FCC Outlines Next-Generation 9-1-1

FCC Chairman Genachowski outlined the steps that the FCC will take to update the nation's 9-1-1 emergency calling system with the addition of text, photo, and video capabilities. Already, 70% of 9-1-1 calls come from mobile phones and most of these users are frequent users of SMS and picture messaging. However, most 9-1-1 call centers are not capable of receiving text, photo, video or other incoming data. Some of the benefits the FCC seeks in a next generation 9-1-1 system include:


Text for Help: Many Americans, particularly those with disabilities, rely on texting as their
primary means of communication. In some emergency situations -- especially in circumstances
where a call could further jeopardize someone's life and safety -- texting is the only way to reach
out for help. Next-Generation 9-1-1 would allow call centers to receive texts and put them to use.


Real-Time Rapid Response: Mobile video and photos provide first responders with on-the ground
information that helps them assess and address the emergency in real-time. These
technologies also help report crime as it is happening. Next-Generation 9-1-1 would expand the
multi-media capabilities of 9-1-1 call centers.


Automatic Alerting: Next-Generation 9-1-1 would enable emergency calls to be placed by
devices, rather than human beings. Examples of such devices include environmental sensors
capable of detecting chemicals, highway cameras, security cameras, alarms, personal medical
devices, telematics, and consumer electronics in automobiles.
http://www.fcc.gov

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Nlyte Raises $12 Million for Data Center Performance Management

nlyte Software, a start-up based in Menlo Park, California, received $12 million in Series C funding for its performance-based solutions for Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM).


nlyte Software's DCIM solution helps data center and facilities managers optimize physical capacity including power, cooling and space. This information helps to make intelligent capacity planning decisions.


The funding round was led by NGEN Partners and included existing investors Balderton Capital, Ruffer LLP and Montalcino Holdings.
http://www.nlyte.com/

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China Mobile Adds 5.2 Million Users in Oct, 52 Million in 2010

China Mobile reported its monthly customer data -- there were 5.2 million new users in October, bringing the cumulative additions for the year so far to over 52 million.


http://www.chinamobileltd.com/

• In August, China Mobile announced that Mr. Wang Jianzhou has stepped down as CEO of China Mobile but remains as Executive Director and Chairman of the company. Mr. Li Yue assumes the role of CEO and continues as a Director of the company. Li (age 51) joined China Mobile's Board of Directors in 2003. He previously served as Deputy Director General and Chief Engineer of Tianjin Long-Distance Telecommunications Bureau, among many other postings. Li holds a Bachelor's Degree in telephone exchange from the Correspondence College of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, a Master's Degree in business administration from Tianjin University and a doctoral degree in business administration from Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

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Verizon: U.S. Must Update Anti-Competitive Telecom Rules

Following news reports that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski may propose that the FCC adopt new Internet management rules on its own, Verizon issued a press statement calling on Congress to address telecommunications policies that are broken.


"The grinding you hear are the gears churning as policymakers try to fit fast-changing technologies and competitive markets into regulatory boxes built for analog technologies and monopoly markets," said Tom Tauke, Verizon's executive vice president of public affairs, policy and communications, in discussing the Federal Communications Commission's outdated policies. Tauke pointed out that on the issue of net neutrality, the FCC's focus was limited to how Internet service providers might degrade or block Internet traffic, and not on other sectors of the Internet marketplace where similar consumer harm could take place.


"A key reason why the FCC doesn't consider the activities of those who control operating systems or applications is that the FCC looks at the world from the standpoint of its jurisdiction rather than from the perspective of the consumer," Tauke said. "Given the outdated statute, that's somewhat understandable. But from a reasonable person's perspective, that approach makes no sense. That is why we need Congress to update the law."


Tauke laid out four components to a new policy to guide the Internet eco-system:


1. The policy should be a federal framework.


2. The framework should not involve anticipatory rulemaking, but rather principles that allow for case-by-case adjudication.


3. The test for government intervention in the marketplace should be to prevent either harm to consumers or anti-competitive activity.


4. A single federal agency should be given clear jurisdiction.
http://www.verizon.com

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SoftAtHome and Lantiq Team on High Performance Home Gateways

SoftAtHome, a software provider of home operating platforms that help service providers deliver convergent applications to the digital home, and Lantiq are collaborating to deliver an integrated platform for advanced Home Gateways (HGW). The companies are offering a ChipSet Support Package (CSSP) that enables SoftAtHome Operating Platform (SOP) to rapidly be deployed on the latest Lantiq XWAY XRX-100 family generation. The CSSP represents a set of drivers adapted to the SoftAtHome Hardware Abstraction Layer and will be made available to Lantiq's licensees providing home gateways to service providers worldwide. It enables home gateway manufacturers to accelerate porting of SOP on their devices. Service providers can thus accelerate time-to-market for delivering advanced triple- play and digital home services to their residential customers.
http://www.lantiq.com
http://www.softathome.com

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Ireland's Imagine Pitches WiMAX as Cheaper Broadband

Imagine, which is deploying WiMAX across Ireland, reports that recession-hit Irish homeowners have been impressed with its fifty percent cheaper broadband and phone prices on the WiMax network, compared to other operators.


Imagine's WiMAX network now covers all of Dublin and extends from the likes of Tuam and Sligo in the west of Ireland, to Wexford in the south-east, Dundalk and Drogheda in the north-east and Youghal, Middletown and Killarney in the south-west.


"Imagine is delighted to bring Dublin residents and businesses a super-fast Internet and home phone experience at half the price of other products," said Brian O'Donohoe, Imagine's Managing Director. "Uptake among apartment dwellers has been particularly strong as it's very convenient and simple to use," he said.


Imagine's home phone "Talk Anytime" services start at only EUR20 per month, a 51 per cent saving on Eircom.


Imagine's 4G unlimited Internet plan is EUR35 per month, a 50 per cent saving on Eircom. And combination packages, which bundle phone and broadband, start from EUR30 per month, a 36 per cent saving against Eircom's prices.
http://www.imagine.ie

• Earlier this year, Imagine Communications Group acquired Clearwire's Irish operations. As part of the transaction, Clearwire will become a minority shareholder and will nominate a representative to Imagine's board of directors. Other specific financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
  
  
  Imagine gained 50mHz of spectrum when purchasing Irish Broadband in 2008, added more spectrum in a Comreg process in 2009, and with Clearwire Ireland Limited's spectrum now has over 120mHz of crucial 3.4/3.6mHz spectrum. Following the Clearwire transaction, Imagine will have nearly 400 high sites nationwide to facilitate the rapid roll out of the WiMax network.

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Alcatel-Lucent Selected for Access Network by Saudi Telecom

Saudi Telecom Company, the main telecommunications carrier in Saudi Arabia, has selected Alcatel-Lucent for a large scale upgrade of its broadband access network using VDSL2 and GPON technologies.


Alcatel-Lucent will deploy its Intelligent Services Access Manager (ISAM) platform - supporting DSL and GPON technologies and a cornerstone of Alcatel-Lucent's High Leverage Network architecture. Next to the deployment of its 7302 ISAM with advanced voice capabilities and its 7342 ISAM FTTU, Alcatel-Lucent will also provide a comprehensive range of professional services to STC - including network design, deployment, installation, commissioning, testing and full project management support. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com
http://www.stc.com.sa/

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