Belgacom Mobile Selects Siemens for Network Evolution

Proximus (Belgacom Mobile), Belgium's largest mobile operator, selected Siemens Communications for the evolution of its core network under a four-year upgrade plan. Financial terms were not disclosed.


In a first step, Proximus will introduce the Siemens high-performance PowerMSC (Mobile Switching Center). This will enable Proximus to reduce the current number of network elements.


In a next step, Proximus will migrate its existing Home Location Register (HLR) base towards Siemens' next generation HLR innovation platform. The HLR base is the database that contains all the subscriber details, such as phone numbers, accompanying services and the current location. Currently, this database is switch-based. The new platform is server-based: updates or new service introductions can be carried out in as short as one night. Similarly, queries e.g. about the usage of foreign mobile networks, will only take a few seconds to be answered.


In the final implementation phase, Proximus will introduce Siemens' next generation, ATCA-based media gateway to complete the step-change to a full release 4 architecture. In this architecture, the existing PowerMSC will evolve to full fletched MSC Servers, centrally handling call control, whereas the actual traffic is handled decentralized by the state-of-the-art ATCA mobile media gateways.
http://www.siemens.com

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EU Telecom Rules: Commission Takes Action Against 11 Member States

Eleven European countries have failed to implement properly EU telecom rules and hence the European Commission has initiated action against them to insure implementation. The key issues at stake include the independence of the national telecoms regulator, the requirement of number portability and of comprehensive subscriber directories, designation of "universal service" providers, and the availability of the European emergency number 112. The eleven countries are Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Finland.


The European Commission published a list of specific telecom regulatory issues for each country.


"The EU rules opening up national telecommunication markets must be fully and correctly implemented if European consumers and business users are to get the full benefits of competitive electronic communications services such as high-speed internet connections and affordable mobile communications," commented Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding.
http://www.europa.eu.int

• In February 2003, the European Commission officially adopted a New Regulatory Framework that requires national regulators in EU member states to review and/or adapt policies governing electronic communications by 24 July 2003. The framework covered regulations for fixed and mobile wireless networks, cable television networks, satellite networks, and IP networks, whether used for voice, fax, data or video. Specific directives address unbundled access to the local loop, differentiating between existing metallic loops and new optical builds, while guaranteeing universal service and affordable access for all citizens. The Commission also defined a market for wholesale broadband access, covering "bit-stream" services and equivalent wholesale services provided over other infrastructures that permit the transmission of broadband data in both directions. In addition, the new framework defined a market for Voice call termination on individual mobile networks, enabling termination prices from fixed locations to mobile networks to be analyzed and regulated.

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Current Attracts Strategic Investors for its BPL

Current Communications, a start-up based in Germantown, Maryland, attracted strategic investment from Goldman, Sachs & Company, Google, and The Hearst Corporation, one of the nation's largest diversified communications companies. The financing also included additional investments from two of Current's existing investors, EnerTech Capital and Liberty Partners (the company's principal stakeholder.


Specific financial terms were not disclosed, although a report in The Wall Street Journal reported the investment at about $100 million.


Current is a developer of Broadband over Powerline technology and services. Its BPL system is capable of providing multi-megabit speeds to every electrical outlet in a home or business without the need for rewiring. The technology could also be used to transform a utility's electric distribution system grid into an intelligent network, remotely monitored, managed and secured in real time. This could be used to manage electricity supply and demand more effectively.

http://www.current.net

• In March 2004, Cinergy Broadband and Current Communications Group begin offering broadband over power line (BPL) services in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area. A subsequent expansion was planned for Northern Kentucky and Indiana.



• In February 2004, The FCC proposed new rules aimed at promoting broadband over power lines (BPL). Specifically, the new rules would:
  
  
  * require BPL devices to employ adaptive interference mitigation techniques to prevent harmful interference to existing users, such as public safety and amateur radio operators. These techniques would enable BPL devices to cease operations altogether, dynamically reduce transmit power, and/or avoid operating on specific frequencies to prevent harmful interference;
  
  
  * develop a public database that would include such information as location, operational frequencies, and modulation type of BPL devices, which will facilitate the resolution of interference issues in a timely fashion;
  
  
  * seek comment on specific RF measurement guidelines for BPL devices and other carrier current systems. These guidelines will ensure that emission measurements for these systems are made in a consistent manner. While the Notice addresses RF measurement guidelines, it does not propose any changes to existing applicable emission limits.

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i2Telecom Offers $24.99 Unlimited Global Calling

i2Telecom International announced a $24.99 per month global calling plan that offers unlimited calling throughout the USA, Canada and to more than a hundred major cities around the globe. i2Telecom features its "VoiceStick," a portable VoIP product that can convert any computer into a VoIP telephone simply by plugging into any USB port. i2Telecom also features an "i2Bridge" capability that convert any cellphone into a VoIP device.
http://www.i2telecom.com

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Zhone to Acquire Paradyne for $180 Million

Zhone Technologies agreed to acquire Paradyne Networks, a supplier of broadband loop carriers (BLCs) and Ethernet access equipment, in a stock swap valued at approximately $180 million.


Paradyne supplies a family of IP-based broadband access solutions, including BLCs, DSLAMs, Ethernet in the First Mile bonded solutions, IADs, and CPE. The products support both residential triple play solutions and business class bonded SHDSL, ADSL2+, T1/E1, and DS3 bonded solutions for LAN extension and cell site data backhaul applications.


Zhone's networking solutions include its Single Line Multi-Service architecture, Multi-Access Line Concentrator (MALC), "Raptor" ATM/IP DSLAMs, Residential Gateways , "GigaMux" Optical Transport Systems and Zhone Management System.


Under the deal, Zhone will issue 1.0972 shares of Zhone common stock for each outstanding share of Paradyne common stock, and each option, warrant and other security exercisable or convertible into Paradyne common stock will be assumed by Zhone and become exercisable or convertible into Zhone common stock, with appropriate adjustments based on the merger exchange ratio. Based on Zhone's closing price on 07-July-05, the transaction is valued at $3.917 per Paradyne common share. On a fully-diluted basis, the current stockholders of Paradyne will own approximately 36.8% of the combined company and the current stockholders of Zhone will own approximately 63.2% of the combined company.


Zhone's said the acquisition woul bolster its position in next generation Broadband Loop Carrier access network solutions. The deal would also strengthen Zhone's balance sheet with a larger net cash balance.


The combined company would serve twelve of the top twenty-five U.S. Independent Telephone companies, including five of the top ten as well as two of the top three U.S. cable operators and leading U.S. competitive carriers. Also of significance, the transaction will scale operations in every operating region with complementary key accounts in EMEA, APAC, Japan and CALA.


"Together, Zhone and Paradyne will deliver a broad array of products that allow carriers to extend their current access networks," said Mory Ejabat, chairman and chief executive officer of Zhone.


Zhone also announced that revenues for its second quarter are expected to be slightly higher than the guidance previously provided of between $29 million and $30 million. Other than these slightly higher revenues, Zhone expects its results to be in line with previously provided guidance.


Paradyne also announced that revenues for its second quarter are expected to be slightly higher than guidance and that EPS and gross margin percentage will also slightly exceed guidance.


Paradyne is based in Largo, Florida. Zhone is based in Oakland, California.
http://www.paradyne.com
http://www.zhone.com

• In July 2004, Paradyne acquired Net to Net, a privately-held supplier of DSL access equipment based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Among its offerings, the company supplied a bonded SHDSL platform and a line of "Network Extenders."
  
  
• In April 2004, Zhone acquired Sorrento Networks Corporation, a supplier of metro-optical transport and access products. San Diego-based Sorrento Networks' GigaMux product family consists of access, metro, and regional optical networking systems. Its customer base and market focus includes cable TV operators, telecom carriers, and service providers.



• In February 2004, Zhone Technologies acquired the assets of Gluon Networks, a start-up based in Petaluma, California for approximately $7.0 million. Gluon had been developing next-generation converged switching systems for service providers.



• In November 2003, Zhone Technologies completed its merger with Tellium, a publicly traded developer of core optical switching systems.

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Tropos Adds 75 Metro Wi-Fi Mesh Cities in 1H 2005

Tropos Networks, a supplier of metro-scale Wi-Fi mesh networks, added 75 customers in the first half of 2005, and closed its 200th customer with the signing of Tulsa MetroNet of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tulsa MetroNet is using Tropos MetroMesh routers to provide high-speed residential and business wireless Internet access. The network will cover 72 square miles in the Tulsa metro region. Access to the network will be available for $24.95 per month.


Based on current RFP activity and sales engagements, Tropos forecasts that more than an additional 220 municipalities will install metro-scale Wi-Fi networks during the next 12 months in the U.S. alone.


http://www.tropos.com

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US International Trade Commission Drops Ciena Patent Case

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has terminated its investigation of alleged infringement of certain Ciena patents by Nortel Networks Corporation and Flextronics Telecom Systems Ltd. and Flextronics International Ltd.


In January, Ciena filed a legal complaint in a U.S. District Court charging Nortel Networks with infringing on six patents related to Ciena's communications networking systems and technology.


Subsequently, Nortel filed counterclaims against Ciena in that court asserting that Ciena is infringing a total of 13 U.S. patents owned by Nortel. Nortel is seeking damages and an injunction prohibiting Ciena from shipping products that infringe those patents. The matter is set for trial in June 2006.

http://www.nortel.com

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A Universal Co-Existence Solution for Powerline Communications

The HomePlug Powerline Alliance announced a co-existence solution that allows all powerline communications technologies, including HomePlug 1.0, HomePlug AV, and HomePlug BPL, to efficiently share the powerline network in both to-the-home and in-the-home applications. The solution would allow multiple powerline communications technologies to share the same wire while maintaining transmission speeds and effective QoS.


The HomePlug Powerline Alliance has been developing a new HomePlug AV specification, which promises 200 Mbps capacity for sharing HDTV, Digital Audio, and Internet access around a home.


The new co-existence technology, which is built-in to the HomePlug AV specification, fully coexists with HomePlug 1.0 data networking devices. When 1.0 devices are detected, the network switches to a Hybrid mode, allowing HomePlug AV devices to control the 1.0 devices and direct their communications, without compromising the AV network performance.


When multiple networks are deployed in such close proximity that they present the possibility of interference, sometimes called "neighbor networks," HomePlug AV technology allows interoperation of the multiple networks while making the most efficient use of available capacity.


HomePlug AV also shares bandwidth in an efficient and seamless fashion with the to-the-home access technology called HomePlug BPL.


The alliance has presented the HomePlug co-existence solution to technology players in an effort to foster rapid development of the powerline communications industry.
http://www.homeplug.org

• The HomePlug Powerline Alliance is an industry-led initiative currently comprised of about 50 companies. HomePlug Sponsor (Board member) companies include Arkados, Comcast, Conexant, EarthLink, Intellon, RadioShack, Sharp and Sony.

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Thai Carrier Upgrades Backbone with Cisco's 10 Gigabit Ethernet

True Corporation , a leading integrated telecommunications provider in Thailand, has activated multiple 10 Gigabit Ethernet links on its Internet backbone using equipment from Cisco Systems. The upgrade uses Cisco Catalyst 6500 Supervisor Engine 720-based 10 Gigabit Ethernet modules. http://www.cisco.com

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EZchip Secures $10 Million for its Network Processors

EZchip Technologies, a subsidiary of LanOptics, raised an additional $10.0 million as part of its Series C funding for its high performance network processors.


The company is currently sampling its new NP-2 network processor for 10-Gigabit applications. The company also supplies an earlier generation 10-Gigabit network processors as well as 5-Gigabit network processors. EZchip's network processors can be used for a range of Layer 2-7 applications for the carrier metro and edge, the enterprise backbone and data centers.


All of EZchip's current investors have participated in this round. LanOptics, which will continue to be the majority shareholder of EZchip following this financing round with 60.4% of the company, invested $6.9 million with the balance invested by all other shareholders of EZchip.

http://www.ezchip.com

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Cisco Shuffles Management Team as Mazzola Retires

Cisco Systems named Charles H. Giancarlo as chief development officer, replacing Mario Mazzola who will retire from Cisco after serving over 12 years in engineering leadership roles. Giancarlo, who previously was chief technology officer at Cisco, will report to company CEO, John Chambers. Giancarlo will continue to serve as President of Cisco-Linksys.

Cisco announced a number of other management changes.

• Jayshree Ullal, senior vice president, Security Technology Group, will take an expanded role to include the Data Center, Switching and Security Technology Group. Ullal's new role includes responsibilities previously held by senior vice president Luca Cafiero, who will retire from Cisco.



• Mike Volpi, senior vice president, Routing Technology Group, will take an expanded role with added emphasis on the service provider market, including optical and service provider voice technologies. He is also taking on additional responsibility for leading the company's overall service provider strategy. Volpi's new role also includes responsibilities previously held jointly with senior vice president Prem Jain, who will retire from Cisco.



• Kathy Hill has been promoted to senior vice president, Ethernet Systems and Wireless Technology Group.



• Don Proctor has been promoted to senior vice president, Voice Technology Group.



• Tony Bates has been promoted to senior vice president, Carrier Core and Multiservices Business Unit.



• Ian Pennell has been promoted to senior vice president, Access Business Unit.



• Pankaj Patel has been promoted to senior vice president, Broadband Edge & Mid-Range Routing Business Unit

http://www.cisco.com

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Nokia Wins GSM Expansion Deal with O2 in Germany

Nokia will supply its Base Station Subsystem (BSS) infrastructure to expand coverage in O2 Germany's GSM network in Northern, Western and Eastern Germany. The deal includes Nokia's UltraSite base stations, Nokia BSC3i base station controllers, the Nokia NetAct network and service management system as well as related delivery and care services. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.nokia.com

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NextHop Raises $10.5 Million for Network Source Code

NextHop Technologies, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, closed $10.5 million in Series B funding for its network source code solutions.


NextHop's flagship product, GateD, provides a scalable and manageable solution for routing, MPLS, and LAN switching. NextHop's new WLAN software products, WCS and WAPS, provide a similar solution for wireless LANS. Both GateD and NextHop wireless software solutions are aimed at network equipment manufacturers.


The new funding round included all of NextHop's previous investment partners: New Enterprise Associates, Duchossois Technology Partners, Labrador Ventures, and Parker Price Venture Capital. This brings total funding in the company to $35 million.
http://www.nexthop.com

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Motorola Takes Ojo Video Phone to Retail Channels

Motorola will begin offering its Ojo Personal Video Phone . through Tweeter Home Entertainment, Magnolia Audio Video, and Harvey Electronics retail outlets across the U.S. Motorola now offers Ojo in over 200 retail locations


Motorola worked with WorldGate Communications to bring the Ojo Personal Videophone to market. WorldGate's provided optimization of the MPEG-4 coding standard (H.264), which enables transmission of 30 frames-per-second video with synchronized audio at data rates as low as 100 Kbps. This allows the Motorola Ojo to work within the upstream data rates for both DSL and cable broadband networks, and ensures that existing broadband infrastructures can handle video phone traffic. Ojo supports SIP and network-based call signaling (NCS), making the product interoperable with video phones provided by other manufacturers.


The Motorola Ojo Personal Video Phone (Model PVP1000) carries an MSRP of $799.99. A $14.95 monthly service fee applies.
http://www.motorola.com/ojo

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Vonage Partners with Paltalk, an Instant Messaging Community

Vonage announced a partnership with Paltalk, which is an Instant Chat (IC) community boasting 3.5 million members. The Paltalk Messenger allows members to administer their own voice and video conferences and Instant Message (IM) with buddies on MSN, AOL, Yahoo, and ICQ. Vonage will offer Paltalk's subscribers flat rate residential calling plans starting at $14.99. Subscribers will be offered Vonage's full array of calling plans. http://www.vonage.com
http://www.paltalk.com

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T-Mobile USA and Sprint Set MMS Interoperability via VeriSign

Sprint and T-Mobile USA have established Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS) interoperability, enabling their mobile customers to exchange pictures and video messages.


The MMS interoperability for Sprint is made possible by VeriSign through its LightSurf GX-MMS service. LightSurf GX-MMS service helps operators enable MMS traffic to more customers through a hosted and managed service.
http://www.sprint.com
http://www.t-mobile.com

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Riverstone Supplies Routers to China's Hubei CATV

Hubei CATV, the incumbent cable operator in China's Hubei province, has selected Riverstone Networks' MPLS-based Ethernet routers to provide the infrastructure for its new VPN service offerings. Hubei CATV will begin offering E-LINE and E-LAN services to enterprises in eight cities as part of its strategy to expand from residential cable and Internet access services into the business services market. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.riverstonenet.com/

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Sprint Begins EV-DO Launch

Sprint began rolling out its EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) service in airports and central business districts in 34 U.S. markets. As the roll-out continues, access will be available to approximately 92 million people in 14 broadly deployed metropolitan areas in Q3. By Q4, another 36 metro areas will be launched, so that service will be available to approximately 143 million people. By early 2006, the high-speed wireless data service will be available on a variety of devices throughout at least 200 urban and suburban markets in approximately 60 metropolitan areas.


Sprint said its service delivers average download speeds of 400-700 kbps and a peak rate of up to 2.0 Mbps.


Sprint's EVDO pricing starts at $40 per month for 40MB with a price cap at $90. Sprint also will offer an unlimited access plan through business sales channels for $80 per month.


Sprint is supplying EVDO cards from Sierra Wireless and Novatel Wireless.


Sprint plans to introduce EV-DO handsets and applications for consumers and business customers in the fourth quarter.
http://www.sprint.com

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China Netcom Expands IP-PAS with UTStarcom

China Netcom Group (CNC) has awarded contracts valued at $67 million to UTStarcom to expand the operator's existing IP-based PAS (Personal Access System) (iPAS) networks in the Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Shandong provinces; Inner Mongolia; and metropolitan Beijing.


Beijing already has some 2 million PAS subscribers.
In June, PAS coverage was initiated in the Beijing subway system, enabling commuters the ability to use their PAS phones while they travel and remain connected. UTStarcom has also collaborated with China Telecom, China Netcom, China Mobile and China Unicom to achieve short messaging service (SMS) interoperability across the operators' networks.
http://www.utstar.com

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ARRIS Hires Senior VP of Sales

ARRIS has appointed Derek Elder as Senior Vice President of Sales, where he will have oversight for the Comcast, Cablevision and GCI accounts. Prior to joining ARRIS, Elder led MSO sales efforts for Tropic Networks. Previously, Elder held various technical, marketing, and sales roles at Cisco Systems, Narad Networks, and Graypeak Technologies.
http://www.arrisi.com

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