BT Extends its Broadband Reach

BT is removing the distance related limits for 512 kbps ADSL service, bringing potentially more than a million more UK homes and businesses within reach of broadband.



BT said it is confident a 512kbps service can now be provided to the vast majority of people beyond the former limit, which was roughly equivalent to 6km distance from the exchange. BT is also increasing the range for 1Mbps premium services from 4 km to approximately 6km - making 1Mbps ADSL available to 96% of homes and businesses connected to a broadband exchange. http://www.btplc/com

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BT Passes 3 Million DSL Subscribers

BT has passed the three million wholesale broadband customer mark. The latest million ADSL connections were added in just six months. The three million connections are shared between more than 150 service providers with BT's own retail arm having approximately 41 per cent of total DSL customers as at the end of June. Meanwhile, the carrier estimates there are 1.7 million cable broadband customers in the UK.



BT said it is currently adding an average 6,000 customers a day, seven days a week. The company has set a target of five million wholesale broadband connections by 2006. http://www.btplc.com

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Equant Builds Bank IP VPN Throughout Middle East

Equant and its channel partner Jordan Data Communications were awarded a three-year, $7 million IP VPN contract with Amman, Jordan-based Arab Bank Group to link 19 international sites. Arab Bank will upgrade its 14 Frame Relay sites to a 19-site fully managed MPLS-based IP VPN with Equant Voice for IP VPN at 12 voice deregulated sites. The network will converge all types of traffic including voice on the same infrastructure. http://www.equant.com/press

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India's BSNL Selects UTStarcom for National Backbone

India's Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.'s (BSNL) has selected UTStarcom's Total Control 1000 multiservice access platform and related equipment for the second phase of its National IP Backbone project. The BSNL network currently comprises about 400 nodes distributed across India and supports over one million subscribers with PSTN and ISDN Internet Access Services. The second phase of the project includes deployment of remote access services (RAS) and related equipment across 71 cities in 25 telecom regions in India.



UTStarcom's Total Control 1000 is a carrier-class, multiservice access platform supporting enhanced data systems such as RAS, CDMA 1xRTT/EV-DO Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN), Home Agent (HA) and VPNs.



The new contract was valued at US$8.2 million. http://www.utstar.com

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IntelliNet Launches Application Development Software with SIP

IntelliNet, a software developer based in Melbourne, Florida with a subsidiary office in Bangalore, India , launched an Application Development Software suite featuring SIP support and aimed at wireline, 2G, 2.5G, 3G wireless and IN applications. The software supports a signaling-transport independent architecture across IP (Sigtran and SIP) and SS7 and features an XML (extensible Markup Language) interface. The company said it has made significant in-roads into location and mobility services markets where SIP will play a dominant role. http://www.intellinet-tech.com

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MCI Selects Ericsson to Migrate International Traffic to VoIP

MCI plans to deploy Ericsson's Engine solution to migrate its US-based international gateway traffic from traditional circuit switching to VoIP. MCI expects to begin transitioning traffic by mid 2005.



MCI's Engine deployment includes the Ericsson Telephony Server (TeS), which serves as the voice gateway controller and signaling gateway, and the Ericsson Media Gateway (MGW) as the VoIP media path converters. The Media Gateways (MGW) will packetize voice streams that come from the legacy TDM network for transport across the IP backbone. Likewise, MGWs will also convert VoIP packets back to TDM voice streams for transport across the PSTN. Also, by providing MCI with the capability to interconnect existing VoIP networks with SIP and H.323, Engine will also provide MCI the flexibility to connect with global carriers to exchange VoIP traffic regardless of protocol preference.



Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.ericsson.com/presshttp://www.mci.com

• In June 2004, MCI outlined a Converged Packet Access (CPA) strategy for its business customers that leverages Ethernet and MPLS. The architecture aims to consolidate all services - Frame Relay, Private IP, IP VPN, Ethernet, Private Line, and voice - onto a single, customer Ethernet interface (10bT, 100bT and Gig E). Once an initial physical connection is established, MCI customers can logically provision capacity and services as needed without requiring physical changes to the network. MPLS tunneling technology is utilized to create logical channels that securely separate customer's services.
  
  MCI's CPA architecture has four key components: (1) an Ethernet traffic aggregator; (2) a new Layer 2 and TDM grooming infrastructure; (3) an optical add-drop multiplexer; and (4) a packet-enabled service edge. This equipment allows MCI to aggregate traffic originating from one large business customer or many small business customers in a multi-tenant business building across a single, secure network access circuit. MCI is using an Ethernet over SONET infrastructure.

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Vonage Adds 311 Dialing For City Information Services

Vonage is now offering its subscribers 311 dialing for city information services. Calls dialed to 311 are routed to the public information center in the customer's area enabling them to receive information such as public transit and garbage collection schedules, as well as tourism and parks and recreation information.



The 311 dialing feature is available at no charge to all customers who have activated their dialing 911 service. Vonage customer access to 311 services is available in 13 markets across the US including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, Dallas and Washington DC. http://www.vonage.com

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Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom Selects Redback for TV/DSL

Chunghwa Telecom, the incumbent carrier in Taiwan, has selected Redback Networks' SmartEdge Service Gateway systems to expand its national broadband network and provide new per-subscriber services, including broadcast television, video-on-demand, VoIP, and Internet access. The SmartEdge Service Gateway systems perform intelligent video replication for broadcast feeds in the new network topology. Redback's solution combines hardware and software to provide subscriber management with dynamic policy enforcement, carrier-class IP routing and services, multicast and advanced video capabilities and QoS. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.redback.com

• Earlier this month, Alcatel announced that it had been selected by Chunghwa Telecom for an IPTV project. The contract was valued at EUR 4.75 million. The IP-based television services will use Alcatel's Open Media Suite and Open Video Server, along with STB (set top box) hardware technologies from Acer and Ambit.



• Chunghwa Telecom currently serves approximately three million ADSL subscribers and has some 30,000 IPTV subscribers. The carrier is forecasting approximately 100,000 IPTV subscribers in the first year and one million subscribers within three years.

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EchoStar's AMC-15 Satellite Ready for September Launch

The AMERICOM-15 (AMC-15) satellite of SES AMERICOM has been delivered to the Baikonur Cosmodrome for planned launch in September by International Launch Services (ILS). The hybrid Ku-band/Ka-band satellite, which was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), will operate from 105 degrees West and support advanced video and broadband services for EchoStar Communications Corp.



AMC-15 will feature one of America's first operating Ka-band payloads, carrying 12 -125 MHz Ka-band spot beams, along with 24 - 36 MHz, 140 watt Ku-band transponders. As the first satellite dedicated to AMERICOM2Home, the spacecraft has been optimized to provide both Direct-to-Home video and broadband services into a single dish. http://www.ses-americom.com/EchoStar Communications added 340,000 net subscribers for its DISH satellite TV service in Q2 2004, giving it a total of 10.125 million subscribers

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Canada's Hydro One Telecom Selects Juniper for IP/MPLS

Hydro One Telecom, Inc., an Ontario-based provider of telecommunications services, has deployed Juniper Networks' M-series routing platform to support enhanced broadband services such as transparent LAN services and high-speed Internet access. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.juniper.nethttp://www.hydroonetelecom.com

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BT Exact Validates Juniper Networks' T640 Router

Juniper Networks announced the results of extensive testing verified by BT Exact, BT's technology and IT operations division, confirming the advanced high availability features of the T640 core routing platform. The testing highlights three major components of high availability functionality; control plane resiliency, forwarding plane failovers and in-service software upgrades. The tests validated that the T640 was capable of this functionality and would continue packet forwarding during these events with both a large number of peers and a large number of routes configured.



For more detail, the technical report can be found online. http://www.juniper.net/products/tseries/bt_t640.pdf

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Motorola Debuts Next Gen IP Base Station Controller

Motorola introduced an expanded packet base station product line and a next generation CDMA base station controller as part of its CDMA IP Radio Access Network (IP-RAN) portfolio. Specifically, the IP-RAN portfolio has been expanded to include a Next generation IP Base Station Controller (IP-BSC); a refreshed product line of CDMA Packet Base Station (BTS) solutions; and IP-based backhaul and transport. Notably, Motorola's next generation IP-BSC redefines the traditional architecture to a distributed approach with improved capacity and a significantly reduced footprint.



Motorola has deployed IP in its CDMA RAN since 2002 with the implementation of routable IP Transport. Motorola's migration to a distributed architecture. The company said the new products demonstrates its commitment to the evolution to all-IP networks. With this portfolio Motorola is delivering CDMA solutions such as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO that are compliant with 3GPP2 standards and is capable of supporting technologies such as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Release A and CDMA2000 1xEV-DV. http://www.motorola.com

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U.S. Broadband Connections Cross into the Majority of Users

Nielsen//NetRatings reported that broadband connections for the first time reached 51% of the American online population at-home during the month of July, up from 38% of the online population a year ago.



The research company reported a plateau in the overall growth of Internet access in the U.S..



Sixty-three million Web users connected to the Internet via broadband during July 2004 as compared to 61.3 million accessing the Internet through narrowband. Overall growth for broadband connections rose 47% year-over-year, while narrowband dropped 13% annually.



Broadband penetration rated highest among those between ages two through 34 years as compared to those 35 years and older. The 18 to 20 age group possessed the highest penetration of broadband surfers at 59%, followed by kids at 58%, 25 to 34 year olds at 55% , and teens and 21 to 24 year olds both at 53%. In comparison, seniors between the ages of 65 to 99 years have the lowest penetration of broadband connections at 34%. http://www.netratings.com

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Ericsson Repurchases EUR 410 Million in Bonds

Ericsson has repurchased EUR 410 million, face value, of its 6.375% EUR Medium Term Notes maturing May 31, 2006. The company said the bonds were repurchased in order to reduce its gross debt and annual interest expenses. http://www.ericsson.com

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ATX Communications Deploys Telica Softswitch

ATX Communications, an integrated communications provider serving the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions, selected the Telica PLUS 9000 Media Gateway IP softswitch platform. The new softswitch platform will be installed throughout ATX's network and centrally managed at its Philadelphia Network Operations Center. It will be deployed in conjunction with ATX's new MPLS network and related platforms. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.atx.com

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Kagoor Announces Voice over Broadband Session Border Controllers

Kagoor Networks introduced its Voice over Broadband (VoBB) solution to enable MSOs and carriers to securely and seamlessly deliver VoIP via cable and xDSL. Kagoor' VoiceFlow series of session border controllers are already used extensively in carrier to customer applications. The product line has now been extended to address NAT traversal, security and peering requirements in the rapidly evolving VoBB marketplace.



Kagoor's VoiceFlow VoBB solution for cable providers is compatible with the CableLabs PacketCable network architecture and supports its Call Management Server Signaling (CMSS) protocol specification based on the SIP protocol. This provides cable operators with the ability to exchange packet-based voice and other real-time multimedia applications with other cable operators and IP carriers, without requiring that the traffic first be terminated to TDM interfaces. VoiceFlow also supports the Network-based Call signaling (NCS) protocol for communicating signaling information between the endpoint and a CMS. MSOs are utilizing both protocols to deploy and deliver VoBB service.



The Kagoor solution has been deployed by Kintetsu Cable Network (KCN) to deliver VoIP via cable and ADSL in Japan. Kagoor partnered with NEC to implement the solution for KCN. NEC is a worldwide reseller of Kagoor's VoiceFlow series. KCN plans to start delivering the IP telephony services that utilize this solution by the end of the summer.



In addition, telco service providers, including Covad, Reynwood Communications, USA Datanet and Elitel are deploying Kagoor's VoiceFlow to deliver VoIP to their broadband customers. http://www.kagoor.com

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RCN Deploys General Bandwidth for PacketCable VoIP in Chicago

RCN has deployed General Bandwidth's G6 VoIP Media Gateway in support of its VoIP service in the Chicago market. RCN reports that customer response to its new VoIP service has been "terrific," with more than 1,000 customers to date and additions of more than 30 new customers per day. With the upgrade expected to be completed by the end of October, RCN's new VoIP service will be available to their entire Chicago footprint of approximately 300,000 homes which currently serves approximately 100,000 customers. Financial terms were not disclosed.



The G6 VoIP Media Gateway has been certified by CableLabs as a PacketCable qualified media gateway. http://www.genband.com

• In April 2004, General Bandwidth announced a US$15 million investment from Alcatel. The investment further strengthens the three-year OEM relationship between the two companies and allows for additional development enhancements to their joint FTTP and VoIP offerings.

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LecStar Telecom Tests VoIP over Power Lines

LecStar Telecom, an Atlanta-based provider of communications services to businesses and consumers in the Southeast, completed installation and began testing a VoIP over Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) with a local utility company. As part of the trial, LecStar will offer approximately 30 utility customers high-speed data services, which will operate as fast as upgraded cable systems and faster than standard DSL services. http://www.lecstar.com/

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Sentito Closes $28.5 Million in New Funding, Hires New Executives

sentitO Networks, a start-up based in Rockville, Maryland, raised a total of $28.5 million in new funding for its open, standards-based VoIP switching and service solutions.



sentitO's Open Network Xchange (ONX) platform enables service providers to deliver VoIP transport and services throughout their entire network. The ONX features integrated, SIP-based control of SS7/C7 Intermachine Trunk (IMT) and ISDN PRI links, and customizable XML scripting. The ONX is comprised of three components: the Intelligent Voice Gateway (IVG), the Proxy7 Signaling Gateway for integrated SS7/C7 signaling, and the PreVision Network Manager.



The funding announcement includes a previously unannounced, but recently closed $19 million dollar Series C round led by Kodiak Venture Partners and a $9.5 million dollar Series D round led by Core Capital Partners. Total funding in the company now stands at $53.5 million.



sentitO also named Rajesh Tyagi as Senior Vice President of Product Management & Customer Engineering, and Tony Zacher as Vice President of Manufacturing. Recently, Tyagi was Chief Strategy Officer & VP of Excieo Systems, and prior to that, VP of Product Management and Customer Service at Pelago Networks. Earlier, he served at Nortel Networks for 10 years. Zacher previously served as Vice President of Operations for CopperCom. Before that, he served as the Vice President of Worldwide Logistics for Nortel Networks' Bay Networks division. http://www.sentito.com/

• In June 2004, sentitO Networks named Dennis Chateauneuf as its new CEO. Chateauneuf has held senior management positions at Sun Microsystems and Shiva Corporation. In 1998, Chateauneuf became the CEO of DTI Networks. In 2001, he merged DTI with CopperCom, and became its president and CEO.

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NYT: "A Texan's Race Could Lead to the F.C.C."

The former chairwoman of the Texas Public Utility Commission, who is currently running for Congress, is attracting considerable support from the nation's largest telephone and energy companies, according to The New York Times. Becky Armendariz Klein is running as Republican in a heavily Democratic district in Texas against a five-term incumbent. Speculators believe she is likely to lose the race, but, in the event of a second Bush administration, she is seen as a likely candidate for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). http://www.nytimes.com

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