Sprint and HTC Unveil First 3G/4G Android Phone

At CTIA Wireless 2010 in Las Vegas, Sprint and HTC Corporation unveiled the first 3G/4G Android handset.



The HTC EVO 4G, which will be offered exclusively by Sprint beginning this summer, is designed for multimedia experiences at 4G speeds. Key features include a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, dual cameras - an 8.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with HD-capable video camcorder and a forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera, built-in mobile hotspot functionality for up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices, and an HDMI port for displaying downloaded or captured video on a TV screen. Text messaging and email composition feature built-in voice-to-text technology.


Sprint also has released a 4G developer guide explaining how to develop on an Android 2.1 handset and how to take advantage of 4G and unique hardware/software capabilities, including how to use a forward-facing camera in an app; how to use HDMI output; and how to build in network detection (3G, 4G or Wi-Fi) to optimize quality of data in an app. The Sprint 4G developer also will include sample apps and source code that highlight these features. It will supplement the Android 2.1 SDK. As a charter member of the Open Handset Alliance, Sprint is actively engaged with the Android community.
http://www.sprint.com

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Huawei Demos LTE Downlink at 1.2 Gbps

At CTIA Wireless 2010 in Las Vegas, Huawei Technologies is showcasing an LTE-advanced downlink speed of up to 1.2 Gbps.


The demo utilizes Huawei's SingleRAN prototype LTE-advanced solution with 80 MHz multi-carrier wideband radio and the following features: Carrier Aggregation (CA), 4x4 Multi-Input Multi-output (MIMO), Coordinated MultiPoint Transmission (CoMP) and Relay.


Huawei's SingleRAN solution supports network multi-mode convergence and evolution while reducing total costs of ownership for operators. Huawei's end-to-end LTE solution provides an All-IP, high speed, low latency and highly spectrum efficient mobile network, which greatly enhances the experience of mobile multi-media services.
http://www.huawei.com

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Clearwire to Deploy Samsung's 4G Base Stations

Clearwire has agreed to deploy Samsung Electronics' next generation U-RAS Flexible Plus base stations as part of its 2010 expanded rollout. Financial terms were not disclosed. Samsung Electronics has been a long time supplier to Clearwire since the inception of its WiMAX project.


Notably, Samsung Electronics' next generation U-RAS Flexible base station can be used as a common platform for Mobile WiMAX (802.16e), Mobile WiMAX 2 (802.16m), as well as both FDD-LTE and TD-LTE deployments. http://www.samsung.com
http://www.clearwire.com

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Tellabs Debuts Smart GGSN for 3G/4G

Tellabs introduced a "Smart" GGSN (gateway GPRS support node) based on its SmartCore 9100 Platform and designed for 3G and 4G networks.


The Tellabs Smart GGSN adds intelligence and analytics to improve network control for mobile carriers. This includes capabilities to prioritize critical traffic and to create a two-sided revenue model by monetizing off-portal services and content.


In addition, the platform can run 3G GGSN and 4G packet core applications concurrently. A software upgrade enables the transition from 3G GGSNs to an evolved 4G packet core.


"User demand for mobile Internet is rising daily. We help operators succeed by empowering their 3G networks to handle a deluge of data while dramatically reducing costs," said Rehan Jalil, senior vice president, mobile Internet at Tellabs. "Tellabs Smart GGSN handles 4G-sized data flows in 3G networks, while enabling a smooth migration from 3G to an evolved, distributed 4G packet core."http://www.tellabs.comhttp://

• In October 2009, Tellabs agreed to acquire WiChorus, a start-up offering a mobile packet core platform for $165 million in net cash. WiChorus' platform, which has been selected by Clearwire for deployment in its WiMAX network, provides subscriber management on a per application, per subscriber, per flow basis at line rate. WiChorus also provides advanced charging features, enables operators to adopt new business models that leverage Internet-based services. At the time, the WiChorus HSPA GGSN was in trials with mobile operators.

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Two Minute Video -- 100GE: Speed Without Compromising Services

Presented by Lindsay Newell, VP of Marketing, Alcatel-Lucenthttp://www.alcatel-lucent.com/ipnews

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Corrigent Enhances Mobile Backhaul with MPLS Aggregation

Orckit Communications has enhanced its mobile backhaul offering with a new multi-service access switch and cell site gateway. Together with its existing MPLS aggregation switch, this Carrier Ethernet solution enables the migration of low and high-rate TDM services, as well as data services, to a unified MPLS mobile network. This means cell site, hub site and aggregation site gateways are all implemented on the same switching products.


Orckit-Corrigent's mobile backhaul solution is based on its CM-4140 MPLS aggregation switch, CM-11 multi-service access switch and CM-View management system. This solution introduces cost efficiency and technology advantages to the market by enabling the delivery of TDM services over standard and interoperable MPLS networks, in addition to gateway functionality that is implemented on the switches.

• CM-4140 -- positioned as Hub and/or Aggregation Site Gateway (HSG/ASG). It is equipped with the following key capabilities: Standard and interoperable Layer 2 MPLS; Dense mixture of GE, 10GE and PDH/SDH interfaces
  E1, STM-1/4/16 over packet; CEP, SAToP, CESoP; Synchronous Ethernet, IEEE 1588v2; and 168G switching capacity at 3RU footprint with 250W of power consumption.



• CM-11 -- a flexible multi-service access switch with E1/T1, FE/GE interfaces that enables the delivery of voice, video and data services in mobile networks. The product is positioned as Cell Site Gateway (CSG) and is equipped with the following key capabilities: E1/T1 and FE/GE interfaces; SAToP, CESoP, ETHoP; Synchronous Ethernet, IEEE 1588v2.



• CM-View -- a high-end management and service provisioning system, providing "transport-class" management capabilities for mobile networks.

http://www.orckit.com/

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Clearwire's WiMAX Subscribers Consume 7GB per Month

Clearwire Communications outlined plans to expand its WiMAX rollout to cover up to 120 million people by the end of 2010. The company previously indicated that some of its new 4G markets scheduled to launch in 2010 include: New York City, Houston, Boston, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Denver, Minneapolis, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Additional markets to be reached with the 2010 rollout include Los Angeles, Miami, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Salt Lake City. Additional cities will be announced later this year. As previously announced, Clearwire will launch service in Houston in the coming weeks and the majority of the new 4G markets will launch toward the end of the year.


Significantly, Clearwire disclosed that its users are now consuming 7GB of wireless data per month.


"Across our 4G markets today, we're experiencing data usage levels that could shake the rest of the wireless industry to its core," said Bill Morrow, CEO of Clearwire. "On average, our mobile 4G customers are using more than 7 GB of data per month, and we're very pleased about the implications. Those who want to have a misguided debate about competing 4G radio technologies are missing the bigger picture. To deliver true mobile broadband requires deep spectrum resources and an all-IP network, and Clearwire remains unrivaled on both fronts."


"In fact, the efficiency of our IP-network and scale of our spectrum holdings have not only enabled us to launch our own successful CLEAR(TM) service, but they have enabled us to become the 4G 'Network of Networks,'" Morrow said. "Whether customers sign up for 4G service through us, Sprint, Comcast, or Time Warner Cable, it is our network and our spectrum making it all possible. And, we continue to look ahead. Today, we announced advancements across markets, devices, and our network, that we believe will continue to keep Clearwire at the forefront of 4G leadership and innovation."


Clearwire also announced plans to increase its microwave backhaul capacity and significantly improve the energy efficiency of its thousands of base stations across the United States. Employing advanced antenna signal processing technology, Clearwire will expand its cell site capacities by doubling the number of transmitters and receivers per site, thereby boosting potential end user speeds by approximately 20-30 percent. Upgrades will be made on a rolling basis across Clearwire's 4G network and have already been completed in some of the company's existing markets, including Seattle, Honolulu and Maui.


Ongoing enhancements to Clearwire's microwave backhaul network are expected to increase total backhaul capacity by 250 percent or more, with long-term capability to support gigabit per second speeds in high-density, high-traffic areas.


CLEAR delivers speeds comparable to DSL connections, with average mobile download speeds of 3 to 6 Mbps and bursts over 10 Mbps. Clearwire also announced the launch of the 30th 4G-embedded computer, and 4G service for the forthcoming Apple iPad. Starting next month, Clearwire will begin selling the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbook featuring the Intel Atom processor N450 and embedded 4G.


To support Apple's upcoming iPad, Clearwire said customers could use its "CLEAR Spot" device alongside any other off-the-shelf Wi-Fi device to create a personal Wi-Fi hot spot. Later this year, Clearwire expects to introduce a next generation CLEAR Spot with integrated 4G technology.
http://www.clearwire.com

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T-Mobile USA Outlines its HSPA+ Rollout Plan

T-Mobile USA outlined its plans to upgrade its national 3G service to the HSPA+. By the end of 2010, T-Mobile expects to have HSPA+ deployed across the breadth of its 3G footprint, covering more than 100 metropolitan areas and 185 million people.

T-Mobile successfully launched its HSPA+ network in Philadelphia last fall and the HSPA+ service is now commercially available in major areas of New York City, New Jersey, Long Island and suburban Washington, D.C., with deployment in Los Angeles coming very soon.
http://www.T-Mobile.com

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Ericsson: Mobile Data Traffic Has Surpassed Voice

Ericsson calculates that mobile data traffic surpassed voice traffic on a global basis for the first time during December of 2009. The crossover occurred at approximately 140,000 Terabytes per month in both voice and data traffic. During the same period, Ericsson measurements show that traffic in 3G networks surpassed that of 2G networks.


Ericsson's findings show that data traffic globally grew 280% during each of the last two years, and is forecast to double annually over the next five years. Social networking sites on mobile devices and mobile broadband-based PCs now account for a large percentage of mobile data traffic. For example, over 200 mobile operators in 60 countries are deploying and promoting Facebook mobile products, with over 100 million active users accessing Facebook through their mobile devices.


"This is a significant milestone with some 400 million mobile broadband subscriptions now generating more data traffic than the voice traffic from the total 4.6 billion mobile subscriptions around the world," said Hans Vestberg, Ericsson President and CEO, speaking at a management briefing in Las Vegas. "Our view that the appeal of anywhere, anytime connectivity would drive mobile broadband growth is confirmed by the real world measurements under taken by Ericsson."http://www.ericsson.comhttp://

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Alcatel-Lucent Shows Multimedia Solutions for Unifying 3 Screens

Alcatel-Lucent unveiled a suite of Multimedia Solutions for Service Providers that unify the delivery of video, TV, and multimedia content to any connected device, be it a TV, PC or mobile phone.


Alcatel-Lucent's multimedia strategy enables seamless connections between the various multimedia delivery systems and the range of screen sizes being adopted by consumers. The company said its goal is to dramatically reduce the time, complexity and cost inherent in creating services for the various screens with live TV, video on-demand and network video recording.


Highlights of the announcement include:

• The Multi-screen Video Solution, which ties together existing networks, allowing service providers extend their fixed IPTV or CableTV service to smartphones, PCs, tablets and a host of connected devices. This enables subscribers to begin watching a movie on a living room TV screen and then shifting the movie to a mobile device. A Smart Offloading capability enables service providers to pre-download content to subscriber's mobile device while at home or during off-peak hours. Other capabilities include content recommendations and targeted advertising.



• The Multi-screen Foundation, which helps service providers consolidate media operations to create an open foundation for a broad set of targeted multimedia solutions, such as Multi-Screen Video. For instance, service providers could use the same network assets for IPTV and mobile offerings.



• The Velocix Digital Media Delivery Platform, which consists of a series of appliances that service providers can deploy to support their own dedicated advanced digital media delivery capability, as an alternative to relying on shared content delivering networks, helping improve quality and reduce cost. Alcatel-Lucent acquired Velocix in 2009. The appliances are designed and optimized for content publishing, storage, delivery, routing and utility (management and analytics). Significantly, Alcatel-Lucent is offering a dynamic caching capability any type of player or operating system, regardless of the underlying network protocol.
  
  

Alcatel-Lucent also has expanded its Multi-screen Professional Services offerings, which will now support service providers end-to-end deployment needs for multi-screen services.


The company also noted a number of third parties partners in delivering multi-screen services. Alcatel-Lucent has formed strategic relationships with Harmonic and Isilon Systems. Harmonic offers solutions for content ingest, transformation and delivery. Isilon provides scale-out Network-Attached Storage (NAS) solutions.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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AT&T and Ericsson Announce M2M Connection Kit

AT&T and Ericsson released an AT&T Connection Kit to help developers integrate AT&T's 3G network with machine-to-machine (M2M) devices.


The Connection Kit includes Ericsson's next generation broadband modules in different categories, a complete test cradle solution and SDK, AT&T SIM cards, data capacity for testing, access to AT&T Control Center, powered by Jasper Wireless and best practice guidelines.


The enhanced AT&T Connection Kit builds on the existing AT&T M2M Developer Kit available through a dedicated AT&T emerging devices web site. The basic kit is designed for developers who are already using a network ready module, and includes the same network connectivity and Control Center access, but does not include the modules or test cradle available in the enhanced kit.
http://www.att.com
http://www.att.com/edo

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