Eutelsat Signs Italian Space Agency for Ka-SAT service

ASI, the Italian Space Agency, has signed an agreement with Eutelsat Communications to use its new KA-SAT High Throughput Satellite for broadband connectivity in Italy. Specifically, ASI is planning the progressive use of 550 Mbps of KA-SAT capacity across 10 spotbeams that together provide full coverage of Italian territory. The capacity will mainly be deployed to deliver broadband to Italian government facilities beyond range of terrestrial networks.
http://In May 2011, Eutelsat Communications announced commercial activation of its KA-SAT High Throughput Satellite, marking the official launch of its new-generation Tooway broadband service across Europe. Up to 10 Mbps downstream and 4 Mbps upstream is immediately available for consumers irrespective of location across Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. The service is sold by various channel partners in each national market.

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SK Telecom Launches LTE with Cloud RAN and CoMP Capabilities

SK Telecom inaugurated its 4G LTE service in Seoul on July 1, 2011.


The network will provide a maximum downlink speed of 75Mbps, which is five times faster than that of its 3G WCDMA network (HSUPA) and 1.9 times faster than Wibro that provides maximum downlink speed of 39.8Mbps and maximum uplink speed of 10Mbps. The network uses the 800 MHz band. The company plans to expand the frequency bandwidth for LTE from one-way 5MHz (at the time of service launch) to 10MHz by the fourth quarter of 2011 to achieve the full downlink potential.


The LTE rollout in Seoul was accomplished by building 1,772 Radio Units (RU) and 609 Digital Units (DU). In addition to this, the company will also use its 200,000 existing 800MHz repeaters to offer seamless and flawless 4G LTE service in all areas of Seoul, including underground and indoor areas.


SK Telecom said it expects to attract 300,000 LTE subscribers in 2011, 6 million by 2013, and 10 million by 2015. Eleven 11 devices are expected to be on the market by year's end.


SK Telecom is working on LTE roll-outs in 23 cities including the Seoul Metropolitan area and six metropolitan cities by early next year, and secure national coverage (82 cities) by 2013. SK Telecom also said that the national coverage could become a reality earlier than planned depending on the market situation. Moreover, the company expects to introduce LTE-Advanced, the download speed of which reaches 1Gbps, in around 2013, by upgrading its LTE networks.


In addition, SK Telecom said it is leveraging cloud network technology in its LTE networks to flexibly handle wireless data demand that differs by time and region.


SK Telecom also claims to the first carrier in the world to use Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) technology to prevent the degradation of data speed coverage in cell boundary areas.http://http://www.sktelecom.com/

• In January 2011, South Korea's SK Telecom announced the selection of Samsung Electronics, LG-Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks as key equipment suppliers for its LTE network.
  
  
  
  
  Samsung Electronics and LG-Ericsson are supplying switching equipment, while all three companies will provide base station equipment. SK Telecom said it made the selection based on price and compatibility with other suppliers.
  
  
  SK Telecom has adopted its own Smart Cloud Access Network (SCAN) architecture to optimize its rollout. A base station largely consists of Digital Unit (DU) and Radio Unit (RU). With the SCAN architecture, LTE network DUs will be stored together in one area, while Remote Radio Units (RRU) - along with the antenna - will be set up in various locations. The carrier said this cloud-based network design enables multiple RRUs to be installed according to varying network capacity needs of each area.
  
  
  SK Telecom also plans to boost network capacity in small areas by deploying 62,000 Wi-Fi zones and over 10,000 femtocells. This will require the installation of 45,000 Wi-Fi this year, as well as expanding the 1,000 femtocells deployed last year to 10,000 femtocells. Also, SK telecom plans to offer femtocells that can handle voice and data traffic at the same time in small areas. Furthermore, the 6-sector solutions, which can double the capacity of current base stations, will be expanded to 500 base stations this year from 20 base stations beta-tested at the end of last year.

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China Mobile Tests TD-LTE with NSN

China Mobile has been running live TD-LTE trial networks in Hangzhou and Xiamen using equipment from Nokia Siemens Networks. Nokia Siemens Networks said it has already finished testing the core network and is now testing radio access. It is working with China's Ministry of Information and Industry Technology (MIIT) on TD-LTE device testing, and will use devices in the trial, when testing is completed.


The trial networks, operational since May, demonstrate the promise of TD-LTE to transform the mobile broadband experience in China. Trial users have been able to enjoy peak download and upload speeds of up to 100 Mbps along with uninterrupted access to applications such as video streaming and online HD video conferencing.


Nokia Siemens Networks deployed its single RAN advanced TD-LTE equipment in 2.3GHz and 2.6GHz spectrum. The company's network management system, NetAct is providing configuration, monitoring and operations support system capabilities during the trial. Nokia Siemens Networks is also providing network planning and optimization services.


"Nokia Siemens Networks has been committed to developing the TD-LTE ecosystem since its inception. The Motorola Solutions' acquisition clearly strengthens our market proposition and enables us to deliver greater value to operators, looking to adopt TD-LTE," said Markus Borchert, head of customer operations for Greater China at Nokia Siemens Networks. "China Mobile's trust in our TD-LTE capabilities for this large-scale trial affirms our technology leadership and readiness for large-scale commercial TD-LTE rollouts."http://www.nsn.com

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Nortel Patents Sold for US$4.5 Billion

A consortium consisting of Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, Research In Motion and Sony prevailed as the winning bidder for all of Nortel's remaining patents and patent applications. The winning bid was US$4.5 billion.


The sale includes more than 6,000 patents and patent applications spanning wireless, wireless 4G, data networking, optical, voice, internet, service provider, semiconductors and other patents.


Nortel said its extensive patent portfolio touches nearly every aspect of telecommunications and additional markets as well, including Internet search and social networking.
http://www.nortel.com

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Korea's LG U+ Launches LTE with 75 Mbps Top Speed

LG U Plus (formerly LG Telecom) announced the launch of its LTE service in Seoul, Busan, and Gwangu.


The network employs High-Rate Packet Data (eHRPD) for seamless mobility between LTE and CDMA. LG U+ is promising top download speeds of 75 Mbps and upload speeds of 36 Mbps. The service is delivered over 800 MHz spectrum using a 10 MHz allotment. The network design will use LTE repeaters and "cloud banks" to scale up in size.


LG U+ has previously disclosed the selection of Samsung, Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks as key suppliers for its LTE rollout.http://mobile.uplus.co.kr/jsp/lte/lte_01_1.jsp

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China Telecom Selects Alcatel-Lucent for IMS in 6 Provinces

China Telecom has selected Alcatel-Lucent to supply an IMS platform for delivering multimedia services to subscribers in Shanghai, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Xinjiang and Sichuan provinces.


This contract, won by Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell -- represents the first commercial deployment of IMS technology for China Telecom, and builds on a successful trial in Shanghai and Shandong provinces.


"This project with Alcatel-Lucent, our first large-scale commercial deployment of IMS, is a critical step in our transformation to a much more flexible, cost effective all-IP network," said XU Sui, Deputy General Manager of Network Development Dept.in China Telecom. "The world of communications is moving to more video, more streamed content from the web, more personalized services – we are building a network for this new world."


In addition, China Telecom and Alcatel-Lucent will work together to develop advanced services, including unified network address book, presence, multimedia instant messaging (including SMS, text and video) and image sharing.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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NTT Com Builds Data Center in Cyberjaya, Malaysia

NTT Communications will begin construction of the new Cyberjaya 3 Data Center in July, aiming to launch commercial operation of this Tier III-ready facility by June 2012. Located within Cyberjaya, Malaysia, the Cyberjaya 3 Data Center will join NTT Com's Cyberjaya 1 and Cyberjaya 2 data centers in meeting the expanding needs of Southeast Asian customers.



NTT Com noted that customers of the new Cyberjaya 3 Data Center will receive the added benefit of extra-low-latency, extra-reliable services when the Asia Submarine-cable Express connecting Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines and Singapore starts up in 2012.
http://www.ntt.co.jp

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ZTE Introduces LTE Micro Base Station

ZTE introduced an LTE Micro Base Station designed for urban and indoor hotspot coverage.


The ZXSDR BS8920, which the company describes as the world's smallest commercially available LTE base station, offers a capacity of 150Mbps, with 2X10W transmit power and 2T4R modulation for a large footprint. The design of the BS8920 encompasses key features to reduce power consumption to as low as 100W average, with up to 30 percent lower deployment costs in terms of deployment compared to other distributed base stations.


The BS8920 is an Omni sector eNodeB product, with less than half of the size and weight of a standard remote radio unit (RRU). It also supports all-standard LTE frequency band spectrums, and AC/DC power supply.
http://www.zte.com.cn

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Global Crossing Wins UK Data Contract

Global Crossing has been named one of only three suppliers in the UK's Government Procurement Service, Managed Telecommunications Convergence Framework (MTCF). The framework agreement, which spans an initial two-year period. will facilitate the delivery of managed telephony and data network services and enable the public sector to benefit from access to a new portfolio of hosted IP telephony, unified communications and video conferencing services. http://www.globalcrossing.com

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Investment Firms Acquire Go Daddy

KKR, Silver Lake and Technology Crossover Ventures have acquired The Go Daddy Group, the world's largest provider of Web hosting, domain names and new SSL Security Certificates. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Go Daddy is the world's largest on-ramp for cloud-based software and services. The company serves more than 9.3 million global customers and manages more than 48 million domain names.


Greg Mondre, Managing Director, of Silver Lake said: "Go Daddy is powerfully positioned for future growth as it continues to innovate and add to its truly unique platform of cloud-based software and services. At the same time, we plan to maintain and augment all of the attributes that have made Go Daddy a clear market leader today, including world class customer support and competitive pricing for its 9.3 million customers."https://www.godaddy.com

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Bridgewave -- 4G Backhaul Solutions

What's driving millimeter wave technology as a backhaul solution for 4G? This interview with Amir Makleff, President and CEO of Bridgewave Communications, and Paul Obsitnik, Senior VP of Business Development, discusses the challenges of 4G rollouts and the frontier of innovation in wireless backhaul.
http://www.bridgewave.com

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Alcatel-Lucent Supplies PON for Broadband China, Fibre Cities Project

China Telecom has selected Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell for the "Broadband China, Fibre Cities" project - will involve the deployment of a mix of passive optical networking (PON) technologies connecting homes, office buildings and remote "nodes" (which can then distribute the broadband signals to multiple locations over existing copper wires). This project is a central element of China Telecom's plan to extend its FTTH coverage to 100 million users by the end of China's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015).


Specifically, Alcatel-Lucent will supply its Intelligent Services Access Manager (ISAM) product family, which supports GPON, EPON and DSL technologies and enables fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) and fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) deployment models. The ISAM family is a cornerstone of Alcatel-Lucent's High Leverage Network architecture. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Wei Leping, Chairman of China Telecom Science & Technology Committee, said: "China Telecom launched ‘Broadband China, Fibre Cities' strategy at the beginning of 2011, which aims to realize optical network coverage in all the cities in three years. By 2015, China Telecom will achieve a FTTH coverage of 100 million households and 30 million FTTH subscribers. Leveraging Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell's leading broadband access portfolio and Alcatel-Lucent's enriched deployment experience for other operators worldwide, we are able to provide the urban users the experience of web surfing at the speed of light." http://

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Deutsche Telekom Launches LTE in Cologne

Deutsche Telekom activated commercial LTE service in Cologne, marking the first LTE market in a German city.


The deployment comprises 100 base stations and approximately 120 miles of fiber optic cable to the base stations. The Cologne footprint covers an area of approximately 150 square kilometers.


The first LTE device is the Speed ​​Stick, which supports both LTE and the EDGE/GPRS- and HSPA / UMTS technology and thus can be used nationwide in the Telekom mobile network.


For the launch phase of LTE in Cologne, Telekom is offering a data plan promising downlinks from 42.2 to 100 Mbps with a monthly price of EUR 62.98 net for the first three months.


LTE rollouts in other German cities is anticipated for the autumn.
http://www.telekom.com

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Intercity Zakelijk Picks NSN for Mobile Core

Intercity Zakelijk, a Dutch mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) for business customers in the Netherlands, has awarded Nokia Siemens Networks a long-term contract to design, implement and support its complete mobile core network. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Under the contract, Nokia Siemens Networks will plan, design and implement its full mobile core network, including open mobile softswitches* and Evolved Packet Core (EPC)**. The company will also deploy its subscriber data management and repositories, operations support system (OSS), billing mediation, and value added services platform, supporting up-to-date GSM and 3G core networks. In addition, the company will support Intercity Zakelijk's network operations and provide care services.http://http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
http://www.intercityzakelijk.nl/

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Synchronica to Acquire Nokia's Operator Branded Messaging Business

Synchronica plc will acquire Nokia's Operator Branded Messaging (OBM) business, which provides white-label mobile Email and Instant Messaging (IM) services across a wide range of devices to operators in North America.


The deal includes assignment of mobile operator contracts as well as source code of the related Nokia Messaging client and server software. Synchronica and Nokia will enter into a long-term relationship in which Synchronica will provide the messaging software which Nokia will continue to preload on Nokia Series 40 phones. Synchronica will assume responsibility for development, maintenance and support of the Nokia Messaging software shipping with millions of Nokia devices and the gateway functionality for both Series 40 and Symbian devices. Approximately 250 employees, externals and contractors are planned to transfer from Nokia to Synchronica.


Synchronica said the acquisition will provide it with a successful and complementary mobile messaging business and a strong foothold in the strategically important North American operator market. Combined with more than 80 existing carrier contracts in Europe, Latin America, Africa, Russia and Asia, Synchronica aims to become the global leader in next-generation mobile messaging. With Nokia's assignment of ten operator contracts in North America, Synchronica's total addressable market across all operator customers worldwide will extend to 1.8 billion end-users. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Nokia's Operator Branded Messaging technology enables mobile operators to affordably deliver an operator-branded email experience on mobile devices via an easy to-use interface. MSN Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, AOL, Google mail/Gmail and multiple other portal/ISP email services are all supported via a single client on a mobile device. Similarly to email, multiple IM accounts, such as GoogleTalk, ICQ, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, AOL and others are accessible via the IM clients.
http://www.synchronica.com

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Deutsche Telekom Signs Blue Jeans Network for Cloud-based Video Conferencing

Deutsche Telekom has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Blue Jeans Network to market a scalable, interoperable videoconferencing solution in Europe by the end of the year.


The Blue Jeans videoconferencing solution enables companies of all sizes to initiate multi-party videoconferences in an extremely easy way - no matter whether they want to use smart phones, tablets or full-fledged HD room systems.
Blue Jeans Network provides a bridging solution creating interoperability across providers and protocols. Each video-enabled device requires a native Blue Jeans client, like Skype.


"Excellent customer experience is decisive. We, therefore, increasingly cooperate with innovative partners that enable us to bring superior experiences to our customers. The Blue Jeans Network videoconferencing solution is cloud based and scalable. It is easy to use and complementary to our existing video offerings. I am delighted that we are entering into this strategic partnership," said Edward Kozel, Deutsche Telekom Chief Technology and Innovation Officer.
http://www.telekom.comhttp://bluejeans.com/

• Earlier this week, Blue Jeans Network, a start-up based in Santa Clara, California, announced $23.5 million in venture funding for its high-quality, cloud-based video communications service.
  
  
  Blue Jeans Network said its goal is to make video conferencing accessible to everyone at any time, any place and from practically any device.
  
  
  Its service will bridge together business solutions from Cisco/Tandberg, Polycom, Lifesize and others, with consumer solutions such as Skype and Google Talk.

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France's CELESTE Deploys Tellabs 7100 Optical Transport

CELESTE has selected Tellabs to exclusively provide its nationwide optical transport network across France. The broadband operator is deploying the Tellabs 7100 Nano Optical Transport System (OTS) to all major cities in France.


CELESTE is building a nationwide fiber optic network which will stretch over 4,000 kilometers around France. The network will extend its high-bandwidth services to new French regional markets and reach more enterprises. Financial terms were not disclosed.


"CELESTE's emergence as a nationwide competitor is a major revolution for the French broadband market," said Nicolas Aubé, President of CELESTE. "With this deployment, medium size enterprises across France can access competitively priced, high-bandwidth services quickly and easily. Tellabs' extensive knowledge and experience of international enterprise markets is an invaluable part of our success in this ambitious venture."http://www.tellabs.com
http://www.celeste.fr

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Level 3 Offers Ultra-Low-Latency between London and Stockholm

Level 3 Communications has been selected to provide ultra-low-latency transport services from London to Stockholm by QuantHouse, a global provider of end-to-end systematic trading solutions.


QuantHouse's services help market makers, proprietary trading desks and latency-sensitive sell-side firms to leverage the advantages of ultra-low-latency market data technologies, algorithmic trading development framework, proximity hosting and order routing services.


The London-Stockholm route was recently added to Level 3's portfolio of low-latency offerings.
http://www.level3.com

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Extreme Networks Appoints CMO

Extreme Networks has named David Ginsburg as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Paul Hooper, Vice President of Corporate Marketing, has resigned and will be leaving the company to pursue other interests.


Ginsburg joined Extreme Networks in December 2010, when he was appointed to lead strategic marketing, product portfolio definition, and vertical solutions marketing. Ginsburg previous held key marketing positions at Cisco Systems and Nortel Networks, and at start-up companies including Allegro Networks, Shasta and Innopath. As senior vice president of worldwide marketing and product management for Riverstone Networks, he led the efforts to drive global branding and field marketing, coupled with key product differentiation, to focus on driving revenue and winning market share in the Ethernet market.
http://www.extremenetworks.com

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Alcatel-Lucent Utilized Broadcom Premier Custom IC Program

Broadcom confirmed that Alcatel-Lucent used its Premier Custom IC Program to develop and deploy the 400 Gbps FP3 Network Processor.


The Broadcom Premier Custom IC program offers a higher level of service and performance than traditional custom ASICs, providing superior execution and faster time-to-market. http://www.broadcom.com

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