Verizon Business and McAfee Form Strategic Alliance

Verizon Business and McAfee announced a global strategic alliance to provide integrated security solutions to businesses and government agencies worldwide. Specifically, Verizon Business will offer McAfee's entire line of enterprise security products and services while McAfee taps Verizon Business' data center outsourcing and expert consulting and managed services capabilities. Additionally, the companies will jointly develop a suite of next-generation, cloud-based managed security services.


The next-generation, cloud-based managed solutions that are being developed under the agreement will leverage Verizon's leading managed security services platform, global IP infrastructure, advanced security operation centers, expansive footprint of data centers and McAfee's world-class security technology powered by its global threat intelligence.


The new security services will be managed by Verizon Business and operated in the cloud. The services will include a broad selection of security technologies, including firewalls, intrusion prevention services, anti-malware, content control and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) virtual private network (VPN).


Verizon and McAfee will offer these new solutions in North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.


"This strategic agreement with McAfee enables us to drive even more complete and integrated IT solutions to enterprises across the world," said Kerry Bailey, senior vice president of Verizon Business global solutions. http://www.verizonbusiness.com
http://www.mcafee.com

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AudioCodes and BroadSoft Integration Simplifies IP Voice Deployments

AudioCodes and BroadSoft announced a strategic initiative aimed at simplifying the deployment and installation of IP voice networks. The collaboration tightly integrates AudioCodes Media Gateways, Multi-Service Business Gateways (MSBGs) and IP Phones with BroadSoft's BroadWorks VoIP application platform and VoIP Quality of Service (QoS) solutions -- eliminating many tedious configuration and maintenance processes, as well as quality of service issues that typically plague multi-vendor solutions.


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, greatly reducing the time it takes to provision phones and eliminating the need for a technician visit.


"BroadSoft is committed to making the deployment process simple and scalable, and to drive down operational costs for our customers," said Ken Rokoff, vice president of business development, BroadSoft. "With AudioCodes' end-to-end customer premises solutions, coupled with BroadWorks' built-in device management capability, which is available across the entire line of AudioCodes devices, we eliminated the complex staging and configuration process."


"Simplification of the deployment of next-generation voice services is key to expanding the addressable market to cost conscious and risk-sensitive carriers," said Lior Aldema, Vice President of Marketing and Product Management for AudioCodes.
http://www.broadsoft.com/connections/2009http://www.audiocodes.com

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Global Crossing Adds "EtherSphere" Services

Global Crossing introduced its "EtherSphere" family of services: EtherSphere Multipoint-to-Multipoint, EtherSphere Point-to-Multipoint and EtherSphere Point-to-Point solutions. They are available today as enterprise and wholesale offers in North America, Europe, the United Kingdom (UK), Asia, and Latin America.


Previously available in the UK as a metropolitan Ethernet offer, the expanded EtherSphere Ethernet WAN transport family now offers customers ubiquitous, global Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS). The EtherSphere services support six classes of service that enable users to prioritize traffic to maximize bandwidth use and efficiency. The service also offers a highly desirable usage-based billing component that helps enterprises more easily accommodate irregular and unpredictable bandwidth use, as well as more effectively manage their network costs. This is especially beneficial for backup and disaster recovery implementations. The service is provided over Global Crossing's dedicated MPLS backbone.


Global Crossing has achieved the Cisco Powered Carrier Ethernet designation for its EtherExtend Flex service.


"Global Crossing's EtherSphere Ethernet wide area transport solutions give enterprise IT managers a way to globally interconnect their locations in key regions around the world," said Dave Carey, Global Crossing's chief marketing officer. "Its genuine, global ubiquity sets our offer apart from the rest of the industry.
http://www.globalcrossing.com

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Metaswitch Networks Expands Leadership Team

Metaswitch Networks appointed to Stefan Knight to the newly-created post of vice president of strategic alliances and Steve Gleave as vice president of marketing, both in the company's Carrier Systems Division.


Knight most recently served at Ericsson, driving product requirements and commercial strategies for telecom equipment manufacturers. Prior to Ericsson, Knight led product management, marketing and business development teams at Virata, CopperCom and Entrisphere.


Gleave brings more than 20 years of marketing experience working with high-growth companies in the network technology sector, including senior marketing roles at Endace, SS8 Networks, Ubiquity Software and Jetstream Communications.


Andrew Randall, who previously held the role now occupied by Gleave, continues as a key member of the executive team, moving into a corporate-level position as senior vice president for marketing and business development. http://www.metaswitch.com

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Orange Uganda Outsources Mobile Net to Alcatel-Lucent

Orange Uganda has selected Alcatel-Lucent to build, operate and manage its mobile network, including technical support, repair, field maintenance and program management services. Alcatel-Lucent said this full Managed Services contract is the first ever in Uganda as well as in East Africa.


"Orange Uganda is looking to reduce costs by employing new business models for operating and maintaining a network which offers a comprehensive range of communications services across its territory," said Pierre Barnabé, chairman and CEO of Alcatel-Lucent France.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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Saudi Telecom expands GPON/ DSL with Alcatel-Lucent

Saudi Telecom has awarded a multi-million EUR frame contract to Alcatel-Lucent to expand, extend and upgrade its existing broadband network to serve an additional two million residential and enterprise customers by the end of 2010. The network upgrade is made possible by the enhanced aggregation and transport features of Alcatel-Lucent's broadband access, IP, optical and services solutions.


Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide its packet optical transport solution for DSLAM traffic aggregation and Ethernet business services, along with its DSL and GPON /MSAN technology. The company will also leverage its services expertise in the areas of project management, network analysis, software integration, integration services and technical support services to deliver a true turnkey services solution.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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Alcatel-Lucent Kicks Off “Open Community Broadband�? for FTTH Projects

Alcatel-Lucent is launching a turnkey "Open Community Broadband" program to help operators of "citynets" around the world -- i.e. open access networks typically operated by municipal governments or utilities - manage the complexities that are typical of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments. Key elements of the program include:

• Training -- including how to build a successful FTTH business case



• Technology consulting -- which fiber technology makes sense in which circumstances



• Designing and deploying the network -- leveraging passive optical networking (PON) or point-to-point (P2P) fiber



• Managing the network -- dealing with all operational and maintenance aspects of running a multi-vendor fiber network, leveraging best-in-class capabilities in network management, deployment, maintenance and installation.

"Most citynet operators do not have the necessary experience or workforce to deploy and run a fiber network," says Dave Geary, President of Alcatel-Lucent's wireline networks activities. "That is why Alcatel-Lucent offers them the possibility to engage in an end-to-end partnership, helping them to reap the benefits of FTTH -- whether they are interested in PON or P2P fiber. Our customers know they can count on Alcatel-Lucent, with its lengthy track record in the FTTH space, to complete their project successfully."http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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NETGEAR Supplies DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Gateway for Japan's J:COM

Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM), the largest multiple system operator (MSO) in Japan, is the first customer to deploy NETGEAR's new DOCSIS 3.0 Wireless-N Cable Gateway for cable operators.


NETGEAR's CG3200D enables J:COM to offer up to 160 Mbps data services as a compelling, differentiated offering in the highly competitive Japanese residential broadband market.
http://www.netgear.com

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Ceragon and Alvarion Collaborate OpenRange's 4G

Ceragon Networks will partner with Alvarion as the wireless backhaul equipment provider to deploy a network for Open Range Communications. The new network is planned to be the largest Rural Utilities Service (RUS) funded deployment in the United States, spanning 17 states, 546 rural communities, and reaching up to 6 million people.


Alvarion was recently selected as the WiMAX solution provider for the Open Range 4G network. Alvarion is also acting as the prime system integrator of the project. Ceragon's high-capacity platforms will be used for backhauling rich voice and multimedia content over a newly constructed wireless IP network.
http://www.alvarion.com
http://www.ceragon.com

• In January 2009, Open Range Communications announced an investment of $100 million from One Equity Partners (OEP), the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase & Co.



• In March 2008, the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Program (RDUP) approved a $267 million Broadband Access Loan for Open Range, with the prerequisite that private financing also be secured.



• Openrange is based in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

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Ceragon Lands Contract with Leading North American WiMAX Operator

Ceragon Networks has received a significant equipment order from a leading WiMAX operator in North America (name not disclosed). Ceragon's FibeAir point-to-point microwave solutions will support the operator's ongoing network expansion and will be deployed initially in two major US cities. The current order is valued at several millions of dollars.
http://www.ceragon.com

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FCC Investigates Middle and Second Mile Access Market

The FCC is seeking comment on the market dynamics for middle and second mile access services. Specifically, the FCC is looking for information as to whether "backhaul costs . . . stand as impediments to further broadband deployments." The FCC says several entities have claimed that adequate, reasonably priced, and efficiently provided access to middle and second mile transport services and facilities play an important -- if not gating -- role in the economics of broadband deployment, particularly in rural, unserved, and underserved areas. Public comment, which is due by November 16, will held shape the FCC's National Broadband Plan.


The FCC defines "middle mile transport" refers generally as the transport and transmission of data communications from the central office, cable headend, or wireless switching station to an Internet point of presence. "Second mile transport" refers generally to the transport and transmission of data communications from the first point of aggregation (such as a remote terminal, wireless tower location, or HFC node) to the point of connection with the middle mile transport.



The public inquiry seeks input in the following areas:


1. Network Components of Broadband Connectivity. On a per-end user connection basis, how much middle mile capacity is needed to provide adequate broadband Internet access to that end user connection? How does this vary? What technology options are coming in the next 5-10 years for middle mile and second mile connections?



2. Availability and Pricing of Middle and Second Mile Connectivity. What is the price of purchasing middle mile and second mile connectivity, broken down by relevant geographic area and technology (e.g., DS3, microwave, OCn, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet)? How much do these prices vary by length of the circuit? How large are discounts from tariffed rates for middle mile and second mile connectivity obtained from incumbent local exchange companies? Given current and projected demand and supply conditions, what portion of the overall cost of providing broadband Internet service to an end user is attributable to middle mile and second mile transport? How do these vary?



3. Pricing and Availability of Internet Connectivity. What is the current price per megabyte per month for a dedicated Internet access (DIA) port charged by a Tier 1 Internet backbone service provider? Likewise, what is the current price for other forms of Internet backbone connectivity available to Internet service providers, such as a transit agreement?


4. Economics of Deployment. Is the provision of a high-capacity fiber optic middle mile or second mile connection to a particular location a natural monopoly in some locations? To what extent do providers self-provide or integrate components of middle mile and/or second mile transport? Are certain types of providers--such as cable operators -- more likely to self-provide these services, perhaps because they can utilize that bandwidth not only for broadband Internet access but also for the delivery of video programming? If some government subsidy or action is necessary to facilitate construction of second mile and middle mile facilities, please identify the type of government action that would be adequate, such as the proposed regulatory action, explicit funding, or tax credits.


5. Nature of Competition and Availability of Alternatives. a. How do firms compete in providing middle mile transport services? What is the effect on price of the presence of a second or third facilities-based provider of middle mile or second mile transport service?


Additional questions in each of these areas is online.
http://www.fcc.gov

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