Spain's Jazztel Picks Huawei for Network Upgrade

The Spanish operator Jazztel has selected Huawei for a major network upgrade project. Huawei will provide and deploy new network technologies that will allow the operator to face the expected strong increase in the number of customers. At the same time, Jazztel awards Huawei the integral management of its network.


Under the project, Jazztel will increase its current access network with new DSLAMs capable of delivering VDSL2 and ADSL2+ Bonding. This equipment will have integrated voice cards. The agreement also contemplates data network and transmission network expansion, as well as the deployment of softswitch equipment.


The renewable five-year management contract will allow Jazztel to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of its network and focus on the business development and value-added services. Huawei will assume full responsibility of network operation activities such as 24x7 network monitoring and operation, field maintenance, multivendor network technical support, and spare parts management.
http://www.huawei.com

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Huawei Offers IMS-based HD Video Conferencing

Huawei introduced an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) based HD (high definition) video conference solution, enabling enterprise users to participate in virtue meetings across a broader way of access methods using a carrier' s existing network. Huawei said its new solution is capable of supporting almost any conferencing devices such as HD and standard definition (SD) video in fixed/mobile phones, desktop soft-clients and facilities with tele-presence and offering more functions for enterprise users including multiple access methods and open media capabilities. Beyond the traditional voice and video connections, it will enable enterprises to take full advantage of additional services such as desktop sharing, high definition video, and virtual reality. The solution can be deployed in an operator' s existing network.
http://www.huawei.com

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Ignis and Gemfire to Merge

Ignis and Gemfire, both suppliers of fiber optical components, announced a merger. Under the deal, Ignis will issue approximately 36 million shares to the current shareholders of Gemfire, corresponding to an ownership of 48% of the combined company. Furthermore, as part of the transaction, privately held Palo Alto Investors (PAI) and Gemfire's current lead shareholder, will inject US$15 million in the combined company at a subscription price per share of NOK 5.50.


Gemfire's "PhotonIC" planar technology platform enables wafer-scale processing for optical components, such as Athermal and standard AWGs, TODCs, VOAs, VMUXs, and Phase Modulators.


Ignis' current shareholders will retain an ownership of approx. 43% in the combined company post the merger and the capital injection of USD 15 million. The combined company will maintain its listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange.


"Ignis is experiencing substantial growth in the international markets for fiber optical components, particularly in Asia. I believe the complimentary product portfolios, the operational economies of scale and our mutual market penetration will give the combined company an even stronger position for further growth and expansion in the international telecommunication sector," said Thomas Ramm, CEO of Ignis, who will take the position as Chairman of the combined company.


Richard Tompane, President and CEO of Gemfire, who will become the CEO of the combined company.
http://www.ignis.com
http://www.gemfire.com

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Adara Tests its Network Path Xcelerator with Shenick

Adara Networks, which offers a Network Path Xcelerator platform of proprietary routing products that operate at the application-layer for optimizing network performance and virtualizing network resources, has chosen Shenick Network Systems' "diversifEye" technology to emulate, test and measure its NPX solution for per-flow aware routing.


Shenick's diversifEye can both emulate and analyze each and every application flow in real-time, guaranteeing Adara a method of generating real users using real applications and also a way to drill down to each and every individual user flow to pin-point quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) issues. http://www.shenick.com
http://www.adaranet.com

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Italtel and ECI Telecom Enter Partnership

Italtel and ECI Telecom announced a partnership agreement for the sale and customization of optical transport systems for metropolitan networks and access platforms for voice, data, IP video and fixed/mobile convergence. As such, Italtel will be a preferred vendor and system integrator for ECI Telecom technology in the building of integrated communication networks for service providers, communications providers and utility companies in the "Quadruple Play" access and transport markets. This makes Italtel one of ECI's Global Partners.


Initially, the partnership will cover the integration and customization of ECI's Multi-Service Access Node (MSAN) Hi-FOCuS, and the metro edge BroadGate line of products. The Hi-FOCuS supports voice, data and video over one, converged IP platform, while the BroadGate line is an advanced multi-service provisioning platform for the transporting of data streams over fibre optic in metropolitan networks.


"The partnership with Italtel strengthens our presence in important and growing international markets. With our access and transport portfolio, Italtel will be able to provide their customers with high-end platforms that are optimized for next-generation evolution. In Italtel, we have found a partner with the required ability and expertise that are complementary to our own, in addition to a strong and recognised specialization in system integration," noted Tony Scarfo, Head of Global Channel Sales, and Partners of ECI Telecom.


"The agreement with ECI is part of our plan to develop into specific foreign markets and to widen the perimeter of our products and services," commented Claudio Chiarenza, Head of Planning, Marketing & Business Development of Italtel. "This partnership allows us to extend our portfolio of solutions for service providers in the EMEA and Latin America markets with products for access and optical transport, and to adopt a structured approach to a market segment that is potentially attractive, represented by European service providers and utilities with their own network infrastructure."http://www.ecitele.com
http://www.italtel.com/

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Mu Dynamics Appoints VP of Products

Mu Dynamics announced the appointment of Simon Berman to lead its Product efforts. Berman is responsible for all aspects of the company's product management and marketing initiatives and will oversee the strategic planning and execution of product delivery. Previously, he spent 2 years with AtHoc, a leading provider of emergency notification solutions, as vice president of product marketing where he helped grow the business and penetrate new markets. Prior to AtHoc, he spent over 12 years at Mercury Interactive.
http://www.mudynamics.com

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Ceragon Supplies High-Capacity Wireless in Botswana

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) has selected Ceragon for upgrading its nationwide wireless backbone as well as the backhaul network of its cellular subsidiary BeMobile. Equipment orders related to this deployment top $1.5 million.
http://www.ceragon.com

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Lockheed Martin Builds Cyber Innovation and Technology Center

Lockheed Martin IS&GS is opening a NexGen Cyber Innovation and Technology Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland designed to preserve and protect Lockheed Martin customer missions and address the greater cyber security challenges worldwide. The unique 25,000 square foot center leverages existing Lockheed Martin and partner capabilities in cyber security. It features seven collaboration areas, reconfigurable spaces, global cyber range, cloud computing platforms, green IT datacenter, telepresence and high definition video teleconferencing and global site connectivity.
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/isgs/capabilities/NexGen/

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Tele2 Netherlands Selects Espial's IPTV Middleware

Tele2 Netherlands has selected Espial's IPTV middleware. Tele2 Netherlands will use the Evo TV Service Platform to launch its next generation television platform supporting linear TV, Video-on-demand, High Definition, PVR (Personal Video Recorder) and interactive services.


Espial noted that there are 7 million subscribers using its TV software. The company s headquartered in Ottawa, Canada.
http://www.espial.com

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Logitech to Acquire LifeSize for HD Video Conferencing

Logitech International agreed to acquire privately held LifeSize Communications of Austin, Texas for $405 million in cash.


LifeSize specializes in HD video communication solutions and has more than 9,000 video conferencing customers across 80 countries in large enterprises, small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) and public healthcare, education and government organizations. The company expects approximately $90 million in revenue in CY 2009, with CY 2010 revenue expected to grow between 40 percent and 60 percent. Logitech expects the acquisition to be neutral to slightly positive to its operating income (excluding acquisition-related charges) in FY 2011, ending March 31, 2011, and positive thereafter.


"We expect this acquisition to enable Logitech to extend our leadership in video communication beyond the desktop," said Gerald P. Quindlen, Logitech president and chief executive officer. "Together we can make life-like, HD-quality video communication as mainstream and seamless as a telephone, for meeting participants in the boardroom, at their office desk, in a remote-location meeting room, telecommuting from home or on the go with a laptop."


The companies said they plan to pursue existing and new relationships with unified communications, collaboration and VoIP industry partners and competitors to drive the development of an open eco-system for interoperable video communication.
http://www.logitech.com
http://www.lifesize.com

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HP to Acquire 3Com for $2.7 Billion

Vowing to transform the networking industry, HP announced its intention to acquire 3Com, a leading provider of networking switching, routing and security solutions, for approximately $2.7 billion in cash ($7.90 per share). The deal would make HP the No.2 enterprise networking vendor worldwide with a growing share of the Chinese market.


HP said the acquisition accelerates its next-generation data center strategy focused on the convergence of servers, storage, networking, management, facilities and services. In particular, the acquisition of 3Com will dramatically expand HP's Ethernet switching offerings, add routing solutions and significantly strengthen the company's position in China via the H3C offerings. In addition, the combination will add a team of 2,400 engineers in China.


"Companies are looking for ways to break free from the business limitations imposed by a networking paradigm that has been dominated by a single vendor," said Dave Donatelli, executive vice president and general manager, Enterprise Servers and Networking, HP. "By acquiring 3Com, we are accelerating the execution of our Converged Infrastructure strategy and bringing disruptive change to the networking industry. By combining HP ProCurve offerings with 3Com's extensive set of solutions, we will enable customers to build a next-generation network infrastructure that supports customer needs from the edge of the network to the heart of the data center."


"Our extensive product line and innovative technology together with HP's breadth and scale will expand our global opportunity," said Bob Mao, chief executive officer, 3Com.


http://www.hp.com
http://www.3com.com

• In May 2009, 3Com outlined plans to return to the global enterprise networking market by leveraging its broad portfolio of H3C edge-to-data-center solutions. As a first step, the company is introduced two new switching platforms, the H3C S12500 for end-of-rack in data centers, and a "flex-chassis" switching platform, the H3C S5800, for wiring closets, smaller network cores and top-of-rack in data centers. The products are manageable by a new platform.



• In June, 3Com marked the 30 year anniversary since Ethernet-inventor Bob Metcalfe incorporated the company.

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Washington Post: China proves to be an Aggressive Foe in Cyberspace

The Washington Post published an article covering cyber intrusions into U.S. government systems/ The attacks are believed to originate in China. Targets have included Barack Obama's campaign team, Congressional offices, nuclear weapons labs, defense contractors, the State Department and other sensitive federal government agencies. A spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in Washington denied the claims, noting that with 360 million Internet users of its own, China is now integrated with and reliant on the same Internet infrastructure.

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