OFS Launches Hand-Held Core-Alignment Splicer

OFS has begun shipping its new hand-held core-alignment FITEL S178 Hand-Held Core-Alignment fusion splicer to the global market.The splicer is significantly smaller and lighter in weight than previous models. In addition to rugged durability, the S178 offers an innovative, mirror-free alignment system which allows for simplified maintenance. The new battery system provides up to 200 splicing cycles (splicing/heating). The S178 can splice in 7 seconds...

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AT&T Tweaks Wireless Pricing Plans

AT&T adjusted its pricing plans as well. The company is also offering different rates for Feature Phones, Quick Messaging Devices, and Smart Phones (including the iPhone). All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99. For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume 2 smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at...

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FCC Clears 700 Mhz Band

The FCC adopted an order prohibiting the further distribution and sale of devices that operate in the 700 MHz frequency. The order will primarily impact the use of wireless microphone systems that currently operate in the 700 MHz band. This action helps complete an important component of the DTV Transition by clearing the 700 MHz band to enable the rollout of communications services for public safety and the deployment of 4G wireless devices for...

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Sprint Touts its Unlimited Messaging and Data Plans

Responding to Verizon Wireless' announcement, Sprint announced that its Everything Data plans offer a savings of nearly $240 per year vs. Verizon's new Nationwide Talk & Text plans plus unlimited data package.Families can save nearly $600 per year on unlimited messaging and data with Sprint Everything Data Family plans vs. Verizon's new Nationwide Talk & Text Family SharePlans plus unlimited data package.Sprint's Everything Data plans include...

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France Telecom-Orange Addresses Haiti

The France Telecom-Orange Group announced its initial series of measures for earthquake-hit Haiti:Orange Dominicana, France Telecom-Orange group subsidiary in the Dominican Republic, took a number of emergency steps: local technical teams are working to improve means of communication in the border zone (power generators, fuel, radio stations and other technical equipment), mobiles have been handed out to humanitarian organisations and emergency satellite...

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GoAhead Acquires S3's embeddedMIND

GoAhead Software, which specializes in high availability middleware for network equipment and defense applications, will acquire the embeddedMIND business of S3. The deal includes all IP and staff associated with embeddedMIND business. Financial terms were not disclosed.embeddedMIND, which is based in Poland, develops configuration management software for network equipment manufacturers. The company has been delivering best of breed configuration...

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Haiti Donations by SMS Top $7 Million in 36 Hours

In 36 hours, donations made via mobile phones for Haiti Earthquake Relief have surpassed $7 million across all the short codes managed by the Mobile Giving Foundation, a non‑profit organization dedicated to helping other non-profits raise funds through SMS. http://www.mobilegiving....

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Tektronix Unveils Spectra2 Core Network Test Platform

Tektronix Communications unveiled its Spectra2u Core Network test, enabling network equipment manufacturers and telecom operators to test NGN, VoIP and converged networks for functionality, conformance, performance and media quality. The Spectra2u, which leverages an Intel Dual Quad Core processing architecture, offers a low-cost footprint supporting IP and TDM interfaces for signaling and media.Key features of the Spectra2u platform include:High...

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Ixia Increases Revenue Guidance and Announces Cost Reductions

Ixia currently expects revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 to increase by approximately 32% year-over-year and approximately 16% sequentially to $54 million to $56 million. Fourth quarter results include a full quarter of contribution following the acquisition of Catapult Communications in June 2009 and two months of contribution following the acquisition of the N2X product line from Agilent, which closed on October 30, 2009. Previous revenue guidance for the fourth quarter of 2009 had been in the range of $50 million to $54 million."Contributions...

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AudioCodes Appoints Chief Operating Officer

AudioCodes announced the appointment of Lior Aldema as Chief Operating Officer, reporting to Mr. Shabtai Adlersberg, President and CEO. Lior Aldema has been with the Company since 1998 and has served in his recent position as Vice President Marketing and Product Management focusing on enterprise and service providers applications. He will assume responsibility for all business operational activities and will focus on streamlining and growing the...

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ITU Joins Effort to Establish Links to Haiti

The ITU is deploying forty satellite terminals immediately in Haiti to re-establish basic communication links. A further 60 units with broadband facility are being dispatched along with experts to operate them. ITU will also set up a Qualcomm Deployable Base Station (QDBS), which is a complete cellular system designed for disaster zones. ITU has allocated a budget of over US$1 million to strengthen the disaster response effort in Haiti. http://...

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SAIC to Acquire CloudShield for Cybersecurity Solutions

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) agreed to acquire CloudShield Technologies, a supplier of carrier-grade cybersecurity and management solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed.Founded in 2000, CloudShield's deep packet inspection (DPI) platform and applications enable customers to inspect, analyze and control all network traffic. CloudShield's IBM BladeCenter PN41 Blade scales from 20 Gbps for a single blade to 280 Gbps...

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ACCESS Updates Mobile Browsers with Super Fast JavaScript

ACCESS CO. introduced its NetFront Browser v4.0 for mobile handsets and Internet-enabled devices. The browser performs JavaScript executions twenty times faster than ACCESS' NetFront Browser v3.5, resulting in a significantly better browsing experience overall, especially for websites that make heavy use of complex JavaScript."The more users and companies come to depend on cloud computing, the more important web application performance and web JavaScript...

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FCC Grants TerreStar ATC Authority

TerreStar Networks has been granted authority to integrate terrestrial use of its 20 MHz S Band spectrum into its next generation mobile wireless network. TerreStar plans to use this authority to enhance coverage, capacity and throughput in its integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial communications network that will provide ubiquitous North American access to voice and data services through conventional wireless devices.In granting the ATC license,...

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Verizon Teams with Lineage Power on Energy Efficiency

Lineage Power Corp. and Verizon Communications are partnering to test two new technologies that significantly decrease the amount of electricity used by information and communications technology (ICT) equipment.Most networking gear converts electricity from commercial alternating current to direct current. The companies said this conversion process is inefficient, resulting in both the overconsumption of energy and the unnecessary creation of heat....

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Sprint Wins $500 Million in New Federal Contracts

Sprint announced several new and renewed federal agency contracts valued at more than $500 million. Sprint also has made multiple GSA contract modifications that are expected to help fuel double digit-growth in 2010. Key wireless contract wins in 2009 include:Department of the Navy -- In September, Sprint received an extended one-year contract with U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps worth up to $20 million for wireless data and voice services, including...

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Intelsat Boosts Links to Haiti

Intelsat established two communication networks -- one in C-band and one in Ku-band -- to provide critical communication links to Haiti. The two networks, established via Intelsat's satellite and terrestrial network infrastructure, including its GlobalConnex Network Broadband service, are supporting governments, non-governmental organizations, network service providers, media, telecommunication operators and humanitarian efforts countrywide. http://www.intelsat....

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CTIA: No Need for Net Neutrality in Wireless Broadband

Net neutrality rules are "inappropriate for wireless broadband networks and unnecessary to ensure that wireless consumers continue to enjoy the open Internet," according to comments filed with the FCC by CTIA, which represents the U.S. wireless industry. CTIA argues that all elements of the wireless ecosystem are flourishing in the U.S., and consumers are rapidly adopting broadband wireless services. "This is a model that is working for consumers...

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Digicel Struggles to Maintain Service in Haiti

In a statement from its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, the Digicel Group confirmed that it has rushed technical support teams to Haiti and is struggling to continue limited service. Damage assessment for its mobile infrastructure in Haiti is not yet complete. Its main office in Port-au-Prince survived and employees evacuated the building safely. However, at least two of its workers not at the main facility died in the quake.Digicel is one...

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