Nokia and Deutsche Telekom Pilot Fixed Mobile Convergence

Deutsche Telekom announced T-One, an integrated dual-mode telephony solution combining fixed line and mobile communications. The service is being piloted on Nokia N80 and Nokia E60 devices.



T-One will offer customers a simple and convenient way to access both fixed line and mobile data services using WLAN-enabled Nokia N80 and Nokia E60 devices. Customers will be able to use the same data and voice services from home or on the go through a T-Com HotSpot.



"The Internet and mobile communications are coming together faster than anyone expected. We're delighted to work with Germany's leading operator, the Deutsche Telekom Group, in the mobile and Internet space to offer new possibilities for people to communicate in a flexible way with the T-One solution," said Ilkka Raiskinen, senior vice president of Multimedia Experiences at Nokia.

http://www.nokia.com

Read More

Global Crossing Launches Applications Performance Management with Fluke

Global Crossing is adding an Applications Performance Management (APM) service to its portfolio of fully managed, converged IP services.



The service provides end-to-end, real-time performance monitoring, robust troubleshooting and one-second increment data gathering at every site throughout a converged IP network.



Enabled through a strategic partnership with Fluke Networks that incorporates its Visual UpTime Select solution, APM provides network managers the ability to identify performance issues and determine if they are application specific or network based, resulting in faster resolutions.



Global Crossing Applications Performance Management Services are now available worldwide.

http://www.globalcrossing.com

Read More

SupportSoft's CEO to Step Down

Radha R. Basu will step down as CEO of SupportSoft to focus her efforts on non-profit work. Ms. Basu has been CEO since she joined SupportSoft in July, 1999. She will remain in her current role as CEO until her successor is on board and will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

http://www.supportsoft.com

Read More

Linksys Launches SIP-Based Multi-Line Phone System

Cisco Systems' Linksys division introduced a new line of SIP-based telephony products targeting SOHO and very small business customers. The new line of IP telephony solutions called the Linksys Voice System 9000 (LVS 9000) includes an IP PBX/Key system, a wide range of IP desktop phones, an Analog Gateway for connection to the Public Switched Telephone Network and a selection of authorized Internet Telephone Service Provider (ITSP) offerings for the Value Added Reseller (VAR) or small business to choose from.

The Linksys Voice System 9000, a fully-featured multi-line Internet phone system for up to 16 lines, includes the following components:

• Configuration Server


• SIP Proxy and Registrar - Up to 16 Users


• Application Server


• Music on Hold Server


• Media Proxy


• Web Server - For Local Management


• ATA via 2 Onboard RJ11 FXS Ports


• Two Phone Ports for analog telephone and fax


• IP PBX features including Automated Attendant, Automatic Call Distribution / Routing, Bridged / Shared Line Call Appearance, Call Transfe, Call Forwarding, Local and Corporate Directory, Call Pickup, Group Paging, Intercom, etc.

Pricing starts at $400.




The new line of Linksys phones includes models with one or two Ethernet ports, 1, 2, or 4 extensions, optional Power over Ethernet functionality, or a durable no-display model. Pricing starts at $89.

http://www.linksys.com

Read More

MobiTV Hires Sprint Exec to Drive Content Acquisition

MobiTV, which provides television and digital radio services for mobile devices, named Dale Knoop as Sr. Director of Business Development. Knoop previously served as Sprint's General Manager of Multimedia.



MobiTV recently expanding its MobiTV service with version for the Palm TX and other WiFi enabled devices. Dozens of channels are offered through MobiTV's WiFi service, including ABC News Now, Bloomberg, C-SPAN, Comedy Time, ESPN 3GTV, Fox News, Fox Sports, The Weather Channel and ToonWorld TV. Additional channels will be added throughout the year.

http://www.mobitv.com

Read More

AudioCodes Collaborates on Microsoft's Next Unified Messaging System

AudioCodes announced that its Mediant and MediaPack SIP VoIP Gateways provide key interoperability solutions that enable Microsoft Exchange "12" Unified Messaging to connect to an enterprise's existing voice network.



Microsoft Exchange "12" is the code name for Microsoft's next version of its server for e-mail, calendaring and unified messaging.



Microsoft and AudioCodes have been working closely to develop and test the AudioCodes gateways to help ensure they will be market ready along with the Exchange "12". Microsoft announced its "Beta 1" program for Exchange "12" late last year, and Exchange "12" is expected to be generally available in late 2006 or early 2007.

http://www.audiocodes.com

Read More

KDDI Selects Sonus for Converged Packet Voice Network

KDDI awarded a multi-million dollar contract to Sonus Networks, naming Sonus as its exclusive vendor for their convergence-enabled packet voice network in Japan. In the first phase, KDDI is deploying Sonus' GSX9000 Open Services Switch, PSX Call Routing Server and Insight Element Management System to deliver long distance functionality for their consumer voice service plans -- Metal Plus, MYLINE and Hikari Plus. In future phases of the deployment, KDDI will expand its ubiquitous network to deliver triple-play services to customers nationwide.



"By 2008, KDDI plans to have 100 percent of its long-distance traffic on a Sonus-based VoIP network," said Yukio Takahashi, General Manager, IP Network Engineering Division, Corporate Technology Sector, KDDI Corporation.

http://www.sonusnet.com

Read More

BT Exact Benchmarks the Alcatel 7450 Ethernet Service Switch

BT Exact has verified the non-stop routing functionality on the Alcatel 7450 Ethernet Service Switch (ESS). Alcatel engaged the professional services of BT Exact to assist in the test and evaluation of the Alcatel 7450 Ethernet Service Switch (ESS-7) for high-availability features.



The BT Exact tests were designed to stretch the challenging conditions at the edge of large IP/MPLS networks by simulating hundreds of peers, thousands of routes and SLA-based services. Tests verified non-stop services during a control plane switchover, which demonstrated the Alcatel 7450 ESS's service awareness and routing protocol reconvergence performance. Another test verified the platform's ability to continue processing topology routing updates during a control plane switchover, thereby ensuring customer traffic was always forwarded over a valid route. In addition, the tests demonstrated that Alcatel's non-stop routing implementation is transparent to and fully interoperable with adjacent routers from other vendors.

http://www.alcatel.com

Read More

Atreus Launches IMS Service Provisioning OSS

Atreus Systems announced the launch of its IMS Service Provisioning Solution for wireless and wireline service providers. Atreus is currently working with several leading carriers to launch offerings that include IP Telephony, Conferencing, Hosted Call Center, Unified Messaging, and Voice Networking.



Atreus said its "xAuthority" solution gives service providers the ability to seamlessly extend their current bundles to include the incremental features made possible with IMS.



Key IMS provisioning functions include support for multi-service, multi-vendor solutions; dynamic self-service registration; real-time portal driven employee configuration; and controlled migration from legacy to IMS-based networks.

http://www.atreus-systems.com

Read More

NeuStar's Global SIP-IX Initiative Signs HKG and Japan Internet Exchanges

NeuStar has secured relationships with Hong Kong Internet Exchange (HKIX) and Japan Internet Exchange Co. Ltd. (JPIX) for its Global SIP-IX Initiative, which will offer a suite of services designed to enable direct network-to-network peering between trading partners for voice, video and content services using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based technologies such as IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) and VoIP.

NeuStar also announced that it has completed deployment of SIP-IX infrastructure in facilities operated by its previously announced partners, Equinix and TELEHOUSE. In addition, as part of ongoing trials and broader vendor interoperability testing efforts, NeuStar successfully tested the provisioning interfaces for its SIP-IX service with Ceon, Incognito, NetNumber, and Nominum. The SIP-IX provisioning interface is a standards- based mechanism which enables numbering and IP routing information to be uploaded into the SIP-IX registry infrastructure, where it is synchronized with the SIP-IX global query infrastructure, or downloaded to the network operator's own service infrastructure to facilitate SIP interoperability and call routing.



AMS-IX, Equinix, HKIX, JPIX, and TELEHOUSE will each integrate SIP-IX with their IP peering infrastructures, creating a service delivery platform at the IXP locations that enable network operators to peer SIP-based traffic, in addition to existing peering and collocation services that the providers will continue to offer using current infrastructure and technologies.

http://www.neustar.biz/

Read More

DSL Forum Expands Scope to include FTTP and FTTN

The DSL Forum is expanding its scope to other broadband access technologies, including FTTP and FTTN (PON). Technical work is underway to address common CPE and architecture requirements for various types of access methods to deliver video, voice and data services. Interoperability and qualification work has also been expanded to address higher layer functions as well as the physical layer testing of ADSL2plus and the newly standardized VDSL2.



Michael Brusca, chairman and president of the DSL Forum, said: "We have built on our end to end architecture, broadening Layer 3 specifications that are applicable to FTTP and FTTN (PON) in addition to DSLAM based platforms. Our DSLHome work has been expanded to cover management of common CPE and devices for all types of Wide Area Networks (WANs) and consumer electronics (CE) networking requirements."



In a progress report following its annual meeting help recently in Vienna, The DSL Forum also announced that nine new Technical Reports (TR) were completed in 2005.

• MCM Specific Managed Objects in VDSL Network Element



• Operations & Network Mgmt



• DSLHome Applying TR-069 to Remote Management of Home Networking Devices



• Service Interface Requirements for TR-058 Architectures



• DSLHome TR-064 Extensions for Service Differentiation



• DSLHome Reference Models for VoIP Configurations in the DSL Home



• DSLHome Data Model Template for TR-069 Enabled Devices



• DSLHome Provisioning Parameters for VoIP CPE



• DSLHome Gateway Device Version 1.1 Data Model for TR-069



• Multi-Service Delivery Framework for Home Networks




• Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) Requirements Document




• Protocol Independent Object Model for Managing Next Generation ADSL Technologies



• SCM Specific Managed Objects In VDSL Network Element



• CPE WAN Mgmt Protocol



• Base Requirements for an ADSL Modem with Routing

In addition, in its 2006 elections, DSL Forum members elected two new directors, re-elected five directors and marked the retirement of one of its founders, David Greggains. Having served as a director of the DSL Forum for all of its 11 years in various roles including chief operating officer, vice president, secretary and treasurer, David received the Forum's Lifetime Achievement Award.



New members elected to the board are Lisa Garza, broadband market manager of Cisco Systems and Heather Kirksey, senior manager, standards and emerging technologies of Motive, Inc. Both have previously been awarded the Forum's Circle of Excellence award for their active participation in its work over several years. Directors who were re-elected are: Frank Van der Putten of Alcatel; Peter LeBlanc of Aware, Inc.; Steve Plume of BT; Phil Skeba of Intel and Greg Bathrick of Texas Instruments.



Gavin Young, chief architect of Bulldog Communications, was re-elected as technical committee chair. Vincenzo Gulla, vertical application marketing manager of Aethra was elected marketing committee chair after Jay Fausch of Alcatel, who served in this position for five years, stood down from the role.

http://www.dslforum.org

Read More

Vodafone Launches HSDPA in Germany with Ericsson

Vodafone announced the commercial launch of its Mobile Broadband HSDPA service in the German cities Hanover, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Munich. The service, which will eventually be available throughout the entire WCDMA network, is supported by Ericsson's HSDPA solution.



In addition to the commercial launch at CeBIT, Vodafone is
demonstrating the second phase of Mobile Broadband with up to 10
Mbps over Ericsson's HSDPA as well as Ericsson's HSUPA (High Speed
Uplink Packet Access) with up to 1.5 Mbps. HSDPA and HSUPA enable
Mobile Broadband services comparable to services over DSL.

http://www.ericsson.comhttp://www.vodafone.com

Read More

Nortel's Growth Initiatives Include IMS, WiMAX, and IPTV

Nortel CEO Mike Zafirovski outlined a series of short-term priorities to build shareholder value that include a focus on Business Transformation, Integrity Renewal and Growth Imperatives.



The company's Business Transformation plan is focused on simplifying Nortel's business, improving quality, reducing direct and indirect costs, and generating new revenues.



With respect to Integrity Renewal, the company remains focused on effective governance, improving internal controls and ensuring the integrity of financial information.



As part of Nortel's Growth Imperatives, Zafirovski has set a goal to pursue market opportunities where the company can achieve a leadership position and at least 20 percent market share. "We have a team currently conducting a full review of our R&D priorities and investment areas," he said. For example, Nortel has made decisions to significantly increase investment in the promising areas of IMS, WiMAX, and IPTV, redirect funding from its services edge router and sell certain assets of its Blade Server Switch Business Unit. "You can expect us to continue to share details related to R&D prioritization as decisions are made over the next 12 months," said Zafirovski.

http://www.nortel.com

Read More

ECI Telecom Selected for VDSL2 Project in Europe

ECI Telecom confirmed that is broadband access solution is being deployed in the first commercial VDSL2 network in Europe by one of the largest carriers worldwide. Financial terms were not disclosed.



The deployment uses ECI's Hi-FOCuS Multi-Service Access Gateway platform and Hi-FOCuS MiniShelf Remote Terminals that will be situated in street cabinets and Central Offices. The deployment will use VDSL2 to deliver advanced IPTV services, including multi-channel HDTV.

http://www.ecitele.com

Read More

Alcatel Reaches 80 Million DSL lines Milestone

As of the end of 2005, Alcatel had shipped more than 80 million digital subscriber lines (DSL) worldwide. This achievement was fueled by a 10% increase in DSL shipments over the previous year. To date over 180 service providers in more than 75 countries around the world have selected Alcatel's DSL solutions.

http://www.alcatel.com

Read More

Samsung and MicroOptical Show Video Eyeware for 3G Video Services

At CeBIT, Samsung and MicroOptical have teamed up to showcase a pair of sunglasses that plays video. The AnyVu viewer, which was jointly developed by Samsung and MicroOptical, features built in video viewing and audio systems, significantly enhances the experience of watching mobile video. When plugged in a Samsung video-enabled phone, the device presents a large TV experience that mobile phones' little displays cannot match. The companies envision that the AnyVu viewer will enable many new mobile applications such as high quality mobile TV and interactive gaming.



http://www.samsung.comhttp://www.microoptical.net

Read More

Nokia Opens Manufacturing Facility in Chennai, India

Nokia inaugurated a manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur, Chennai, India. The factory commenced commercial production of mobile handsets on the 2nd of January 2006 and has achieved the milestone of manufacturing over one million handsets in India to-date. The Chennai manufacturing facility currently employs 1100 people and expects to significantly expand its work force in India over time. http://www.nokia.com

Read More

Infineon Supplies VDSL2 Silicon for Deutsche Telekom Rollout

Deutsche Telekom's T-Com division will base the rollout of its new hyper-speed VDSL2 network entirely on broadband access systems powered by Infineon Technologies' chip-set. T-Com is expected to be the first carrier in the world to have a fully standard compliant VDSL2 network in operation. Infineon will provide its VINAX components for both the DSLAMs as well as the customer premises equipment (CPE) side.



Deutsche Telekom is currently connecting the first 10 cities in Germany to its new VDSL2 network. The new network allows for example the delivery of around 100 free and pay-TV channels, on-demand video and advanced High Definition Television (HDTV) content running with up to 50 Mbps downstream and 10 Mbps upstream (profile 17a and 8b respectively of the VDSL2 standard).



Infineon's VINAX chipset supports all eight standard VDSL2 profiles and the full VDSL2 frequency spectrum of up to 30 MHz, VINAX enables data-rates of symmetric 100 Mbps over copper wires at distances greater than 300 meters.



For central office line-card designs Infineon provides VINAX-CO, a dual-port VDSL2 chip-set, in combination with ConverGate-D, a high-end communication processor that provides aggregation towards GbE backplanes. For the CPE side Infineon offers VINAX-CPE, a single-chip VDSL2 solution operated either in hostless mode or in combination with its leading edge VoIP, WLAN, and router/switch system-on-chip solutions.

http://www.infineon.com/news/

Read More

Nortel to Restate Earnings Again

Nortel will restate financial results for 2003, 2004 and the first nine months of 2005, and will have adjustments to periods prior to 2003, primarily due to revenue incorrectly recognized in prior periods that should have been deferred to future periods.



The company currently expects revisions to its previously reported 2003 and 2004 financial results reflecting negative impacts on revenue of $157 million and $77 million and on net earnings/loss of $91 million and $93 million, respectively, as well as revisions to its previously reported 2005 nine month results reflecting negative impacts on revenue of $162 million and on net earnings/loss of $95 million in the aggregate. With respect to financial results prior to 2003, the Company currently expects revisions reflecting negative impacts on revenue of $470 million and on net earnings/loss of $99 million, in the aggregate.



In addition, Nortel reported Q4 2005 revenues of $2.95 billion compared to $2.59 billion for the fourth quarter of 2004 and $2.62 billion for the third quarter of 2005. The company reported a net loss in the fourth quarter of 2005 of $2.21 billion, or $0.51 per common share on a diluted basis, compared to net earnings of $107 million, or $0.02 per common share on a diluted basis, in the fourth quarter of 2004 and a net loss of $110 million, or $0.02 per common share on a diluted basis, in the third quarter of 2005.



Net loss in the fourth quarter of 2005 included a litigation expense of $2,474 million, or $0.57 per common share on a diluted basis, as a result of an agreement reached in principle for the proposed settlement of certain shareholder class action litigation and a tax benefit of approximately $140 million related to a liability release.

http://www.nortel.com

Read More

France Telecom Exceeds One Million VoIP Lines with Netcentrex

France Telecom's residential Voice over IP services, running on Netcentrex solutions, have exceeded 1 million lines in commercial service across 5 countries at the end of 2005: France, UK, Netherlands, Italy and Spain. The initial installation in 2004. Today, after 18 months of service, the deployment rate exceeds 150,000 new subscribers every month across Europe.



"The 1 million line milestone was made possible by a highly efficient and automated provisioning system, currently activating more than 5,000 new subscribers per day", said Olivier Hersent, Chairman of Netcentrex.

http://www.Netcentrex.net

Read More