled Mobile Internet Device

    Samsung Mobile is launching the "Mondi" -- a mobile WiMAX-enabled handheld device for the Clear Mobile WiMAX service now available in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Portland, OR and future WiMAX markets.


    The Mondi slides open horizontally to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. The device offers instant access to E-mail, Internet, video content and business applications. The device also supports various services including Fring, Gypsii, and Windows Live Messenger. The Mondi is equipped for GPS Navigation through Route 66, providing turn-by-turn directions.


    The Mondi's compact design provides the user with a more mobile form factor and ease-of-use than the typical laptop or netbook. While it is small enough to fit into the user's hand or pocket, the Mondi packs an Opera 9.5 web browser, which takes full advantage of the device's 4.3-inch touch screen.


    The device will be sold at Clearwire retail outlets and select Best Buy stores located in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Portland, OR.
    http://www.samsungmobileusa.com

    Vietnam's Viettel selects NSN for 3G network

    Viettel, the leading telecommunications provider in Vietnam has selected Nokia Siemens Networks for Vietnam's first 3G network.

    Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will provide the hardware, software and services required to build and manage the network, including skills training for Viettel's team. Product deliveries begin this month.
    http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

    Zain Nigeria Selects NSN for Optical Backbone

    Zain Nigeria has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to expand its existing 4000 km nationwide fiber backbone network by an additional 600 km.


    The Nokia Siemens Networks' Outside Plant Turnkey Solution for fixed networks ensures that all elements including project management, logistics and installation services are designed to optimize CAPEX and lower OPEX. NSN said Zain has already profited from the efficient roll-out of Phase 1 resulting in savings of close to US$7 million.
    http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

    Alcatel-Lucent's LGS Supplies Optics for U.S. Army in Germany

    LGS, a subsidiary of Alcatel-Lucent, has completed the European Dense Wave Division Multiplexed -- Optical Transport Network (DWDM-OTN) for the U.S. Army. This project, valued at more than $35 million, caps off a three and a half year effort to design, deploy and system test an installation information infrastructure in Europe that will link the forward-deployed soldiers to worldwide Command and Control (C2) and information systems.


    The DWDM-OTN Network project, awarded in the spring of 2006, consists of three DWDM rings spanning some 2,100 kilometers connecting 15 access locations supporting Army installations throughout Germany, Italy and Belgium. The U.S. Army selected the Alcatel-Lucent Metropolis Wavelength Services Manager (WSM) for implementing the rings which can provide up to forty 10 Gbps (gigabits per second) of transmission capacity each.
    http://www.LGSinnovations.com
    http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

    China Mobile Deploys Alcatel-Lucent's GPON

    China Mobile has named Alcatel-Lucent as sole supplier for the deployment of a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in 10 cities across the provinces of Guangdong and Anhui. Guangdong Mobile and Anhui Mobile will use GPON to deliver broadband services over distances of up to 20km. The contracts were secured through Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell.


    Alcatel-Lucent will deploy its 7342 Intelligent Services Access Manager Fiber-to-the-User (ISAM FTTU) platform, the company's flagship GPON solution for the delivery of ultra-high-speed services to residential and business users.
    http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

    China Mobile selects Alcatel-Lucent and Datang for TD-SCDMA Phase 3

    China Mobile has selected Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell, and Datang Mobile for deployment of its phase III TD-SCDMA mobile networks in 11 provinces.


    The consortium has now captured an overall market presence in 16 out of 31 provincial markets in China. Notably, the consortium secured prominent market positions in Guangdong, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, the four provinces with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) and network growth potential in China.
    http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

    Huawei Names Oclaro as Strategic Supplier

    Oclaro, the new company that resulted from the merger of Bookham and Avanex, has received official designation as a Strategic Supplier by Huawei Technologies.


    Huawei indicated that Oclaro was chosen for this relationship due to the breadth of its product portfolio and enabling technologies, and the scale of the current business relationship.
    http://www.huawei.com

    MultiService Forum Plans LTE/SAE Interoperability Event for March 2010

    The MultiService Forum is planning a major LTE/SAE (Long Term Evolution / System Architecture Evolution) Interoperability Event for March 2010. Vodafone and China Mobile are the first to sign up for the event.


    The MSF said the upcoming event will provide the most comprehensive test yet of the EPC (Evolved Packet Core) infrastructure. The event will be hosted by Vodafone's Test and Innovation Centre in Dusseldorf, Germany, as well as China Mobile's facilities in Beijing.


    The EPC or SAE uses all-IP technology to reduce the current complexities of Serving and Gateway GPRS Support Nodes, allowing meshing between base stations, a flatter system architecture and significantly reduced latency. Combined with 3GPP's LTE access from mobile base stations it goes way beyond the latest HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) technology to deliver broadband at hundreds of Mbps. These levels will support such popular Internet applications as Voice over IP, video streaming, and music downloading, and will allow TV to migrate to the mobile network.


    "We need to collaborate across the industry to build confidence that all aspects of next generation network technology will operate seamlessly in multi-vendor, multi-carrier practical implementations" says MSF president, Roger Ward. "While the LSTI (LTE/SAE Trial Initiative) forum is doing some invaluable pioneering tests, their main focus has been on access rather than the core. Our event will give operators the confidence that the Evolved Packet Core is a rock solid foundation on which to build tomorrow's telecommunications networks. As well as MSF members, the wider operator community and infrastructure and access equipment vendors will benefit enormously, as the tests will embrace extensive real-world roaming scenarios."http://www.msforum.org

    Ciena Supplies Carrier Ethernet Backhaul for Clearwire in Las Vegas

    Ciena's Carrier Ethernet Service Delivery (CESD) platforms are providing the backhaul solution for Clearwire's CLEAR 4G mobile WiMAX service in Las Vegas. Ciena platforms are also providing 4G backhaul for the CLEAR service in Baltimore, Atlanta and Portland.


    Specifically, Clearwire is using Ciena's LE-311v Service Delivery Switches, CN 5305 Service Aggregation Switches and Ethernet Services Manager software for its 4G backhaul solution. Ciena said its Ethernet Services Manager's intelligent software automation enables Clearwire to build and deploy large-scale backhaul networks using platforms that can be installed, configured, provisioned and remotely reprogrammed much faster than manual approaches, reducing costs and accelerating service delivery.
    http://www.ciena.com

    Sprint to Launch 4G in Aug in Atlanta. Portland, Vegas

    Sprint is preparing to launch its 4G mobile broadband services in Atlanta, Portland and Las Vegas in August. Sprint 4G customers will step up to wireless connections that deliver peak downlink speeds of more than 10 Mbps and average downlink speeds of 3-6 Mbps. Sprint estimates that is 4G capabilities are three to five times faster than the 3G service offered by any national wireless carrier today, based on average download speeds.


    In addition to Atlanta, Las Vegas and Portland in August, Sprint also plans to deploy Sprint 4G in these markets in 2009: Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Philadelphia and Seattle.


    Sprint is harnessing the power of 4G as the largest shareholder of Clearwire with a 51 percent stake in this independent company that is building the WiMAX network. Sprint is the only national wireless carrier to offer 4G services on the Clearwire WiMAX network.
    http://www.sprint.com

    Apple Ships 5.2 Million iPhones in Q2

    Apple sold 5.2 million iPhones in Q2, representing 626 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. The company said demand for the new iPhone 3GS has been very robust and that supply has been restrained in many markets. The iPhone is being sold in 80 countries.


    Apple noted that the installed based for iPhones + iTouch now exceeds 45 million. The AppStore has recorded over 1.5 billion to date.


    In June 2009, the Company began selling iPhone 3GS, the third-generation iPhone.


    In July 2008, the company began selling iPhone 3G, the second-generation iPhone, and at that time significantly expanded distribution by establishing carrier relationships in over 70 countries. Unit sales of iPhone 3G have been significantly greater than sales of the first-generation iPhone. During the first quarter of iPhone 3G availability ended September 27, 2008, 6.9 million units were sold, exceeding the 6.1 million first-generation iPhone units sold in the prior five quarters combined. http://www.apple.com