SBC Selects Tekelec for Signaling Network Solution

SBC Communications will deploy Tekelec's EAGLE 5 Signaling Application System as a part of its signaling network. Financial terms of the five year contract were not disclosed.


During the next three to five years, approximately 20 EAGLE SAS systems will be activated in the SBC network to handle rapidly increasing local number portability (LNP) traffic. Tekelec Professional Services will also assist in the deployment of the equipment.


The Tekelec EAGLE 5 SAS is a multi-protocol advanced signaling system. It hosts a variety of applications from a single, high-performance platform, including: SS7 signal transfer, number portability, signaling gateway, integrated services and data acquisition. The system supports the Sigtran suite of signaling protocols for next-generation network connectivity, enabling a transition to packet telephony and 3G networks.
http://www.tekelec.com

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ADC and Corning Sign Technology Transfer Agreement

ADC and Corning Cable Systems announced a technology transfer agreement for one of Corning Cable Systems' hardened connector products. Corning's OptiTap Connector and Adapter target FTTX networks. The products provide a solution for factory-terminated, environmentally sealed and hardened connectors for use in drop cable deployments in optical access networks.


ADC said that prior to manufacturing the product, it elected to pursue a formal technology transfer agreement to ensure full compatibility between the two companies' products. http://www.adc.com
http://www.corning.com

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France Telecom Launches DSL Licensing Program

France Telecom is launching a new licensing program for DSL transmission technologies using Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) modulation.
The program follows France Telecom's policy of actively promoting its major patents and software, marketing them directly or through patent pools (groups of patents from different companies handled by the same agent).



DMT modulation is a technique for increasing the efficiency of data transmission over pairs of copper wires. This is an area in which France Telecom and broadcaster Télédiffusion de France (TDF) have patented technology after several years of joint research.


France Telecom noted that DMT transmission has been adopted for the main DSL standards, making France Telecom's patents essential to a number of DSL technologies:

• Asymmetric DSL and its variants ADSL2 and ADSL2+: ITU standards G992.1, G992.3, G992.4 and G99S.5



• Very high speed DSL (VDSL): ITU standard G993.1

France Telecom's licensing program is aimed at ADSL and VDSL vendors complying with the relevant ITU standards. It will enable them to integrate the patented technology into equipment for call centers (DSLAMS) and terminals (modems, modem-routers, multi-service set-top boxes integrating an ADSL modem feature, etc.).
http://www.ft.com

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net.com Enhances SHOUT VoIP Platform

net.com released a new version of its SHOUT platform for helping enterprises interconnect multi-vendor PBX and call center environments with next generation VoIP applications across IP data networks. SHOUT provides multi-vendor, multi-protocol support (including SIP). Enhancements to the platform in this release further equip SHOUT as a voice migration appliance for large global enterprises:

• IP over Serial -- aggregates multiple remote nodes on a router connected to SHOUT, offering point to point serial connection to the central router. The serial interface interoperates with the Cisco HDLC protocol.



• SIP Signaling over TCP -- allows broader interoperability of SHOUT with third-party SIP vendors, providing additional flexibility and more choices of SIP elements



• NI-2 ISDN Support -- supports the basic call control messages and information elements required for NI-2.

In addition, net.com's voice-focused security solutions include protecting the devices from attack, MD5 authentication, TLS support, and enabling enterprises to run VoIP over their existing data infrastructure without having to update or replace their security devices or policies. The platform's security features include the SHOUT Packet Manager (SPM), which inspects the validity of every packet at the Ethernet interface before it is passed to the operating system for processing. This "rogue packet ejector" helps keep networks running, unlike other solutions that may require a reboot of the router when rogue packets are sent to its interfaces.


SHOUT also provides MD5 authentication on a call-by-call basis to prevent spoofing of users by challenging devices attempting to call the network and verifying responses against an internal table or an external database. In addition, SHOUT's BSP/VTP protocols enable voice conversations to seamlessly traverse existing NATs and firewalls, and because these protocols encode voice and signaling information into proprietary tunnels, voice packets are effectively secured from those intent on listening in on conversations.


For secure voice calls in an IP setting, SHOUT offers support of STUII, STUIII, STE, FNBDT for government, and now adds TCC for secure-grade commercial phones.


SHOUT can operate as a standalone system, or can work alongside third-party call controllers, IP PBXs, and SIP proxies. The newest release of SHOUT is now generally available.
http://www.net.com

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Sprint Offers Global Quad-band Phone

Sprint introduced a digital quad-band phone, the Sprint PCS International Phone IP-A790 by Samsung, aimed at multinational business customers. When used in conjunction with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, the Sprint PCS International Phone IP-A790 by Samsung allows customers to make voice calls on both CDMA and GSM networks in more than 130 countries where Sprint has roaming agreements in place. The phone also functions as a multimedia device on the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network so customers can view on-demand streaming video and audio and shoot video clips with the embedded camera and camcorder. The retail price of the phone is $550.


Sprint has established flat-rate pricing for GSM countries where it has roaming agreements in place. Customers now pay $1.50 per minute for making or receiving calls in those countries with long-distance included. Rates for the remaining covered countries where frequencies supported include CDMA and AMPS are $.50 to $.99 per minute plus varying long-distance rates, depending on where the call originates.
a wireless connection to the rest of the world at simple, flat-rate pricing in supported GSM countries abroad.
http://www.sprint.com

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India's BSNL Selects UTStarcom's IP DSLAM

UTStarcom announced an expansion contract for the deployment of 75,000 ports of its AN-2000 B820 and AN-2000 B100 IP DSLAMs and related equipment for the second phase of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.'s (BSNL) National Internet Backbone project. The equipment will support broadband Triple Play services. The new contract extends the initial $9.2 million contract signed with BSNL in August 2004.


BSNL's National Internet Backbone currently comprises around 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 rollout of a broadband access network across 198 cities in India.


BSNL is the incumbent and largest telecom provider in India, with a presence in the fixed-line, cellular mobile, long distance and data markets.
http://www.utstar.com
http://www.bsnl.co.in

• In August 2004, 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.

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Qwest Submits New Bid for MCI

Qwest Communications submitted a revised bid to acquire MCI for approximately $8 billion. The sweetened proposal adds collars to protect MCI shareholders should the price of Qwest's shares decline.


Qwest argues this revised proposal is superior to Verizon's bid because it delivers greater value in cash and stock per MCI share. Qwest estimates an "synergy value" of approximately $18 per MCI share in a combined Qwest/MCI company. Qwest also believes its proposal would face less regulatory scrutiny because of the significantly smaller footprint overlap (business, consumer and network) in a Qwest/MCI combination. This would lead to fewer and less extensive divestiture demands from regulatory agencies and will avoid the industry concentration and public policy issues the Verizon/MCI merger presents. Therefore, Qwest argues its proposal has a higher chance of being completed quickly.


In a statement, MCI's Board confirmed that it will conduct a thorough review of the Qwest offer.
http://www.qwest.com
http://www.mci.com

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Marvell Posts Record Revenue of $340.3 million

Marvell Technology Group record quarterly revenue of $340.3 million, an increase of 40% over net revenue of $243.3 million for the same period a year earlier and a 7% sequential increase from net revenue of $317.6 million for the preceding quarter. Net income (GAAP) was $54.9 million, or $0.18 per share (diluted). Net revenue for the year ended January 29, 2005 was $1,224.6 million, an increase of 49% over net revenue of $819.8 million for the year ended January 31, 2004.


"We are pleased to announce the results of another outstanding year and fourth quarter for Marvell," stated Dr. Sehat Sutardja, Marvell's President and CEO. "As we enter fiscal 2006, we are excited about the growing breadth of the several large volume markets we are serving as we expand our offerings into the consumer electronics markets. We expect continued strong market adoption of our advanced technologies into a variety of emerging consumer applications as well as continued solid growth from the enterprise markets."http://www.marvell.com

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BT Selected by The Volvo Group for Global Net

BT was awarded a three-year, multi-million EUR contract for the supply of international data communication services to the Volvo Group and its subsidiaries. The will cover approximately 80 locations worldwide. BT said it will supply an improved ATM-based infrastructure as well as services such as network monitoring and internet access. The technology refresh included in the contract carries an option for the network to be migrated to an MPLS platform within two years. Delivery has already started.
http://www.btplc.com

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InTechnology to Resell Nortel Gear in Europe

InTechnology and its wholly owned subsidiary, Allasso, have established a new Network Solutions division to develop and sell secure networking solutions to resellers across Europe. Nortel will be the first vendor for the new division, supplying its data networking, Ethernet switches and security products.


For the last three years, InTechnology has managed its own multigigabit national Ethernet network, LANnet, to deliver a portfolio of managed services in the UK.
http://www.nortel.com
http://www.intechnology.co.uk

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Neterion Launches PCI Express 10 GigE Adapter

Neterion (formerly S2io), a start-up based in Cupertino, California and Ottawa, Canada, introduced a 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter based on the PCI Express bus architecture. Neterion now offers its Xframe adapter in all three major bus architectures: PCI-X 1.0, PCI-X 2.0 and PCI Express.


Neterion said its new 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter requires no rewrites to the end users' operating system software and they are able to keep their host-based TCP/IP stacks intact for reliability and security purposes.


PCI Express is serial, rather than parallel, interconnect technology featuring advantages such as scalable bus bandwidth, lower overhead and lower latency and improved QoS. All major server and storage vendors are designing products equipped with PCI Express.

http://www.neterion.com/

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Nuvio Launches E911 Services Across U.S.

Nuvio launched Enhanced 911 (E911) services for its NuvioCentrex hosted IP Voice solution, which is offered to broadband providers, cable operators, CLECs and VARs through a private-label partner program. The company currently offers E911 in over 1,500 rate centers servicing over 2,700 cities nationwide and will deploy this feature in additional markets as demand warrants.


Nuvio's E911 calls are routed as emergency traffic and provide computer-based caller information to emergency personnel at local Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). Through its service, 911 calls are automatically transferred to the PSAP and the operators are presented with the person's telephone number and location.
http://www.nuvio.com

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Samsung Demonstrates Push-To-All Application

Samsung Electronics demonstrated a Push-to-All (PTA) solution that extends the existing PTT (Push-to-Talk) one to multi-user voice application with the one to multi-user video conferencing (Push-to-View or PTV) and multimedia file sharing (Push-to-Data or PTD).


The core benefit of PTA handsets is their synchronous video conferencing ability. Similar to a walkie-talkie with video capabilities, the speaker's image appears instantly on the handset screen of the user or multiple users on the call. It is a convenient and time-saving function that allows people in multiple locations to easily conduct virtual meetings. In addition, the PTA handset allows one to send image, video clip and music content to multiple users through one simple operation on a mobile device at one time.


Samsung Electronics plans to offer a commercialized PTA solution handset using not only EV-DO technology but also EDGE, UMTS, and WiFi standards.
http://www.samsung.com

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Ciena Reports 16% Sequential Revenue Growth

Ciena reported first quarter revenue of $94.7 million, representing a 16% sequential increase, and an increase of 43% over the same period a year ago. On a GAAP basis, Ciena's reported net loss for the fiscal first quarter was $57.0 million, or a net loss of $0.10 per share. This loss compares to a GAAP net loss of $76.7 million, or a net loss of $0.16 per share, in the same period a year ago.


Ciena recognized revenue from two customers that each contributed more than 10% of the fiscal first quarter's total revenue. Combined, the two ten percent customers accounted for 31.7% of the quarter's total revenue. In addition, approximately 83% of Ciena's business in the fiscal first quarter came from domestic customers.


As a result of product mix, Ciena's gross margin in the quarter was 25.6%, compared to 29.5% in its fiscal fourth quarter.


"Strong growth from a number of application areas, including core optical transport, core switching and data networking, fueled revenue growth in our fiscal first quarter," said Gary Smith, Ciena's president and CEO. "While our traditional specialty of core networking continues to be a focus for us, one of the most telling signs of the scope and progress of our efforts to become a more strategic provider is that we have increased the number of customers purchasing from multiple product lines by 73 percent compared to the first quarter of 2004 and we're looking to build on that momentum."http://www.ciena.com

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Rogers Cable Selects Nortel Cable Telephony Solution

Rogers Cable, Canada's largest cable television company, has selected Nortel as its primary softswitch vendor to support digital phone service, which it plans to begin launching Digital Phone service in mid-2005. Rogers passes 3.3 million homes in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and has 69% basic cable penetration of its homes passed. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Rogers Digital Phone service will leverage the company's DOCSIS broadband cable network combined with Nortel's Communication Server (CS) 2000 - Compact -- a softswitch that is PacketCable qualified in both North America (CableLabs) and Europe (EUR-Cable Certification Board). Nortel will also provide Rogers with Nuera's ORCA BTX-4K, a high-density media gateway providing PacketCable compliant trunking access to the PSTN.


Rogers' optical transport network is based on Nortel Optical Metro 5200s and Optical Metro 3500s for transport of voice traffic.
http://www.nortel.com

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Telecom Italia Integrates Avici into Testbed

Telecom Italia Lab has integrated Avici Systems' SSR carrier class routing platform in its hybrid IP/optical network test bed that leverages open standards signaling across the optical and IP domains. Telecom Italia Lab is building an advanced multi-layer network based on IP/MPLS and optical technologies to evaluate the advantages of an intelligent architecture utilizing standards-based interworking between the optical transport network and client devices (IP routers). Leveraging the unified IP/Optical control plane, this IP/optical test bed will be used to evaluate future upgrades to European research infrastructures in order to support the highly demanding applications of the European research community.


Avici said its is leveraging open standards to enable carriers to signal between the IP and optical domains.
http://www.avici.com

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FCC Rules Against AT&T on Prepaid Calling Card USF Fees

The FCC ruled that AT&T unlawfully avoided paying millions of dollars of universal service contributions and other fees related to pre-paid long-distance calling card services. The FCC ordered AT&T to file revised universal service contributions forms for the entire period that AT&T has provided its calling card service. In its November 2004 filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, AT&T reported that it had avoided $160 million in universal service contributions on the card since 1999.


The Commission rejected an assertion by AT&T that its practice of inserting verbal advertisements in the calling card service transformed it into an unregulated "information service" not subject to universal service assessments. The FCC found the advertisements to be incidental to the underlying telecommunications service offered to the cardholder, and therefore did not change the regulatory status of the service.


The Commission also rejected AT&T's assertion that calls made within a state shouldn't be subject to intrastate access charges. AT&T said the calls are exempt because they are routed through AT&T's out-of-state switching platform. The Commission generally determines the jurisdiction of a call by its endpoints; calls that originate and terminate in the same state are considered jurisdictionally intrastate.


AT&T plans to appeal the decision. In a statement, AT&T said the FCC decision was legally flawed and that it reversed years of precedent to re-regulate enhanced prepaid calling card services.


AT&T asserts that there are dozens of other companies offering prepaid
cards that do not appear to be contributing to universal service or paying access charges . Rather than settling the issue years ago, AT&T complained that "the Commission has instead dodged the difficult issues and opened another in its long line of rulemakings. By doing so, this Commission continues its legacy of asking many questions but answering very few."http://www.fcc.govhttp://www.att.com

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Iridium Cites Favorable Trends for Mobile Satellite Service

Iridium Satellite announced that it had more than 114,000 subscribers as of December 31, 2004, a 22.5% increase over its total number of subscribers at the end of 2003. The company's revenue for the full-year 2004 increased by 23.2% over total revenue for the prior year.

In the general aviation market, the company surpassed a milestone in October of 2,500 aircraft using Iridium-based equipment -- roughly double the number equipped in 2003. In the maritime industry, Iridium announced four significant agreements in 2004 resulting in more than 300 ships being equipped with Iridium satellite terminals. In the defense/government sector, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) exercised an option to extend its contract for airtime on the Iridium network for mobile voice, data and paging services. The U.S. government relies on the Iridium network for many applications, including command and control, logistics and tracking systems, battlefield and weather condition data transmission, remote unattended sensor programs and man-pack soldier systems.


In 2005, Iridium plans to complete the development of a new netted push-to- talk communications architecture. This architecture will provide an efficient broadcast service within a designated region for military, homeland security and commercial applications requiring netted voice and data communications. Iridium expects to make this innovative service available in Q4 2005.



In the second half of 2005, Iridium will launch a new lower cost data modem for short-burst data communications. This data module will leverage the 100% global coverage of the Iridium network and will feature low latency, two- way communications, broadcast and high throughput data capabilities.
http://www.iridium.com/

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Time Warner Telecom Launches VoIP Over Metro Ethernet

Time Warner Telecom is launching its business-class VoIP solution suite in 21 initial markets across the U.S..

The first phase of VoIP-based products offered under TW Telecom ONE SOLUTION, provides solutions for PBX customers. These products include: TW Telecom ONE CONNECT, a VoIP trunking solution; TW Telecom ONE REACH, an IP FX virtual numbering service; and TW Telecom ONE FORUM, a conferencing solution. In concert with this VoIP-based business strategy launch, Time Warner Telecom is offering free VoIP VPN service to all its site-to-site customers in the 44 markets it serves.

"Our strategic approach to this technology may differ slightly from other service providers, but it is consistent with how we have built our networks, solutions and customer care for businesses," said Michael A. Rouleau, senior vice president -- Strategy and Business Development for Time Warner Telecom. "Our strategy is to layer VoIP-based business-class solutions on our robust metro Ethernet platform. This leverages our network strengths and relationships with customers to meet their mission-critical voice needs."http://www.twtelecom.com

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Space Systems/Loral Completes DIRECTV 8 Satellite

Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) completed all assembly, integration and tests of the DIRECTV 8 satellite, more than two months ahead of the contracted schedule.

The DIRECTV 8 satellite will provide selectable medium and high power Ku- band broadcast services to the U.S. on up to 32 transponders. The service is optimized to support the current and next generation higher coding rate services that DIRECTV provides. The Ka-band payload will use the full 1,000 MHz of Ka-band communications bandwidth available to link DIRECTV facilities as part of DIRECTV's dramatic infrastructure development for the upcoming launch of local digital and high definition services in the Ka-band.
http://www.ssloral.com

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