New USB 3.0 Power Spec Delivers up to 100W

A new power delivery specification for USB 3.0 promises significantly more electrical power than currently provided by 5W and 10W USB ports.


Key characteristics of the forthcoming USB Power Delivery solution include:

• Compatible with existing cables and connectors


• Enables voltage and current values to be negotiated over the USB power
  pins


• Enables higher voltage and current in order to deliver power up to 100W


• Switchable source of power delivery without changing cable direction


• Coexists with USB Battery.

Delivering 100W via a USB connection potentially could power a notebook PC while simultaneous supporting data connectivity.
http://www.usb.org

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FCC Chairman Outlines NG911 Plan

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski outlined the following five-step plan to transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) services, which will promise seamless, end-to-end IP-based communication of emergency-related voice, text, data, photos, and video between the public and public safety answering points. Under the plan, the FCC will:

(1) develop automatic location accuracy mechanisms for NG-911,

2) facilitate the completion and implementation of NG911 technical standards for the hardware and software that carriers and public safety answering points (PSAPs) use to communicate NG911 information,

(3) work with state 911 authorities, other Federal agencies, and other governing entities
to provide technical expertise and develop a coordinated approach to NG911 governance,

(4) develop an NG911 Funding Model focused on the cost-effectiveness of the NG911 network infrastructure linking PSAPs and carriers and

(5) enable consumers to send text, photos, and videos to PSAPs.

In September, the FCC will launch a rulemaking process on how to accelerate NG911 adoption. As part of the proceeding, the FCC will examine interim solutions for ensuring that carriers
and service providers support transmission of text-to-911.

"It's hard to imagine that airlines can send text messages if your flight is delayed, but you can't send a text message to 9-1-1 in an emergency. The unfortunate truth is that the capability of our emergency response communications has not kept pace with commercial innovation – has not kept pace with what ordinary people now do every day with communications devices. The shift to NG911 can't be about if, but about when and how," stated Chairman Genachowski.

The announcement was made at the 2011 Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) conference
in Philadelphia.
http://www.fcc.gov

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Clearwire Appoints CEO

Clearwire named Erik Prusch as its new President and CEO. John Stanton, the company's Chairman and interim CEO, will become Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.


Prusch joined Clearwire in August 2009 as CFO and led the efforts to raise over $6 billion in equity and debt to fund the company's explosive growth. He was promoted to COO in March. Prior to joining Clearwire, Prusch served as President and CEO of Borland Software, where he also previously served as CFO, leading the restructuring of the company and returning the business to profitability. Prior to Borland, he was Vice President of Finance at Intuit, CFO of Identix Incorporated and Vice President and CFO, Finance and Operations at Gateway Computers.
http://www.clearwire.com

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Alcatel-Lucent and China's SGIT Partner on Smart Grid

Alcatel-Lucent announced a partnership with China's SGIT (State Grid Information & Telecommunication Company Ltd) to help utilities more effectively manage peak electricity demand, identify opportunities for power savings and cut down on energy usage. China's State Grid Corporation is one of the largest utility companies in the world.


The partnership is expected to address some of the biggest challenges related to smart grids - accessing data used to track energy usage from the plethora of devices including smart meters, analysing that data and delivering that information to the utility. http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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Huawei Completes HSPA+ Call with 10.4 Mbps Uplink

Huawei has completed the first HSPA+ call with an uplink speed of up to 10.4 Mbps to the cellular base station.

This HSPA+ call was configured to HSUPA cat 7, a 3GPP Release 7 feature defining a new channel configuration that supports 11 Mbps on the uplink to the basestation. This next step in the evolution of HSPA+ capabilities also benefits operators through increased spectrum efficiency on the uplink. The call combined 16QAM modulation with Huawei's E-DPCCH (Enhanced Dedicated Physical Control Channel) boosting technology and Renesas Mobile's advanced mobile platform. http://www.huawei.com

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Oregon's Rio Networks Picks ADTRAN

Rio Networks, a CLEC in Central Oregon, has selected ADTRAN for a complete, end-to-end network replacement.
The network upgrade will be based on ADTRAN's flagship Total Access 5000 Multi-Service Access and Aggregation Platform. Rio will use the new equipment to deploy a broad spectrum of services including high-speed data, voice and Ethernet business services. The Total Access 5000 is complemented by ADTRAN's NetVanta family of customer premises equipment including the NetVanta 7100 IP Communications platform. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.adtran.com

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Cisco Posts Solid Quarter, Upbeat Outlook

Cisco reported fourth quarter net sales of $11.2 billion, up 3.3% compared to a year ago. Net income (GAAP) was $1.2 billion or $0.22 per share, down 36.3% from last year. The numbers came in ahead of Wall Street expectations.


"We've made significant progress on our comprehensive action plan to position ourselves for our next stage of growth and profitability, while delivering solid financial results in Q4," said John Chambers, chairman and CEO, Cisco. "As we start our next fiscal year, you will see a very focused, agile, lean and aggressive company, that is laser focused on helping our customers use intelligent networks to transform their businesses."


In a conference call, Cisco executives said the company is now re-energized and will benefit from its better aligned portfolio and simplified organizational structure. John Chambers said he is confident about the upcoming quarter and expects the company will be retaking market share in important segments such as carrier routing and data center sales.


Some notes:

• Switching now accounts for 31% of revenue


• Services now account for for 20% of revenue


• Routers now account for 15% of revenue


• New Products now account for 31% of revenue



• Service Provider spending in the quarter was very solid.



• Public sector spending remains under pressure as government at all levels tighten spending.



• Revenue growth was strongest in US & Canada, followed by Asia Pacific. European markets and Emerging markets were relatively flat.



• Gross margins came in at 62.7% compared to 64.1% a year ago.



• The previously announced workforce reduction of 6,500 employees has been implemented, including a reduction of 17% in positions at the VP level and above.



• Cash and cash equivalents and investments were $44.6 billion at the end of fiscal 2011, compared with $43.4 billion at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2011, and compared with $39.9 billion at the end of fiscal 2010.

http://www.cisco.com

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