Utah Legislature Allows UTOPIA Project to Proceed

The Utah Legislature passed an amended version of a bill (SB66) that allows the cities already formally engaged in city fiber projects to proceed. It creates additional requirements for public meeting protocols, and clarifies the definition of "open network." The city councils in UTOPIA member cities, and Provo with the iProvo project, retain the authority to decide for their communities what makes sense going forward.

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Samsung Life Insurance Deploys IP Contact Center

Samsung Life Insurance has deployed an all IP-based contact center with 960 agents.
The contact center is powered by the Cisco IP Contact Center (IPCC) customer contact software and was installed by Hewlett-Packard Korea. Samsung Life Insurance's contact center is also the first large call center to migrate from legacy private branch exchange (PBX) technologies to an end-to-end all-IP-based solution. The contact center is handling up to 90,000 calls per day. Samsung Life Insurance reports that with the IP Contact Center its agents were able to process up to 20 percent more calls per day while the interactive voice response (IVR) system handled six times more calls than the previous system. Average waiting time and handling time was also reduced. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.cisco.com

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3Com Unveils New IP Business Phone

3Com introduced the first member of a family of enterprise IP desktop phones that supports the 3Com call control protocols and SIP. The 3Com 3102 Business Phone features an enhanced acoustic design, leveraging the emerging wideband audio standard, which significantly enhances speech transmission compared to conventional PSTN. A typical PSTN phone line reproduces speech at 3.3 kHz, whereas the new 3Com 3102 phone can relay IP conversations at a frequency of 7 kHz or higher. The phone also supports IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet via its RJ-45 Ethernet connector. It has a list price of $310 U.S. http://www.3com.com

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Caspian Networks Routers Pass Acceptance Testing by DoD

Caspian Networks' "Aperio" flow-state router passed network testing by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC). Caspian said the testing affirms that its QoS guarantees don't come at the expense of interoperability or performance. Caspian adheres to standard IP protocols, such as BGP, MPLS and OSPF. Its Apeiro IP router offers per-flow traffic policing, shaping and burst tolerance guarantees, which allow network service providers to enforce rigorous ATM-like quality of service. http://www.caspian.com

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OIF Completes Two Network-to-Network Interface Agreements

The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) approved two implementation agreements (IAs) that address control plane protocols needed for end-to-end optical connections.



The Intra-Carrier External Network-to-Network Interface (E-NNI) 1.0 Signaling IA enables end-to-end connection management by providing a uniform way for carriers to interconnect network domains. It was derived directly from carrier requirements.



The second IA the OIF membership has approved is an update to the UNI 1.0 Signaling IA, addressing extensions to RSVP-TE signaling protocols. The UNI 1.0 Signaling Release 2 IA defines a set of services, signaling protocols and mechanisms used to transport signaling messages and the auto-discovery procedures that aid signaling. The agreement is aimed at assisting client and transport network equipment vendors in supporting UNI 1.0 and defines UNI signaling based on adapting GMPLS RSVP-TE specifications. While not changing UNI 1.0 functionality, the new agreement reflects recent developments in other standards bodies and builds upon lessons learned from the OIF's multi-vendor interoperability event conducted at the OFC 2003 show in Atlanta.



The OIF said the advent of the automatic switched transport network has made it necessary for carriers to employ interoperable procedures for requesting and establishing dynamic connection services across diverse networks. Both of these IAs facilitate end-to-end auto provisioning of bandwidth services. http://www.oiforum.com

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ENTEL Bolivia Selects Zhone's DSLAMs

ENTEL Bolivia has completed a wide-scale upgrade of its network using Zhone's "Raptor" DSLAMs. The Zhone DSLAMs offer integrated IP termination, software selectable ATM or IP uplinks and an ability to upgrade to a fully functional Voice+Data NGDLC. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.zhone.comhttp://www.entel.com.bo

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FaceToFaceMeeting Offers Multipoint, Consumer Videoconferencing Service

FaceToFaceMeeting began offering a multipoint videoconfereing service aimed at consumers with broadband connections. The service enables up to 10 participants to join in a call, with all of them appearing on screen, "Hollywood Squares" style. There is no per minute or per meeting fees. The $30 monthly subscription provides for unlimited calls to anywhere in the world there is another on-line subscribing FTFM member. http://www.facetofacemeeting.com

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Ringgold Telephone Launches Minerva Middleware and Amino Set-Top Box

Ringgold Telephone Company, a local exchange service provider in Georgia, has deployed Minerva Networks' iTVManager video services management software and Amino's AmiNET 110 set-top box (STB) to offer their IP-based advanced television services to an additional 2,200 subscribers. Ringgold has been providing bundled voice, video and data services over its ADSL network since spring 2002.



Minerva said its middleware client software can deliver superior graphics and performance when running on cost effective STBs, such as AminoAmiNET 110, that contain low cost CPUs and limited memory. As electronic program guide (EPG) and other critical data is cached in the subscriber's STB, EPG scrolling and channel surfing do not trigger an interaction with the middleware back-office server, enabling fast and reliable operation even in very large deployments. Amino said its AmiNET 110 embedded video decoder features advanced post-processing filters capable of preserving video quality even at low bit rates, enabling network operators to offer broadcast quality television services to two TV sets over a single ADSL line.www.minervanetworks.com

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SBC Launches Quadruple Play with Satellite TV

SBC Communications and EchoStar Communications launched SBC/ DISH Network satellite TV service across SBC's 13-state service area.



SBC's residential service bundles now include a "quadruple play" or TV, wireless, broadband and local/long distance service on a single, monthly bill. The SBC/ DISH Network satellite TV programming prices start at $29.99 a month and include local channels (where available) at no additional cost, free standard professional installation for up to four TVs, no long-term commitment requirements, no equipment to purchase, and a choice of receivers, such as a digital video recorder (DVR) and a high-definition receiver.



In the future, SBC and EchoStar plan to develop set-top boxes that combine the features of satellite TV, digital video recording, broadband, home networking and telecommunications services - moving to truly integrated telecommunications and entertainment services.



SBC said its relationship with EchoStar is modeled after its SBC-Yahoo! alliance. For the past six months, an SBC-EchoStar team has worked to develop simplified ordering tools, integrate billing systems, train thousands of employees and create "a seamless customer experience."http://www.sbc.com

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Broadvox Launches Flat-Rate Residential VoIP in U.S.

Broadvox Direct, a start-up service provider, launched a $29.95 unlimited calling VoIP for residential and small business broadband users. The service debuted in the Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit metropolitan areas this week, and is being followed by a nationwide rollout that is expected to cover 87 major markets by the end of 2004.



Broadvox is operating own facilities- based network. Its advanced feature set includes "find me, follow me" call forwarding, click-to-call, online voicemail retrieval, fax-to-email, a friends-and-family option. The company also offers more than 25 standard features such as call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding, voicemail and three-way calling, all free of charge with any service plan.



All services are delivered over cable or DSL Internet connections, with subscribers using their existing corded or cordless analog phones attached to an adapter that converts digital voice packets into an analog signal. One adapter can be used for all the phones in the home or office, and for up to two distinct lines. Adapters are supplied free of charge.



Broadvox Direct is a privately held company is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. For more information, visit . http://www.BroadvoxDirect.com

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MCI Adds VoIP Access Capabilities, Teams with Broadsoft

MCI has expanded its VoIP service to immediately include access via the company's fastest growing VPN service, Private IP. In addition, the company is working with BroadSoft to provide extended hosted communications capabilities, delivering enhanced voice and data applications in a secure corporate network environment.



MCI said that with the domestic introduction of Private IP to its VoIP product suite, companies that traditionally use Frame Relay and ATM networks can transition to IP and achieve more secure, converged voice, data and video communications among their employees.



MCI's recent Private IP network expansion provides companies with an MPLS platform for converged communications. http://www.mci.com

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China's MII Begins Bidding Process for 3.5GHz Frequencies

China's Ministry of Information Industry's (MII) request to Chinese telecommunications operators to bid on 3.5GHz spectrum license grants in 27 provinces and autonomous regions. This phase of spectrum license grants includes all areas of China not covered in the first two phases. Bids are being taken until April 2.



Vyyo, a supplier of broadband access equipment, expects MII's move to be a catalyst for telecom operators to offer wireless broadband access, both voice and data, to China's growing population.



Vyyo has shipped over 350 base stations and over 35,000 modems, which are deployed in China, the U.S., Canada, Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa. http://www.vyyo.com

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BellSouth Confirms Sales Talks over Latin America Operations

BellSouth confirmed that it is in discussions with respect to a potential sale of its Latin American operations. No further details of the discussions were disclosed. http://www.bellsouth.com

• According to various news reports, Telefonica may offer up to $6 billion to acquire BellSouth's mobile networks in Latin America.

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AT&T Completes U.S. Dollar Debt Repurchase Offer

AT&T announced that it has successfully completed its offer to repurchase for cash any and all of its outstanding 6.500% notes due 15-Nov-2006, which now carry an interest rate of 7.250%. As of the expiration, assuming proper settlement of all transactions, AT&T had repurchased $1,214,643,000 of the 6.500 percent Notes, representing approximately 81% of the principal amount outstanding. http://www.att.com

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European Broadcasting Union Selects Net Insight

The European Broadcasting Union will use Net Insight's Nimbra platform for its new international fiber TV and data network. The new fiber transport network, which complements EURvision's existing satellite network, will carry real time critical traffic, including breaking news and sporting events to EBU members and other media customers.



With its new network, EURvision will provide connectivity for TV traffic between the largest media cities in Europe, with trans-Atlantic connections into the USA. The first phase of the network roll-out includes seven cities in Europe and two in the USA, with the objective to connect around twenty cities in later phases. Deployment is underway. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.netinsight.se

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Pioneer Telephone Selects Calix and Adds to Video Customer Base

Oklahoma-based Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, one of the largest telephone cooperatives in the nation with over 56,000 access lines, is using the Calix C7 ultra-broadband loop carrier (UBLC) to deploy switched video services over ultra-broadband DSL. Calix said its list of active video customers now includes Champaign Telephone Company; Genuine Telecom; MBO Corporation; Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc.; Pioneer Telephone Cooperative; Ringgold Telephone Company; Skyline Telephone Membership Corporation; South Slope Cooperative Communications; Valley Communications. in South Dakota; and Winnebago Cooperative Telephone Association. http://www.calix.com

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SBC Offers to Negotiate UNE-P Wholesale Rates

One day after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the FCC's Triennial Review Order with regard to network unbundling rules, issued a public offer to AT&T, MCI and other competitors, inviting the companies "to negotiate commercially reasonable UNE-P wholesale rates ."



SBC Chairman and CEO Edward Whitacre said, "It is time for those of us who believe in free markets to put those commitments to the test in telecommunications."



Whitacre pledged to keep in place the public utility commission approved UNE-P wholesale rules and pricing for 90 days, while offering to immediately begin negotiating commercial UNE-P wholesale rates that all parties can accept.



Separately, Whitacre said: "We've been working under prices that are unrealistic and under rules that have just been declared illegal -- for the third time. But we believe in competition and want to keep the marketplace competitive for our customers as well as for our wholesale competitors who depend on our network to serve their customers. If others believe in competition as we do and continue to keep their focus on the customer, I'm sure we'll be able to forge a deal."http://www.sbc.com

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Octasic Offers 32 and 64 channel Echo Cancellers

Octasic introduced 32 and 64 channel versions of its OCT6100 Series carrier-grade echo cancellation solution. The lower density devices are aimed at enterprise and access equipment, such as IP-PBX's, host-based media processing platforms and IADs.



In addition to full-featured conferencing, the OCT6100 Series echo cancellers include other key features such as noise matching capabilities, tone-detection and announcement playout.



Octasic's OCT6100 Series of devices already included versions with 256, 512, or 672 channels, with 64 or 128 ms tail echo cancellation available for all capacities. The base devices offer standard echo cancellation and VQE features including; high quality noise matching, manual gain control, adaptive level control, acoustic echo control, and ITU-T, G.168 tone detection. http://www.octasic.com

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VoiceCon 2004 Keynote: IP Telephony's in the Enterprise Network

Convergence is actually "an easy business case" and not at all a "career threatening" proposal, said Niraj Patel, Executive VP & CIO, GMAC Commercial Holding Corp., in a keynote presentation on Tuesday at VoiceCon 2004 in Orlando, Florida. Just "don't try it on your old network," he joked... you'll definitely need an MPLS backbone to manage the QoS. GMAC is using a fully meshed MPLS core to reach its 109 offices across the U.S. and worldwide. Already 100% of the company's international voice calls, 20% of its domestic voice calls, and 100% of its corporate video conferences are IP-based. The network operates with four classes of service: video, voice, high priority and low priority. Approximately 500 of the company's 3,500 employees are using IP phones. The rest will be transitioned slowly, as their existing desktop handsets have remaining usefulness. Moving international voice traffic over the existing WAN is saving the company about $163,000 per year and there is an additional savings from the elimination of ISDN video calls. The MPLS connectivity is provided by Masergy, a carrier based in Texas. http://www.convergedigest.com

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VoiceCon 2004 Keynote: Moving Enterprise Telephony to Next Plateau

Although leading edge corporate users have been testing IP telephony implementations for five years, the real market will be about delivering productivity gains to mainstream users, said Don Peterson, CEO of Avaya, speaking at VoiceCon 2004 in Orlando, Florida. Peterson observed that while overall employment levels have fallen in recent years, impacting sales of corporate PBXs, a growth in productivity that has nevertheless ensued. This growth in productivity, he contends, is driven by streamlined business models and enabled by integrated voice/data communications. He said that while the "hard dollar" savings from a consolidated voice/data corporate network are substantial, the "soft dollar" improvements in business applications enhanced by IP telephony are essential to making the business case for large enterprise to migrate their voice networks.

Moving call centers to India or other low-cost locations is another driving factor for IP telephony, one which Peterson said "the industry speaks softly about but everyone knows there's a stampede underway." He gave the example of EDS, which is moving the jobs of some of its 15,000 call center employees to India.

Peterson estimates there are over 400 million installed corporate TDM voice lines and the transition to hybrid-IP solutions or pure-IP solutions would be a long one. He affirmed Avaya's commitment to the open systems model and noted a number of strategic partnerships with company's such as Motorola, Proxim, Polycom and Extreme Networks. Peterson also claimed that Avaya has made significant gains in market share for IP telephony line ship, especially in the most recent fiscal quarter. http://www.convergedigest.com

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