Ericsson Debuts Next Gen Radio System, Backhaul Routers

Ericsson introduced its next generation Radio System modular architecture, aiming to provide greater flexibility in how mobile networks are built and operated.
Ericsson Radio System features multi-standard, multi-band and multi-layer technology. It delivers three times the capacity density with 50 percent improvement in energy efficiency compared to current systems. It is fully backward-compatible with Ericsson's existing RBS 6000 portfolio and offers the ability for network operators to upgrade their current sites with a simple "one-bolt" installation an zero floor footprint. The radio modules can be mounted vertically or horizontally on a rail, flat on a cable ladder or behind an antenna. Thanks to a 5-time reduction potential in wind load, the equipment is lighter and more durable for tower deployment.

The new Ericsson Radio System brings an upgraded and powerful baseband unit (Baseband 5216). On one board, it is able to handle twice as many cells as existing baseband units; supports both LTE FDD and TDD modes simultaneously; and supports up to 80,000 subscribers.

Ericsson anticipates first deployments during Q3 201. The new system will run Ericsson Networks Software 15B. Twice-annual software updates simplify the upgrade process and the entire system is run by a common management system, Ericsson Network Manager.

Ericsson also took the wraps off its new Router 6000 series advanced radio integrated transport for high-performance backhaul with precise synchronization required LTE Advanced, 5G and M2M.

The new Router 6000 series is a key element in Ericsson's next-generation portfolio, a comprehensive suite of platforms running one network operating system (IPOS), spanning from cell-site routers to edge, mobile core and data centers. The architecture will integrate SDN capabilities and, when matched with the new Ericsson Virtual Router, will enable distributed cloud applications. New Ericsson Network Manager capabilities will bring application aware traffic engineering with plug-and-play installation.

"The Ericsson Router 6000 series is a game changer since it responds directly to operators' challenges of  dramatic increase in the number of connected devices, and the video explosion driving the demand for traffic scale and higher quality of experience," said Anders Lindblad, Senior Vice President, Head of Business Unit Cloud and IP at Ericsson.

Some highlights of the Ericsson Router 6000 series:

• Integrated into the new Ericsson Radio System that supports a multi-standard, multi-band, multi-layer architecture
• Series consists of the Router 6672 for access, the Router 6675 for pre-aggregation and the Router 6274 for metro aggregation.
• First access router with 100GE interfaces in a single Rack Unit (RU) -- more capacity and higher density of 10GE/100GE interfaces in a compact form factor.
• Support for Segment Routing provides an evolutionary migration from IP/MPLS to SDN, offering user-defined policy routing, faster roll out of revenue generating services and optimal usage of network resources.

http://www.ericsson.com

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Ericsson's Next Software Release Adds Virtualized Network Functions

The next, semi-annual release Ericsson Networks Software (version 15B) enables a software-only upgrade of installed base LTE baseband hardware to support simultaneous LTE time division duplex (TDD) and frequency division duplex (FDD) operation - an industry first.  It also delivers many new capabilities in the areas of radio access, cloud & virtualization, as well as in the network management & control domain.  Ericsson said it is committed to cloud and network functions virtualization (NFV) transformation, and so has will held drive the Open Platform for NFV (OPNFV) project.

Some highlights of Ericsson Networks Software 15B:

• LTE TDD-FDD operation. Concurrent TDD and FDD operation on the same software and hardware reduces capital and operational expenditures. Common hardware and software also efficiently enables TDD-FDD carrier aggregation, which improves the TDD application coverage area by up to 200 percent.
• Improved throughput and availability in the Cloud Execution Environment. This is needed to meet the high requirements telecom applications have on infrastructure.
• Personalized Wi-Fi calling and dynamic control of LTE handover via the Service Aware Policy Controller (SAPC).
• A new Ericsson Virtual Router that provides a carrier-grade IP routing system.  It offers redundancy and scaling that is 20 times higher than its nearest competitor.
• Simplified network management across LTE and Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Automated handling of up to 60,000 LTE cells is shortening the time-to-market significantly for LTE roll-out.
• LTE Psi is introduced to support the next wave of LTE coverage expansion more cost-effectively. LTE Psi is an Ericsson innovation delivering full cell coverage by sharing a single radio across three antennas. This improves the energy efficiency of a full coverage LTE cell site by 40%.
• App coverage enhancements for mobile device users. These include WCDMA Uplink Coordinated Multipoint, which improves capacity by up to 20%, and Enhanced Uplink Low Latency Pre-Scheduling, which increases initial throughput by up to 40%.
• To accommodate the growth of machine-to-machine devices on GSM networks, the number of GSM device connections that can be supported has been doubled. Automated Neighbor Relations capabilities have also been added to optimize communications between cells while reducing operating costs. 
• Smart authentication with User Data Consolidation (UDC) enables better security for any connected device, including SIM and non-SIM based devices.

http://www.ericsson.com/news/1895767

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KVH Tests 400G between Tokyo and Osaka with Ciena

Japan's KVH Co. has conducted a field trial for 400 Gbps data transmission between Tokyo and Osaka.

The trial, which began in January, was performed using Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, the same Ciena platform that KVH used when launching Japan’s first commercial 100 Gigabit Ethernet service between Tokyo and Osaka in March 2013.

For this trial, KVH deployed two sets of Ciena 200 Gbps coherent optical transponders equipped with Ciena’s WaveLogic 3 coherent optical processors to test the feasibility of a 400 Gbps transmission over KVH’s existing fiber-optic infrastructure between Tokyo and Osaka. The results of this test confirmed sustained data transmission speeds of 400 Gbps (dual carrier DP-16QAM) across a span of 660km stretching from KVH’s Tokyo network node to Osaka network node. This trial required no signal regeneration and was carried out alongside multiple existing 100 Gbps signals (DP-QPSK) supporting live customer traffic.

“This field trial provided a significant opportunity for KVH and Ciena to collaborate and lead technological advancement in the field of optical networking. The achievement of these networking speeds between Tokyo and Osaka will draw these two key markets even closer and facilitate greater data sharing and collaboration. For KVH, we will continue to be an innovator in the development of Ethernet services, and the success of this trial together with our past experience demonstrates our ability to support 400GE today as a backbone network," stated Yoshiyuki Hamada, Vice President, Systems and Technology of KVH.

http://www.kvhasia.com/en/
http://www.ciena.com

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Accedian's VCX Brings Virtualized Network Performance Assurance

Accedian Networks introduced its SkyLIGHT VCX -- a virtualized performance assurance controller that enables advanced monitoring capabilities network-wide.

The VCX Controller works together with Accedian's Nano smart SFP (optical transponder) and compact gigabit Ethernet modules to deliver multi-flow traffic generation and ability to monitor the performance of thousands of flows. It combines centralized control with distributed test traffic generation to offer full mesh and segmented testing.

“The VCX is a radically more efficient approach to network performance monitoring, combining all the benefits of virtualization without compromising test speed or precision,” said Patrick Ostiguy, President & CEO of Accedian. “Accedian is doing to performance monitoring what Roku did to TV. We’re using the minimum hardware required at each monitoring point, while using NFV to turn ultra-compact modules into full-blown test sets, probes, and analyzers.”

Accedian calculates that its modules will cost up to 90% less than existing solutions, enabling service providers to realize the significant capital and operational efficiencies promised by an NFV architecture. Target markets include mobile infrastructure and data center networks.

For mobile operators, VCX offers operators the ability to test the service path, separately measure upload and download directions, and offer the precision required to accurately assess delay-sensitive impairments impacting hand-off and VoLTE call quality. Service providers offering hybrid-cloud and enterprise-to-data center connectivity can employ the VCX Controller in virtualized customer premises (vCPE) applications.

http://www.Accedian.com

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Vertical Systems: U.S. Carrier Ethernet LEADERBOARD

Vertical Systems Group's U.S. Carrier Ethernet LEADERBOARD results results for year-end 2014 are as follows (in rank order based on retail port share): AT&T, Level 3, Verizon, CenturyLink, Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cox and XO. Continued solid market demand for higher bandwidth services boosted the U.S. base of Ethernet port installations 23% in 2014. This growth rate is on track with Vertical's previous forecast and follows a 26% increase in 2013.

Port shares were calculated using the base of enterprise installations of Ethernet services, plus input from surveys of Ethernet providers. The LEADERBOARD threshold is four percent (4%) or more of billable port installations.
 
Carrier Ethernet Service Providers cited fiber footprint reach as the top competitive advantage, and footprint expansion as the primary growth challenge for 2015 in response to Vertical Systems Group's Year-End 2014 Ethernet/IP VPN/Fiber and LEADERBOARD Survey.
 
Another competitive differentiator for Ethernet providers is MEF CE 2.0 service certification. Six of the eight companies on the 2014 U.S. LEADERBOARD are CE 2.0 certified, and the other two have CE 1.0 certification.

"Level 3's acquisition of tw telecom jumps it into second place on the LEADERBOARD. The combined entity finishes the year behind market leader AT&T and ahead of Verizon, which drops to third," said Rick Malone, principal at Vertical Systems Group. "The Carrier Ethernet marketplace is actively consolidating as providers seek to augment their footprints, expand their portfolios, and enhance shareholder value. We anticipate additional major changes in 2015, some already announced, with others in process."

Other providers selling Ethernet services in the U.S. are segmented into two tiers as measured by port share. The first or Challenge Tier includes providers with between 1% and 4% share of the U.S. retail Ethernet market. For 2014, the following five companies attained a position in the Challenge tier (in alphabetical order): Charter, Cogent, Lightpath, Windstream and Zayo.

The second or Market Player tier includes all providers with port share below 1%. Companies in the Market Player tier include the following providers (in alphabetical order): Alpheus Communications, American Telesis, Birch Communications, Bright House Networks, BT Global Services, Cincinnati Bell, Consolidated Communications, Earthlink Business, Expedient, FairPoint, FiberLight, Fibertech, Frontier, Global Cloud Xchange, Hawaiian Telecom, Integra, Lightower, LS Networks, Lumos Networks, Masergy, MegaPath, NTT America, Orange Business, RCN Business, Sprint, SuddenLink, Tata, TDS Telecom, TelePacific, Telstra, US Signal, WOW!Business and other companies selling retail Ethernet services in the U.S. market.

http://www.verticalsystems.com/vsglb/2014-u-s-carrier-ethernet-leaderboard/

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Deutsche Telekom and Colt Ink 5-Year Partnership

Deutsche Telekom International Carrier Sales & Solutions (ICSS) and Colt Technology Services announced a five-year partnership covering international telephony services.

Under the pact, Colt will use Deutsche Telekom’s network interconnects to complement its footprint, allowing it to expand and strengthen its portfolio of voice services for both wholesale and enterprise customers. Deutsche Telekom ICSS will have access to Colt’s comprehensive voice portfolio and extensive network in Europe, allowing it to better support its customers across Europe.

Richard Oosterom, Executive Vice President, Voice Services at Colt says, “A recent study commissioned by Colt, the Tech Deficit, showed that nearly eight out of nine enterprises recognize that their voice and communications infrastructure has to evolve to keep up with business demands. At the same time, we see an increasing demand for services from enterprise customers that require support not only in one country, but in several countries in Europe and beyond. Collaborating with Deutsche Telekom ICSS allows us shorten the time to expand and strengthen our offering and with considerably less risk than doing it by ourselves from the ground up, enabling us to better meet the requirements of our customers and retain our leadership position in the European telecoms market.”

http://www.colt.net
http://www.telekom.com

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Arista Hits Q4 Revenue of $174M, up 51% YoY

Arista Networks reported Q4 2014 revenue of $173.5 million, an increase of 51.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, and an increase of 11.6% from the third quarter of 2014. GAAP net income came in at $31.0 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $13.7 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2013. GAAP gross margin was 67.1%, compared to GAAP gross margin of 67.5% in the fourth quarter of 2013 and 64.9% in the third quarter of 2014.

The company cited the adoption of cloud networking as a key driver.

“We are pleased with our annual revenue growth in 2014 of 61.7% over 2013, with broad customer momentum across our key verticals,” stated Jayshree Ullal, Arista President and CEO. “Our pioneering innovations in EOS+, in combination with our flagship 7000 series spine and spline models have made cloud networking transition a reality.”

http://www.arista.com/en/

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Equinix Posts Q4 Revenue of $638 Million, up 13% YoY

Equinix reported revenue of $638.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, a 3% increase over the previous quarter and a 13% increase over the same quarter last year.  Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014, were $2,443.8 million, a 14% increase over 2013.

Net loss attributable to Equinix was $355.1 million for the fourth quarter. This represents a basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Equinix of $6.42 for the fourth quarter based on a weighted average share count of 55.3 million. Excluding the de-recognition of the deferred tax assets and liabilities relating to the REIT conversion of $324.1 million and the loss on debt extinguishment, pro forma net income attributable to Equinix was $31.1 million for the fourth quarter. This resulted in a pro forma basic and diluted net income per share attributed to Equinix of $0.56 for the fourth quarter.

"In 2014, Equinix leveraged significant market momentum to deliver another year of strong financial results.  In the fourth quarter, we delivered record bookings, driven by strong performance across all three regions, new customer wins and continued expansion of our cloud ecosystem," said Steve Smith, president and CEO of Equinix.  "The rapid growth of interconnection reflects the importance of Equinix as the place where leading companies come to connect to their customers and partners to accelerate the growth of their business.  I am very pleased with our position going into this year."

http://investor.equinix.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=122662&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2018373

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CyrusOne Lights Up National IX in Chicago and Northern Virginia

CyrusOne lit up connections from its data centers in Chicago and northern Virginia to its high-performance National Internet Exchange (National IX) network. Other high-demand locations already part of the CyrusOne National IX ecosystem include Phoenix in the West and multiple sites in the South, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

“Lighting up our sites in Chicago and Northern Virginia is very indicative of demand areas in our business,” said Josh Snowhorn, vice president and general manager of interconnection, CyrusOne. “Northern Virginia recently overtook New York/New Jersey as the top data center market in the country, with an estimated 70 percent of Internet traffic passing through Loudon County, where our data center is located. And adding one of the most crucial carrier hotels in Chicago to our ecosystem enables us all—CyrusOne, our customers, our partners—to better interconnect in the Midwest.”

http://www.cyrusone.com

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Marvell Reports Revenue of $857 Million, down 8% YoY

Marvell Technology Group reported revenue for the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2015 of $857 million, down approximately 8 percent from $930 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, ended November 1, 2014, and down approximately 8 percent from $932 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, ended February 1, 2014.  For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, revenue was $3.7 billion, an increase of 9 percent from revenue of $3.4 billion for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2014.

GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 was $82 million, or $0.16 per share (diluted), compared with GAAP net income of $115 million, or $0.22 per share (diluted), for the third quarter of fiscal 2015, and $97 million, or $0.19 per share (diluted), for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.  

http://investor.marvell.com/

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