Taqua Names Telco and MSO Customers for its Class 5 Switch

The North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company has chosen Taqua's iX7000 next-generation Class 5 switch to replace its eight switch, DMS-10 network as part of a DSL-based triple play service. The telephone company needed to replace its existing Class 5 switches for numerous reasons, including GR303 requirements to work with its new NGDLC deployments.


Separately, Huntel Systems and Midcontinent Communications have each deployed Taqua's iX7000 to deliver Class 5 voice services as part of their HFC-based triple play service offerings. Huntel Systems provides a variety of communications services including cable television service in 19 rural Nebraska communities, local telephony in 14 communities across eastern and north-central Nebraska, and Internet access to some 4,600 customers in Nebraska and western Iowa. Huntel is using Taqua's iX7000 in Tekemah, Nebraska, where the company is undergoing its first CLEC initiative providing a triple play of voice, video, and broadband data. Midcontinent Communications has deployed Taqua's iX7000s in Aberdeen, South Dakota to provide the voice in its triple play offerings in the South Dakota cities of Aberdeen and Redfield. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.taqua.com

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Akamai Deploys Content Servers on China Telecom Backbone

Akamai Technologies will deploy its content servers on China Telecom's backbone with the aim of improving the quality and reliability of Internet content and applications delivery for China's Internet users. Akamai currently has over 14,000 servers deployed widely in 1,100 subscriber ISP networks in 70 countries.
http://www.akamai.com

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Italy's FastWeb Deploys Kasenna's Media Servers

Italy's FastWeb has deployed Kasenna's MediaBase XMP to manage, distribute and deliver video content for its expanding IP video subscription service. Kasenna's MediaBase XMP provides a standards-based video management and delivery platform for acquiring, managing, distributing, and delivering audio and video on demand. The platform handles deployment of video from narrowband to broadband to broadcast using open standards (MPEG-4, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and Windows Media 9). Omnia Communications, based in Milan, is providing the system integration services for FastWeb on this project. Financial terms were not disclosed.


As of 30-Sept-03, FastWeb had more than 290,000 customers. The carrier is providing services in Milan, Rome, Genoa, Turin, Naples, Bologna, Reggio Emilia and is rapidly moving into other large Italian cities.
FastWeb's new television service is available on either FTTH or ADSL. In August and September, the percentage of the new ADSL customers who subscribed to the television option rose to 70%, compared to 30% in March when VOD over ADSL was launched.
http://www.kasenna.com

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Tut Systems Supplies Content Processor for IPTV in Maine

Oxford Networks, a telecom service provider based in Buckfield, Maine is commercially deploying digital TV services over its FTTH network using VideoTele.com's Astria digital TV solution. Oxford Networks is using the platform to deliver more than 160 channels of digital TV, pay-per-view and digital music channels. The carrier is currently deploying what is described as the largest FTTH network in New England.
http://www.tutsystems.com

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Zarlink Develops Ethernet "Pseudo-wire" Processor

Zarlink Semiconductor unveiled an Ethernet pseudo-wire processor for data services based on work underway in the IETF's PWE3 (pseudo-wire emulation edge-to-edge) working group. The idea is to transparently tunnel layer 2 traffic - such as Ethernet - across IP or MPLS packet-switched networks by creating virtual LAN connections, called pseudo-wire connections. By providing a single network framework for LAN data transport, pseudo-wire services potentially could provide more efficient and cost-effective data services.


Zarlink's new, dedicated, single-chip, 128-link Ethernet pseudo-wire processor encapsulates Ethernet frames, including maximum-size frames, into IP or MPLS packets and transports them through a packet-switched network over pseudo- wires for reconstruction at the destination point. The company said the device could be used for a broad mix of network edge equipment, including switches, routers, and IADs.


Zarlink's new processor is compliant with the Martini draft standard for Ethernet pseudo wires (draft-ietf-pwe3-ethernet-encap) prepared by IETF's PWE3 working group. The company expects the pseudo- wire standard to be adopted by IETF in 2004.
http://www.zarlink.com

• The IETF's Pseudo Wire Emulation Edge to Edge (PWE3) Working Group: http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/pwe3-charter.html

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Nortel Networks Broadens Circuit-to-Packet Interoperability Testing

Nortel Networks announced seven new members of its circuit-to-packet interoperability test program: Aepona Ltd., BroadSoft, Leapstone Systems, Pactolus, Paradyne, Personeta, and sentitO Networks.


Nortel Networks established its VoIP and multimedia interoperability testing program in May 2003 to help service providers accelerate time-to-market of packet voice and new SIP-based multimedia services. New program members will focus on enabling interoperability of Nortel Networks Succession Communication Server (CS) 2000 superclass softswitches and Nortel Networks Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) 5200 with third party access and trunk gateways, as well as SIP service delivery platforms.
http://www.nortelnetworks.com

• Nortel Guest Column: Realizing the Full Potential of SIP Services Requires Interoperability

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Bell Canada Adopts BCE Emergis' eBilling services

The Bell ExpressVu satellite TV service has selected BCE Emergis' eBilling services, joining three other Bell Canada units that have already adopted the online billing service. With the addition of Bell ExpressVu to webdoxs, Bell Canada customers across the country will have virtually all of their bills available electronically via one or more of BCE Emergis' eBilling services. These bills include Bell Canada wireline and wireless, and most recently, Bell Canada's One Bill, which allows Bell Canada customers who subscribe to more than one service to receive and pay a single bill.
http://www.emergis.com

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Washington Post: Baby Bells Want Manufacturers' Clout

An unusual meeting last month attended by the CEOs of Verizon Communications, SBC Communications and BellSouth along with representatives of Fujitsu, Intel, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, Nortel Networks and Siemens AG has raised industry antitrust issues, according to The Washington Post. The purpose of the meeting allegedly was to persuade network equipment manufacturers to join telecom industry lobbying aimed at reforming the broadband regulatory structure. According to the article, the network equipment manufacturers want nothing to do with the idea and resented being asked to choose sides in the regulatory debate. Various complaints have been filed with congressional judiciary committees regarding undue pressure tactics.
http://www.washingtonpost.com

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Former AT&T Chairman Who Oversaw Historic Divestiture Dies at Age 82

Charles L. Brown, the retired chairman and CEO of the former American Telephone & Telegraph Company, has died at the age of 82 following a lengthy illness. Before retiring in August 1986, Brown had headed one of the largest corporations in U.S. history.


In 1982, Brown made the decision to divest all of the Bell Telephone Companies as a means of settling antitrust litigation with the federal government. His action produced the largest corporate reorganization in history. He also led AT&T's initial efforts to establish business units and partnerships in Europe and Asia.


The January 1, 1984, "divestiture" of AT&T unleashed a wave of deregulation and market competition that continues today in customers' ability to choose their telephone equipment and services. At the time of the breakup, AT&T had some 975,000 employees. The company formally changed its name to AT&T Corporation in 1994. Until the breakup, AT&T had consisted of the Bell System's vertically integrated telephone research and equipment-manufacturing units, its local telephone operating companies -- which provided most of the nation's local telephone service -- as well as its long-distance operations and other services.
http://www.att.com

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Cisco to Acquire Latitude for Rich-Media Conferencing

Cisco Systems agreed to acquire publicly-held Latitude Communications, a provider of enterprise conferencing solutions, for approximately $80 million in cash. Cisco will pay $3.95 for each outstanding share of Latitude.


Latitude's MeetingPlace product integrates with enterprise desktop scheduling applications such as IBM/Lotus Notes and Microsoft Outlook, as well as with data collaboration and instant messaging solutions such as IBM/Lotus Sametime. The MeetingPlace product also integrates with Cisco CallManager, enabling users to schedule, attend, and manage meetings using the display on Cisco IP phones. These features enhance the capabilities of the more than 2.3 million Cisco IP phones sold to date. Cisco and Latitude also intend to integrate MeetingPlace with Cisco IP/VC for video conferencing capability.


Latitude has 183 employees and some 400 customers worldwide. The company is based in Santa Clara, California.
http://www.cisco.com
http://www.latitude.com/

• A list of previous acquisitions by Cisco Systems --
  http://www.convergedigest.com/Mergers/mergersCisco.htm

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Telekom Serbia Rebuilds with Alvarion's Wireless Broadband

Telekom Srbija, the incumbent telecom operator in the Republic of Serbia, selected Airspan Networks and Alvarion as strategic suppliers to held rebuild the communications infrastructure in the war-torn country. Telekom Srbija plans to deploy more than 100,000 new telephony and data lines based on wireless last mile solutions. The carrier currently provide fixed and mobile services to some 2.4 million subscribers.
http://www.airspan.com
http://www.alvarion.com

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Level 3 Providing Detroit Metro Fiber to Sprint

Level 3 Communications signed an agreement to lease dark fiber in Detroit to Sprint. Financial terms were not disclosed. Sprint is using Level 3's metropolitan fiber to eliminate the access transport charges it would otherwise pay to a local exchange carrier. Level 3's metro fiber connects key traffic aggregation points throughout the region, including ILEC central offices and voice switching sites. When the fiber is lit, Sprint can hand off traffic directly to local phone companies, without having to lease access circuits at retail rates.
http://www.Level3.com

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Cisco Delivers 802.11g Access Points and Multi-Mode Client Adapters

Cisco Systems announced 802.11g Aironet Access Points as well as 802.11g radio upgradeable modules for existing Cisco Aironet 1200 and 1100 Series APs. The APs currently support Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) will also be supported in hardware and enabled for all Cisco Aironet 802.11g devices in 2004 via a free software upgrade after ratification of the IEEE 802.11i standard. In addition, Cisco will provide IEEE 802.11a/b/g enabled client adapters in CardBus and PCI form factors supporting Windows XP and Windows 2000 operating systems.


Cisco is pricing all of its new 802.11g products at the same level as their Cisco Aironet 802.11b-based versions.
http://www.cisco.com

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8x8 Enhances its VoIP Calling Service

8x8 has added several advanced calling features to its Packet8 voice and video communications service, including call waiting, call waiting caller ID, hold, call alternate and 3-way conferencing. The company also added several support and diagnostic features to its Desktop Terminal Adapter model 310 (DTA-310), including voice prompt support, missing IP address indicator, network problem indicator and improved functionality for downloading new firmware.
http://www.8x8.com

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University of Cambridge Deploys Procket Routers

The University of Cambridge has deployed Procket Networks' PRO/8801 router into its research network to develop deep packet inspection applications. The University of Cambridge is seeking to identify and understand new traffic patterns created by large scale scientific computations and downloads such as the GRID. The University's Computer Laboratory, which is working with the Centre for European Nuclear Research (CERN) and the UK Particle Physical Science Research Council, chose to deploy Procket's PRO/8801 routers because of their adaptive packet processing architecture, which leverages Procket's unique programmable VLSI feature. The design allows for network traffic inspection based on customer defined criteria. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.procket.com

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Cablevision Extends VoIP to 4 Million NYC Homes

Cablevision has extended its digital voice-over-cable telephony service across its footprint of nearly 4 million homes in the New York metropolitan area. Cablevision's Optimum Voice service was introduced on a trial basis earlier this year and officially launched throughout Long Island in late September. The service provides unlimited local, regional and long-distance calling across the U.S. and Canada for a flat rate of $34.95 per month. It includes five custom calling features (Caller ID, Call waiting, Call return, three-way calling and Call forwarding) and provides fully functioning E-911 service.
http://www.cablevision.com

• In September 2003, Cablevision said its "Optimum Voice" was being delivered using a Siemens' softswitch. Capacity for 100,000 lines had been installed and the company said it is ready to scale as demand requires. Cablevision is also preparing to add a number of additional bells-and-whistles to the service, including a customer Web portal with call detail records, enhanced voicemail, advanced operator assistance, optional number portability, credit card billing, voice-over-instant messaging, and conference calling. Cablevision estimates a total incremental capital cost of $150 per subscriber, covering $50 for the modem (incremental), $50 per port on the softswitch, and $50 for a truck roll. The company predicts a margin of about 40-45% for the voice service, which would mean a payback period of about 10 months for each new customer.



• Among the early trial users of its VoIP residential service, Cablevision found that 33% were buying it as additional line, 37% were buying it as a replacement for all existing phone service, and 29% were buying it as a second line replacement.

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Atrica Names German Carrier Customer for its Optical Ethernet

ISIS Multimedia Net GmbH, a regional carrier in Germany's Dusseldorf region, has selected Atrica's Optical Ethernet Systems. ISIS currently operates a 1,200 km fiber backbone and offers services ranging from ISDN and analog phone services, Centrex "virtual PBX", DSL, leased lines (SDH up to 10 Gbps), and audio/video conferencing. ISIS will upgrade its network using Atrica's A-8000 Optical Ethernet Core Switch, the A-4100 Optical Ethernet Aggregation Switch, and the A-2000 family of Optical Ethernet Edge Switches. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Separately, Atrica announced a strategic partnership with Controlware Communications Systems GmbH, a systems integrator serving Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Controlware will provide local systems integration services to metro carriers as they deploy Atrica's Optical Ethernet solutions. Controlware is serving as systems integrator for the ISIS network.
http://www.atrica.com
http://www.isis.de

• In July 2003, Atrica announced $17 Million in the first close of its fourth round of funding for its optical Ethernet gear. Atrica is currently shipping three different carrier-class optical Ethernet systems along with an integrated service provisioning and management system. The new funding includes a strategic investment from Intel Capital. The first close of the funding round also includes existing investors – Accel Partners, Ascend Technology Ventures, Benchmark Capital, Challenge Fund, Innovacom (the venture capital subsidiary of France Telecom), Gemini Israel Fund, Investor Growth Capital, JK&B Capital, and St. Paul Venture Capital. This round of funding builds upon the $117 Million Atrica has already received from industry notables such as 3Com and from global service providers such as BellSouth, Bezeq, SBC Communications, (via Aurum-SBC Ventures), Saturn Venture Partners, and Telia.

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NTT Targets a "New Optical Generation"

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) has established a new company to drive its efforts in establishing the "Vision for a New Optical Generation." NTT Resonant Inc. will have the dual mission of developing new broadband markets and contributing to the e-Japan Strategy II.


NTT Resonant will function as the NTT Group's principal engine for broadband businesses. The development resources of NTT Laboratories and those of the NTT Group companies will be concentrated in the new company. As such, NTT Resonant will develop new applications, such as high-quality interactive video communications services, that would then be marketed through other NTT group companies. NTT Resonant will also focus on the development of broadband portals and associated business models. Furthermore, NTT-X Inc. and NTT Broadband Initiative Inc. will be merged with the new company through the transfer of operations.


NTT Resonant will be headed by Michio Takeuchi and have approximately 600 employees when it commences operations in December 2003.
http://www.ntt.co.jp/news/news03e/0311/031111d.html

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China Telecom, China Netcom Select Nortel Networks

China Telecom and China Netcom have each selected Nortel Networks' Passport Multiservice Switches and Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node (BSN) platforms to expand their networks. Financial terms were not disclosed.


China Telecom Shanghai Branch plans to use Passport 7000 switches to expand its ATM based multiservice networks. China Telecom Shanghai deployed its first Passport switch in 1998. In addition, China Telecom's Shanghai Branch has deployed Shasta 5000 BSNs to provide enhanced security and traffic management features to enable applications like e-learning, gaming and remote offices. It will also provide high-speed Internet access to 500,000 new ADSL subscribers in Shanghai city.


China Netcom Shandong Branch will deploy Passport 15000 and Passport 7000 switches to expand the capacity of its broadband IP metro network to support more local ADSL users. In addition, the carrier has deployed Nortel Networks Shasta 5000 BSNs to build the second phase of its provincial IP-based network. China Netcom Shandong plans to offer value-added services like secure Internet access, content delivery, IP VPNs and traffic management to enterprises and other high-end customers across major cities in the province.
http://www.nortelnetworks.com

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Agilent to Resell Brix VoIP Service Assurance Solutions

Agilent Technologies will offer Brix Networks' VoIP Service Assurance solutions under a worldwide reseller agreement announced by the companies. Agilent will sell the Brix 100, Brix 1000, and Brix 2500 Verifiers, along with the BrixWorx central-site software system and its Advanced VoIP and Video Test Suites, as part of the Agilent NgN Analysis System.


Agilent has also integrated the BrixWorx software so that the real-time VoIP quality performance data and statistics collected by BrixWorx automatically flow into the NgN Analysis System.
http://www.brixnet.com
http://www.agilent.com

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