TMG: France Telecom Ranks as Largest IPTV Provider with 1.1 Million Subs

France Telecom currently ranks as the largest IPTV operator worldwide with 1.1 million subscribers, according to a new report from Telecommunications Management Group. There were 9.9 million IPTV subscribers around the world at the end of 2007, more than double the previous year, and TMG projects more than a 500 percent increase over the next three years. Hong Kong's PCCW has the most successful overall uptake, with more than 50% of broadband users taking the service.http://reports.tmgtelecom.com/iptv

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California Congresswoman Proposes Free Wireless Broadband Legislation

A proposed "Wireless Internet Nationwide for Families Act (WIN)" would foster the deployment of a new nationwide wireless broadband network by requiring the FCC to auction additional spectrum that is currently lying fallow. The winner of the auction would be required to build and complete a network within 10 years that must provide coverage to at least 95% of the country. The licensee would also be required to provide service for free to consumers and public safety users. The WIN Act would also requires the licensee to deny access to obscene and indecent material on the free service tier. The proposed legislation is backed by Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) and Rep. Christopher Cannon (R- UT).


"The results of the 700 MHz auction disappointed many of us who hoped that a new entrant would emerge. 70% of the spectrum auctioned went to only two carriers. While the auction required under this legislation is open to anyone, it is my hope that the bold conditions of requiring free, family friendly service will encourage the entry of a new kind of national broadband service provider," commented Anna Eshoo.http://eshoo.house.gov

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Telecom Italia Selects Huawei for Fiber Access in Milan

Huawei will provide Telecom Italia with its Fiber to the Building (FTTB) solution for deployment in Milan. The contract covers Huawei's SmartAX MA5600Tand MA5606T, which incorporates GPON and VDSL2 . Financial terms were not disclosed.


"We are proud to further our partnership with Telecom Italia," added Mr. William Xu, President of Europe Region, Huawei Technologies. "As the exclusive provider of FTTB technologies to Telecom Italia in the Milan area, we are committed to delivering a high-quality service. We will spare no effort in helping Telecom Italia extend its leadership in the dynamic and fast-growing broadband market."http://www.huawei.com

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Hong Kong's PCCW Extends Free Wi-Fi to Public Housing Estates

PCCW, the incumbent telco in Hong Kong, announced the provision of free Wi-Fi at outdoor and indoor areas of the public rental housing estates, including those at the Outlying Islands. Wi-Fi service at public rental housing estates will be provided free of charge between 6 am to 11 pm every day.


The move follows PCCW's provision last year of free Wi-Fi Internet access to universities and other institutes serving over 120,000 students. Free Wi-Fi Internet access is also provided across Hong Kong for accessing Hong Kong Government service websites to promote the concept of eGovernment. PCCW also provides free Wi-Fi at Hong Kong International Airport.

The number of PCCW Wi-Fi hotspots throughout Hong Kong has increased from 400 in 2006 to more than 4,000 in early 2008.

PCCW's Consumer Group Managing Director, Tom Chan, said: "PCCW is a socially responsible corporate citizen and is committed to help enhance Hong Kong's position as an Asian center of technology and business excellence. This latest initiative to provide free wireless broadband service at public rental housing estates is the latest development in a continuous PCCW effort to push the territory to the top of the global league-table of Wi-Fi cities."http://www.pccw.com

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NTT DoCoMo Unveils New Corporate Logo

NTT DoCoMo unveiled a new corporate logo and other re-branding elements that will be introduced beginning July 1.


The company said red symbolizes its energy and dynamism. DoCoMo also underlined its commitment to achieve customer satisfaction by understanding the needs of customers and building stronger relationships with them, and to maximize the creativity of its workforce and remain a leading innovator in the mobile communications industry.


The new brand slogan will be "Unlimited Potential, in Your Hand".http://www.nttdocomo.com

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Nokia Siemens Networks Wins Contract in Algeria

Wataniya Telecom Algerie will deploy Nokia Siemens Networks' 3GPP Release 4 mobile softswitching solution. The deployment includes Nokia Siemens Networks' MSC Server System in the core network. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Wataniya Telecom Algerie (WTA) is an Algerian mobile operator, part of the Qatar Telecom (QTel) Group since March 2007, after Qtel's purchase of 51% of the capital of Kuwait-based National Mobile Telecommunications Company.
Nedjma is operating a GPRS/EDGE network, providing advanced wireless voice and data services to a customer base of nearly 5 million in Algeria.http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

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Nortel Appoints Head of Global Sales

Nortel announced the appointment of Michael Pangia as senior vice-president, Global Sales Operations and Strategy -- a newly created position. Pangia is currently president of Nortel's Asia Region and will remain in this position in the short term until a successor is named. Previously, Pangia held senior level global roles in both finance and operations.
http://www.nortel.com

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Freescale Supplies Processors for NEC's "Lui" Home Platform

Freescale Semiconductor is supplying 32-bit ColdFire embedded processors for a new line of "Lui" home client/server solutions from NEC Corporation. Freescale's low-power MCF5328 ColdFire processor will provide remote-access capabilities for its Lui models of VALUESTAR R desktop PCs for the home media server market. The MCF5328 processor enables the Lui system to operate within a 1 W power envelope.


The MCF5328 features an integrated Fast Ethernet controller and I2C bus interface. It runs on the uClinux operating system supplied by Freescale.http://www.freescale.comhttp://www.nec.com

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Israel's Koor Industries Confirms Talks with India's Tata

Koor Industries filed a non-binding indicative letter of intent to acquire a significant share in India's Tata Teleservices Limited. Koor's proposal is for an investment of between NIS 2 and NIS 2.5 billion.


Koor Industries is a leading holding company, focusing on high-growth, internationally-oriented, Israeli companies. Its telecom investments include holdings in Telrad Networks, ECtel and Dekolink Wireless.
http://www.koor.co.il

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Skype Posts Q1 Revenue of $126 Million, 309 Million Registrations

In its quarterly financial report, eBay disclosed that Skype recorded $126 million in revenue for Q1 2008, representing 61% year-over-year growth. Skype added 33 million registered users in the quarter, ending the period with more than 309 million registered users around the world. Skype now has the largest registered user base within eBay's portfolio of businesses.http://www.ebay.com

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Mitsubishi to Resell Sandvine

Mitsubishi will resell Sandvine's 10-Gigabit Ethernet Policy Traffic Switch (PTS) platform and policy management solutions to DSL providers in the Japanese market. Sandvine's Intelligent Broadband Network Solutions offer fixed and wireless operators traffic identification and policy management solutions.http://www.sandvine.com

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Nokia Ships 115 Million Mobiles in Q1, See Q2 Decline in Euro Terms

In the first quarter 2008, Nokia's total mobile device volume reached 115.5 million units, representing 27% year on year growth and a 13% sequential decrease. The overall industry volume for the same period reached an estimated 295 million units, representing 17% year on year growth and a 12% sequential decrease. The average selling price (ASP) in Q1 was EUR 79, down from EUR 89 in the first quarter 2007 and down from EUR 83 in the fourth quarter 2007. The company shipped close to 10 million Nokia Nseries and almost 2 million Nokia Eseries devices during Q1.


FIRST QUARTER 2008 HIGHLIGHTS

• Nokia net sales of EUR 12.7 billion, up 28% year on year (up 35% at constant currency).


• Nokia diluted EPS of EUR 0.38, growing 46% from Q1 2007, excluding special items.


• Nokia operating margin of 14.7%, up year on year from 13.6% in Q1 2007, down sequentially from 15.9% in Q4 2007, excluding special items.


• Nokia Devices & Services operating margin of 21.2%, up year on year from 16.0%, down sequentially from 22.8% in Q4 2007, excluding special items.


• Nokia operating cash flow of EUR 0.8 billion.


• Nokia device volumes of 115.5 million units, up 27% year on year and down 13% sequentially.


• Estimated industry device volumes of 295 million units, up 17% year on year and down 12% sequentially.


• Nokia estimated device market share of 39%, up from 36% in Q1 2007 and down from 40% in Q4 2007.


• Nokia device ASP of EUR 79, down from EUR 83 in Q4 2007. (Device ASP excludes net sales from Services & Software)


• Nokia Siemens Networks operating margin was -1.1%, excluding special items, and was a positive 2.4%, excluding special items and purchase price accounting related items arising from the formation of Nokia Siemens Networks.

INDUSTRY AND NOKIA OUTLOOK

• Nokia expects industry mobile device volumes in the second quarter 2008 to be up slightly sequentially, similar to the market growth in the second quarter 2007, compared to the first quarter 2007.


• Nokia's mobile device market share in the second quarter 2008 is expected to increase sequentially.


• Nokia continues to expect industry mobile device volumes in 2008 to grow approximately 10% from the approximately 1.14 billion units Nokia estimates for 2007.


• Nokia expects the mobile device market to decline in value in Euro terms in 2008, compared to 2007. The change from Nokia's previous estimate of value growth for this market primarily reflects the negative impact of the recently weakened US dollar, the general economic slowdown in the US, and possibly going forward some economic slowdown in Europe.


• Nokia continues to expect some decline in industry ASPs in 2008, primarily reflecting the increasing impact of the emerging markets and competitive factors in general.


• Nokia continues to target an increase in its market share in mobile devices in 2008.


• Nokia expects the mobile and fixed infrastructure and related services market to be flat in Euro terms in 2008, compared to 2007. The change from the previous estimate of "very slight growth" for this market primarily reflects the negative impact of the recently weakened US dollar.


• Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks target for Nokia Siemens Networks market share to remain constant in 2008, compared to 2007.


• Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks cost synergy target for Nokia Siemens Networks is to achieve substantially all of the EUR 2.0 billion of targeted annual cost synergies by the end of 2008, as previously announced.

NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS

Nokia Siemens Networks posted Q1 net sales of EUR 3.4 billion, down 26% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. This primarily reflects a normal seasonally lower first quarter, compared to a strong fourth quarter 2007.


http://www.nokia.com

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Nokia Research Center opens Lab at Helsinki University of Tech

Nokia announced the expansion of its research activities with the opening of a research "lablet" on the Otaniemi campus of Helsinki University of Technology. The joint research agenda will include:

• new communication technologies;


• innovative uses for radio and Internet connections;


• user interaction and applications of nanotechnology.

The Otaniemi campus will also serve as a test-bed for new applications and services.


At the same time, Nokia said it is looking forward to future collaboration with the new Innovation University - consisting of Helsinki School of Economics (HSE), University of Art and Design Helsinki (TAIK) and Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) - after their merger in August 2009. Nokia hopes the Innovation University will be a leading innovation hot spot in mobile technologies and systems.
http://research.nokia.com

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PMC-Sierra Posts Q1 Revenue of $125 Million, up 21% YoY

PMC-Sierra reported Q1 2008 revenues of $125.0 million, which is 21% higher than the first quarter of 2007 and a slight increase compared with $123.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Net loss in the first quarter of 2008 (GAAP) was $22.7 million compared with a GAAP net loss in the fourth quarter of 2007 of $5.1 million.


"In the first quarter, we experienced strong demand for our fiber to the home, enterprise storage, and laser printer products," said Bob Bailey, chairman and chief executive officer of PMC-Sierra. "We believe that the overall business environment has improved in Asia, and PMC-Sierra is gaining market share in a number of key target markets."http://www.pmc-sierra.com

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Rackable Systems Signs Japanese Distributor for Data Center Solution

Rackable Systems, which supplies servers and storage products for large-scale data centers, announced a strategic partnership with ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC) to sell Rackable Systems' Eco-Logical line of servers. Under the terms of the agreement, CTC will implement Rackable Systems' energy-efficient data center solutions in their various data centers while offering Rackable Systems' solutions to their large portfolio of customers, including many of the nation's largest Internet entities. By integrating Rackable Systems' servers into their existing offerings, CTC will help customers address Government directives to significantly reduce the energy consumption of its nation's data centers.


Rackable Systems expects eco-friendly data center products to grow in Japan. In May 2007, the Japanese government announced a "New National Energy Strategy." Part of this strategy includes an ambitious national goal to reduce electric energy consumption of IT equipment by 50 percent by the year 2025.http://www.rackable.com

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Opnext Introduces Wavelength Specific DWDM-XFP and X2 Modules

Opnext has begun shipping its DWDM-XFP and DWDM-X2 pluggable modules. These pluggable modules complement the existing Opnext 10Gbps DWDM 300pin and XENPAK portfolio by delivering a smaller size and power footprint to DWDM networking applications. The new wavelength specific pluggable modules are offered at ITU-T 100GHz channel spacing. Opnext said the module transmitter exceeds industry requirements of 80km of standard single-mode fiber or 1600 pico seconds of dispersion.http://www.opnext.com

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Teledata Wins $12.5 Million Multiservice Access Project in Costa Rica

Teledata Networks, a supplier of multiservice access solutions, announced a $12.5 million project from ICE, Costa Rica's National Electricity and Telecommunications company, for its BroadAccess multiservice access systems supporting a variety of services, from TDM to IP. The systems will be installed all over Costa Rica, and will deliver services to both business and residential areas.http://www.teledata-networks.com

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Fujitsu and Indiana University Collaborate on 40G Optical Research

Fujitsu Network Communications is collaborating with Indiana University (IU) on research about the effects that Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) can have on specific wavelengths traveling at 40 Gbps or more. Specifically, the Global Research Network Operations Center (GRNOC) of IU is providing dark fiber between Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana, plus access to patch panels, electrical power, the Internet, and physical space to conduct the tests. Fujitsu and IU collaborated on the test plan to ensure that collected data can be used to influence future optical networking research and commercial products. Fujitsu researchers have conducted tests over a seven month period (with at least five more months of experiments planned), and IU is supporting the configuration changes during the testing phase. Fujitsu and IU are examining the test results, and have co-authored several technical papers about their findings, including one that was presented at the recent OFC/NFOEC conference and exhibition in San Diego, and one that will be presented at the OECC/ACOFT 2008 conference in Australia. Additional results will be presented at the upcoming Internet2 Joint Techs Workshop in July 2008.


Fujitsu said this collaboration with Indiana University, which was facilitated by their active involvement with Internet2, will be the model for future research networking experiments with other Research & Education (R&E) institutions.
http://us.fujitsu.com/telecomhttp://globalnoc.iu.edu/

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Verizon Offers HD VOD in New York

Verizon has launched high-definition video-on-demand (VOD) service in New York. The service is already available from Verizon in California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.


Verizon noted that it has already has nearly doubled the number of titles in its HD on-demand library since launching the service. It plans to offer 1,000 HD VOD titles per month by the end of the year.http://www.verizon.com

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Amdocs Posts Quarterly Revenue of $774 Million, Exceeding Guidance

Amdocs reported quarterly revenue of $774.3 million, an increase of 9.6% over the same period last year. The company's GAAP net income was $99.9 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $87.2 million, or $0.40 per diluted share last year.


Amdocs also updated its fiscal 2008 guidance: Expected revenue of approximately $3.09-$3.15 billion and diluted non-GAAP EPS of $2.31-$2.37, excluding acquisition-related costs and approximately $0.21-$0.24 per share of equity-based compensation expense, net of related tax effects. Diluted GAAP EPS is expected to be approximately $1.81-$1.90, without taking into account potential purchase price adjustments relating to the acquisition of Jacobs Rimell in April 2008.


"We are pleased to report that we have exceeded our plans for this quarter and for the first half of fiscal 2008," said Dov Baharav, chief executive officer of Amdocs Management Limited. "Our strong results are driven by an expansion of our managed services business and by expanding our implementations of mission-critical systems in both developed and emerging markets. We recognize that there is uncertainty in the market as economic conditions have become more challenging and we believe that our forecasts for the second half of this fiscal year take this into account.http://www.amdocs.com

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