Ciena Introduces Ultra Low Latency 1GbE and 10GbE Transponders

Ciena introduced ultra low latency 1GbE and 10GbE cards for its CN 4200 FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform.


Ciena's ultra low-latency solution includes 2RS 1GbE and Quad 10-T 10GbE transponders. The company is also offering latency-optimized line systems, featuring multiple options for optical amplifiers, regenerators and dispersion compensation to reduce latency across fiber spans.

Ultra-low latency network links are especially targeted at electronic trading applications. Ciena said it has signed up a variety of customers for its ultra-low latency solutions, ranging from a multi-billion dollar global investment banking, securities and investment management firm to multiple electronic trading firms. The customers are located in traditional global financial centers, such as New York, Chicago and London, as well as emerging trading hubs in Stockholm and Frankfurt.
http://www.ciena.com

Read More

Agilent Updates Wireless Signal Analyzers

Agilent Technologies
introduced eight new measurement applications for its PXA X-Series wireless signal analyzer and three new measurement applications have for its MXA and EXA signal analyzers. In addition, Agilent's LTE FDD, LTE TDD and EDGE Evolution applications have been updated with the following features:

• new in-band emissions and spectrum flatness measurements with pre-set limit lines for UE transmitter conformance test;



• new downlink transport layer decoding for PBCH, PCFICH, PDCCH and PDSCH channels;



• new conformance EVM measurement optimized for measurement speed for manufacturing throughput; and



• support for UE specific RS for LTE-TDD.

http://www.agilent.com

Read More

MegaPath + Covad + Speakeasy Merger Completed

Speakeasy, Covad Communications and MegaPath have been combined into a single company, creating a next generation Managed Services Local Exchange Carrier (MSLEC) with more than 85,000 business customers and over 4,500 partners throughout North America. The new company, which is called MegaPath, is privately held by a group of investors, including the primary investor, Platinum Equity. Best Buy is also an investor in the combined business.

MegaPath, which operates a nationwide MPLS network, offers hosted and integrated voice services; VPN and MPLS service; business-class broadband from DSL up to 15 Mbps, as well as T1 and bonded T1 and business Ethernet at up to 20 Mbps over copper.
http://www.megapath.com

Read More

CableLabs Issues 3D Content Encoding Spec

CableLabs published a new Content Encoding Profiles 3.0 Specification that provides exact requirements for formatting or "panelizing" 3D content into a frame-compatible format for use by cable television systems.


"This spec release marks a great step in the commercialization of 3D TV because it is the first public specification that fully describes the coding and signaling for these top-and-bottom and side-by-side 3D video formats," said Tony Werner, CTO of Comcast.
http://www.cablenet.org

Read More

FCC Seeks Comments on Preserving the Open Internet

The FCC is seeking public comment on two issues related to Preserving the Open Internet.


The first is the relationship between open Internet protections and services that are provided over the same last-mile facilities as broadband Internet access service (commonly called "managed" or "specialized" services). The FCC is concerned that Open Internet protections may be weakened if broadband providers offer specialized services that are substantially similar to, but do not technically meet the definition of, broadband Internet access service, and if consumer protections do not apply to such services. The Open Internet might also be threatened if broadband providers fail to continue expanding the network capacity allocated to broadband Internet access service in order to provide more capacity for specialized services.


The second is the application of open Internet rules to mobile wireless Internet access services, which have unique
characteristics related to technology, associated application and device markets, and consumer usage. Specifically, the FCC is seeking comment on "how, to what extent, and when" openness principles should apply to mobile wireless platforms, with a particular emphasis on furthering innovation, private investment, competition, and freedom of expression.
http://www.fcc.gov

Read More

Apple TV Streams at 720p

The new $99 Apple TV box streams TV shows and movies via iTunes at 720p, with TV content initially available from ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America. It also streams content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe, as well as music, photos and videos from PCs and Macs.


Tech specs include:

• A4 processor


• HDMI


• 802.11n Wi-Fi


• 10/100BASE-T Ethernet


• Built-in IR receiver

http://www.apple.com

Read More

Sprint Highlights 4G Applications for Federal Agencies

Sprint is tailoring specialized applications for government agencies that could run over its 4G network. The carrier said dozens of federal agencies have already certified 4G devices for use on the Sprint 4G network, which government customers can purchase using Networx Enterprise or Federal Supply Schedule 70 contracts. Sprint's WiMAX-based service is currently available in 48 markets and is expected to launch in Washington, D.C. shortly.


Two key applications are:


Situational Awareness: Federal investigators, law enforcement and defense professionals can use Sprint 4G to enable mobile command centers, supporting high-definition video surveillance, location-based solutions, laptop connectivity for individual agents, video streaming or connections to/from handheld devices and the transmission of large images and video from target areas.


Healthcare: Healthcare administrators in federally-managed facilities can use Sprint 4G to provide expanded mobility for caregivers. For example, medical staff can view high-resolution medical images on the HD screen of HTC EVO 4G or view patient records and lab reports on 4G-connected wireless tablet PCs while gaining increased mobility so they can spend more time with patients.
http://www.sprint.com

Read More

AT&T Sells Japan Domestic Network Operations to IIJ

AT&T has sold its domestic Japanese outsourcing services operations to Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ) for approximately ¥9.2 billion, or approximately US$109 million. The deal was first announced in June.

Through this acquisition, IIJ will be providing WAN services to approximately 1,600 domestic corporate customers. The deal includes approximately 245 employees who support those customers to IIJ. IIJ's own client bases has over 6,500 corporate customers.

AT&T said it remains committed to serving multinational corporations with operations in Japan and offers a robust portfolio of services including managed global connectivity, hosting, mobile enterprise applications, cloud computing, application management, security, Telepresence and unified communications. AT&T retains substantial operations and employees to support the domestic Japanese AT&T Global Network infrastructure, which includes four global network service nodes, remote access infrastructure for corporate clients, an Internet Data Centre and significant international subsea cable capacity.
http://www.att.com
http://www.iij.ad.jp/en

Read More

Alcatel-Lucent Acquires OpenPlug, Extending its Application Enablement Strategy

Alcatel-Lucent has acquired OpenPlug, a software developer specializing in tools for mobile applications, for an undisclosed sum. The deal extends Alcatel-Lucent's Application Enablement strategy, which is focused on combining the trusted and secure network capabilities of service providers with the speed and innovation of the Web to provide a richer end-user experience.

By building a robust application-enablement system, Alcatel-Lucent said it is aiming to transform service provider infrastructure by unlocking network resources and functionality and thereby creating new revenue share models.

OpenPlug, which is based in Sophia Antipolis, France, provides tools for converting application code into software that runs natively on any leading mobile device operating system, including Apple's iOS, Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Linux. The company's ELIPS Studio is essentially an open software environment that lets developers create an application once and then deploy to multiple mobile phone OSes.


Alcatel-Lucent plans to integrate the OpenPlug toolset into its own Developer Platform and Open API Service, thus broadening the functionality available to service providers, enterprises and developers for the exposure of network assets and the rapid introduction of new services across mobile and Web domains.


"Being able to provide more applications across multiple devices helps service providers significantly broaden their app store content to create more value for consumers," said Laura Merling, vice president of Alcatel-Lucent's global developer strategy. "As service providers typically offer multiple mobile devices to their subscriber base, the OpenPlug software can help them get to market five times faster by allowing them to easily port an application to all of their devices. And this isn't purely a mobile play -- the software can be extended to support application development for IPTV set top boxes, game consoles, even the ng Connect LTE Connected Car."


"Deploying valuable web and mobile services requires assembling many different pieces from many horizons," said Eric Baissus, CEO of OpenPlug. "By combining OpenPlug's ELIPS Suite and ELIPS Studio technologies with Alcatel-Lucent's platforms and API services, we enable developers and service providers to gather all these pieces in a very efficient and consistent way. This will dramatically facilitate the deployment and the monetization of the new generation of applications that the market is expecting."http://www2.alcatel-lucent.com/application_enablement/http://www.openplug.com

• In June 2010, Alcatel-Lucent has acquired ProgrammableWeb, a leading online repository for Web APIs (application programming interfaces) used by application developers to build web, mobile, and other connected applications. Financial terms were not disclosed.
  
  
  ProgrammableWeb maintains a its repository of over 2,000 Web APIs which are regularly accessed by a community of hundreds of thousands of developers. The APIs and mash-ups available for download from the site extend across a wide range of possible applications, such as search result APIs, GoogleMap mash-ups, messaging APIs, etc.
• In March 2010, Alcatel-Lucent released its first API (Application Programming Interfaces) bundles that blend service provider and third party application capabilities to enable the faster creation of new applications. Alcatel-Lucent's goal with these API bundles is to enable a new revenue share model to transform service provider networks into an application development platform by unlocking network resources and functionality -- similar to what smartphones and apps stores did for the device world.
  
  
  The company's first vertical API bundles include three social bundles supporting the creation of new mashups in social gaming, advertising and virtual goods markets. Collectively, the APIs included are SMS, advertising, location, virtual goods, credit card and billing. The initial delivery of these API bundles targets the 14+ million developers worldwide and the two fastest growing and increasingly profitable applications markets today: mobile advertising and virtual goods.
  
  
  Earlier this year, Alcatel-Lucent introduced its cloud-based developer platform, which leverages the Application Exposure Suite to build, test, manage and distribute applications across networks, including television, broadband Internet and mobile.

Read More

WSJ: Sprint Ponders 4G Alliance with T-Mobile USA

Sprint's Board of Directors is evaluating whether to seek a partnership with T-Mobile USA as it considers funding options for its Clearwire joint venture, according to The Wall Street Journal. The article cites sources who estimate that Clearwire will require $4 billion to fully fund the build-out of its network through 2011. Sprint controls a 54% stake in Clearwire. Meanwhile, Harbinger Capital Partners has recently announced plans for a nationwide, wholesale LTE network that a company like T-Mobile USA could use for its 4G entrance. None of the companies commented directly for the story.
http://www.wsj.com

Read More

IBM Ships Four Core, 5.2 GHZ CPU -- World's Fastest

IBM has begun shipping a four-core chip
built with 45 nanometer (nm) SOI technology that contains 1.4 billion transistors. The z196 processor is engineered for a new version of the IBM mainframe targeted at high-volume business transactions. The z196 makes use of IBM's patented embedded DRAM (eDRAM) technology, which allows IBM to place dense DRAM caches, or components, on the same chips as high-speed microprocessors, resulting in improved performance. Its clock speed is rated at 5.2 GHZ, which is the world's fastest, according to IBM.
The core server in the zEnterprise mainframe system will contain 96 of these processors.
http://www.ibm.com

Read More

euNetworks Builds Low-Latency Trading Net in London

euNetworks has activated an ultra low latency network route from key data centres in Slough, West of London, to financial exchanges and key data centres in the City of London.


euNetworks has reduced the latency on this critical route by over 20% and is now providing sub 500 microsecond round trip connections between Slough and sites in the City of London.
http://www.eunetworks.com

Read More

PARC Wins Research Grant for Content-Centric Networking

PARC, which is a division of Xerox, is one of four project teams chosen by the been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to pursue ways to build a "Future Internet Architecture" (FIA).


PARC will be collaborating with nine universities in a team led by UCLA for "Named-Data-Networking (NDN)" in a grant worth up to $8 million. NSF describes the NDN project as follows:


Today's traditional approach to communications is based on a client-server model…where data contained within IP packets are transported along a single path. Today, however, the most predominant use of the Internet is centered on content creation, dissemination, and delivery…The proposed Named Data Networking (NDN) architecture moves the communication paradigm from today's focus on "where", i.e., addresses, servers, and hosts, to "what", i.e., the content that users and applications care about. By naming data instead of their location (IP address), NDN transforms data into first-class entities…[and] secures the content and provides essential context for security. This approach allows…[for example] the potential to move content along multiple paths to


The project, which was launched by PARC Research Fellow Van Jacobson four years ago, already has produced early protocol specifications and open source software.
http://www.ccnx.org/http://www.parc.com

Read More

Verizon Business Extends Cloud Services with VMware

Verizon Business is testing VMware's vSphere virtualization platform to expand its Computing as a Service (CaaS) portfolio.
Specifically, Verizon's CaaS enabled by VMware's vCloud Datacenter solution will allow enterprises to decide which applications to move to the cloud so they can react more quickly to changing business conditions. This would enable companies to pay only for IT resources consumed (server, connectivity, storage) while delivering the levels of security, performance and control available in private cloud environments. Additionally, with Verizon's new compute service, enterprises utilizing the VMware platform can leverage their existing infrastructure, tool and skill sets without changing their underlying IT setup.


Kerry Bailey, Verizon Business senior vice president for enterprise strategy, said, "With this latest addition to our cloud computing portfolio, our enterprise clients can now trial the unmatched flexibility of our new hybrid cloud solution, which builds on our relationship with VMware to deliver a new, innovative service while leading the industry to an 'everything-as-a-service' model."


"The relationship between VMware and Verizon will bring the full benefits of hybrid cloud computing and IT as a service to our customers," said Paul Maritz, president and CEO, VMware. "The new Verizon service based on VMware vCloud™ Datacenter enables enterprises to improve efficiency and agility by leveraging internal and external resources in a fully compatible, compliant and flexible manner, developed and certified together by VMware and Verizon."http://www.verizon.com
http://www.vmware.com

Read More

Occam Networks Signs Greek Reseller

Occam Networks has signed Optronics Technologies S.A. of Athens as part of its rapidly growing EMEA reseller network. Optronics is known across Greece and Cyprus for its installation of fiber optic-based LAN and WAN networks for both publicly and privately-owned networks. It also has its own production facilities for fiber optic accessories and components and can develop customized solutions for its customers through its own laboratories if required.
http://www.occamnetworks.com

Read More

T-Mobile USA Plans 42 Mbps HSPA+ for 2011

T-Mobile USA announced plans offer dual-carrier HSPA+ with peak theoretical speeds of 42 Mbps by 2011. The company said its mobile broadband network now covers 100 million people in more than 55 major U.S. metropolitan areas.


T-Mobile's HSPA+ network, which currently offers theoretical peak throughput speeds of 21Mbps, is now available in Boston; Erie, Penn.; Fresno, Palm Springs and San Diego, Calif.; Miami, Fla.; Richmond, Va.; Spokane, Wash.; and Topeka, Kan.


"Our new network offers today's available 4G speeds to more people than any other wireless network in the country and we're not done yet. We are now on pace to more than double our HSPA+ footprint reaching more than 200 million people by this year with plans to offer 42Mbps theoretical speeds in 2011," said Neville Ray, chief network officer for T-Mobile USA.http://press.t-mobile.com/articles/August-HSPA-network-Expansion

Read More

Singapore's M1 Offers 1 Gbps Residential Service

Singapore's M1 is launching fibre broadband over the NGNBN infrastructure.


Four new broadband plans for residential customers with downlink speeds of 1Gbps, 100Mbps, 50Mbps and 25Mbps will be offered.


Residential broadband customers also have the option of signing up for free incoming and outgoing calls on M1 Fixed Voice, which is M1's new fixed line service. Students who sign up for any M1 mobile plan will enjoy a special subscription rate of only S$39 for the 100Mbps broadband plan.


To mark the launch, M1 will offer a 3-month free trial of the fibre broadband service at 100Mbps to residential customers whose homes are ready for service. Customers can sign up for the free trial only on 1 September at any M1 Shop.


For corporate customers, M1 will offer complete business solutions with customized offerings on the fibre network, including fixed voice, IP Centrex and managed services. A range of corporate plans with speeds from 10Mbps to 1Gbps based on GPON and Active Ethernet technology will be offered. Corporate customers can call 6655 5588 or contact their M1 account managers for the range of available services and plans.
http://www.m1.com.sg

Read More

Ridgemont Equity to Acquire Majority Stake in Unite Private Networks

Ridgemont Equity Partners will acquire a majority equity stake in Unite Private Networks (UPN), which operates fiber infrastructure in 12 U.S. states, primarily in the mid-West. UPN, which is based near Kansas City, specializes in providing high-capacity data communications networks and related services to schools, government, carriers, data centers and enterprise business customers. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.upnllc.com
http://www.ridgemontep.com

Read More

SingTel Launches Services over NGNBN Fibre

SingTel launched a set of high-speed, consumer and business communication services in its home with downlink speeds of up to 200 Mbps using Singapore's new Next Generation National Broadband Network (NGNBN) and its own fibre infrastructure.


"The availability of an ultra high-speed fibre network through the NGNBN and our own fibre infrastructure presents SingTel with significant opportunities to break new grounds in terms of service innovation and value creation. We will leverage our reputation of a reliable network operator, astute customer insights and an effective partner ecosystem to deliver personalised customer-centric applications, which will pique the imagination of consumers and increase the productivity of businesses. These distinctive applications which focus on entertainment, convergence and productivity enhancement will ensure that SingTel continues to not only lead but shape the digital media and ICT market in Singapore," stated Mr. Allen Lew, CEO Singapore, SingTel.

Starting 01-Spetember-2010, customers have a choice of four "exStream" pricing tiers with prices ranging from S$85 to S$110 per month. Advertised speeds are 150 or 200 Mbps for downloads; 75 or 100 Mbps for uploads; and 15 or 25 Mbps for international bandwidth. Service features range from unlimited local calling, 10GB of online storage, an exclusive TV Apps store, on-demand movie packages, and sports programming. SingTel will also bundled discounts for customers choosing multiple mobile phone lines.


SingTel is also launching an "eVolve" fibre solution for businesses that is built on its wholly owned and managed infrastructure. eVolve complements SingTel's existing suite of business fibre services by providing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with a lower cost option. Pricing begins at S$248 per month for a 30 Mbps service or S$298 for a 100 Mbps service. The fibre connectivity may be used to access SingTel's suite of Managed Services and Cloud Solutions.
http://www.singtel.com

Read More

Singapore's Next Gen Nationwide Broadband Network Launches

Singapore's Next Gen Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN) officially began commercial operations.
Under the NBN structure established by Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) in 2008, the NetCo (OpenNet) is responsible for deploying fiber and maintaining the passive infrastructure while the OpCo (Nucleus Connect) is responsible for the active network and for delivering wholesale services to Retail Service Providers (RSPs). A structural separation is maintained to ensure an open next gen network.


OpenNet, Singapore's Optical Fibre Network Company, which is now offering commercial dark fibre leases, said that to date, the optical fibre cable rollout has already passed through 30% of households and non-residential buildings in Singapore. OpenNet is a joint venture between four partners -- Axia NetMedia (Axia), Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and SP Telecommunications (SPT).


Nucleus Connect, which is responsible for designing, building and operating the active portion of Singapore's NGNBN, announced the first five Retail Service Providers (RSPs) who will go live on the network: LGA, M1, Singtel, StarHub and SuperInternet. Nucleus Connect is installing GPON and Optical Ethernet equipment for the last mile connection. The company said businesses and home owners can look forward to pervasive, competitively priced, broadband speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Some of the initial services expected from these RSPs include ultra-speed Internet access, IPTV, HD video surveillance and HD digital signage applications.


"Today marks a historical moment not only for Nucleus Connect but also for Singapore's infocomm future as we transform Singapore into a global city, an intelligent nation," said Mr David Storrie, Chief Executive Officer of Nucleus Connect.



http://www.ida.gov.sghttp://www.nucleusconnect.com/

• In September 2009, Nucleus Connect selected Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei Technologies as its primary vendors.



• The government of Singapore has previously stated that it expects broadband rates of up to 1 Gbps to be offered to 95% of residences by December 2012

Read More