Thursday, June 21, 2007

Mobile Campus Appoints Cingular Exec as CEO

Mobile Campus, which provides interactive mobile services for U.S. universities, announced the appointment of Jim Ryan as the company's new President and CEO. Most recently, Ryan served as vice president of consumer data services for Cingular Wireless.



To date, eleven major universities including the University of Texas, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Kent State University and Clemson University have signed long-term agreements with Mobile Campus for their services.

http://www.mobilecampus.com/

Freescale and Tundra Partner on RapidIO Switch

Freescale and Tundra Semiconductor introduced a Serial RapidIO interconnect development platform that uses Tundra's Tsi578 switch to cluster four Freescale MSC8144 multi-core DSPs in an AMC single-width form factor. The platform is designed to address interconnect bandwidth requirements of up to 10 Gbps between on-board components in applications such as wireless base stations, radio network controllers, media gateways, video conferencing and radar signal processing.



Tundra's Tsi578 enables low latency RapidIO interconnect capabilities at up to 10 Gbps, thereby supporting the bandwidth-per-link requirements of key applications. Freescale's MSC8144 multi-core DSP offers up to 10 Gbps per sRIO port. The solution could be used in standalone mode within MicroTCA and ATCA systems, or alongside Tundra's recently announced Tsi578 Serial RapidIO Development Platform.

http://www.freescale.com

http://www.tundra.com

Korean MSO Selects Harmonic for Wideband Modular CMTS Trial

Qrix Communications, a Korean cable operator serving more than 710,000 subscribers, has launched a wideband modular cable modem termination system (M-CMTS) trial using Harmonic's NSG 9000 universal edgeQAM. Harmoni's NSG 9000 is capable of reaching up to 72 QAM RF outputs per unit and supports a wide variety of applications including broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), switched digital video (SDV), M-CMTS and DOCSIS 3.0. The wideband M-CMTS architecture using the NSG 9000 universal edgeQAM enables Qrix to deliver up to 100 Mbps to the home.

http://www.harmonicinc.com

LG and Harris Develop In-Band Mobile DTV Technology for Handhelds

LG Electronics and Harris Corp. submitted a proposal to the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) for a standard that would enable broadcasters to provide high-quality digital television (DTV) signals to a wide range of mobile and portable devices. Until now, reliable reception of signals transmitted by terrestrial broadcasters has not been possible in fast-moving vehicles or pedestrian handheld devices such as mobile phones or laptop computers.



LG Electronics and its U.S. research subsidiary, Zenith, has partnered with Harris to develop a Mobile-Pedestrian Handheld (MPH) in-band mobile digital television system that uses the digital broadcast signal and is backward-compatible to the current standard.



The companies said their "MPH" in-band mobile DTV system provides robust DTV signals to mobile, pedestrian and handheld devices. Unlike the cellular-based approach, MPH technology uses only the single, existing transmitter from commercial and public broadcasters.



MPH is a multiple-stream system, with the main service stream for existing DTV and HDTV services, and the MPH stream for one or more mobile, pedestrian and/or handheld services. Key attributes of the MPH( system include:

  • Backward compatibility with the existing ATSC 8-VSB transmission and receiving equipment,


  • Capability to receive broadcast signals at high (mobile) speed with a single antenna,


  • Use of practical, small handheld receivers without the need for multiple antennas,


  • Power savings in handheld receivers.
http://www.LGusa.com

http://www.harris.com

Portugal Telecom Launches IPTV with Alcatel-Lucent + Microsoft

PT Comunicações, the largest telecommunications and multimedia business organization in Portugal, has deployed Alcatel for its new IPTV commercial service -- "meo" -- which launched this month in Lisbon, O'Porto and Castelo Branco. Initially, the service will deliver 78 TV channels (2 of them with high definition). It also includes VOD and PVR (160 hours) functionality.



The Alcatel-Lucent solution allows a customized on-demand service for each customer, enabling viewers to create their own schedule of TV programs and integrates an OSS-BSS interface that facilitates the integration between PT Comunicações' OSSs/BSSs and the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition platform.



The network infrastructure supporting PT Comunicações'striple play services include the Alcatel-Lucent 7450 Ethernet Service Switch, Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router and Alcatel-Lucent 7302 Intelligent Services Access Manager.

http://www.meo.pt

Vodafone Portugal Selects Alcatel-Lucent for DSL

Vodafone Portugal has deployed Alcatel-Lucent's TPSDA (triple play service delivery architecture) that combines access and subscriber service delivery into an integrated DSL solution, as well as its next generation converged solutions.

Specifically, Alcatel-Lucent has supplied its Intelligent Services Access Manager and its Network Analyser and Home Network Management solution (for the management of devices deployed in customer homes and businesses). It has also deployed its next generation Service Router along with the Service Aware Manager and the Access Gateway Controller. Financial terms were not disclosed.

http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

U.S. International Trade Commission Denies QUALCOMM Request

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has denied a request by QUALCOMM to stay the effectiveness of the ITC's recent exclusion order, which bans the importation into the United States of certain Qualcomm chips and cellular phones containing those chips that infringe a Broadcom patent.

http://www.usitc.gov/

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

TELUS and Bell Canada Consider Merger Possibility

BCE, the parent company of Bell Canada, and TELUS, the incumbent operator in western Canada, confirmed that talks are underway regarding a possible business combination. BCE and TELUS have entered into a mutual non-disclosure and standstill agreement on a non-exclusive basis.



In a press statement, TELUS said a combined TELUS/BCE could:

  • Create a combined organization poised for improved growth and returns through the realization of significant operating synergies to the ongoing benefit of TELUS and BCE investors


  • Retain investment grade credit ratings thereby retaining financial strength to invest in long-term growth with the associated public benefits related to innovation and productivity


  • Preserve and enhance a public Canadian investment vehicle for ordinary Canadians and institutional investors


  • Ensure access to leading edge technology, services and devices for the benefit of Canadian consumers and the competitiveness of businesses


  • Allow current BCE shareholders to participate in ongoing value creation on a largely tax deferred rollover basis which would be attractive to the many BCE shareholders with a low tax cost basis


  • Preserve an income tax base for Canadian governments that would otherwise be eliminated by highly levered private equity structures with non-taxable equity holders and U.S. sourced debt


  • Be the most likely strategic alternative to preserve long-term Canadian control if foreign ownership restrictions are removed


  • Establish a truly national telecommunications company, similar to other G8, European and Commonwealth countries (e.g. British Telecom, France Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, NTT, Telecom Italia) in an industry critical to national sovereignty.
http://www.telus.com

http://www.bce.ca
  • In April 2007, BCE announced a series of discussions with a group of leading Canadian pension funds to explore the possibility of taking the publicly-traded company private. This group will be led by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), who have signed a non-disclosure and standstill agreement with BCE on a non-exclusive basis. Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co. (KKR), a leading global private equity firm, has also signed the agreement and will join the Canadian-led consortium as a minority partner.


  • BCE controls Bell Canada, Telesat Canada and an interest in Bell Globemedia.

Nortel Shows Three SIP Applications

Nortel introduced three SIP and IMS-ready applications: Web Services, Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC), and Web Portal customization. The applications can integrate multiple networks such as wireline, wireless or cable and IP-based communications -- email, video, web-based services, instant messaging.

Nortel's SIP applications:

  • Web Services -- an application that leverages Parlay X API standards and allow businesses to enhance their web sites through interactive multimedia communications such as click-to-call, instant messaging and call presence. This new Web-services application will enable businesses to send targeted messages to their customers' mobile device based on the user's location and individual preferences. The Web Services APIs will be available in Q3 2007.


  • Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) integrates voice, video, text and data communications into a seamless communications environment between desktop and mobile devices, using cellular and WLAN access. Enhanced capabilities provide unified voice, messaging and multimedia communications high-speed broadband services for workers whether they are at home or working remotely. They also allow a PC-based interface to screen mobile calls, and provide advanced collaboration features such as file sharing, while on a mobile call. These enhanced FMC offerings are available today.


  • Carrier-hosted Web Portal enhanced application allows subscribers to create and manage communications services via a personalized Web application. Preferences such as call routing and call blocking can be prioritized for each incoming call. Enhanced capabilities include use of a mobile internet browser to customize call and service profiles. The Web Portal and corresponding customization options are currently available.


Nortel has previously announced SIP contracts with leading carriers Orange, Neuf Cegetel, Bell Canada and Telefonica.



Nortel new and enhanced applications are designed to run today over a pre-IMS environment and are built with IMS interfaces necessary to run over future IMS core networks. The applications are enabled on the Application Server 5200 (AS 5200) and the Communication Server 2000 (CS 2000).

http://www.nortel.com


Bell Canada Deploys Nortel's Network Operations Management Solution

Bell Canada is deploying Nortel's Metro Ethernet Manager (MEM) solution to support delivery of new high-bandwidth communications services, such as video and large file sharing, to its business customers.



Metro Ethernet Manager (MEM) is Nortel's element and domain management solution. Key features include the ability to quickly and efficiently provision services; monitor, isolate and troubleshoot faults; measure network performance for capacity planning and SLA assurance; view the network topologies from nodal as well as service perspectives; and backup & restore within a common security infrastructure.

http://www.nortel.com

Sonus and NeuStar Partner on Presence-Enabled IMS Applications

Sonus Networks and NeuStar are working together to create feature-rich IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)-based consumer applications with presence technology. The new integration effort builds on an existing partnership between the companies.



The Sonus IMX Multimedia Application Platform, a key element in the application layer of Sonus IMS-based network architecture, has been successfully integrated with NeuStar's Presence Platform (PSP).



Part of NeuStar's suite of next generation messaging services, the PSP incorporates a presence server and group list management server (GLMS), which power presence-enabled IMS-based applications. http://www.neustar.biz/ngmhttp://www.sonusnet.com

Ellacoya Enables the Personal Internet Plans with New Software for DPI-based Platform

Ellacoya Networks announced two software modules that extend the capabilities of its deep packet inspection (DPI) hardware platforms, the e30 and e100 network platforms, enabling network operators to offer a personalized service plan for each subscriber.



Ellacoya's e30 platform and e100 platform (a custom-designed 20 Gbps wire-speed DPI network hardware element) enable service providers to effectively identify and manage network traffic dynamically by subscriber, service type, time-of-day, etc. Ellacoya's platforms provide granular reports on network usage; manage traffic dynamically with precision; ensure VoIP quality; identity and prevent network threats; and provide the basis for quota management, differentiated service plans and quality-assured premium services (IPTV, VoIP, streaming video).



The new Ellacoya Service Creation Manager (SCM) is a graphical user interface that provides rapid and scalable service creation. Built on hierarchical database technology, services and service bundles are defined once in the environment and then can be assigned to individual subscribers and subscriber groups instantly with point-and-click ease. Subscribers can also be automatically provisioned through Ellacoya's well-documented Application Programming Interface (API).



The Ellacoya Service Plan Manager (SPM) integrates with the service provider's OSS/BSS and automates subscriber management functions including service activation, service changes and the enforcement of application-based service tiers. It tracks each subscriber's usage against the terms of his/her service plan to enforce the correct policies and ensure accurate accounting and billing. The SPM also provides integration with other back office systems and network infrastructure such as policy servers through standard COPS, SOAP and EJB interfaces.

http://www.ellacoya.com

BT Deploys Ellacoya for Network Visibility and Service Optimization

BT has deployed Ellacoya Networks' broadband optimization platform to support the BT Retail broadband network of more than 3 million subscribers. Financial terms were not disclosed.



The Ellacoya solution's network visibility function is being used for capacity planning and traffic analysis; providing visibility into aggregate traffic and specific application usage on both a real-time and historic basis. This enables BT to effectively engineer network capacity to meet all subscriber bandwidth needs as well as to anticipate and plan for future service requirements.



The service optimization functions of the Ellacoya solution are used to identify and provide Quality-of-Service (QoS) for BT's IPTV service, BTVision, and to analyze VoIP service quality to ensure expected performance. It also allows BT's business customers to self-activate services remotely.

http://www.ellacoya.com

Pulse~LINK Files Suit Against Tzero for UWB Patents

Pulse~LINK announced a lawsuit against Tzero Technologies of Sunnyvale, California, claiming infringement of Pulse~LINK's patented UWB communications technologies.

http://www.pulselink.net/

NexTone and PortaOne Offer SIP-H.323 Switching and Billing Solution

NexTone announced an interworking initiative with PortaOnec to provide carriers and service providers worldwide with an integrated billing and SIP-H.323 switching solution.

PortaBilling100 is a carrier-grade VoIP billing and customer management platform. The NexTone MSX (Multi-protocol Session Exchange), when used together with PortaBilling100 for NexTone, allows service providers to create a flexible and scalable VoIP network while ensuring consistent service quality, protection, and security. By applying its signaling intelligence at the edge of the network, the NexTone MSX adapts session signaling to enable carriers to interconnect their SIP and H.323 networks, while PortaBilling100 for NexTone provides call authentication and authorization as well as billing information.

http://www.nextone.com

http://portaone.com

YouTube Encodes Video in H.264 for Apple TV, iPhone

YouTube has begun encoding their videos in the advanced H.264 format for viewing on Apple's upcoming iPhone and the Apple TV device.

http://www.apple.com

Global Crossing Selects Alcatel-Lucent for Global Maintenance Services

Global Crossing has selected Alcatel-Lucent to oversee the maintenance of its optical and transport equipment by providing technical support, repair, field maintenance and program management services. The outsourcing is expected to reduce their global network maintenance costs and improve network operating efficiencies. http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

Real Time Content (RTC) to Spin Out of BT

BT will spin out a group that is developing an "adaptive media" platform into a new company called Real Time Content (RTC). The RTC platform uses viewer profiles and real time feedback to customize video content that is automatically delivered and controlled by the brand. By analyzing profiles, user criteria, surfing trends, and bandwidth capabilities, brands and content owners can create a personalized information and entertainment experience that speaks directly to each viewer. RTC effectively monitors, measures and adjusts digital content to allow dynamic changes in real time.



RTC, which is headquartered in the UK, has funding from BT and New Venture Partners.

http://www.btplc.com

http://www.realtimecontent.com

Cablevision Expects to Carry 500 HD Channels by Year End

Cablevision, which serves the NY metro area, will add 15 new high-definition channels from VOOM HD Networks. The additions will bring Cablevision's iO digital cable customers a total of 40 HD programming services -- the most HD available anywhere in the nation, from any provider. The company also announced that by the end of this year it will have the capability to carry more than 500 channels of HD programming on its advanced fiber optic network.

http://www.cablevision

Optimum Lightpath Receives MEF 14 Certification

Cablevision's Optimum Lightpath division received the Metro Ethernet Forum's (MEF) MEF 14 Service Provider Certification. As part of the process, the Optimum Lightpath network was certified to support E-Line, V-Line and E-LAN solutions. Testing was completed by Iometrix - the MEF's independent certification lab - to ensure compliance with the Abstract Test Suite for Traffic Management (MEF-14-ATS).



Optimum Lightpath was one of only 11 service providers from around the globe to be certified under the inaugural Certification Program.



Separately, Optimum Lightpath received the "2007 Regional Carrier Ethernet Service Provider of the Year" award among North American Carrier Ethernet providers. The company has more than 2,400 route miles of fiber in the ground and more than 2000 lit commercial buildings in the New York metro area. The company claims that more than 50 percent of hospitals in the New York metropolitan area are now using its Optimum Lightpath network for high capacity and high bandwidth integrated IP data, Internet and voice solutions.

http://www.metroethernetnow.com/