Japan Examines Disaster Scenarios for Network Congestion

Researchers from NTT DoCoMo, Tohoku University, NEC, Hitachi East Japan Solutions and Fujitsu have set up a joint test bed to examine network resiliency issues during major disasters such as the Great East Japan Earthquake.  The test environment has been set-up in the Yokosuka Research Park and at Tohoku University. The idea is to enable more dynamic network control for dealing with priority mail and voice calls when congestion spikes above...

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UK Issues White Spaces Proposal

Ofcom, the official telecoms regulator for the UK,  published detailed proposals for consumer devices using "white spaces" spectrum. Ofcom said its framework will ensure that the devices do not interfere with existing licensed users of the spectrum, which include DTT and wireless microphone users.  The idea is to allow white space devices to operate without the need for a licence. New legislation is needed to support this proposal.  Ofcom...

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Pacnet Provides Trans-Pacific Ethernet for NEC Big Globe

Pacnet, which operates the EAC Pacific subsea cable system, is providing an Ethernet International Private Line (EIPL) service to interconnect NEC Big Globe's data center in Japan with the  Any2 Internet Exchange in Los Angeles. EAC Pacific is part of the $300 million Unity cable system built with five other global telecommunications and technology companies. Pacnet is the largest investor in Unity and operates two of the five fiber pairs in...

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Google Expands Data Center in Data Center in Council Bluffs

Google announced a $200 million expansion of its data center campus in Council Bluffs, Iowa, bringing it total investment in the complex to over $1.1 billion over the past four years. The Google data center in Council Bluffs currently employs more than 130 workers and houses computer systems and associated components that support services such as Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, and new products including Google+. “Google’s decision to continue...

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BT Tests 10G XGPON in Cornwall

BT launched a trial of 10 Gbps XGPON access technology over a live network in Cornwall.  The trial, which uses equipment from ZTE, runs in tandem with the company’s existing 330Mbps service on the same Openreach fiber. Cornwall based engineering firm Arcol UK Ltd. is connected by a direct fiber link from its offices to BT’s exchange in Truro, and is the first business in the country to enjoy the record-breaking speeds.  Until recently,...

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Cisco Funds University Research in Canada

Cisco will provide $2 million over 10 years to establish a Research Chair in Mining Solutions at the University of Saskatchewan.  The sim ti to support research, development, and innovation in the use of transformational business architectures, technologies, and solutions for the mining industry in Canada.  Networking can play a transformative role in applications such as remote control of robotic mining equipment, monitoring critical...

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Ericsson: Mobile Data to Grow 12x by 2018

Mobile data traffic doubled between Q3 2011 and Q3 2012, and is expected to grow 12 times between 2012 and 2018, according to Ericsson's newest Mobility Traffic and Market Report. This equates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 50 percent between 2012 and 2018.  Smartphones already account for 40% of all device sales worldwide in Q3 2012 and the rapid mobile data growth forecast is tied largely to the growing video traffic...

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EchoStar XVI Launch Success Aboard ILS Proton Rocket

The EchoStar XVI satellite built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) was successfully launched and placed into geostationary transfer orbit by International Launch Services (ILS) using a Proton Breeze M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. EchoStar XVI is an all Ku-band satellite with spot beam transponders and coverage of the continental United States.It uses SS/L’s 1300 spacecraft bus and will be located at 61.5° west longitude, providing...

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Oncore IT Deploys Brocade Data Center Switches in London, Amsterdam

Oncore IT, a cloud Managed Service Provider (cMSP), has deployed Brocade VDX 6710 and 6720 Data Center Switches and Brocade VCS Fabric technology at its Tier IV data centers in London and Amsterdam. Specifically, Oncore IT has created two 10 GbE fabrics – one in London and the other at Oncore IT’s replicated data centre in Amsterdam – using eight Brocade VDX 6710 and two Brocade VDX 6720 switches.  The equipment was supplied by Brocade partner,...

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Sandvine's Network Analytics Looks at Routing Efficiency

Sandvine introduced a Routing Efficiency Dashboard as part of its Network Analytics library. The new dashboard provides a detailed look into the costly routing and transit links and interconnect relationships that affect operational expenses on fixed and mobile networks. Sandvine said its goal with the Routing Efficiency Dashboard is to identify high-demand traffic using high-cost transit links, allowing communication service providers...

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