Tellabs Unveils New Edge Routers for LTE-A

Tellabs is rolling out new edge routers designed to support LTE-advanced networks and for integration with Coriant's multilayer SDN solutions for mobile networks.

The new products include:

• Tellabs 8665 Smart Router - a new 900 Gbps full duplex IP/MPLS router featuring a small footprint, low power consumption, and future scalability to 3 Tbps. It offers Ethernet interfaces from 1 to 100 Gbps. It promises seamless evolution for Tellabs Smart Routers managed by the Tellabs® 8000 Intelligent Network Manager. Its IP routing and Ethernet switching capabilities, aligned with other Tellabs 8600 Smart Routers, support mobile operators as they build and scale LTE and LTE-Advanced networks.
  
• Tellabs 8615 Smart Router  - a new router optimized for mobile and fixed-mobile converged networks. It offers 44 Gbps throughput in a compact 1RU unit. In the future, two Tellabs 8615 routers can be stacked to provide 88 Gbps throughput.
  
• Tellabs 8602 Smart Router - a compact, environmentally hardened, full featured 6-port IP/MPLS router with a water- and dust-proof (IP 67) design. The Tellabs 8602 router enables plug-and-play autoconfiguration through SON (Self Organizing Network) capabilities, speeding deployment of small cells and macrocells. It’s the first in a line of a new series of smart next-generation routers.
  
• Tellabs Integrated GPS (GNSS) SFP Module -- extends Tellabs’ packet synchronization capabilities (e.g., IEEE1588v2, SynchE, ACR). It enables a flexible and cost-efficient Time-of-Day and Phase Synchronization in mobile backhaul networks, which is critical as networks evolve to LTE-TDD and LTE-Advanced. It enables substantial capital expense savings compared with external GPS receiver solutions. The GPS SFP is managed by the Tellabs intelligent manager, delivering simple and consistent support of synchronization across the network.
  
• New user interface for Tellabs Insight Analytics Services offers dashboards focused on operators’ top concerns in mobile backhaul networks. 

http://www.tellabs.com

In January, Marlin Equity Partners announced plans to integrate the majority of Tellabs into its new Coriant optical transport company, while spinning off the access product line of Tellabs into an independent company. Marlin's acquisition of Tellabs was completed in December.

Tellabs currently supplies packet-optical, mobile backhaul and Optical LAN networking solutions to telecom service providers, independent operating companies, MSO/cable companies, enterprises and government agencies.  Under this plan, the optical LAN product line will be spun out into Tellabs Access, which will also continue to provide residential access products to service providers. Mike Dagenais has been named President and CEO of Tellabs Access business. Previously, Dagenais served as CEO of Radisys Corporation and as president and CEO of Continuous Computing.  He also served as president and CEO of Optical Solutions, Inc. and president and COO of Convergent Networks.

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Netsocket's Virtual Edge Brings SDN to Branch Offices

Netsocket introduced a cloud-managed virtual network implementation that lets Service Providers deliver enterprise-capable routing functions and other IT services target small to medium-sized businesses and enterprises with remote office networks.

Netsocket’s Virtual Edge solution leverages the company’s SDN framework for network virtualization and advanced orchestration. The Virtual Edge solution is a fully automated, centrally managed virtual network that enables service providers to deliver managed network services to its business customers -- without the need to travel to a customer site to install, deploy, update or manage the customer’s network.

The solution’s centralized cloud-based network orchestration capabilities are combined with virtual networking software hosted on the low-profile and cost-effective standard x86-based MicroCloud Server at the site.

Netsocket said its the MicroCloud component of NVN ostensibly replaces the traditional costly router, server and Layer 3 switch that would normally be required.  The MicroCloud Server is shipped to the customer site and requires the user to plug-in one cable to unleash full virtual network functionality within minutes.

“Managed Service Providers must find a way to provide affordable network services to smaller business customers and at a profit,” stated Fletcher Hamilton, president and CEO of Netsocket. “Netsocket’s Virtual Edge solution does just that.  MSPs can now offer reliable, affordable network services and extend their reach to a wider range of customers.  We are very excited to pioneer the path for MSPs by delivering a solution that can virtually revolutionize their business and profitability model and in short, result in new revenue streams.”

http://www.netsocket.com

In October, Netsocket introduced its Virtual Network solution for enterprise campuses and distributed office LAN and edge networking environments. Most SDN solutions target data center or metro networks.

Netsocket's Enterprise Edition NVN vNetCommander orchestration application, which now commercially available, is comprised of a three-tier SDN architecture – providing end-to-end virtual networking, centralized orchestration and automation, and superior interoperability and integration with legacy routed networks as well as higher-level management systems such as Microsoft System Center. The Netsocket Virtual Network interconnects enterprise branches in just a few minutes, with no networking expertise required at the site. Its switching and routing components are automatically deployed and provisioned to each branch office using the centralized, intuitive network management application vNetCommander. The company said its web-based GUI, the vNetCommander, can handle automated deployment, installation, configuration and orchestration of virtualized networks all from a centralized console.

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ONF Publishes Open SDN Migration Use Cases and Methods

The Open Networking Foundation's Migration Working Group published recommendations for organizations looking to migrate to software-defined networks based on the OpenFlow standard.

The :Migration Use Cases and Methods" paper summarizes best practices and lessons learned from real-world open SDN migration use cases and deployments from different network domains. Referenced examples include Google’s inter-data center WAN use case, NTT’s provider edge use case, and Stanford’s campus network use case. The “Migration Use Cases and Methods” document describes a framework for migration methods exemplified by a set of target networks and offers a variety of requirements to ensure a complete and successful migration to SDN.

“SDN is making a dramatic impact on the networking industry, and many business and technology decision makers, including CTOs and those who own and operate networks, are seeking recommendations and best practices for SDN migration,” said Justin Dustzadeh, chief technology officer and vice president of technology strategy at Huawei, and chair of the Open Networking Foundation Migration Working Group. “The Migration Working Group’s ‘Migration Use Cases and Methods’ document is a valuable resource that can help network operators gain insights into real-world SDN migration use cases and learn more about the process of migrating services to an OpenFlow-based, software-defined network.”

The ONF Migration Working Group was chartered in April 2013 to produce methods, guidelines, systems, and tools to migrate network services from a traditional network to an OpenFlow-based, software-defined network. The Working Group brings together practitioners who have carried out, or are interested in carrying out software-defined network migrations in order to reduce associated risks.

“ONF focuses on encouraging the adoption of open SDN, and a pivotal step in doing so is providing the information necessary to help operators and end users successfully migrate to a software-defined network, taking into account the significant investments they have made in their existing networks,” said Dan Pitt, executive director of the Open Networking Foundation. “This document from the Migration Working Group is an excellent starting point to help those considering a software-defined network make migration a reality.”

The “Migration Use Cases and Methods” document can be found at:
https://www.opennetworking.org/images/stories/downloads/sdn-resources/use-cases/Migration-WG-Use-Cases.pdf

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Sprint Posts Better Numbers in Q4 as LTE Network Expands

Sprint reported Q4 operating revenue of more than $9.1 billion and an operating losss of $576 million in the fourth quarter, a 22 percent year-over-year improvement. Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA was $1.15 billion, up nearly 40 percent year-over-year.

“In 2013 Adjusted EBITDA and Sprint platform wireless revenues grew significantly while we made investments to improve network performance and expand 4G LTE to more than 200 million people,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. “As we roll out Sprint SparkTM and create innovative offers like Sprint Framily, we are building a foundation for future success.”

Sprint ended the year with 53.9 million Sprint platform subscribers – its highest level ever – after adding 58,000 postpaid subscribers, 322,000 prepaid subscribers and 302,000 wholesale and affiliate subscribers in the fourth quarter. Sprint sold 5.6 million smartphones in the fourth quarter and 20.5 million smartphones for the year with smartphone sales mix reaching 95 percent for postpaid and 66 percent for prepaid in the quarter.

Some additional highlights:

• Sprint's LTE footprint now covers more than 200 million people and the company continues to expect that by the middle of this year LTE coverage will reach 250 million people and the voice/3G network modernization deployment will be complete.
• Sprint currently has nearly 33,000 Network Vision sites on air, an increase of more than 24,000 sites over the last 12 months. 
• During the fourth quarter the company unveiled Sprint Spark – a combination of advanced network and device technology with the potential to surpass wireless speeds of any U.S. network provider, capable of delivering 50-60 Megabits per second peak speeds today with potential speeds three times as fast by late 2015. 
• Sprint Spark, the network upgrade that leverages the company’s 800MHz, 1.9GHz and 2.5GHz spectrum together with devices offering tri-band capability and high-definition voice, is now in 14 markets. Sprint plans to deploy Sprint Spark in about 100 of America’s largest cities during the next three years. By the end of this year, 100 million Americans are expected to have Sprint Spark coverage. 
• The company expects 2014 capital expenditures of approximately $8 billion.

http://www.sprint.com

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IBM Launches Partner Resources for Cloud, Big Data & Analytics

IBM is launching an expanded set of resources to help its partner developers capture opportunities driven by the strategic areas of cloud computing, big data and analytics, mobile computing, social business, Watson and security.  The Power Development Platform provides developers with no-charge access to IBM Power Systems servers in the cloud to build, port and test applications.

"As the world is being transformed by cloud, mobile, social, big data and analytics, we need to enable our Business Partners to transform with it so they can take full advantages of the opportunities these changes bring," said Tom Rosamilia, Senior Vice President, IBM Systems & Technology Group and Integrated Supply Chain. "Our goal is to provide our Business Partners with the broadest set of capabilities, programs, incentives and solutions in the industry, allowing them to move to higher-value opportunities and achieve greater success."

IBM said its Power Development Platform provides developers worldwide with remote access to the latest IBM POWER7 and POWER7+ processor-based servers running Linux, AIX and IBM i operating systems. Once up and running on the platform, developers have access to the same hardware platform -- Power Systems – that, together with Linux, powers IBM Watson's cognitive computing solutions. Additionally, the platform includes a new Linux porting image with IBM DB2 10.x, IBM WebSphere 8.5.5, and the latest Linux development tools for Power. The platform also serves as an entry point to the full IBM Software Group Software Access Catalog, which contains current versions of hundreds of downloadable IBM software applications.

IBM also announced a new FlashSystem V840 Enterprise Performance Solution, which is designed to directly integrate IBM's virtualization software with the FlashSystem 840.  The solution leverages Software Defined Flash, which enables increasing data volumes to be stored, accessed and analyzed – in real-time – through flash-optimized data virtualization.

http://www.ibm.com

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Broadcom and NSN Demo LTE-Advanced at 300 Mbps

Broadcom, Nokia Solutions and Networks (NSN) and Finnish operator Elisa demonstrated LTE Advanced (LTE-A) carrier aggregation Category 6 (Cat 6) data rates of 300 Mbps on a live commercial network.

The end-to-end test was completed on Elisa’s commercial LTE network in Finland with Broadcom’s LTE-A Cat 6 technology using inter-band carrier aggregation and NSN’s Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station. The test was performed by aggregating two 20 MHz channels in the 1800 MHz band (LTE Band 3) and the 2600 MHz band (LTE Band 7) to reach speeds of 300 Mbps.

“LTE-A Category 6 is the number one priority for operators as they look to deploy the next speed enhancement to their networks,” said Robert Rango, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Mobile and Wireless Group, Broadcom. “The success of this test demonstrates Broadcom’s ability to engineer advanced LTE modem features to address stringent carrier requirements for speed and interoperability."

“This live network demonstration with 300 Mbps mobile data speed is a great example of possibilities of the mobile technology. It’s a major step towards delivering the best possible experience to our customers. In addition to the extremely high maximum data speeds, it will also offer much more capacity for mobile broadband customers,” said Dr Eetu Prieur, Head of Access Networks from Elisa.

“This test underlines the strong partnership between Elisa and NSN, one that dates back to the world’s first GSM network,” said Petteri Terho, Account Director at NSN in Finland. “After jointly building LTE networks on 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz, NSN enabled the operator to launch Finland’s first 800 MHz LTE network in January this year. Now, in collaboration with Broadcom we have showcased how our technical expertise and best-in-class equipment can help Elisa address subscriber demands in the future.”

http://www.nsn.com

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Israel's Bezeq Deploys ECI Telecom's Apollo Platform for 100G

Bezeq International, Israel’s leading telecommunications company, has deployed ECI Telecom's Apollo packet-optical transport system in a 100G network.

ECI's Apollo family of packet-optical platforms brings transparent aggregation and transport of services over 10G to 100G WDM links. It offers 100G optical performance, OTN fabric, a variety of ROADM modules and configurations, tunable lasers, and a GMPLS-based control plane.

​For the​ Bezeq deployment, 100G optical links are used to aggregate ten channels of 10G over a single wavelength, including Ethernet, FC and SDH channels, providing a cost-effective tenfold increase in network capacity.

​​ECI said this deployment follows the 100G trial carried out in March 2013 over Bezeq International’s live operational submarine fiber. The trial, conducted in conjunction with the Tera Santa Consortium, as part of its research on long-distance adaptive coherent channel behavior, demonstrated the advanced capabilities of ECI 100G transmission system and technologies in compensating for non-linear channel impairments and chromatic dispersion utilizing advanced SD-FEC algorithms.

http://www.ecitele.com

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Cyan Posts Q4 Sales of $21 Million, Citing Cautious Customer Ordering

Cyan reported Q4 revenue of $20.9 million compared with $29.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and $37.7 million for the third quarter of 2013. GAAP net loss for the fourth quarter was $13.7 million, or $0.29 per share, compared with a net loss of $8.0 million, or $3.13 per share, in the same period last year, and a net loss of $8.6 million, or $0.19 per share, for the third quarter of 2013.

“Our fourth quarter results were impacted by cautious customer order patterns and a significantly greater than expected decline in revenue from our largest customer. However, we achieved a number of milestones in the fourth quarter that demonstrate the continued adoption of our Z-Series packet-optical and Blue Planet SDN and NFV platforms, including delivering the first software controlled and fully automated carrier SDN network in a multi-vendor network to a leading carrier in Europe,” stated Mark Floyd, Cyan’s chairman and chief executive officer.

http://www.cyaninc.com/

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AT&T Mobility Reaches Labor Deal with CWA

AT&T Mobility reached a tentative agreement with the Communications Workers of America covering more than 11,500 AT&T Mobility employees in CWA District 3 – the Southeast Region, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and St. Croix, USVI.

The agreement covers wages, pension, work rules and disability benefits. CWA members in October 2012 ratified a separate four-year benefit agreement for all CWA-bargained Mobility employees nationwide covering health care and certain other benefits.  The deal will now be voted on by the union members.

http://www.att.com

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