Alcatel 7750 Updates IP/MPLS Edge

Alcatel is rolling out a number of hardware and software enhancements to its Alcatel 7750 IP/MPLS edge routing platform, including a new hierarchical QoS model, greater scalability and support for VPLS, new traffic engineering capabilities, channelized DS3 and OC-12 interfaces, new CALEA capabilities, a new mid-range chassis, CWDM capabilities, and support for 1000BaseTX SFP.



The Alcatel 7750 Service Router, which is based on technology acquired from TiMetra Networks a year ago, is carrier-class routing platform currently deployed by over 19 service providers. Recent customer wins include Iberdrola (Spain) and Allstream (formerly AT&T Canada). Alcatel previously offered 3 different models, scaling from a single-slot 20 Gbps box to a 12-slot 400 Gbps chassis. The new model is a 7-slot unit with 200 Gbps of fabric/system capacity.



Alcatel's new hierarchical QoS model uses 3 levels of child/parent scheduling queues on the line cards, enabling lower priority traffic to burst to higher rates whenever higher priority traffic falls below a committed rate. Alcatel said this ATM-like capability was enabled by the flexibility its network processors, without requiring it to re-spin ASICs.



New software also enables the Alcatel 7750 to significantly scale the number of IP VPN connections that it can support -- it now delivers up to 3,000 VRFs for RFC2547bis services, and up to 2,000 BGP peers for Internet and IP VPNs. The Alcatel 7750 is also adding security features, including ACL filters and MD5 encryption for control plane security.



In addition, the new hardware capabilities include:

• 12-ports of channelized DS3/E3, for 512 channels per MDA


• 1-port Channelized OC-12, for 512 channels per MDA


• CWDM SFP interfaces for enabling Gigabit Ethernet point-to-point links over metro optical rings with a 70km reach.

http://www.alcatel.com

• In May 2003, Alcatel agreed to pay approximately US$150 million in stock to acquire TiMetra, a start-up based in Mountain View, California. TiMetra developed an IP/MPLS edge router and was active in the IETF in the development of Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS), which provides bridged, multi-point WAN connectivity. TiMetra's platform was built using its own fully programmable 10 Gbps Network Processor Array, which is flexible enough for service providers to implement custom service capabilities. The 10 Gbps Network Processor Array silicon has thousands of ingress and egress queues to enable line rate QoS, accounting/billing, provisioning and diagnostics -- all on a per-service basis for thousands of services per physical port. The 10 Gbps deep packet inspections would allow service providers to offer highly granular Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Integrated OA&M functionality lets providers verify, manage and troubleshoot IP/MPLS data services. A unique Service Mirroring capability can be used to troubleshoot services and capture traffic without having to overlay network analyzers or deploy technicians to remote POPs.

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Spirent Rolls Out Enhanced Avalanche Test Platform

Spirent Communications announced a new version of its Avalanche platform featuring improved enterprise network testing tools. Avalanche 6.1 provides greater flexibility to develop custom load profile descriptions that match actual traffic. It also offers expanded security tests -- adding Evasive UDP, Land Attack, Ping of Death, Tear Drop and Unreachable Host to the 10 existing attacks available with Avalanche Enterprise Edition. In addition to the new attacks, an extensible API is now provided that can be used to script custom DDoS attacks. In addition, Avalanche can now generate traffic using random IP and MAC addresses which increases the realism of the traffic it generates. http://www.spirentcom.com/

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UTStarcom : China Telecom Adds One Million New Subscribers in Q1

UTStarcom announced a new contract valued at approximately $40 million with China Telecom to expand and optimize its IP-based PAS (Personal Access System) network in Jiangsu province. China Telecom's iPAS networks will be expanded in seven cities in the province. UTStarcom will also extend its mSwitch-based iPAS core network in two cities and the value-added services (VAS) platform for the entire province.



UTStarcom claims more than 60% of the market share for both PAS handsets and infrastructure in Jiangsu province. The company said more than 1.15 million people subscribed for PAS service with CTC Jiangsu during Q1 2004 -- representing six times the number of new enrollments compared to the same period a year earlier. Nearly four million people currently subscribe for PAS service in Jiangsu province, the second largest telecom market in China after the Guangdong province. http://www.utstar.com

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Adelphia Deploys Terayon's DOCSIS 2.0 CMTS

Adelphia Communications, the fifth largest cable television operator in the U.S., has deployed 200 Terayon DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem Termination Systems (CMTSs) to date. The equipment is being used to provide added bandwidth for faster upload and download speeds on Adelphia's Power Link and Power Link Premier cable modem services. Terayon said Adelphia is now accelerating deployments of the Terayon DOCSIS 2.0 end-to-end solution in several of its markets nationwide. Financial terms were not disclosed.



Terayon was selected as one of Adelphia's primary CMTS suppliers last year following a comprehensive trial in its Los Angeles network.. http://www.terayon.com

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Cortina Raises $20 Million for Optimized ICs for Line Cards

Cortina Systems, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, raised $20 million in new venture funding for its analog and digital integrated circuits for the networking and communications equipment. Cortina's technology enables very high-speed analog and digital capabilities to be combined on the same CMOS device while meeting stringent SONET jitter requirements. The company is currently shipping chips that support multiple protocols, which include RPR and Ethernet MACs, SONET/SDH/Ethernet framers, and high speed SERDES, running at multiple rates from OC3 to OC192 and GE to 10GE. Cortina also supports XFP serial interface. Additional products are planned. Cortina said its ability to integrate these capabilities in CMOS simplifies physical communication at Layers 1 and 2, significantly lowering the cost and electrical power requirement of routers, switches and transport equipment. The integration reduces the number of line cards needed to support each protocol.



The new funding was extension of the B Round of financing initially concluded in February 2003, was led by Kodiak Venture Partners and joined by Hotung Capital Management. All of Cortina's existing venture capital investors participated in the extension, including Morgenthaler Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, El Dorado Ventures and INVESCO Private Capital.



Separately, Cortina announced the appointments of Bruce Margetson as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Behrooz Yadegar as Vice President in charge of all operations. http://www.cortina-systems.com

• Cortina Systems is headed by Amir Nayyerhabibi, who previously was co-founder and Vice President of Engineering at StratumOne Communications, which was acquired by Cisco in 1999. He also managed the development of 12416 and 12410 Cisco GSR Router programs.



• Cortina's team also includes Dr. Zino Chair, who most recently was in charge of Cisco's metro marketing group. Prior to that, Dr. Chair was a co-founder and VP of Marketing at StratumOne and a key member of the team that delivered the first 10 Gbps Packet Over SONET framer technology to the market.

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ClearSight Introduces 10 Gigabit Analyzer

ClearSight Networks, a start-up based in San Mateo, California, introduced its 10 Gigabit Analyzer, a combined hardware and software platform that supports monitoring, post-capture decode, testing and analysis. ClearSight said its test platform supports key multimedia oriented protocols and advanced initiatives, including VoIP and IPv6. Additionally, the Analyzer provides physical layer analysis and statistics at full line-rate capture with a 1GB buffer. List pricing for 10 Gigabit begins at $145,995. http://www.clearsightnet.com

• ClearSight Networks was founded in early 2001 and received a majority investment in April 2003 from Japan-based Toyo Corporation.

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Vendors Test 10 GigE over Copper Interoperability

The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) completed the industry's first full-scale multi-vendor interoperability test of the newly ratified IEEE standard for 10 Gigabit Ethernet over copper (10GBASE-CX4). The event, which was held last month at the UNH-IOL, included products from: BitBlitz Communications, Broadcom, Cisco Systems, Fujitsu, LEONI High Speed Cables, Molex Connector, Mysticom Semiconductor, PMC-Sierra, Quake Technologies, Spirent Communications, and W.L. Gore. http://www.iol.unh.edu/consortiums/10gec/index.html

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Modulus Video Raises $8 Million for MPEG-4 Compression

Modulus Video, a start-up based in Sunnyvale, California, an $8.5 million Series A financing for its digital video solutions utilizing AVC compression, formerly called H.264 or MPEG-4.10. Modulus solutions include encoders and professional decoders/analyzers, for cable, satellite, telecom and broadcast networks. The funding was led by Trinity Ventures.



The company also announced the appointment of Robert L. Wilson as CEO and Chairman. Wilson previously was president of the Broadcast Solutions Division at Pinnacle Systems. Before joining Pinnacle, Wilson served with Accom and with The Grass Valley Group (GVG is now part of Thompson Multimedia). http://www.modulusvideo.com

• Modulus was founded by Jean Dumouchel (previously a Technical Director at Broadcom), Mark Magee (formerly the Vice President of Engineering at DiviCom), Rob Robinett (co-founder and founding president of SkyStream Networks) and Raj Sandhu (principal of Athena Advisors, which provided seed funding for the company). The founding leadership team also includes broadcast industry veteran Bob Natwick (previously Vice President of Sales was formerly of Tandberg television and Divicom).

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Netopia Offers Pocket-size DSL diagnostics tool

Netopia introduced a pocket-size diagnostics tool for DSL installation technicians. The small device uses a USB interface that directly connects to the technician's laptop eliminating the need for an external power source. A Web-based interface on the laptop provides the technician with information about the ADSL line and service, including: current line rate and maximum line rate, signal to noise ratio, percent of line usage, line attenuation, output power, modulation type, WAN status, error counters, unit software version and serial number, login and password errors, configuration and set-up. Netopia's Technician Tool can also be configured to test for additional information such as static IP addresses. http://www.netopia.com

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Telution's OSS Adds VoIP Service Capabilities for MSOs

Telution announced new enhancements to its COMX Cable operations support software to help cable operators add voice (VoIP) to their service mix. Telution's COMX Cable platform, which is designed to complement a cable operator's existing cable subscriber management and billing systems. The company said new enhancements to its platform enable cable operators to better manage the intricacies of adding voice to their service portfolio and better manage complex triple play bundling and discounting, an essential capability for attracting and retaining business and residential customers. The new features include:

• flexible workflow and business rules engine to manage the unique complexities of ordering a bundle of video, data and voice services



• the ability to offer a single view dashboard across disparate and multiple workflow tasks (manual and/or automated) and manage reporting and monitoring of exceptions and jeopardy items



• process management of all service fulfillment points including carrier provisioning (LSR, MSAG, LNP, etc) and softswitch provisioning



• product management (product catalog) capabilities that enable cross product bundling and discounting of services

http://www.telution.com

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Telefonica Selects Juniper's E-series for Secure Broadband in Brazil

Telefonica has selected Juniper Networks' E-series edge routing platform to deliver a new VPN service over its DSL network in Brazil. Siemens is providing systems integration for the project. Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.juniper.net

• In December 2003, Juniper Networks announced that Telefónica de España is using the E-series platforms to deliver entertainment services across its broadband IP over ADSL network. Telefónica is developing an "Imagenio" service that is aimed at integrating the television and Internet worlds. Content is provided by Telefonica subsidiaries and others. So far, some 700 households have been testing the services. Full commercial launch in Spain's two biggest cities, Barcelona and Madrid, will happen as soon as Telefonica receives approval from the Spanish regulator.



• The equipment is part of an order awarded to Siemens ICN by Telefonica to extend its broadband network.

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Intel Introduces Next Gen Processors for Phone and PDAs

Intel introduced a new family of processors designed for wireless broadband access in cell phones and PDAs. The Intel PXA27x processors, formerly code-named "Bulverde," will be offered in multiple configurations of clock speeds running from 312 up to 624 MHz, and with as much as 64 megabytes of stacked Intel StrataFlash memory. The new processors will be the first products to integrate the Intel Wireless MMX technology, providing additional performance for 3-D games and advanced video while improving battery-life. The new chip also utilizes Wireless Intel SpeedStep technology, enabling significant power savings by intelligently managing voltage and frequency changes. The first processor in the line, which runs at 312 MHz, is currently sampling an has a suggested list price of $32 in 10,000 unit quantities.



Intel is also introducing a multimedia accelerator that complements the new processor line and delivers advanced video and graphic capabilities to enable full screen video at full frame rates without sacrificing battery life. The Intel 2700G multimedia accelerator delivers DVD-quality video playback on VGA displays and supports a range of video formats such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and Microsoft Windows Media Video9.



As part of the rollout, Intel is showing a cell phone concept design that connects over cellular GSM/GPRS, Wi-Fi (802.11b) or Bluetooth and supports Microsoft, PalmSource, Symbian as well as MontaVista Linux and Java environments.



Intel also developed the Intel Mobile Scaleable Link, a high-speed interface that operates at up to 416 Mbpswww.intel.com

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Chantry Raises $11 Million for Wireless Routing

Chantry Networks, a start-up based in Boston and, secured an additional $11 million in a Series B round of private equity financing for its routed wireless networking technology. The company offers a scalable IP-based WLAN routing solution for enterprises and service providers. Its design offers network virtualization features that enable differentiated provisioning and policing between different types of user groups, over one physical network.



The round was led by Ventures West and included Flagship Ventures, Primaxis Technology Ventures and Venture Coaches/ Skypoint Capital. http://www.chantrynetworks.com

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Pedestal Boosts its Line-Powered DSLAM

Pedestal Networks is boosting its line-powered DSLAM to enable the small, environmentally hardened unit to deliver 3 Mbps ADSL at distances of up to 50,000 feet from a central office. Release 2 of Pedestal's Universal Broadband Server DSLAM also provides support for all standard ATM Quality of Service (QoS) classifications (CBR, VBR-rt, VBR-nrt, UBR, and UBR+). Each UBS line supports up to four Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs), enabling up to four different QoS contracts per line. Carriers can provision independent data streams offering different classes of service to support the specific needs of voice, video, and data applications--and charge accordingly. When the provider is ready to service triple play applications, carriers can modify QoS designations dynamically from the Network Operations Center (NOC).



Pedestal's DSLAM is NEBS-III compliant and GR-487 certified and be installed underground, underwater, in a buried hand-hole, mounted on poles, inside pedestals or crossboxes, or in any similar unconditioned enclosure in the field. The new release also introduces a new Element Management System (EMS), including detailed diagnostics and performance monitoring features. A T1 loopback feature provides end-to-end testing of line quality, to spot potential copper issues before provisioning. http://www.pedestalnetworks.com

• In January, Pedestal Networks raised $20 million in Series C funding for its line-powered DSLAMs. The company has raised $34 million to date. Pedestal Networks is based in Fremont, California.

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Nitronex Raises $6 Million for Gallium Nitride RF Devices

Nitronex, a start-up based in Raleigh, North Carolina raised $6 million in new funding for its development of gallium nitride (GaN) based radio frequency (RF) power transistors. The company claims its GaN on silicon technology provides significant performance and cost advantages for a number of important markets, including next generation wireless and LED applications, military communications, and automotive electronics. Nitronex expects to introduce new power transistor products for power amplifier and base station equipment manufacturers later this year.



Investors include Alliance Technology Ventures, TPG Ventures, and VantagePoint Venture Partners. Nitronex has raised $50 million to date.



Nitronex also named Charles E. Shalvoy as its Executive Chairman and acting CEO. Shalvoy was most recently President and CEO of Conductus Inc., a manufacturer of superconducting products for wireless networks. Prior to Conductus, he was President and COO of Therma-Wave. http://www.nitronex.com

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NTT DoCoMo to Separate Voice / Data During Disasters

NTT DoCoMo announced plans that would separately manage voice calls and data packet transmissions for some handsets in order to avoid network congestion during major natural disasters. The move is expected to increase the ability to successfully transmit text messages to DoCoMo's i-mode Disaster Message Board service, even if network traffic should rise sharply during a major disaster. DoCoMo users making calls during major disasters would also hear an announcement encouraging them to use the i-mode Disaster Message Board service or NTT's disaster message service instead of calling individuals directly, which will also help to reduce network traffic.



Presently, if network traffic were to become exceedingly heavy during a disaster, DoCoMo could be forced to block traffic in selected areas on a temporary basis to prevent serious degradation of network performance. In some instances, urgent messages sent to the Disaster Message Board could be blocked inadvertently. http://www.nttdocomo.com

• In January 2004, NTT DoCoMo launched an i-mode Disaster Message Board service that allows subscribers in Japan to post personal messages for friends and relatives who might not otherwise be able to contact them in the immediate aftermath of a national disaster, such as a high-magnitude earthquake. NTT DoCoMo said that should a major disaster occur, its network will undoubtedly be extremely busy as — in addition to the heavy traffic among administrative and relief agencies, ordinary users in the affected locale typically attempt outside contact to worried relatives and friends. In the event of severe network congestion, the new packet-based i-mode Disaster Message Board will be given sufficient priority to ensure that it continues to function. Each i-mode user in the disaster area would be able to click an on-screen menu enabling him or her to post up to 10 messages of 100 Japanese characters each. Someone wishing to check for a message left by a person in the disaster area would connect to the Disaster Message Board site, and input that person's cell phone number to display any registered messages.



• There are currently more than 45 million DoCoMo cellular phone users in Japan.

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Gemfire Acquires NovaCrystals for Photo Diode Technology

Gemfire Corporation has acquired NovaCrystals, a start-up in San Jose, California, for its Avalanche Photo Diode (APD) technology that can be manufactured using planar silicon processes.. Gemfire said the acquisition enhances its ability to provide integrated planar WDM solutions to the optical networking systems market in addition to supporting several immediate space and defense related opportunities. The NovaCrystals wafer bonding technology combines the speed and low noise advantages of silicon with the high detection sensitivity of InGaAs to achieve PIN and APD detectors at telecom wavelengths. The APD technology can also be designed to operate in Geiger Mode, with state-of-the-art noise and sensitivity performance for single photon counting applications.



Financial terms were not disclosed. http://www.gemfire.com

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Union Threatens Strike at SBC, Cites Call Center Off shoring to India

The Communications Workers of America issued a 30-day notice that its union members working at SBC Communications may go on strike if a new contract is not reached. CWA's local unions at SBC will begin the strike authorization vote among their members, with the results to be announced on April 29. If members vote to strike, the next step would be for CWA's executive board to authorize CWA's president to set the strike date.



The union alleges that SBC is not addressing workers' concerns about employment security, noting that CWA members are seeking limits on excessive subcontracting as well as gaining access for workers to jobs in growth areas of the company. SBC is outsourcing thousands of jobs in such areas as call centers, DSL tech support and others. Much of this work is being sent by contractors offshore to India and other countries. Health care is another issue.



CWA President Morton Bahr said the union has a two-prong strategy. Having given notice to SBC, CWA will be in a position to strike at the end of the 30-day period. In the meantime, the union will prepare for other tactics that potentially could affect the company's revenue but which don't rely on a strike. This would include gathering pledges from unions and union families in SBC territory to switch local and long distance service if CWA determined that it was necessary. CWA has used this strategy successfully in the past, Bahr said. http://www.cwa-union.org

• CWA represents 100,000 workers at SBC West (formerly Pacific Bell), SBC Midwest (Ameritech), SBC Southwest (Southwestern Bell) and SBC East (Southern New England Telephone.)

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Adesso Secures $8 Million for Enterprise Mobile

Adesso Systems, a start-up based in Boston, secured $8 million in funding for its enterprise mobile application solutions. Adesso's product family, announced in 2003, lets Pocket PCs, Tablet PCs, laptops and smartphones perform a variety of mobile applications even without always-on network connections. The product employs client and server application development and implementation software, and can works with either an Adesso-hosted or enterprise-resident server.



Carlyle Venture Partners led this investment round, with participation from Adesso's existing investors. http://www.adessosystems.com

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Verizon Wireless Prepared to Bid $5 Billion for Spectrum

Verizon Wireless announced that it is prepared to open bidding at $5 billion for 10 MHz of nationwide PCS spectrum in the 1.9 GHz band should the FCC determine to make spectrum in that band available for auction to the highest bidder.



Nextel has been petitioning the FCC to let it exchange some of its existing 800-megahertz spectrum for potentially more valuable spectrum in the 1.9 GHz band. Nextel argues that the FCC has full legal authority to approve the radio spectrum realignment.



Verizon Wireless argues that any such swap would violate FCC rules, federal law and more than a decade of U.S. spectrum policy. The company said Nextel's "interference with public safety channels can be resolved within the 800 MHz band, without grabbing at valuable spectrum that should be put to best public use in an auction."http://www.verizonwireless.comhttp://www.nextel.com

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