Stoke Configures Portable Offload Lab

Stoke has assembled a Portable Offload Lab to demonstrate the capabilities of its mobile data offload (MDO) solution in 3G environments. The lab, which is a self-contained network of standards-compliant communications equipment, will travel over the next six months to mobile data operators in Japan, Hong Kong, South East Asia, England, Spain, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, India and the US. Stoke's MDO can be used to offload mobile bits from the mobile core to a less costly data path while improving the user experience. Additionally, its insight and management capabilities enable operators to identify and maintain control of desired traffic types.


Stoke's lab enables recreation of both user and operator experiences using non-offload and offload scenarios, including the insertion and removal of the application in the network without impacting subscriber sessions or requiring changes to existing mobile network elements. The lab incorporates servers, clients, and routers to simulate traffic demand and provide packet transport, with Stoke's SSX-3000 mobile broadband gateway running SMDO.


"Incumbent suppliers' solutions to mobile data overload are cumbersome at best," said Vikash Varma, president and CEO of Stoke, "They require re-engineering of the network and software and potentially hardware upgrades across the mobile data core and into the RAN, costing millions of dollars and countless weeks to deploy. And many of these solutions are yet to be developed. Stoke's Mobile Data Offload solution is a precision offload solution to a data plane capacity challenge. It is simple to deploy, radically improves the economics of the infrastructure and, by enabling greater control and visibility over traffic, creates a platform for the delivery of new service offerings."http://www.stoke.com

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Vitesse Debuts 40x40 Crosspoint Switch

Vitesse Semiconductor introduced an asynchronous 40x40-port crosspoint switch optimized for video delivery in high-density professional broadcast routing/switching equipment.


The VSC3340 cross-point switch offers 260 Gbps of aggregate capacity with full support of HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort and SMPTE protocols.


Significantly, it features a Green Mode that dynamically reduces power when not needed by as much as 54% compared to existing solutions. As the broadcast video industry migrates to higher bandwidth protocols and 3 Gbps high definition (3G-SDI) feeds, networks and studio equipment must manage up to thousands of live links while maintaining signal integrity and system performance. Energy consumption is also paramount as channel counts and densities increase in limited areas such as HD production studios and datacenters housing this equipment. Vitesse said the device's energy savings are as low as 95 mW per channel in 3.2 Gbps mode. In this design, only those channels with active signals dissipate power.


In addition, the VSC3340 incorporates Vitesse's FlexEQ adaptive equalization technology, which counters signal degradation over various transmission media types and lengths.
http://www.vitesse.com

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NTT Europe Launches Smart Media Delivery Services

NTT Europe has launched a Smart Media Delivery service that provides optimization, delivery and monetization of multi-platform audio and video content.


NTT Europe's Smart Media Delivery, which is based on Flumotion's multi-format streaming technology, offers a complete suite of tools for each stage of the online media value chain, from signal acquisition for live events, media encoding and multi-format transcoding, live and on-demand streaming and hosting to advertising integration, reporting, pay-per view billing and traffic data analysis.


Flumotion's WebTV technology enables Smart Media Delivery customers to manage the publication, distribution and syndication of video content, including both advertising and subscription-based monetization. The package includes an interactive and highly customizable stand-alone player for a truly enhanced viewing experience.


NTT Europe's Smart Media Delivery services runs across NTT Communications' Tier 1 IP network backbone. http://www.eu.ntt.comhttp://

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Verizon Launches Sustainability Program

Verizon kicked off a new sustainability program in an effort to find practical and innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of its global operations. Some of the initiatives Verizon is launching this year include:

• Adding 1,600 alternative energy vehicles in the Verizon fleet in 2010.



• Verizon has teamed up with Motorola to trial eco-friendly set-top boxes for FiOS TV customers in select markets.



• Kicked off a long-term awareness campaign to educate, encourage and make it easy for Verizon's 220,000 employees to cut energy use, recycle and reuse at work and home. Recent examples include free electronic recycling days, open to the public, at various company locations.



• Verizon's IT, security, communications and network expertise are helping the utility sector ramp up smart grid deployment. The company's intelligent IP and wireless networks provide an ideal foundation for the smart grid's control and metering functions.

"Customer demand for Verizon's broadband and wireless technology is driving the growth of our high-IQ networks, but we're growing responsibly," said James Gowen, Verizon's chief sustainability officer. "We're partnering with other businesses, suppliers, employees and our customers to dramatically increase the sustainability of our supply chain and operations. This approach positions the company for growth in future markets while creating lasting social value."


Verizon noted that last year its energy reduction and recycling measures reduced the company's CO2 emissions by more than 793 million pounds, approximately the amount of CO2 emitted by 46,700 homes in a year. The company also improved its rate of emissions per million dollars in revenue to 60.2 metric tons of CO2 in 2009, from 64.4 metric tons in 2008.


Among the sustainability steps taken by the company in 2009 was the establishment of a new lab in Columbia, Md., for federal customers interested in Optical LAN services and technology. Passive optical network technology can reduce power consumption by up to 75 percent because it requires no additional regeneration of power for up to 12 miles from a campus data center.


In 2009, Verizon also set new energy efficiency standards for the company's suppliers of network equipment, resulting in saving 91 million kilowatt hours and more than 114 million pounds of CO2 avoidance.
http://www.verizon.com/

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Verizon Conducts National Disaster Recovery Exercise

Verizon is conducting a national disaster recovery exercise at one of its major facilities this week.


The scenario: Two planes - a commercial airliner and a smaller private aircraft -- collide in mid-air over northern Virginia. Debris from the airliner lands on Verizon's large Ashburn campus, only a few miles from the Dulles International Airport, and pieces from the smaller plane fall into a nearby Verizon network field operation garage where several company vehicles are parked. Immediately, a call will be placed to Verizon's Business Continuance and Emergency Management team, which will activate Verizon's National Emergency Coordination Center, and the disaster recovery exercise will be under way.


"No matter what type of catastrophic event occurs, we must be prepared to facilitate immediate recovery so we can continue serving our enterprise, government and consumer customers even in the most difficult conditions," said Dick Price, Verizon wireline chief business continuance officer. "One of the best ways we can test our emergency response procedures and skills is during training exercises. Training also helps us improve our response time."http://verizon.comhttp://

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Spirent Validates Carrier Ethernet Interconnects in Europe

Spirent Communications exclusively powered the testing of the Carrier Ethernet Global Interconnect demonstration conducted by EANTC and co-organized by ancotel to validate Carrier Ethernet service interoperability across eight European service providers including Belgacom ICS, Equinix, Expereo International, Level3 Communications, P&TLuxembourg, Teragate, Tinet, and Ucomline.

Specifically, EANTC used Spirent TestCenter to showcase Carrier Ethernet service interoperability across eight service providers and demonstrate that the MEF's External Network-to-Network Interface (ENNI) specification and multi-provider Class of Service (CoS) implementation options are ready for prime time deployment.

"The Global Interconnect Demonstration is central to advancing the successful implementation of Carrier Ethernet interconnects in service provider networks," said Carsten Rossenhövel, managing director of EANTC AG. "By working with Spirent, a leader in testing Ethernet technologies, we were able to evaluate key ENNI functionality aspects as well as SLA support through Class of Service mapping."http://www.spirent.com
http://www.eantc.com

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Equinix Launches Carrier Ethernet Exchange

Equinix has officially rolled out its new multi-carrier environment for the exchange of data traffic between providers of Ethernet services. The Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange enables carriers to translate between different carrier Ethernet offerings to ensure transparent service by providing an interconnection technical specification. The service complies with Metro Ethernet Forum standards.


The Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange, which was first announced in October 2009 as a service development program, bridges Ethernet connectivity between 24 participants, including AboveNet, BroadbandONE, Easynet Global Services, euNetworks, Exponential-e, Hibernia Atlantic, RCN Metro Optical Networks, Internet Solutions, KPN International, Level 3 Communications, PacketExchange, PCCW Global, Reliance Globalcom, SSE Telecoms, TeraGate AG, Tinet and Virgin Media Business.


The service is rolling out to five metros including the Los Angeles, New York, Silicon Valley, Chicago and London metro regions, and is expected to expand to 14 other metro regions throughout the next year.


During the development phase, Equinix conducted more than 200 unique tests across seven different regions with 24 program participants, demonstrating the efficacy of the testing program and the long-term commercial viability of the service.


In addition to the technical platform, Equinix provides access to an ecosystem of potential content and technical partners.


"This launch is an important milestone for Equinix and for the Ethernet services industry in general," said Jarrett Appleby, CMO, Equinix. "While the Ethernet market has been growing at a breakneck pace, the full potential has yet to be realized because carriers have been limited to the geographic areas where their networks are deployed. Our offering immediately removes that fundamental barrier, enabling carriers to deliver consistent, scalable Ethernet services across multiple borders around the world simultaneously."http://equinix.com

• In October 2009, Equinix confirmed that its Carrier Ethernet Exchange platform would use Alcatel-Lucent's service router portfolio. At the time, the companies said the Carrier Ethernet Exchange platform would enable multi-provider interconnection based on Metro Ethernet Forum standards. The partners were also reviewing a variety of solutions including Ethernet Network to Network Interconnection (NNI) and additional services that leverage the density and breadth of networks operating within Equinix's centers.

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ABI: Verizon Wireless, Sprint Outpace AT&T in Mobile Data Volume

In 2009, Verizon Wireless and Sprint each carried more mobile data traffic than AT&T, according to ABI Research. Verizon Wireless carried the most, followed by Sprint. Customers of these two operators generated 63% of the US market's mobile network data traffic.


Although AT&T had the most activated data devices in 2009, its two rivals served more mobile data card users. Laptop users with 3G data card consume far more bandwidth than handset users.


ABI Research predicts that Verizon will maintain the top data traffic position over the next five years. AT&T's share of mobile data traffic will increase and by 2012 AT&T will take the number two position. The final three spots for top mobile data traffic levels will be held by Sprint, T-Mobile and then all other operators. However, even though operator traffic distribution share will change, nearly all operators will see mobile data traffic levels increase eightfold from 2010 through 2014, according to the company.
http://www.abiresearch.comhttp://

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Metaswitch Enables MPLS-TP Control Planes

Metaswitch Networks introduced a portable software solution for MPLS Transport Profile (MPLS-TP) control planes in next-gen networking equipment.


MPLS-TP has been developed to provide the same QoS, protection and restoration, and OAM that is inherent in SONET/SDH and in a way that has a familiar look and feel for network operators.


Metaswitch's DC-MPLS network protocol software provides the foundation for MPLS-TP, including features such as static and dynamic Ethernet pseudowires, pseudowire redundancy and end-to-end-recovery, plus GMPLS signaling for use as an MPLS-TP control plane. The company said system vendors can begin to roll out MPLS-TP control plane with a simple upgrade to its DC-MPLS protocol solution.


"DC-MPLS is widely deployed and has demonstrated proven interoperability and scalability in the field," said Jon Berger, Director of MPLS Product Development in Metaswitch's Network Protocols Division. "We are closely involved in the MPLS-TP standards process within the IETF and our DC-MPLS GMPLS implementation already supports the necessary features for an MPLS-TP capable control plane. We are adding further enhancements to meet evolving MPLS-TP standards, to allow our customers to deliver MPLS-TP capable devices at the earliest opportunity."http://www.metaswitch.comhttp://

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HP Completes Acquisition of 3Com for $2.7 Billion

HP completed its previously announced acquisition of 3Com at a price of $7.90 per share in cash or an enterprise value of approximately $2.7 billion.


HP will integrate 3Com's network switching, routing and security solutions with its existing HP ProCurve solutions.


The deal significantly accelerates HP's next-generation data center strategy, which focuses on the convergence of servers, storage, networking, management, facilities and services. The deal also strengthens the company's position in China via the H3C offerings. In addition, the combination will add a team of 2,400 engineers in China.


3Com also brings to HP network security capabilities through its TippingPoint portfolio. The company said it will be able to deliver one of the broadest network technology capabilities in the market.http://www.hp.com
http://www.3com.com

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Metaswitch Releases Protocol Code for G.709 OTN

Metaswitch introduced a portable protocol solution for signaling and routing in G.709 Optical Transport Networks (OTN), which provides a transparent, hierarchical network that supports the transport of both packet and optical traffic, greatly increasing network efficiencies. This enables systems vendors to build hybrid Packet-Optical Transport Systems (POTS) that can dynamically signal and route connections in an OTN network.


OTN is largely defined in the ITU's G.709 and G.872 specifications and in IETF RFC 4328. Metaswitch's portable control plane solution for G.709 OTN is delivered as extensions to the company's widely deployed DC-RSVP MPLS signaling software and DC-OSPF and DC-ISIS routing stacks.


"Metaswitch's OTN control plane technology is available today to our MPLS and IP routing customers as a straightforward, in-service software upgrade," said Jonathan Hardwick, Director of Product Management for Metaswitch's Network Protocols Division.


For new Metaswitch customers the OTN control plane solutions are available pre-integrated with all the leading operating systems, which also reduces time to market. http://www.metaswitch.com

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Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom Tests FDD-LTE with NSN

Chunghwa Telecom is conducting a live FDD-LTE trial in Taiwan. Nokia Siemens Networks will provide all necessary LTE equipment including core network and base stations, based on commercial platforms, and will also provide related technical support. The trial will showcase Nokia Siemens Networks technology that supports Chunghwa Telecom as it develops the Taiwanese mobile broadband market to enable a new generation of mobile user experiences.


Nokia Siemens Networks said FDD-LTE is relevant for operators who have access to the frequency division duplexing (FDD) spectrum used for these technologies.
http://www.nsn.comhttp://

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WiMAX 2 Targets 300 Mbps Rates (IEEE 802.16m)

A new WiMAX 2 Collaboration Initiative (WCI) has been formed with the goal of accelerating the interoperability of the next release of WiMAX technology, WiMAX 2, based upon the IEEE 802.16m standard.


IEEE 802.16m builds upon 802.16e by adding new capabilities while maintaining backward compatibility. It meets the ITU requirements for 4G or "IMT-Advanced," delivering higher system capacity -- peak rates of more than 300 Mbps -- lower latency and increased VoIP capacity. Work on the 802.16m air interface standard definition began in 2006 in the IEEE as a follow-on to 802.16e, and is expected to be completed in the 2nd half of 2010.


Founding members of the new WiMAX 2 Collaboration Initiative include Alvarion, Beceem, GCT Semiconductor, Intel, Motorola, Samsung, Sequans, XRONet and ZTE as well as the Taiwanese research organization, ITRI. The objectives of the group include:

• Technology collaboration and joint performance benchmarking;


• Joint testing of 4G applications over WiMAX 2 solutions;


• Early network level interoperability testing;


• Plugfests to prepare for WiMAX Forum certification.

The group will issue detailed milestones and delivery schedules within the next 3-6 months with the goal to support the WiMAX Forum's readiness to certify commercial products by late 2011.
http://www.alvarion.com
http://www.beceem.com

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