France Telecom Names New CEO

Didier Lombard was named Chairman and CEO of France Telecom following the resignation of Thierry Breton, who has served in the position since October 2002 and is credited with financial restructuring of the company.


Didier Lombard has previously served as Senior Executive President of France Telecom in charge of mission technologies, partnerships and new services. A graduate of Ecole Polytechnique and of Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Telecommunications, Didier Lombard began his career in R&D with France Telecom in 1967, working on the development of many new products for FT in the field of satellite and mobile systems as well as components. From 1988 -- 1990, he was Technical and Scientific Director for the Ministry of Research and Technology in France and then became General Director of Industrial Strategy for the Ministry of Industry. He spent several years as Ambassador in charge of foreign investment in France and as CEO of the French Agency for International Investment. He has also served on the Boards of Orange and Thomson.


Prior to his term as Chairman and CEO of France Telecom, Thierry Breton was Chairman and CEO of Thomson, S.A. From 1993 to 1997, he was CEO of BULL Group.
http://www.francetelecom.com

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Hungarian Research Net Upgrades Backbone with Cisco

MATAV has inaugurated a new 10 Gbps national backbone network in Hungary that provides high-speed Internet access for the Budapest headquarters of the Hungarian National Research Education Network (Hungarian NREN). It will also support seven universities, which operate as regional network centres, and several other research and educational institutions. The new network will help ensure reliable access to the GEANT2 computer network (the pan-European research network supported by the European Union) for nearly 600,000 users of the Hungarian NREN in almost 700 institutions.


The newly inaugurated backbone uses Cisco Systems' ONS 15454 MSTP platform, which allows expansion to 10 Gbps connections within the existing DWDM infrastructure.
http://www.cisco.com

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European Researchers Select DS2's 200 Mbps Powerline Technology

The Open PLC European Research Alliance, which brings together electric utilities, telecom companies, equipment suppliers and university research groups under an EU-sponsored program, has selected 200 Mbps power line communications technology developed by chip supplier Design of Systems on Silicon (DS2). This technology has been selected as the baseline to develop and complete the OPERA Power Line Communications (PLC) solution within Work Package 3 of the Project with major contributions from WP partners, notably, ASCOM, ADD, Dimat, Elsys, Mainnet, Mitsubishi, Robotiker, Telvent, University of Dresden, University of Karlsruhe, and Itran. The OPERA PLC solution will be promoted to the European Standardisation organisations.


OPERA is an ambitious industry-led consortium of 37 companies and universities from 10 European countries, with a total budget of EUR 20 million, partially funded by the European Commission under its 6th R&D Framework Programme.


OPERA aims to: (i) improve current low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) PLC systems in particular in relation to couplers, EMC aspects and improving PLC equipment; (ii) to develop optimal solutions for connection of the PLC access networks to the backbone network (Wi-MAX, LMDS, satellite, MV PLC, WI-Fi etc.) so as to reach all end users independent of location, and (iii) to develop "ready to sell services" over PLC technology and design or improve low cost user terminals.


To meet these ambitious objectives, the OPERA Steering Committee endorsed a technology selection process based on the Marketing and Functional Requirement Document submitted by the Standardisation Working Group of OPERA, which includes those from the PLC Utilities Alliance (PUA). Major European utility companies including ENDESA, ENEL, EDF, and IBERDROLA, all of them members of the OPERA Steering Committee, have managed the selection process, that followed an open call for proposals and a test plan to evaluate performance, notching capabilities and industrial maturity of the state of the art available technologies.


The technology selection process is the first step in a process that will produce multiple sources of future standard, interoperable PLC equipment. Field trials are scheduled to start from mid-June 2005.
http://www.ist-OPERA.org

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MCI's Q4 Revenue Declines 2% Sequentially, 10% YoY

MCI reported Q4 2004 revenue of $5.0 billion, a decline of 2 percent sequentially and 10 percent year-over-year. Enterprise Markets revenue increased 1 percent sequentially, Commercial Markets revenue was flat sequentially and Mass Markets revenue was down 9 percent sequentially.


For the full year 2004, revenues totaled $20.7 billion, down 15 percent from 2003 revenues of $24.3 billion. Operating loss was $3.2 billion. Operating income before $1.9 billion of depreciation and amortization, a $1 million gain on property dispositions and $3.5 billion of impairment charges would have been $2.2 billion in 2004. In 2003, operating income was $0.7 billion; operating income before $2.3 billion of depreciation and amortization, and a $43 million loss on property dispositions would have been $3.0 billion.


MCI's Q4 operating expenses totaled $4.5 billion, down 8 percent sequentially (excluding pre-tax impairment charges of $3.5 billion) and down 23 percent year-over-year. Access costs decreased 1 percent sequentially and declined 13 percent year-over-year. Selling, general and administrative costs fell 16 percent sequentially and 36 percent year-over-year. Included in operating expenses for the fourth quarter were $24 million of severance and reorganization costs.


Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2004 was $434 million, compared to an operating loss of $3.4 billion, (or operating income of $121 million excluding pre-tax impairment charges of $3.5 billion) in the third quarter of 2004 and an operating loss of $332 million in the fourth quarter of 2003.


2005 Guidance


Based on the existing regulatory environment and assuming no significant acquisitions or divestitures, MCI expects to generate revenues of $18 billion to $19 billion in 2005, down 10 percent to 14 percent from 2004. The revenue decline primarily reflects a change in Mass Markets revenues as recent regulatory changes impact our ability to serve the consumer market on a profitable basis.


MCI expects to generate operating income before depreciation and amortization (estimated at $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion) of $1.8 billion to $2.0 billion in 2005. MCI's plans indicate that incremental revenue and profits from new services will boost second half revenues and operating profitability over first half levels.


Capital expenditures of approximately $1.0 billion are planned in 2005, as MCI accelerates new product and service offerings in Private IP, security, hosting and network management. MCI will continue to invest in Ultra Long Haul technology, and continue the expansion of its MPLS node structure.
http://www.mci.com

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Asia Netcom and Japanese Partners Deliver HD Video over IP

Asia Netcom Japan, together with Miyagi Networks and Frontiers, completed a large scale test HDTV over a shared Internet backbone. The trial was conducted using HDTV content (MPEG-2) from Miyagi Networks -- a CATV and broadband service provider in the Sendai Miyagi prefecture; Asia Netcom Japan's Internet backbone; and equipment from Frontiers, a manufacturer of HDTV transmission hardware (HDx1000), which combines "Hi-vision," an MPEG-2 encoder and a Video-over-IP gateway. The trial transmitted HDTV content between the Sendai area and Miyagi's CATV and media partners in the Tokyo area. The companies described the transmission over the 700km distance in the shared Internet backbone as a complete success resulting in nearly zero packet loss and no network delay.


During the trial, the HDTV content was compressed into MPEG2-TS data and sent out at a bit-rate of 20 Mbps, as well as compressed into TS 30 Mbps. In both cases, the HD data was transmitted in real time over Asia Netcom Japan's shared Internet backbone with excellent performance levels with nearly no packet loss or network delay.


"The result of the test means that, in addition to Japanese HDTV operators, media companies in the region and across the globe, can leverage this platform for the transmission of high-definition content over Asia Netcom's global Internet backbone," said Hideo Ishii, Asia Netcom Japan's Director of IP architecture. "This real time high-definition video transmission system is the ideal platform to support international events such as the Olympic Games or the Football World Cup, which requires real-time transmission of video across the globe."http://www.asianetcom.com

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BT Completes Acquisition of Infonet

BT completed its acquisition of Infonet, one of the world's leading providers of global managed voice and data network services for corporate customers. Infonet, which will be renamed BT Infonet, becomes part of BT Global Services.


Andy Green, CEO BT Global Services, said: "The combination of BT Global Services and Infonet will create a clear leader in the networked IT services market, and will enhance our position as the supplier of choice for multi-site organisations around the world."http://www.btplc.com

• In November 2004, BT agreed to acquire Infonet, a provider of international managed voice and data network services, for $965 million (excluding Infonet's net cash balance of $390 million, the aggregate value of the deal is $575 million). Infonet, which is based in El Segundo, California, has local operations in 70 countries and claims 1,800 multinational customers -- including Siemens, Nokia, Bayer AG International, IBM and Hilton International.

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SBC Selects Tekelec for Signaling Network Solution

SBC Communications will deploy Tekelec's EAGLE 5 Signaling Application System as a part of its signaling network. Financial terms of the five year contract were not disclosed.


During the next three to five years, approximately 20 EAGLE SAS systems will be activated in the SBC network to handle rapidly increasing local number portability (LNP) traffic. Tekelec Professional Services will also assist in the deployment of the equipment.


The Tekelec EAGLE 5 SAS is a multi-protocol advanced signaling system. It hosts a variety of applications from a single, high-performance platform, including: SS7 signal transfer, number portability, signaling gateway, integrated services and data acquisition. The system supports the Sigtran suite of signaling protocols for next-generation network connectivity, enabling a transition to packet telephony and 3G networks.
http://www.tekelec.com

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ADC and Corning Sign Technology Transfer Agreement

ADC and Corning Cable Systems announced a technology transfer agreement for one of Corning Cable Systems' hardened connector products. Corning's OptiTap Connector and Adapter target FTTX networks. The products provide a solution for factory-terminated, environmentally sealed and hardened connectors for use in drop cable deployments in optical access networks.


ADC said that prior to manufacturing the product, it elected to pursue a formal technology transfer agreement to ensure full compatibility between the two companies' products. http://www.adc.com
http://www.corning.com

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France Telecom Launches DSL Licensing Program

France Telecom is launching a new licensing program for DSL transmission technologies using Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) modulation.
The program follows France Telecom's policy of actively promoting its major patents and software, marketing them directly or through patent pools (groups of patents from different companies handled by the same agent).



DMT modulation is a technique for increasing the efficiency of data transmission over pairs of copper wires. This is an area in which France Telecom and broadcaster Télédiffusion de France (TDF) have patented technology after several years of joint research.


France Telecom noted that DMT transmission has been adopted for the main DSL standards, making France Telecom's patents essential to a number of DSL technologies:

• Asymmetric DSL and its variants ADSL2 and ADSL2+: ITU standards G992.1, G992.3, G992.4 and G99S.5



• Very high speed DSL (VDSL): ITU standard G993.1

France Telecom's licensing program is aimed at ADSL and VDSL vendors complying with the relevant ITU standards. It will enable them to integrate the patented technology into equipment for call centers (DSLAMS) and terminals (modems, modem-routers, multi-service set-top boxes integrating an ADSL modem feature, etc.).
http://www.ft.com

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net.com Enhances SHOUT VoIP Platform

net.com released a new version of its SHOUT platform for helping enterprises interconnect multi-vendor PBX and call center environments with next generation VoIP applications across IP data networks. SHOUT provides multi-vendor, multi-protocol support (including SIP). Enhancements to the platform in this release further equip SHOUT as a voice migration appliance for large global enterprises:

• IP over Serial -- aggregates multiple remote nodes on a router connected to SHOUT, offering point to point serial connection to the central router. The serial interface interoperates with the Cisco HDLC protocol.



• SIP Signaling over TCP -- allows broader interoperability of SHOUT with third-party SIP vendors, providing additional flexibility and more choices of SIP elements



• NI-2 ISDN Support -- supports the basic call control messages and information elements required for NI-2.

In addition, net.com's voice-focused security solutions include protecting the devices from attack, MD5 authentication, TLS support, and enabling enterprises to run VoIP over their existing data infrastructure without having to update or replace their security devices or policies. The platform's security features include the SHOUT Packet Manager (SPM), which inspects the validity of every packet at the Ethernet interface before it is passed to the operating system for processing. This "rogue packet ejector" helps keep networks running, unlike other solutions that may require a reboot of the router when rogue packets are sent to its interfaces.


SHOUT also provides MD5 authentication on a call-by-call basis to prevent spoofing of users by challenging devices attempting to call the network and verifying responses against an internal table or an external database. In addition, SHOUT's BSP/VTP protocols enable voice conversations to seamlessly traverse existing NATs and firewalls, and because these protocols encode voice and signaling information into proprietary tunnels, voice packets are effectively secured from those intent on listening in on conversations.


For secure voice calls in an IP setting, SHOUT offers support of STUII, STUIII, STE, FNBDT for government, and now adds TCC for secure-grade commercial phones.


SHOUT can operate as a standalone system, or can work alongside third-party call controllers, IP PBXs, and SIP proxies. The newest release of SHOUT is now generally available.
http://www.net.com

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Sprint Offers Global Quad-band Phone

Sprint introduced a digital quad-band phone, the Sprint PCS International Phone IP-A790 by Samsung, aimed at multinational business customers. When used in conjunction with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, the Sprint PCS International Phone IP-A790 by Samsung allows customers to make voice calls on both CDMA and GSM networks in more than 130 countries where Sprint has roaming agreements in place. The phone also functions as a multimedia device on the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network so customers can view on-demand streaming video and audio and shoot video clips with the embedded camera and camcorder. The retail price of the phone is $550.


Sprint has established flat-rate pricing for GSM countries where it has roaming agreements in place. Customers now pay $1.50 per minute for making or receiving calls in those countries with long-distance included. Rates for the remaining covered countries where frequencies supported include CDMA and AMPS are $.50 to $.99 per minute plus varying long-distance rates, depending on where the call originates.
a wireless connection to the rest of the world at simple, flat-rate pricing in supported GSM countries abroad.
http://www.sprint.com

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India's BSNL Selects UTStarcom's IP DSLAM

UTStarcom announced an expansion contract for the deployment of 75,000 ports of its AN-2000 B820 and AN-2000 B100 IP DSLAMs and related equipment for the second phase of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.'s (BSNL) National Internet Backbone project. The equipment will support broadband Triple Play services. The new contract extends the initial $9.2 million contract signed with BSNL in August 2004.


BSNL's National Internet Backbone currently comprises around 400 nodes distributed across India and supports over one million subscribers with PSTN and ISDN Internet Access Services. The second phase of the project includes rollout of a broadband access network across 198 cities in India.


BSNL is the incumbent and largest telecom provider in India, with a presence in the fixed-line, cellular mobile, long distance and data markets.
http://www.utstar.com
http://www.bsnl.co.in

• In August 2004, India's Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.'s (BSNL) has selected UTStarcom's Total Control 1000 multiservice access platform and related equipment for the second phase of its National IP Backbone project. The BSNL network currently comprises about 400 nodes distributed across India and supports over one million subscribers with PSTN and ISDN Internet Access Services. The second phase of the project includes deployment of remote access services (RAS) and related equipment across 71 cities in 25 telecom regions in India. UTStarcom's Total Control 1000 is a carrier-class, multiservice access platform supporting enhanced data systems such as RAS, CDMA 1xRTT/EV-DO Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN), Home Agent (HA) and VPNs. The new contract was valued at US$8.2 million.

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Qwest Submits New Bid for MCI

Qwest Communications submitted a revised bid to acquire MCI for approximately $8 billion. The sweetened proposal adds collars to protect MCI shareholders should the price of Qwest's shares decline.


Qwest argues this revised proposal is superior to Verizon's bid because it delivers greater value in cash and stock per MCI share. Qwest estimates an "synergy value" of approximately $18 per MCI share in a combined Qwest/MCI company. Qwest also believes its proposal would face less regulatory scrutiny because of the significantly smaller footprint overlap (business, consumer and network) in a Qwest/MCI combination. This would lead to fewer and less extensive divestiture demands from regulatory agencies and will avoid the industry concentration and public policy issues the Verizon/MCI merger presents. Therefore, Qwest argues its proposal has a higher chance of being completed quickly.


In a statement, MCI's Board confirmed that it will conduct a thorough review of the Qwest offer.
http://www.qwest.com
http://www.mci.com

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Marvell Posts Record Revenue of $340.3 million

Marvell Technology Group record quarterly revenue of $340.3 million, an increase of 40% over net revenue of $243.3 million for the same period a year earlier and a 7% sequential increase from net revenue of $317.6 million for the preceding quarter. Net income (GAAP) was $54.9 million, or $0.18 per share (diluted). Net revenue for the year ended January 29, 2005 was $1,224.6 million, an increase of 49% over net revenue of $819.8 million for the year ended January 31, 2004.


"We are pleased to announce the results of another outstanding year and fourth quarter for Marvell," stated Dr. Sehat Sutardja, Marvell's President and CEO. "As we enter fiscal 2006, we are excited about the growing breadth of the several large volume markets we are serving as we expand our offerings into the consumer electronics markets. We expect continued strong market adoption of our advanced technologies into a variety of emerging consumer applications as well as continued solid growth from the enterprise markets."http://www.marvell.com

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BT Selected by The Volvo Group for Global Net

BT was awarded a three-year, multi-million EUR contract for the supply of international data communication services to the Volvo Group and its subsidiaries. The will cover approximately 80 locations worldwide. BT said it will supply an improved ATM-based infrastructure as well as services such as network monitoring and internet access. The technology refresh included in the contract carries an option for the network to be migrated to an MPLS platform within two years. Delivery has already started.
http://www.btplc.com

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InTechnology to Resell Nortel Gear in Europe

InTechnology and its wholly owned subsidiary, Allasso, have established a new Network Solutions division to develop and sell secure networking solutions to resellers across Europe. Nortel will be the first vendor for the new division, supplying its data networking, Ethernet switches and security products.


For the last three years, InTechnology has managed its own multigigabit national Ethernet network, LANnet, to deliver a portfolio of managed services in the UK.
http://www.nortel.com
http://www.intechnology.co.uk

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Neterion Launches PCI Express 10 GigE Adapter

Neterion (formerly S2io), a start-up based in Cupertino, California and Ottawa, Canada, introduced a 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter based on the PCI Express bus architecture. Neterion now offers its Xframe adapter in all three major bus architectures: PCI-X 1.0, PCI-X 2.0 and PCI Express.


Neterion said its new 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter requires no rewrites to the end users' operating system software and they are able to keep their host-based TCP/IP stacks intact for reliability and security purposes.


PCI Express is serial, rather than parallel, interconnect technology featuring advantages such as scalable bus bandwidth, lower overhead and lower latency and improved QoS. All major server and storage vendors are designing products equipped with PCI Express.

http://www.neterion.com/

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Nuvio Launches E911 Services Across U.S.

Nuvio launched Enhanced 911 (E911) services for its NuvioCentrex hosted IP Voice solution, which is offered to broadband providers, cable operators, CLECs and VARs through a private-label partner program. The company currently offers E911 in over 1,500 rate centers servicing over 2,700 cities nationwide and will deploy this feature in additional markets as demand warrants.


Nuvio's E911 calls are routed as emergency traffic and provide computer-based caller information to emergency personnel at local Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). Through its service, 911 calls are automatically transferred to the PSAP and the operators are presented with the person's telephone number and location.
http://www.nuvio.com

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Samsung Demonstrates Push-To-All Application

Samsung Electronics demonstrated a Push-to-All (PTA) solution that extends the existing PTT (Push-to-Talk) one to multi-user voice application with the one to multi-user video conferencing (Push-to-View or PTV) and multimedia file sharing (Push-to-Data or PTD).


The core benefit of PTA handsets is their synchronous video conferencing ability. Similar to a walkie-talkie with video capabilities, the speaker's image appears instantly on the handset screen of the user or multiple users on the call. It is a convenient and time-saving function that allows people in multiple locations to easily conduct virtual meetings. In addition, the PTA handset allows one to send image, video clip and music content to multiple users through one simple operation on a mobile device at one time.


Samsung Electronics plans to offer a commercialized PTA solution handset using not only EV-DO technology but also EDGE, UMTS, and WiFi standards.
http://www.samsung.com

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Ciena Reports 16% Sequential Revenue Growth

Ciena reported first quarter revenue of $94.7 million, representing a 16% sequential increase, and an increase of 43% over the same period a year ago. On a GAAP basis, Ciena's reported net loss for the fiscal first quarter was $57.0 million, or a net loss of $0.10 per share. This loss compares to a GAAP net loss of $76.7 million, or a net loss of $0.16 per share, in the same period a year ago.


Ciena recognized revenue from two customers that each contributed more than 10% of the fiscal first quarter's total revenue. Combined, the two ten percent customers accounted for 31.7% of the quarter's total revenue. In addition, approximately 83% of Ciena's business in the fiscal first quarter came from domestic customers.


As a result of product mix, Ciena's gross margin in the quarter was 25.6%, compared to 29.5% in its fiscal fourth quarter.


"Strong growth from a number of application areas, including core optical transport, core switching and data networking, fueled revenue growth in our fiscal first quarter," said Gary Smith, Ciena's president and CEO. "While our traditional specialty of core networking continues to be a focus for us, one of the most telling signs of the scope and progress of our efforts to become a more strategic provider is that we have increased the number of customers purchasing from multiple product lines by 73 percent compared to the first quarter of 2004 and we're looking to build on that momentum."http://www.ciena.com

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