MUOS-4 Secure Communications Satellite Successfully Launched

The U.S. Navy’s fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS-4) satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, was successfully launched last week aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.  The addition of MUOS-4 completes the initial constellation and provides the MUOS network with near-global coverage, extending the reach of communications further toward the North and South poles than ever before.

Lockheed Martin said MUOS-4 is the latest addition to a network of orbiting satellites and relay ground stations that is revolutionizing secure communications for mobile military forces. From its geosynchronous orbit, MUOS-4 will enable near-global coverage for a new secure military communications network offering enhanced capabilities for mobile forces. Users with operational MUOS terminals can seamlessly connect beyond line-of-sight around the globe and into the Global Information Grid. MUOS’ new smart phone-like capabilities include simultaneous, crystal-clear voice, video and mission data, over a high-speed Internet Protocol-based system.

The Navy's Program Executive Office for Space Systems and its Communications Satellite Program Office responsible for the MUOS program are based in San Diego.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2015/september/space-muos-4-launch.html

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Intel Invests in QuTech for Quantum Computing

Intel will invest US$50 million and provide significant engineering resources to Delft University of Technology and TNO, the Dutch Organisation for Applied Research, to accelerate advancements in quantum computing.

Intel said its goal is to extend the university's physics expertise and diverse quantum computing research efforts by contributing advanced manufacturing, electronics and architectural expertise.

"A fully functioning quantum computer is at least a dozen years away, but the practical and theoretical research efforts we're announcing today mark an important milestone in the journey to bring it closer to reality," said Mike Mayberry, Intel vice president and managing director of Intel Labs.

Intel also published the following infographic on quantum computing.

http://www.intel.com

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Amazon Web Services to Acquire Elemental

Amazon Web Services agreed to acquire Elemental Technologies, which offers software-defined video solutions for multiscreen content delivery. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Elemental, which is based in Portland, Oregon, will continue to operate its business under its existing brand, delivering the full range of solutions for pay TV operators, content programmers, broadcasters, governments, and enterprise customers. Elemental will also expand the integration of its offerings with AWS.

“Elemental shares Amazon’s passion for invention and putting the customer first,” said Andy Jassy, Senior Vice President of Amazon Web Services. “Together, we’ll collaborate on deeper technology integrations and new infrastructure offerings so that media and entertainment companies can evolve their hybrid and cloud models as they continue to innovate their services for viewers.”

http://aws.amazon.com

http://www.elementaltechnologies.com

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IBM Expands IoT Partnership with AMD

IBM is expanding its Internet of Things (IoT) platform – called IBM IoT Foundation - through an integration with ARM.

IBM will provide out of the box connectivity with ARM mbed-enabled devices to analytics services via fully managed, cloud-hosted offerings on the SoftLayer Infrastructure. Specifically, the integration between IBM and ARM will allow products powered by ARM mbed-enabled chips to automatically register with the IBM IoT Foundation, and connect with IBM analytics services.

IBM also announced the first in a series of IBM Cloud-based, industry-specific IoT services with IoT for Electronics. The service will enable electronics manufacturers to gather data from individual sensors that can be combined with other data for real-time analysis.

“Deploying IoT technology has to be easy, secure and scalable for it to feel like a natural extension of a company’s business,” said Krisztian Flautner, General Manager, IoT Business, ARM. “By collaborating with IBM, we will deliver the first unified chip-to-cloud, enterprise-class IoT platform. This will empower companies of any size with a productivity tool that can readily transform how they operate, and the services they can offer.”

http://www.IBM.com/IoT

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Telefónica Spain Picks Juniper MX Edge Routers for Metro Network

Telefónica Spain has selected Juniper Networks' MX Series 3D Universal Edge Routers to build a next-generation Metro network across Spain. The new network will deliver fixed and mobile broadband services, including high-speed TV for residential users, as well as cloud services for businesses, all from a single IP network. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Telefónica will use the Juniper edge routers to consolidate its wholesale, residential and business services onto a single end-to-end IP infrastructure.

“Building a new network for a global service provider entails a profound transformation that requires a reliable and proven relationship to succeed. Beyond providing future-proof innovative technology, Juniper is committed to helping Telefónica accomplish its strategic objectives through high-touch support and professional services throughout the different phases of the deployment and operation of its new network,” stated Gerard Allison, senior vice president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Juniper Networks.

http://www.juniper.net

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Seagate Intros 8TB HDDs

Seagate introduced a new line of 8TB Enterprise Capacity 3.5 HDD drives based on proven conventional magnetic recording hard drive technology and backed by nine generations of data center innovation.

Seagate said the new 8TB Enterprise Capacity 3.5 HDDs also delivers a 100 percent increase in random read/write performance compared to previous generations.

http://www.seagate.com/internal-hard-drives/enterprise-hard-drives/hdd/enterprise-capacity-3-5-hdd/

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Ciena Posts Revenue of $603 Million

Ciena reported revenue of $602.9 million for its fiscal third quarter 2015, as compared to $603.6 million for the fiscal third quarter 2014. Net income (GAA) for the fiscal third quarter 2015 was $23.6 million, or $0.19 per diluted common share, which compares to a GAAP net income of $16.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted common share, for the fiscal third quarter 2014.

"We delivered strong financial performance in our fiscal third quarter, including increased profitability and cash generation, demonstrating our ability to deliver on our business model and drive continued operating leverage," said Gary B. Smith, president and CEO of Ciena. "Despite short-term revenue headwinds related to the timing of network implementations at certain large service provider customers, fundamental demand drivers for our business remain strong. In fact, we now expect to exceed 10% adjusted operating margin for the full fiscal year."

Some highlights:

•  U.S. customers contributed 59.8% of total revenue
• One customer accounted for greater than 10% of revenue and represented 20% of total revenue
• Cash and investments totaled $927.3 million
• Cash flow from operations totaled $117.5 million
• Product inventory turns were 5.6
• Headcount totaled 5,196

http://www.ciena.com

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Verizon Increases its Quarterly Dividend

The Board of Directors of Verizon Communications declared a quarterly dividend of 56.5 cents per outstanding share, an increase of 1.5 cents per share, or 2.7 percent, from the previous quarter.  On an annual basis, this increases Verizon's dividend by 6 cents per share, from $2.20 to $2.26 per share. This is the ninth consecutive year Verizon's Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend increase.

http://www.verizon.com

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