Alcatel-Lucent Introduces Compact 7750 Service Routers

Alcatel-Lucent is extending its 7750 Service Router (SR) family with the introduction of two new routers, the 7750 SR-c12 and 7750 SR-c4, designed to bring service routing to smaller nodes in the network and also enable mission-critical verticals such as utilities, transportation, healthcare, public safety, and financial institutions.


The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR-c12 measures 5 RU in height and offers 3 horizontal slots (2 MDA or 4 CMA per slot). The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR-c4 is 3 RU in height and offers 1 horizontal slot (supports 2 MDA or 4 CMA).


Both products are fully featured multiservice routers that leverage the same FP2 chipset and suite of applications as the larger platforms in the 7750 Service Router line. Alcatel-Lucent's FP2 chipset delivers sophisticated and optimized network processing and traffic management at speeds up to 100 Gbps. For these smaller 7750 platforms, the processing capacity of the FP2 chipset is shared across the backplane rather than dedicated to single slots. Both platforms deliver up to 90 Gbps of forwarding capacity and can support edge routing interfaces speeds of up to 10GigE with QoS, a highly scalable control plane, and native IPv6 support in hardware.


Both the 7750 SR-c12 and 7750 SR-c4 offer proven high availability features including non-stop routing, non-stop services, Multi-Chassis-LAG, Multi-link PPP and pseudowire redundancy, and support a wide range of both legacy and Ethernet interface types ranging from T1/E1 cards to 10GigE.


Support for Synchronous Ethernet (1588v2) enables deployment of either platform in mobile backhaul applications for LTE. Additionally, ML-PPP, ATM IMA, and CES interfaces could be used for 2G/3G mobile backhaul.


Both platforms also run under the Alcatel-Lucent Service Router Operating System (SROS), a single, feature rich operating system which runs across all service router platforms, and the Alcatel-Lucent 5620 Service Aware Manager (SAM) providing integrated element, network, and service management to enable seamless operations, administration and management (OAM) and simplified, consistent services delivery.


Alcatel-Lucent noted that its IP/MPLS solution has now been deployed by 280+ customers in over 100 countries.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

Read More

Indonesia's Indosat Targets Location-Based Services, 21 Mbps HSPA+

Indosat, Indonesia's second-largest telecom operator, is working with Ericsson to bring location-based services to its 29 million subscribers. Applications for enhanced location based services are already available for any handset - meaning Indosat can reach all its customers from the launch in October 2009.


Separately, Indosat announced the launch of 3.5G HSPA+ services with downlink speeds of up to 21 Mbps.
http://www.ericsson.com
http://www.indosat.com

Read More

Telstra Updates Strategy, Confirms Financial Guidance

Telstra confirmed its financial guidance for 2009/10, reiterating that it expects to achieve free cash flow of $6 billion, low single digit growth in revenue, EBITDA and EBIT, and maintain its EBITDA margin.


Telstra's newly appointed CEO, David Thodey, said his strategy refresh would not lead to a fundamental change in the company's direction, but that recent investments in upgraded technology should now be used to substantially improve customer service, expand further into developing and adjacent businesses, and offer online applications that are valued by customers. The company also confirmed that its four year-long transformation has largely been completed, giving Telstra world-class IT systems, platforms and infrastructure - like its Next G and Next IP networks.


Specifically, Thodey told investors that Telstra would take advantage of its recent network and IT upgrades to:

• Substantially improve customer service by making it faster, easier and simpler for customers to deal with Telstra.



• Move 'up the value stack' by participating in the profitable and fast-growing markets for online content, applications, products and services.



• Expand further into adjacent and complementary markets like IT storage, security and web-hosting that support the growth of enterprise, government and small business customers.



• Add value to fixed-line telephone services with devices like T-Hub, a new touch-screen home phone that combines telephony, Internet services and a media player.

Thodey said Telstra supports the Australian government's NBN vision, but that any deal must be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders. He will not agree to proposals that "fail to give fair value for Telstra's assets." Thodey said the issues of functional and structural separation are complex and the government's proposed timelines are not yet clear, but that Telstra remains in constructive discussions. Several outcomes are possible.


Mr Thodey also confirmed that Sensis and Telstra Media remain core assets and are performing well, and that Telstra would further develop its new media businesses in China and selectively invest around its Asian businesses.


"Despite Telstra's strengths we do not take our success for granted, but we believe that technology leadership and improved customer service will help us win and retain customers, grow the business and deliver shareholder value," Thodey said.


A webcast of the investor conference is online.
http://www.telstra.com

Read More

Champlain Telephone Picks ADTRAN

The Champlain Telephone Company, a leading independent service provider serving New York, has selected ADTRAN's flagship product, the Total Access 5000 Multi-Service Access and Aggregation Platform (MSAP) to enhance its residential and commercial service delivery. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.adtran.com

Read More

Qwest Posts Q3 Revenue of $3.1 Billion, See Improving Trends

Qwest Communications reported total operating revenue of $3.1 billion in the third quarter. Strategic services revenue of $1.1 billion increased by 5 percent year over year and 1 percent sequentially reflecting higher demand for IP services. Legacy services revenue of $1.7 billion decreased 14 percent annually and 3 percent sequentially. Fewer access lines, from a weak economy and competition, and efforts to improve Wholesale long-distance profitability pressured legacy voice revenue. Customer transitions to IP services impacted legacy data revenue.


Net income was $136 million. Earnings per share were 8 cents, which was equal to prior-year results.


"Our focus on perfecting the customer experience while maintaining strong financial discipline again enabled us to deliver solid results in the quarter." said Edward A. Mueller, Qwest chairman and CEO. "The ability of the Qwest team to steer through difficult market conditions has been exemplary. This is evident in key measures of our performance including strategic revenue growth, reduced operating expenses, stable EBITDA, strong free cash flow and an improving leverage ratio. As a result of our stronger-than-expected performance to date, we are raising our full year 2009 free cash flow outlook. We are optimistic about our prospects as the economy begins to improve in the quarters ahead."http://www.qwest.com

Read More

Level 3's Q3 Revenue Drops to $916 Million

Level 3 Communications reported consolidated revenue of $916 million for Q3 2009, compared to consolidated revenue of $1.07 billion for Q3 2008 and $942 million for the Q2 2009. The net loss for the third quarter 2009 was $170 million, or ($0.10) per share, compared to a net loss of $129 million, or ($0.08) per share, for the third quarter 2008. The net loss for the second quarter 2009 was $134 million, or ($0.08) per share. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $213 million in the third quarter 2009, compared to $255 million in the third quarter 2008. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $229 million in the second quarter 2009.


"While we remain cautious, we saw positive signs in the business this quarter, as evidenced by the improvement this quarter in the rate of decline in Core Network Services revenue," said James Crowe, CEO of Level 3. "Our ongoing discipline in managing the business continues to provide benefit, and enabled us to generate positive Free Cash Flow during the quarter."http://www.level3.com

Read More

Aurora Enhances its PON Solutions for Cable Operators

Aurora Networks introduced GEPON CPE and RFPON CPE devices for the cable market, solutions that will help cable operators evolve their networks for an all-fiber future.

The RFPON CPE and GEPON CPE are designed for outdoor and indoor mounting and can be utilized in both residential and commercial settings. The RFPON CPE provides all of the functionality of Aurora Networks' traditional RFoG CPE, but with 1610 nm upstream wavelength for PON compatibility. The GEPON CPE, with 1310 nm upstream wavelength, is the first such device in Aurora Networks' CP8000N family and is designed to co-exist with the company's new RFPON CPE. With the company's Node PON OLT module, operators can now benefit from a one-stop shop as they roll out GEPON services.

In addition, Aurora Networks has integrated its Node PON platform with Sigma Systems' Device Provisioning Manager for DOCSIS equipment provisioning and activation. This enables cable operators to leverage the same OSS provisioning technology they employ for DOCSIS cable modem services for a network utilizing Aurora Networks' Node PON solutions.


The companies said they recently conducted a DOCSIS provisioning trial utilizing Sigma System Device Provisioning Manager and Aurora's Node PON OLT and GEPON CPE devices, confirming that Aurora Networks' Node PON solution is compatible with legacy DOCSIS provisioning technology.
http://www.aurora.com

Read More

Fujitsu's FLASHWAVE 7500 ROADM Implements Mintera's 40G

Mintera's new MI 4000XM Adaptive-DPSK module has been implemented in Fujitsu FLASHWAVE 7500 Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) and is now carrying live 40 Gbps traffic over a commercial U.S. network.


The Adaptive-DPSK technology incorporated in the MI 4000XM DWDM module enables 40 Gbps transport on 50GHz channel-spaced systems and transmission over agile ROADM networks without compromising critical ULH reach. The unit conforms to the industry standard footprint and incorporates an electrical Mux/Demux for compatibility with any 40 Gbps framer. The module has a 300-pin MSA connector with support for the appropriate I2C commands, thus enabling simple hardware and software integration.


"Mintera's close and fruitful collaboration with Fujitsu has resulted in achievement of this key milestone," said Terry Unter, Mintera President and CEO. "Mintera is committed to provide the highest level of service and support to customers such as Fujitsu and to continue to deliver best-in-class solutions."http://www.mintera.com

Read More

NGD Europe Opens $326 Million Data Center in U.K.

Next Generation Data has opened a $326 million data center -- known as NGD Europe -- in Newport, Wales, to provide secure, sustainable data storage to U.K. and European blue-chip companies. The center is said to be the largest of its kind in the U.K. and one of the largest in Europe.
http://www.nextgenerationdata.co.uk/

Read More

Ixia Posts Q3 Revenue of $46.4 Million

Ixia reported Q3 2009 revenue of $46.4 million compared to $47.3 million in the 2008 third quarter. Revenues for the 2009 third quarter include $7.5 million attributable to Catapult Communications. On a GAAP basis, the company recorded a net loss for the 2009 third quarter of $6.2 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to net income of $483,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the 2008 third quarter.


"Ixia delivered solid revenues and executed on multiple fronts during the quarter, including the Catapult integration and the release of our next generation IxNetwork Layer 2-3 test solution," commented Atul Bhatnagar, Ixia's president and chief executive officer. "The integration of Catapult is nearly complete with unified sales and engineering teams operating effectively around the globe. In our first full quarter of operating Ixia and Catapult as one business, we experienced meaningful sequential growth in orders, both for our core wired products as well as for our wireless offerings. In addition, sales of our 10 Gigabit Ethernet products hit a new high and our Asia Pacific business rebounded nicely. On the cost side, we are starting to see some benefits from the restructuring plan announced in the second quarter and have moved quickly to realize cost synergies related to the Catapult business."http://www.ixiacom.com

Read More

Verizon Wireless to Launch Motorola's DROID Next Week

Verizon Wireless and Motorola unveiled the DROID smartphone powered by Android 2.0. The device is full-QWERTY slider phone offering a 5 megapixel camera dual-LED flash, AutoFocus and image stabilization; voice-activated Google search; Google Maps Navigation (Beta); integrated Gmail and Exchange e-mail; YouTube, Facebook; Amazon MP3 store; and access to the Android Market.


DROID by Motorola will be available in the United States exclusively at Verizon Wireless for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate.
http://www.verizonwireless.com
http://www.motorola.com

Read More