Qualcomm Atheros Intros 802.11n for Low-Energy M2M Sensors

Qualcomm Atheros introduced a new 802.11n single-stream Wi-Fi system-in-package with integrated networking stack and aimed at machine-to-machine (M2M) communications in the smart home, building and appliances channels.


The AR4100P is an enhanced version of the FCC-certified AR4100 that includes an integrated IPv4/IPv6 TCP/IP stack. It is the latest product within the Qualcomm Atheros Internet of Everything portfolio. The new device is featured in Qualcomm Atheros' SP137 development kit, which is a reference design for low-power IP sensors. The development kit integrates Energy Micro's EFM32 Gecko low-energy Cortex-M3 microcontroller running the Micrium uC/OS-III operating system. With a well of additional onboard sensors, the energy friendly Wi-Fi kit supports deep sleep modes of only 2uA, enabling operation off just AA batteries.
http://www.qca.qualcomm.com

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China Telecom Sees Rapid Transformation

China Telecom is undergoing a rapid transformation into "an intelligent pipeline, a provider of integrated platforms, and a participant in content and application development" as it continues to benefit from rapid gains in mobile users (up 40% YoY to 126 million, including 36 million 3G subs) and surging numbers of wireline broadband subscribers (up 21% to 76.81 million). Operating revenues for 2011 reached RMB244.9 billion (US$38.7 billion), up by 11.7% over 2010. Profit for 2011 was RMB16.4 billion (US$2.6 billion), up by 10.5%. Traditional access lines in service were 170 million at year's end, down 3.1% for the year.


"In 2011, we firmly seized the valuable market opportunities arising from the rapidly proliferating mobile Internet applications and the increasing demand of industry informatisation to continue to deepen our strategic transformation. We pragmatically promoted the development of our Three New Roles -– a leader of intelligent pipeline, a provider of integrated platforms, and a participant in content and application development -- and proactively expanded into emerging areas such as mobile Internet," stated Mr. Wang Xiaochu, China Telecom's Chairman and CEO.


Some key metrics at China Telecom:


During 2011, China Telecom added 35.95 million mobile users and became the world’s largest CDMA operator.


China Telecom has now captured 13% of the nation's mobile market. For 3G, its market share is now 29%.


The company is currently experiencing robust sales of smartphones priced around RMB1,000. China Telecom will differentiate itself with an integrated platform that gathers popular Internet applications such as instant messaging, Weibo, group buying and Best Tone services.


Mobile service revenue reached RMB68.2 billion, up 43% over last year, and rising to 28% of total revenue.


In 2011, mobile data revenue was RMB29,620 million, an increase of 57.4% over last year.


Revenue from wireline broadband service was RMB 60.8 billion, an increase of 12.3% over last
year.


By the end of 2011, all cities in service areas basically had 8 Mbps bandwidth access capability, while 20 Mbps bandwidth coverage reached 70%.


In 2011, the net addition of wireline broadband subscribers was 13.33 million and the total number of wireline
broadband subscribers reached 76.81 million.


Wireline voice revenue was RMB49,764 million, its proportion of total revenue declining to 20.3%


OPEX as a percentage of revenue was 90.2% compared to 89.5% last year.


CAPEX for 2011 was RMB49.55 billion. Broadband & Internet investment accounted for 66.8% of total CAPEX, The CAPEX forecast for 2012 is RMB54 billion.
http://www.chinatelecom-h.com

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GSMA and the Wireless Broadband Alliance Target Simpler Wi-Fi Roaming

The GSMA and the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) are launching an initiative aimed at simplifying connectivity to Wi-Fi hotspots from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Specifically, the joint initiative is developing technical and commercial frameworks for Wi-Fi roaming. The goal is to allow mobile devices to seamlessly connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot using the SIM card for authentication, as well as enable mobile operators to uniquely and securely identify users whether they are on a mobile or Wi-Fi network.


Wi-Fi roaming will be based on the WBA’s Next Generation Hotspot program and the Wi-Fi Alliance’s "Passpoint certification" technology. It will also build on the GSMA’s roaming principles.


Agreement has already be reached on a common approach to authenticating mobile devices on Wi-Fi hotspots, automatically and securely. The initiative will now work towards aligning guidelines on security, billing, data offload, device implementation and network selection to create a consistent solution for GSMA and WBA members. This work will build on the GSMA’s GPRS Roaming Exchange (GRX) and the WBA’s Wireless Roaming Intermediary Exchange (WRIX) roaming models, which combined, will enable billions of consumers around the world to enjoy straightforward Internet connectivity.


"The proliferation of smartphones and tablets around the world, as well as consumers’ huge appetite for data means innovative solutions need to be explored to make using the Internet as convenient and as accessible as possible,�? said Dan Warren, Senior Director of Technology at the GSMA. "Through combining the proven capabilities of Mobile Broadband and Wi-Fi technologies, users will have the freedom to move between networks with ease."http://www.gsma.com http://www.wballiance.com

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Northrop Grumman Wins Cybersecurity Contract with U.S. Navy

Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract to provide cybersecurity professional, technical and analytical support to a variety of U.S. Navy Information Operations organizations. The five-year contract was awarded by the NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk to eight companies and is valued at $16.3 million for Northrop Grumman. The contract vehicle replaces a previous blanket purchase order, reducing costs, increasing access to innovation and improving cybersecurity mission effectiveness.


Under the contract, the Northrop Grumman team will provide full scope information operations support to Fleet Cyber Command, Naval Information Operations Command Norfolk, Navy Cyber Forces, and Fleet and Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command. Northrop Grumman will support the Navy's warfighting capabilities and all command missions, functions and tasks.
http://www.northropgrumman.com/cybersecurity

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Motorola Mobility to Resell EdgeCast CDN Solutions

Motorola Mobility announced plans to EdgeCast Networks' content delivery network (CDN) solutions to service providers worldwide. This new relationship combines Motorola’s leading portfolio of on-demand, network DVR and IP CPE solutions, driving the evolution of multiscreen TV and the smart, simple connected home, with a leader in the world of CDN development and deployment of intelligent global CDN networks.


EdgeCast’s CDN platform includes advanced network provisioning, monitoring and management capabilities.


"Motorola is driving the evolution of TV and the smart, simple connect home. Working with EdgeCast provides us the ability to offer our customers simple and fast access to a proven CDN environment that enables the delivery of IP video on-demand and nDVR cloud based services directly to the multi-device, multi screen enabled consumer,�? said Joe Cozzolino, senior vice president and general manager, Network Infrastructure Solutions, Motorola Mobility. “EdgeCast’s CDN solution will immediately enable service providers the ability to efficiently delivery multi-screen IP content, and if desired, an option to generate additional revenue by offering their CDN services directly to content providers."
http://mediacenter.motorola.com

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Broadcom Boosts DOCSIS Ethernet-over-Coax to 1 Gbps

Broadcom has increased the performance of its DOCSIS-based Ethernet over Coax (EoC) cable architecture to 1 Gbps. The enhanced capability supports China's NGB initiative, led by SARFT, the Chinese government agency overseeing broadcasting.


Broadcom said the gain was achieved by leveraging existing EPON and GPON standards and employing DOCSIS technology as part of a customized "final 100 meter" solution. DOCSIS-based EoC cable architecture is a complete chipset and software solution that includes Coax Media Converter (CMC), DOCSIS 2.0 and 3.0 cable modem, and set-top box (STB) SoC solutions.
http://www.broadcom.com

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ZTE Announces 3.5GHz TD-LTE Base Station

ZTE announced the commercial release of its 3.5GHz high-power TD-LTE distributed base station.


The base station has wide coverage and transmission power of 80W. In addition, its RF module supports a 4-port antenna, with each port capable of transmission power of 20W. The base station also has interference suppression and carrier aggregation features. This increases site coverage by more than 25 per cent, dramatically reducing operator network development costs.


To date, ZTE has signed three contracts related to deploying and upgrading 3.5GHz TD-LTE networks in Asia-Pacific and Africa.
http://www.zte.com.cn

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Saudi Telecom Company Upgrades with NSN

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to upgrade its nationwide GSM and 3G networks and expand its commercial TD-LTE network. Nokia Siemens Networks is now responsible for building one-third of STC’s nationwide 4G network. Financial terms were not disclosed.


As part of the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks is modernizing STC’s GSM and 3G networks to its award winning Single RAN (radio access network) platform based on the compact, energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Station. The company is deploying its 4G radio network infrastructure across 2,500 STC sites over the next two years. Nokia Siemens Networks is also providing its FlexiPacket Microwave transport platform, which is a common transport medium for STC’s GSM, 3G and 4G networks with on-air speed of up to 400 Mbps.
http://www.nsn.com

• In January 2012, Alcatel-Lucent announced a contract to supply LTE solutions to STC.

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Broadcom + Broadlight Merger?

TheMarker, an Israeli news website, reported that Broadcom will acquire Broadlight in a deal that could be worth $230 million. Neither company has commented on the report.


Broadlight, which is based in Herzliya, Israel, is a leading supplier of GPON chipsets. It also offers a line of embedded multicore processors. Investors include Azure Capital Partners, Benchmark Capital, Delta Ventures, Israel Seed Partners, Motorola Ventures, Star Ventures and Cipio Partners.
http://www.broadcom.com
http://www.broadlight.com

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