Cisco to acquire ThousandEyes for real-time Internet visibility

Cisco agreed to acquire privately-held ThousandEyes, a provider of real-time visibility tools for the delivery of applications and services over the Internet. Financial terms were not disclosed.

ThousandEyes, which is headquartered in San Francisco, was founded in 2010 by Mohit Lad and Ricardo Oliveira who had worked together during grad school in the UCLA Internet Research Lab to visualize Autonomous System topologies. T

ThousandEyes vantage points around the world perform billions of measurements each day to detect when traffic flows are disrupted within ISPs, public cloud networks and other service providers. This network telemetry data is algorithmically analyzed as part of ThousandEyes’ core Digital Experience Monitoring platform and the macro outages that are detected are displayed on an interactive map as part of ThousandEyes’ Internet Insights offering.

The ThousandEyes platform is used to verify the availability and performance of network-based services (HTTP, FTP, DNS, SIP, RTP) as well as for DNS tracing and DNSSEC validation over the Internet and third-party infrastructure.

Cisco said that bringing together its own strength in network and application performance with ThousandEyes’ visibility into the Internet, customers will now have an end-to-end view into the digital delivery of applications and services over the Internet, allowing them to pinpoint deficiencies and improve network and application performance across enterprise and cloud networks. Cisco will incorporate ThousandEyes’ capabilities across Cisco’s core Enterprise Networking and Cloud, and AppDynamics portfolios to enhance visibility across the enterprise, internet and the cloud.

“I’m excited to welcome the ThousandEyes team to Cisco,” said Todd Nightingale, senior vice president and general manager, Cisco Enterprise Networking and Cloud. “The combination of Cisco and ThousandEyes will enable deeper and broader visibility to pin-point deficiencies and improve the network and application performance across all networks. This will give customers end-to-end visibility when accessing cloud applications, and Internet Intelligence will improve networking reliability and the overall application experience.”

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OpenRoaming envisions a globally available Wi-Fi federation

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) activated "OpenRoaming", a globally-available Wi-Fi federation with support from Boingo, Broadcom, Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, Google, Intel, Orange and Samsung, amongst others.

WBA OpenRoaming offers an automatic and secure connection potentially to billions of devices across millions of Wi-Fi networks. The idea is to make it easier for users to join public Wi-Fi networks without needing to search for them, or to repeatedly enter or create login credentials.

WBA said its OpenRoaming provides a new global standards-led approach, removing public-guest Wi-Fi connectivity barriers and bringing greater convenience and security to the wireless ecosystem.

WBA CEO Tiago Rodrigues said: “Wi-Fi is already arguably the most successful wireless technology of our time, but with these globally agreed standards and policies, we can take public-guest Wi-Fi to another level in terms of ease-of-use and global availability. The WBA OpenRoaming creates an open framework for all types of players to join and develop their Wi-Fi services and create new business opportunities. We invite venues, vendors and operator/identity providers to join WBA OpenRoaming and revolutionise Wi-Fi usage around the world.”

 WBA member companies  supporting the WBA OpenRoaming standards include: Airmesh, Airties, Aprecomm, American Tower, Aptilo, AT&T, Boingo Wireless, Broadcom Inc, Cisco, Cityroam, Comcast, Commscope, Deutsche Telekom, Eduroam, Eleven Software,GlobalReachTechnology, Google, GoZone Wi-Fi, Hub One, Hughes Systique Corp, Intel , IT&E, m3connect, Nomosphere, Orange, Purple Wi-Fi, Radiator Software, Samsung, Single Digits, Sun Global, Veniam, WifiCoin and Zephyrtel.

The WBA OpenRoaminghighlights:

• Cloud federation, consisting of a global database of networks and identities, dynamic discovery and the Wireless Roaming Intermediary Exchange (WRIX)
• Cyber security, consisting of Public Key Infrastructure and RadSec providing the certificate policy, management and brokerage services
• Network automation, facilitated by an automated roaming consortium framework and policy and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint®
• Companies who join WBA OpenRoaming are included in a federation of identity and network providers. Equipment vendors, identity providers, venues and operators – as well as private and public Wi-Fi networks – can join WBA OpenRoaming and immediately become part of the global ecosystem and help to shape the future of the federation.

http://www.openroaming.org

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Investors pour $100 million into Ligado for its terrestrial L-Band network

Ligado Networks announced more than $100 million in new investments to begin taking the necessary steps to build 5G IoT networks.

“With this new round of capital, we are better prepared than ever to do exactly what we’ve said: get this mid-band spectrum deployed to support the next-generation wireless networks needed to bring America’s critical infrastructure and essential services into the 21st century,” said Ligado CEO Doug Smith. “The investments will create American jobs, expand innovation and directly enhance critical industries such as first responders, health care workers and supply chain personnel that depend on ubiquitous and ultra-reliable networks to protect and secure American lives.”

https://ligado.com/press/ligado-raises-100-million-build-mission-critical-5g-networks/

• On May 22, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), acting on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Transportation (DoT), petitioned the FCC to reconsider, clarify or amend its recent decision regarding Ligado. Specifically, NTIA is requesting the FCC to rescind the approval of the mobile satellite service (MSS) license modification applications conditionally granted to Ligado, stating that these will cause irreparable harms to federal government users of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Separately, NTIA is seeking a stay in the proceedings to prevent Ligado from deploying its network until this petition is addressed and harmful interference concerns are resolved.
  
  In response, Ligado stated "This rehash of arguments put before the FCC over two years ago contains no new information or technical data to support its request that the FCC reconsider its recent unanimous, bipartisan decision.  The entire petition is premised on the tired 1 dB argument, which is just another way of the DoD saying, “we want this spectrum for our own use.”  The FCC carefully analyzed and dismantled that argument in its 74-page Order, and we are confident that it will affirm its decision upon review." 

FCC approves Ligado for low-power L-band terrestrial network

Monday, April 20, 2020  FCC, Satellite  

The FCC voted unanimously to approve with conditions Ligado’s application to deploy a low-power terrestrial nationwide network in the L-Band that will primarily support 5G and Internet of Things services.

“I thank my colleagues for coming together on a bipartisan basis to support Ligado’s application,” said Chairman Pai.  “The vote at the Commission reflects the broad, bipartisan support that this order has received, from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Attorney General William Barr on the one hand to Senator Mark Warner of Virginia and Congresswoman Doris Matsui of California on the other.  This vote is another step forward for American leadership in 5G and advanced wireless services.”

Among the conditions that Ligado must abide by:

• Ligado must provide a significant (23 megahertz) guard-band using its own licensed spectrum to separate its terrestrial base station transmissions from neighboring operations in the Radionavigation-Satellite Service allocation. 
• Ligado is required to limit the power levels of its base stations to 9.8 dBW, a reduction of 99.3% from the power levels proposed in Ligado’s 2015 application. 
• Ligado must protect adjacent band incumbents by reporting its base station locations and technical operating parameters to potentially affected government and industry stakeholders prior to commencing operations, continuously monitoring the transmit power of its base station sites, and complying with procedures and actions for responding to credible reports of interference, including rapid shutdown of operations where warranted. 

https://ligado.com/

• Ligado Networks is a privately-backed company based in Reston, Virginia, with investors including Centerbridge Partners, Fortress Investment Group and JPMorgan Chase & Co. From the big hitting industry execs on the leadership team it is clear the company is serious. Ivan Seidenberg, a former chairman of Verizon Communications, serves as chairman. Also on the board of directors is Timothy Donahue, former executive chairman of Sprint Nextel and former president and CEO of Nextel Communications, and Reed Hundt, the former Federal Communications Commission. Doug Smith serves as Ligado's president and CEO; he is known for his work in engineering and launching nationwide networks for GTE, Nextel, Sprint Nextel and Clearwire.

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Zayo to supply diverse wavelength network to pharmaceutical company

Zayo has been selected to provide a diverse wavelength solution to a leading, global pharmaceutical company.

The diverse wavelength solution will provide core network infrastructure and upgraded capacity to support the company’s data analytics, research collaboration and product innovation.  Zayo will also provide IP transit and zColo data center space.

Zayo said the deal underscores how the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector are driving a growing need for high performance infrastructure. Research and collaboration, analytics and predictive modeling and clinical trials are generating large volumes of data. In areas like genomics, the acquisition, analysis and storage of massive data sets require solutions with unprecedented capacity. In today’s COVID-19 environment, intra- and inter-company R&D is becoming even more collaborative to advance expedited development of treatments and vaccines.

“Our pharmaceutical customers are re-architecting their networks so they can fully leverage big data, shorten drug development timelines and improve patient outcomes,” said Derek Gillespie, chief revenue officer at Zayo. “Our extensive network provides the foundation for the capacity and performance improvements they need.”

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VMware sales rise 12% YoY as subscription and SaaS revenue grows

VMware reported quarterly revenue of $2.73 billion, an increase of 12% from the first quarter of fiscal 2020. GAAP net income for the first quarter was $386 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, compared to $380 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2020.  Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter was $640 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, up 21% per diluted share compared to $535 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

Highlights:

• The combination of subscription and SaaS and license revenue was $1.23 billion, an increase of 17% from the first quarter of fiscal 2020.
• Subscription and SaaS revenue for the first quarter was $572 million, an increase of 39% year-over-year.
• VMware launched VMware Tanzu, a portfolio of products and services that enable enterprises to deliver better software faster. 
• VMware acquired Octarine, which will bring intrinsic security to containerized applications running in Kubernetes and build security capabilities into the fabric of the existing IT and DevOps ecosystems.
• VMware made major updates to its core portfolio across VMware Cloud Foundation, the largest evolution of vSphere in a decade, NSX-T, vSAN and vRealize Operations Cloud, continuing to bring innovation to its leading infrastructure stack that powers on-premises environments and public clouds across the world.
• VMware introduced new security offerings, including new VMware Advanced Security for Cloud Foundation, which will enable customers to replace legacy security solutions and deliver unified protection across private and public clouds.
• Deutsche Telekom and VMware announced that they are collaborating on an open and intelligent virtual RAN platform, based on O-RAN standards, to bring agility to radio access networks (RANs) for both existing LTE and future 5G networks.
• VMware launched VMware Partner Connect, the new, simplified and flexible program that empowers partners with flexibility to meet customers’ needs, making VMware technologies and services opportunities more accessible.

“In these unprecedented times, we delivered solid performance and strong execution in Q1 FY21,” said Pat Gelsinger, VMware CEO.

https://ir.vmware.com/download/companies/vmware/Presentations/Q1-21%20Earnings%20Slides.pdf

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OneWeb looks to increase its constellation up to 48,000 satellites

OneWeb, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March, is now asking the FCC for permission to increase the size of its planned constellation up to 48,000 LEO satellites.

OneWeb said a larger constellation will allow for greater flexibility to meet soaring global connectivity demands.

To date, OneWeb has successfully launched 74 satellites and developed a significant portion of its ground network.

In August 2019, OneWeb met the requirements of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and succeeded in bringing into use its global priority spectrum rights in the Ku- and Ka-band.

Adrian Steckel, CEO of OneWeb said: "We have always believed that LEO satellites must be part of converged broadband network strategies to enable forward-thinking governments and businesses to deliver much-needed reliable connectivity, create more pathways to 5G and connect to the IoT future everywhere on earth. This significant increase in the size of the OneWeb constellation enables long-term flexibility and ensures we will be ready for the demand, future growth, and technology changes to come."

OneWeb files for Chapter 11

Sunday, March 29, 2020  OneWeb, Satellite  

OneWeb filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a federal court in New York. The company said uncertainty due to the COVID-19 crisis derailed advanced negotiations might have fully funded the company through its deployment and commercial launch.

OneWeb said it intends to use these proceedings to pursue a sale of its business in order to maximize the value of the company.

So far, OneWeb has launched 74 satellites as part of its constellation, secured valuable global spectrum, begun development on a range of user terminals for a variety of customer markets, has half of its 44 ground stations completed or in development, and performed successful demonstrations of its system with broadband speeds in excess of 400 Mbps and latency of 32 ms. In addition, OneWeb’s commercial team has seen significant early global demand for OneWeb’s high-speed, low-latency connectivity services from governments and leaders in the automotive, maritime, enterprise, and aviation industries.

Adrian Steckel, Chief Executive Officer of OneWeb, stated, “OneWeb has been building a truly global communications network to provide high-speed low latency broadband everywhere. Our current situation is a consequence of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. We remain convinced of the social and economic value of our mission to connect everyone everywhere. Today is a difficult day for us at OneWeb. So many people have dedicated so much energy, effort, and passion to this company and our mission. Our hope is that this process will allow us to carve a path forward that leads to the completion of our mission, building on the years of effort and the billions of invested capital. It is with a very heavy heart that we have been forced to reduce our workforce and enter the Chapter 11 process while the Company’s remaining employees are focused on responsibly managing our nascent constellation and working with the Court and investors.”

http://www.omniagentsolutions.com/onewebglobal

OneWeb prepares to launch its LEO constellation

Monday, March 18, 2019  Satellite  

OneWeb, which is planning to deploy a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites, secured $1.25 billion in new capital, enabling it to start mass production of satellites through its joint venture with Airbus. This round was led by SoftBank, Grupo Salinas, Qualcomm, and the Government of Rwanda. OneWeb has now raised to $3.4 billion to date.

OneWeb said it will now "embark on the largest satellite launch campaign in history." Satellites will be built at its new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Exploration Park, Florida. The first launch occured on February 27th.  Starting in Q4, OneWeb will begin monthly launches of more than 30 satellites at a time, creating an initial constellation of 650 satellites to enable full global coverage. Further phases are planned.

"This latest funding round, our largest to date, makes OneWeb’s service inevitable and is a vote of confidence from our core investor base in our business model and the OneWeb value proposition," said Adrian Steckel, CEO of OneWeb. "With the recent successful launch of our first six satellites, near-completion of our innovative satellite manufacturing facility with our partner Airbus, progress towards fully securing our ITU priority spectrum position, and the signing of our first customer contracts, OneWeb is moving from the planning and development stage to deployment of our full constellation. Our success is made possible thanks to the backing of our investors and the cooperation of our world class commercial partners including Arianespace, Airbus, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., Virgin, and Hughes.”

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Marvell posts sales of $694 million citing growth in data center and 5G

Marvell Technology Group reported quarterly revenue of $694 million, which exceeded the midpoint of the company's guidance provided on March 4, 2020. GAAP net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was $(113) million, or $(0.17) per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was $118 million, or $0.18 per diluted share. Cash flow from operations for the first quarter was $176 million.

"In a challenging environment, solid execution by the Marvell team drove strong first quarter financial results with disciplined operating expense management, healthy operating cash flow, and revenue above the mid-point of guidance, enabled by stronger demand for our networking products from the datacenter and 5G infrastructure end markets," said Matt Murphy, Marvell's President and CEO. "While we did experience some COVID-19 supply chain impacts on our storage business in the first quarter, we expect a bounce back in the second quarter and we project our networking business to continue to grow."

Marvell's second quarter guidance takes into account the U.S. Government's export restrictions on certain Chinese customers. Given the ongoing uncertainty associated with COVID-19 and related public health measures, we also have temporarily widened the guidance range on revenue.

Second Quarter of Fiscal 2021 Financial Outlook

• Revenue is expected to be $720 million +/- 5%.
• GAAP gross margin is expected to be approximately 50.6%.
• GAAP diluted loss per share is expected to be $(0.10) to $(0.02) per share.
• Non-GAAP diluted income per share is expected to be $0.17 to $0.23 per share.

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