Telefónica and Orange Business Interconnect with Telepresence

Telefónica International Wholesale Services and Orange Business Services agreed to interconnect their telepresence services. The companies said the agreement is an important step forward in creating an open environment that allows customers of various telepresence providers open access to connect across a much broader business ecosystem.

Specifically, Orange Business Services and Telefónica International Wholesale Services have teamed with Polycom and other leading service providers from around the world to launch the new Open Visual Communications Consortium (OVCC). The OVCC will solve a key barrier to broader visual communications adoption by enabling interoperable global B2B connectivity for telepresence and video conferencing across service provider networks. http://www.telefonica.com
http://www.orange.com

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RAD Unveils Point-to-Multipoint Ethernet Radio

RAD Data Communications introduced its new Airmux-5000 carrier-class point-to-multipoint Ethernet radio system featuring 200 Mbps of aggregate throughput over unlicensed links, coupled with an ability to supply a guaranteed bandwidth SLA per subscriber.


The Airmux-5000 operates over 4.9 to 6 GHz frequencies. It leverages MIMO and OFDM, which ensures nLOS (non-line-of-sight and near-line-of-sight) deployment, to transmit more throughput over less channel bandwidth. A single Airmux-5000 base station supports up to 16 remote Subscriber Units (SUs) with guaranteed bandwidth and low latency under sector load. RAD said the Airmux-500 provides a range of up to 40 kilometers (25 miles).
http://www.rad.com

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Apple and Nokia Settle All Litigation

Nokia and Apple signed a patent license agreement and settled all pending litigation between the companies.


Nokia and Apple will also withdraw their respective complaints to the US International Trade Commission.


The financial structure of the agreement consists of a one-time payment payable by Apple and on-going royalties to be paid by Apple to Nokia for the term of the agreement. The specific terms of the contract are confidential.
http://www.apple.com
http://www.nokia.com

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CableLabs Defines a Converged Cable Access Platform

CableLabs issued a new technical report defining a new device that facilitates the evolution to a converged access network architecture. The report, which represents consensus requirements from Comcast, Cox, Time Warner Cable and other CableLabs members, consolidates core interface requirements previously referred to as CMAP and CESAR.


The Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP) integrates the functions of broadcast and narrowcast quadrature amplitude modulators (QAMs), as well as DOCSIS 3.0 downstream and upstream interfaces. It also includes the option to support passive optical network (PON) termination equipment in the same chassis.


Through flexible provisioning of traditional video QAMs to DOCSIS QAMS, the CCAP will enable the efficient transition from traditional video transport to IP transport of managed video services.


CableLabs is working on specifications for configuration and management technology important for service reliability and operational efficiency.


"This blending of our two approaches will help create an industry-wide approach for access technology platforms," said Comcast Cable CTO Tony Werner. "We are engaged in this CableLabs process and are actively contributing to its efforts on CCAP," he added.
http://www.cablelabs.com

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PAETEC Hails Supreme Court Ruling over AT&T

PAETEC hailed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week that AT&T must lease existing entrance facilities used for interconnection purposes to PAETEC and other competitive carriers at cost-based rates. The case involved a dispute between Talk America (recently acquired by PAETEC) and Michigan Bell Telephone Company dba AT&T Michigan. The Supreme Court held that interconnection is an independent obligation and must be available to competitive providers at cost-based rates when it is technically feasible.


"The Supreme Court decision is a significant victory for PAETEC and the competitive telecom industry, upholding the opportunity to offer consumers a truly competitive choice," said Arunas Chesonis, chairman and CEO of PAETEC on the decision.
http://www.paetec.com

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Ericsson to acquire Telcordia, Bolstering Role in OSS

Ericsson has agreed to acquire Telcordia for US$1.15 billion in cash. The deal creates a leader in Service Fulfilment, Service Assurance and Network Optimization and gives Ericsson a leading position in real-time charging and significant capabilities to support operators end to end.


Telcordia, which is headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, generated revenues of US$739 million during the last fiscal year. The company supplies mobile, broadband and enterprise software and services. Its portfolio includes Next Generation OSS — with a focus on planning & engineering, fulfillment, and service assurance -- as well as Service Delivery & Charging software for mobile operators. Telcordia also serves as a global administrator of industry interconnection directories and registries, helping carriers to find, route, connect and interact for high-value voice and data services. The company employs more than 2,600 people.


Ericsson said the deal will enhance its role in building, integrating and managing carrier networks. Ericsson's position in global services and systems integration is also expected to bolster Telcordia's OSS/BSS portfolio to expand and support more operators around the world.


The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be accretive to Ericsson earnings per share within 12 months after closing.


"The importance of operations and business support systems will continue to grow as more and more devices are connected, services become mobile and new business models for mobile broadband are introduced. In this context, Telcordia brings very skilled people and knowledge, a large business in North America and other markets, as well as a good multi vendor product portfolio," stated Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson.
http://www.ericsson.com
http://www.telcordia.com

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Telia and Telenor Enter Network Sharing Deal

Telia and Telenor announced a network infrastructure sharing deal in Denmark. The agreement is expected to result in lower cost for both operators and faster rollout of 4G.


"The decision to merge our network investments and network competencies is a real milestone. Together, we will create Denmark's best mobile network and thereby provide the best customer experience within smartphones, tablets and mobile broadband," say Søren Abildgaard, CEO, Telia, and Jon Erik Haug, CEO, Telenor.


The deal provides each carrier with access to the other's tower. The sharing covers the radio access network, i.e. the antennas, towers and transmission equipment that establish connections to mobile units. The partnership does not involve the two companies' core networks where their services are produced - the core networks will continue to be operated separately.


Telia and Telenor will continue as two independent providers. The companies will continue to compete aggressively for customers through different products, services and prices.


Telenor and Telia will report the establishment of the new joint network company to the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority.
http://www.telia.com
http://www.telenor.com

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Polaris Wireless Discusses Privacy and Reliability in its OmniLocate Platform

Polaris Wireless, which supplies high-accuracy, software-based wireless location solutions, highlighted the carrier-grade reliability and privacy safeguards of its OmniLocate universal location platform.



OmniLocate is a universal wireless location platform, providing location capabilities across 2G (GSM/CDMA), 3G (UMTS/WCDMA), and LTE air interfaces, as well as indoor technologies such as Wi-Fi, DAS, and Femtocells.
It is used by network operators and government agencies to enable public safety, surveillance, and other location-based services.



The company stated that "it has always been the policy of Polaris Wireless to protect user location information behind the security of the mobile operator's wireless network. The OmniLocate solution does not now, and has never, enabled location information to be retained within the mobile device, where it is subject to hacking and other potential compromise."



Polaris issued the statement to address recent industry speculation following the revelation that Apple and Google have tracked user location information, and those companies' subsequent appearance (alongside Facebook) last month at a hearing of the Senate Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance Subcommittee focusing on "industry practices with respect to online mobile data collection and usage." Media and consumer advocacy groups have expressed concerns that the practice of storing mobile subscriber location information within a file residing on the device jeopardizes subscriber privacy and exposes this information to hacking.



"Because OmniLocate is network-based and does not rely on any device-generated location method, all sensitive subscriber location information resides in the wireless operator network, where it is protected by carrier-grade security using standards-based technology," said Jan Johansson, Polaris Wireless director of product management. "Polaris Wireless has worked diligently to gain the trust of our customers in the telecommunications industry and in government, and boasts a 100% security record for subscriber mobile location information we produce."http://www.polariswireless.com

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Procera Reports Follow-On Order from European Mobile Operator

Procera Networks announced a $2.2 million follow-on order for its PacketLogic platform from a European mobile operator. The additional systems will support the operator's capacity expansion and subscriber growth. Procera expects to recognize the majority of the revenue from this follow-on order in its 2011 second quarter, which ends June 30, 2011.



Procera's PacketLogic enables service providers to get visibility into the behavior of their subscribers, the applications they use, and the adoption of new services to ensure good Quality of Experience (QOE) for their customers.http://www.proceranetworks.com

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NETASQ Selects IP Infusion for Network Security

NETASQ has selected IP Infusion's ZebOS software to expand the capabilities of its full range of security products. This includes adding Layer 2 and 3 routing support for Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and Border Gateway Protection (BGP) for IPv4/IPv6. http://www.ipinfusion.com

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Ekinops Debuts Ethernet Switching and Routing Products

Ekinops has expanded its optical transport solution with the introduction of a line of integrated, highly scalable Layer 1, 2 and 3 Ethernet switching and routing solutions that span the network edge to the core. The products are being offered in partnership with a leading supplier of Ethernet switching and routing technology (name not disclosed).



The new solutions, all MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum) certified, offer operational simplicity. Their flexibility allows customers to choose the exact switching, routing, and transport capacity needed, as well as the necessary types, rates, and numbers of physical interfaces. Wireless Backhaul, Business Ethernet services, Carrier Ethernet, and triple or quad play are just some of the Layer 1, 2 or 3 customer applications that the switching, routing, and transport solutions address.



The Layer 2 and 3 capabilities include MPLS, VPLS, IP routing, Carrier Ethernet, and Ethernet switching. The solution set includes an integrated management capability focusing on FCAPS (Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, Security) and end-to-end service monitoring and provisioning.http://www.ekinops.net

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