Motorola Invests in Zenverge for Transcoding Chips

Motorola has made an equity investment in Zenverge, a start-up developing advanced media integrated circuits (ICs). Financial terms were not disclosed.


Zenverge's media ICs support transcoding, decoding and encoding of multiple formats at up to four times HD performance or for up to four simultaneous HD streams. Zenverge ICs are being incorporated into HDTVs, Blu-ray/DVD players and recorders, set-tops, media gateways, portable device adapters, PCs and professional/network video equipment. The company said its performance far exceeds the capabilities of other media ICs today. The device is now shipping.


Other existing investors, DCM and Norwest Venture Partners, also provided funds. The financing will support production of a family of single-chip media ICs based on the Zenverge Entertainment Nexus (ZEN), a groundbreaking new architecture for digital HD convergence.


Zenverge is based in Cupertino, California.
http://www.zenverge.com

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BT Lands $370 Million UK Govt Contract

BT was awarded a three-year contract extension with The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), worth a minimum of $370 million, to provide voice, data network and contact centre solutions to the UK government department.


The deal builds on the existing contract between the DWP and BT Global Services, which has seen the networked IT services company help transform the department's voice and data networks by installing an IP network and telephony solution, which regularly handles in excess of two million calls a day and at peak times has managed three million.
http://www.bt.com

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Oracle Acquires Convergin for Real-time Service Brokering

Oracle has agreed to acquire Convergin, an Israeli start-up specializing in real-time service brokering solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Convergin offers a J2EE-based Service Broker platform that enables communications service providers (CSPs) to manage services for a wide range of networks and application platforms, including pre-paid charging. The solution can be used for migrating pre-paid voice from IN- to IP-based networks. Convergin provides the mediation of wide range of protocols, enabling the orchestration and blending of services and capabilities across networks and application domains.


Oracle said the combination of its service environment with Convergin's Service Broker provides a single carrier-grade, standards-based IT platform for CSPs.


Specifically, Convergin products complement Oracle Communications' integrated product suite, including Oracle Communications Billing and Revenue Management, Oracle Communications Converged Application Server and Oracle Communications service fulfillment applications.


"As communications service providers transition from legacy telephony networks to next-generation networks, the combination of Oracle and Convergin will accelerate new service innovation while reducing network complexity and cost," said Bhaskar Gorti, senior vice president and general manager, Oracle Communications.
http://www.oracle.com
http://www.convergin.com

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LSI Announces Next-Gen Processor for Wireless Backhaul

LSI Corporation unveiled its next-generation link communication processor (LCP) for multiservice applications
such as wireline access network, 2.5G/3G and 4G/LTE wireless access, and pseudowire emulation (PWE) applications.


The new LCP is a significant addition to the LSI(TM) family of multiservice processors and a key part of the LSI asymmetric multicore processor portfolio that enables any-to-any communications in wireless infrastructure.
It supports all major protocols, enabling wireless, mobile backhaul, multiservice, router and broadband access traffic to be easily and efficiently migrated from current-generation, time-division multiplexing (TDM) networks to next-generation Ethernet and MPLS networks at much lower cost and risk than previous solutions.


LSI said its new LCP performs multiprotocol processing at wire speed using dedicated, on-chip programmable cores. It contains multicore ARM processors for managing data plane applications, and running customer-specific application code. Connectivity is provided by integrated Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, enabling direct wide area network (WAN) uplinks. In addition, the LCP scales across a broad range of network speeds, from T1/E1 to STM-1/OC-3, which allows networking OEMs to leverage a single development effort across all major services and performance levels.


"The complex mix of protocols and applications that run on today's advanced networks require highly integrated, multicore SoCs with proven software," said Shane Gunning, multiservice marketing director, Networking Components Division, LSI. "Our latest-generation LCP provides OEMs with a single, scalable, highly efficient platform that enables them to build multiservice base stations and controllers that span 2G, 3G and 4G networks."http://www.lsi.com

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ARRIS Posts $300 Million in Q4 Revenue

ARRIS reported preliminary Q4 2009 revenues of $300.0 million, compared to third quarter 2009 revenues of $275.8 million and fourth quarter 2008 revenues of $292.4 million. Full year 2009 and 2008 revenues were $1,107.8 million and $1,144.6 million, respectively.


GAAP net income for the fourth quarter 2009 was $0.26 per diluted share, as compared to the third quarter 2009 of $0.17 per diluted share, and the fourth quarter 2008 loss of $(1.33) per diluted share. Full year 2009 GAAP net income was $0.71 per diluted share as compared to a loss of $(1.04) per diluted share for 2008.

"We ended 2009 with very strong performance," said Bob Stanzione, ARRIS Chairman & CEO. "New applications, growth of Internet TV and competition from both telco and satellite providers require ongoing network capacity additions in our customers' networks. I am confident that ARRIS has the market leading products and services necessary for our customers to meet these challenges. Longer term, we are well positioned to provide new products for a converged platform to deliver voice, data and video. We have taken key steps to grow our current business to include a strong video product suite in order to capitalize on the industry's vision of a converged voice, data and video platform."http://www.arrisi.com

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Lantiq Expands DECT and CAT-iq Silicon Products

Lantiq announced major additions to its DECT/CAT-iq portfolio, including the introduction of an end-to-end CAT-iq 2.0 home gateway and handset system, as well as Korean DECT gateway and handset silicon products.


Lantiq said the introduction of the first CAT-iq 2.0-capable handsets and home gateways is a major milestone for carriers and vendors alike. It signals the official introduction of wideband-capable CAT-iq systems. This is the inflexion point at which wideband has a chance to attain the necessary critical mass of users to be a true success.


Lantiq's range of CPE home gateway devices all contain embedded DECT/CAT-iq functionality.


The company is working to integrate the home gateway and DECT. This will include the end-to-end DSL home gateway with both the CAT-iq base station and handset.


Lantiq is also expanding its regional cordless telephony coverage with the introduction of COSIC products for the Korean cordless VoIP market. As an incumbent supplier to Korean Telecom, Lantiq's product portfolio will now include gateway and handset solutions for applications similar to CAT-iq for the Korean market.
http://www.lantiq.com

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Juniper Creates Junos Ready Software Group

Juniper Networks has formed a new business group called Junos Ready Software dedicated to creating and delivering an ecosystem of software and applications built on the Junos platform for Service Providers.


The Junos Ready Software group will deliver Juniper and partner-built applications, all running on the Junos platform. It will include the following specific operating components:

• Project Falcon - Disclosed in October 2009, this program is focused on delivering best-of-breed mobile solutions on Junos



• Junos Space - A network application platform for the development and deployment of simple, smart network applications



• Junos Innovation Ecosystem - A partner program aimed specifically at enabling a broad range of new third-party applications running on Junos. Examples of these applications include mobile video delivery, addressable advertising, service monitoring, service delivery and security

JRS will be headed by executive vice president and general manager, Manoj Leelanivas, an 11-year Juniper veteran and proven technology leader, who will now report directly to Juniper CEO Kevin Johnson. Leelanivas most recently served as senior vice president and general manager of the Edge and Aggregation business unit, where he led the development and launch of Juniper's groundbreaking MX 3D Series Universal Edge Routers. Additionally, he was responsible for notable progress in Juniper's Project Falcon initiative.


In addition to establishing the Junos Ready Software business group, Juniper also made two executive assignments to further strengthen the company's relationships with and contributions to service providers.


Kim Perdikou, a 10-year Juniper veteran, who most recently served as executive vice president and general manager of Juniper's Infrastructure Products Group (IPG), will move to a newly created position working directly with CEO Kevin Johnson to focus on developing and deepening Juniper relationships with service provider customers and partners. As executive vice president, Perdikou will join the office of the CEO in a new role that leverages her deep industry knowledge and customer relationships to guide key strategic projects that further Juniper's global market leadership.


Stefan Dyckerhoff has been named executive vice president, assuming leadership responsibilities for IPG, reporting directly to Juniper CEO Kevin Johnson. An original member of Juniper's engineering team during the company's first seven years, Dyckerhoff recently rejoined the company from Cisco Systems. While at Cisco Systems, Dyckerhoff served as vice president and general manager of the Edge Routing Business Unit (ERBU) and was responsible for managing a multi-billion dollar product portfolio targeted at both the service provider and enterprise markets.


"Late last year, Juniper unveiled a new strategic vision and introduced a series of groundbreaking silicon, software, systems and partnerships to meet the 'New Network' demands of the next decade," said Kevin Johnson, Juniper's chief executive officer. "This New Network is based on smart systems, open software platforms and an approach that adapts to changing business dynamics by embracing partnerships and unleashing innovation. Today's announcements signal the next step in our evolution and underscore our commitment to helping customers tackle the relevant issues of economics and experiences."http://www.juniper.net28839

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Facebook Mobile Passes 100 Million Milestone

The Facebook Mobile app now has over 100 million users. The milestone was passed only six months after the company announced that it reached 65 million users for its mobile app.


Facebook said it is working with every major device manufacturer and many operators around the globe to ensure the best possible mobile experience.


Some recent developments:

• Facebook mobile sites m.facebook.com and touch.facebook.com have been redesigned, enabling people to access Facebook from any mobile browser in more than 70 languages.



• More than 80 operators in 32 countries enable millions of people around the world to stay connected and communicate with their friends on Facebook using SMS text messages.



• Facebook recently launched a URL-shortening service called FB.ME that makes it even easier for people to share content, especially in SMS where the URL length has been a problem.

http://www.facebook.com

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AT&T Selects Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent for LTE RAN

AT&T has selected Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson as the primary suppliers of radio access equipment for its planned rollout of LTE beginning in 2011. AT&T's first LTE field trials are planned for later this year.



The multi-year agreement covers radio access network equipment needed to deliver LTE service.This equipment will be deployed at cell sites across AT&T's network to enable LTE speeds and functionality. Financial terms of the supplier agreements were not disclosed.


The selection of Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson extend existing vendor relationships with AT&T. Both vendors currently supply equipment and services for AT&T's 3G network. AT&T said that as part of the supplier agreements, 3G equipment delivered starting this year, must be easily convertible to LTE, enabling AT&T to upgrade existing equipment and software rather than install entirely new equipment in many cases as it deploys the next-generation technology.


"The selection of Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson is an important step forward in our ongoing mobile broadband strategy, which is focused on delivering the best possible combination of speed, performance and available devices for customers at every level of technology deployment," said John Stankey, president and CEO, AT&T Operations.


AT&T noted that the proliferation of smartphones on its network has resulted in mobile broadband traffic that has grown more than 5,000 percent over the past three years.
http://www.att.com

• In January 2010, AT&T announced total 2010 capital expenditures are expected to be between $18 billion and $19 billion. These plans include an increase of approximately $2 billion in wireless network and backhaul investment, which will help ensure continued strong results in 3G network performance as well as preparation for planned deployment of LTE.



• Also in January, AT&T upgraded 3G cell sites to HSPA 7.2 technology. Over the course of 2010 and 2011, AT&T plans to combine this upgrade with enhanced fiber-optic backhaul connectivity. AT&T wireless network investment plans for 2010 also include construction of about 2,000 new cell sites and adding new radio controllers and carriers at a pace that doubles deployment in 2009.
• In February 2009, Verizon Wireless named Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent as primary network vendors for its initial LTE network deployments in the United States. Verizon Wireless selected Starent Networks (now Cisco) as a key supplier for the packet core. Nokia Siemens Networks and Alcatel-Lucent were selected as key suppliers for the IP Multi-Media Subsystem (IMS) network, which will enable rich multimedia applications regardless of access technology.

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Google to Rollout Gigabit FTTH in Test Markets

Google announced plans to rollout an "experimental" fiber-to-the-home network in test markets across the United States. Specifically, Google plans to offer a 1 Gbps home service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people. The locations of these deployments have not been disclosed.


The company said its goal with the experimental service would be to test:

• Next generation apps: to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it's creating new bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services, or other uses we can't yet imagine.
  
  
• New deployment techniques: to test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere. Google plans to share key lessons learned with the world.
  
  
• Openness and choice: operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with its past advocacy, Google plans to manage the network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.

Google currently operates a free, public Wi-Fi network in its hometown of Mountain View, California.

As part of its announcement, Google issued a RFI for communities interested in participating.

The following video was also posted to its blog.


http://googleblog.blogspot.com/http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi

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GSMA: HSPA Connections Pass 200 Million

Global HSPA connections have passed the 200 million milestone, according to the GSMA. HSPA connections have seen phenomenal growth in all markets since 2007, and this is set to continue in 2010 with the investment operators will make in Mobile Broadband technology. There are currently more than 1,800 HSPA enabled devices available from more than 150 suppliers. Across 123 countries, there are currently 294 commercially live networks, of which 183 currently deliver peak data rates of above 3.6 Mbps, and 37 commercially live HSPA+ networks, each capable of delivering data speeds up to 21 Mbps.


The GSMA expects this growth rate to accelerate this year. According to industry research firm Wireless Intelligence, the industry will grow from an average of around nine million new connections per month as of the end of 2009, to almost 13 million per month. Of the total estimated 342 million connections at the end of 2010, Europe will lead the way with 120 million connections, becoming the number one region for HSPA connections, with Asia Pacific accounting for 116 million and North America 58 million.


The rapid growth in mobile broadband is spurring mobile operators to accelerate deployment plans. Based on studies by Deutsche Bank, the GSMA now estimates that carriers around the world will invest up to $72 billion in mobile broadband technologies in 2010.


Asia Pacific will see the greatest investment in Mobile Broadband with predicted capital expenditure of up to $34 billion. North America follows with up to $19 billion, with Europe expected to invest up to $14 billion. Mobile Broadband is set to account for 52 per cent of all operator investment in mobile infrastructure globally. Of all the regions, North America will spend the greatest percentage -- 80 per cent -- of its total mobile CAPEX investment on mobile broadband.


"The forecasted investment in Mobile Broadband technologies reflects the importance the mobile industry places on enabling consumers to access any type of content on the move -- whatever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want," said Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer at the GSMA. "HSPA and HSPA+ have become the dominant global Mobile Broadband technologies and are set to benefit from a significant proportion of this CAPEX investment, resulting in faster and more reliable Mobile Broadband services being available to more subscribers around the world by the end of this year."http://www.gsmworld.com

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