Sandvine's Network Analytics Looks at Routing Efficiency

Sandvine introduced a Routing Efficiency Dashboard as part of its Network Analytics library. The new dashboard provides a detailed look into the costly routing and transit links and interconnect relationships that affect operational expenses on fixed and mobile networks.

Sandvine said its goal with the Routing Efficiency Dashboard is to identify high-demand traffic using high-cost transit links, allowing communication service providers to reroute traffic toward more appropriate routes such as private peering. Network operators can use the data to capture cost savings on these routes.  The dashboard also enables the operator to measure the quality of links based on their ability to carry rich media.

"Large CSPs have many complex peering and transit arrangements and their Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) designates the best available routes for subscriber traffic.  Linking route-knowledge to application, cost and quality is an essential part of optimizing network operations, reducing costs and improving subscriber quality of experience," said Don Bowman, CTO, Sandvine.  "Sandvine's Routing Efficiency Dashboard paints a bullseye on the inefficient and over-worked transit links so CSPs can manage their investments to enhance network performance and increase quality of experience for subscribers."

http://www.sandvine.com

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Cable&Wireless Worldwide Opens Data Center in Uxbridge, UK

Cable&Wireless Worldwide (CWW) opened a new data center in Uxbridge, UK.

The new Tier III facility boasts a Power Usage Efficiency (PUE) rating of 1.25.  It offers seven data halls across 30,000 square feet, including free air cooling, IL2 & IL3 status and additional data halls for further growth.

http://cw.com

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Colt Delivers 100 GbE Across Europe with Infinera

Colt Technology Services has begun offering 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) services over its pan-European long-haul fiber network using the Infinera DTN platform.

Colt operates a 22-country, 43,000km network that includes metropolitan area networks in 39 major European cities with direct fiber connections into 18,000 buildings and 20 carrier neutral Colt data centers.

Colt can now offer 100GbE services across this infrastructure.

"As the company continues to transform from a traditional B2B telecoms operator to a provider of integrated IT and network services, enhancing our Ethernet services capabilities is key to delivering an end to end service experience that matches our customer’s agenda,” said Luke Broome, CTO at Colt. "Our use of the Infinera DTN to deliver 100GbE services on our long distance network will support customers with the highest performance demands in achieving their business priorities."

Infinera noted that Colt first deployed its DTN in 2009 and that an early trial of 100GbE services over the London to Frankfurt route was completed in 2010.

http://www.infinera.com
http://www.colt.net

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See Blueprint column from Infinera on 

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DISH Objects to Draft FCC Spectrum Proposal

DISH issued a tersely worded press statement objecting to a draft FCC proposal on Band 23 spectrum that is reportedly circulating amongst FCC commissioners. DISH said the plan unfairly favors Sprint by requiring DISH to disable 25 percent of its uplink spectrum and impair another 25 percent of that spectrum to accommodate possible future use of neighboring H Block spectrum by Sprint.

DISH has previously stated that it is prepared to launch a wireless business assuming the FCC delivers rules making it economically and technically feasible to do so.

 "While the FCC’s proposed order, based on reported accounts, does properly address some of the opportunities with this spectrum, it’s significantly flawed by introducing serious limitations that impair its utility,” said R. Stanton Dodge, DISH executive vice president and general counsel. “While the FCC would grant full terrestrial rights, its proposal to lower our power and emissions levels could cripple our ability to enter the business."

 “The good news is that this proposed order is not final and we urge Chairman Genachowski and the Commissioners to recognize that the DISH plan delivers on the greatest public interest – the most investment, the most jobs and the most spectrum,” said Dodge. “We stand ready to work with the full Commission on final rules that put the full AWS-4 spectrum to work for America and that advance the future potential of the H Block.” http://about.dish.com/news

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Equinix and du Build Carrier-Neutral Data Center Hub for the Gulf

Equinix has formed a strategic alliance with Emirates Integrated Telecommunications (also known as du) to deliver data center and interconnection services to customers in the Middle East via a new carrier-neutral hub.

As part of the deal, Equinix has acquired a newly built data center facility in Dubai. This new International Business Exchange (IBX) has capacity of 44,000 square feet and approximately 650 cabinets. The first phase of the data center is expected to be completed and open for business by January 1, 2013. Equinix expects to invest approximately US$40 million for the acquisition, upgrade and future expansion of this site.

Additionally, du has created a new "datamena" -- a new transit zone, which allows international customers to host and distribute content, and to trade data capacity in a cost effective way. datamena services will only be available in the data centers in the alliance. Along with investments in the datamena hub, du has also secured the capability to offer its enterprise customers du managed data center services and data center capacity.

Osman Sultan, CEO for du, said, “The alliance enables our customers to expand their digital footprint from a location where some of the fastest-growing markets in the world intersect. The introduction of datamena and a carrier-neutral data center will act as a catalyst for the next stage of internet development in the region. This resonates with the UAE’s vision of enhancing its role as a regional business hub and to be one of the best places to do business in the world.”

http://www.equinix.com
http://www.datamena.com

• In September 2012, DE-CIX, Frankfurt's massive Internet Exchange, announced a collaboration with UAE-IX, an Internet exchange in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  
  UAE-IX is a neutral Internet traffic exchange platform that interconnects global networks and, above all, network operators and content providers in the Gulf region. UAE-IX is using a fully redundant switching platform located in a neutral secure data center in Dubai. The new Internet Exchange will reduce latency times by up to 80 per cent and costs by up to 70 per cent for Gulf providers.
  
  The companies noted that many Internet service providers in the region have had to exchange their traffic via Europe, Asia or North America, leading to high latency rates. Initiated by the UAE’s Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) and supported by DE-CIX, UAE-IX delivers a highly available local alternative for regional traffic exchange, localizing Internet content.

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ADVA Invests in Saguna for Mobile Backhaul Content Caching

ADVA Optical Networking announced a strategic investment in Saguna Networks, a start-up based in Israel that develops Content Optimization Delivery Systems (CODS) technology. ADVA acquired a 10% stake in Saguna Networks for US$1 million.

Saguna Network’s CODS works by loading the integrated cache servers in the cell site gateway or network interface device with popular content, thereby reducing backhaul traffic. The company said its approach provides better QoE while reducing operating costs by as much as 70%.

“ADVA Optical Networking's investment in our company and our technology clearly indicates a shared vision for the development of mobile networks,” commented Lior Fite, chief executive officer of Saguna Networks. “The fierce growth in mobile data demands new solutions, new ways of both addressing users' expectations and operators’ needs to grow revenue. Our CODS technology brings cloud and over the top services directly into the mobile base station and this new partnership with ADVA Optical Networking creates a carrier-grade platform that delivers the right services exactly where they’re needed - close to the mobile user.”

http://www.advaoptical.com
http://www.saguna.net

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Windstream Opens Mid-Atlantic Data Center in McLean

Windstream activated a new Mid-Atlantic data center in McLean, Virginia, boasting 65,000 square feet of total space and 45,000 square feet (4,200 m2) of raised floor space.

The facility offers 2N power distribution and parallel multi-module uninterruptable power supplies (UPS).  The data center is connected to multiple Windstream core POP sites via redundant OC-192 10Gbps circuits with no single point of failure.  It also features a fully redundant core network gear within the data center and full level monitoring and security.

Earlier this year, Windstream opened a state of the art data center in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The company also operates data centers in another 18 cities across the country.

http://www.windstreambusiness.com

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LG U+ Deploys Alcatel-Lucent's 7750 Service Router

LG U Plus (formerly LG Telecom) has deployed Alcatel-Lucent’s IP/MPLS platform in some of the Korea's major cities.  The installation marks the first deployment of Alcatel-Lucent’s service routers in Korea using its FP3 400G processor.

The LG U+ deployment uses the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router (SR) portfolio.  

Alcatel-Lucent noted that its Service Router portfolio has been adopted by more than 475 carriers with presence in over 110 countries. 

http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/
http://www.upluslte.co.kr/main.asp

• LG U+ has previously disclosed the selection of Samsung, Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks as key suppliers for its LTE rollout.
• In August 2012, Korea's LG U+ announced the launch of commercial VoLTE service. LG U+ is using AMR-WB (Adaptive Multi Rate Wideband) voice codecs covering the 50MHz ~ 7GHz range. Call connection times are rated from 0.25 to 2.5 seconds, or up to 20 times faster that 3G call connection times. LG U+ is using QCI (QoS Class Identifier) ​​technology to ensure voice performance even during traffic spikes on the network.

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Bharti Airtel Upgrades its African Networks with Ericsson

Bharti Airtel, which operates mobile networks in 16 African countries, has undertaken an end-to-end network transformation program with Ericsson.

The project, which Ericsson describes as the largest of its kind on the African continent, involves the upgrade and expansion of network elements on all of Airtel’s African operations, including switching, radio, network management, data, charging, and consumer-services platforms and systems.  In addition, a full upgrade of the charging platforms across all operations was implemented introducing the latest version of Ericsson’s Charging System, enabling Airtel to offer subscribers new and innovative value-added services such as mobile wallets.

In 2011, Ericsson won a five year network management contract with Airtel.

Lars Lindén, head of Ericsson Sub-Saharan Africa, says, "In the transition to a Networked Society in Africa, operators are facing growing challenges in meeting the rapidly evolving demands of consumers. The focus of this project was transforming Airtel Africa’s networks to meet current and future consumer demands."

http://www.ericsson.com
http://www.africa.airtel.com

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Ciena Announces Another 100G Deployment: Dakota Carrier Network

Dakota Carrier Network has deployed Ciena’s coherent optical technology to deliver 40G and 100G wavelength services across its statewide optical backbone.  The installation uses Ciena’s 6500 Packet-Optical Platform equipped with WaveLogic coherent optical processors in an 88-channel DWDM ring.

Ciena noted that its 100G solution has now been deployed by a number of independent and regional telecommunications providers in the U.S., including CapeNet, DC-Net, Sunset Digital and Sovernet, among others.

To date, Ciena has shipped over 16,000 coherent 40G/100G line interfaces to more than 100 customers

DCN is the recipient of an approximately $10.8 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. The grant, along with additional funding, has allowed DCN to design its regional optical backbone to support high-speed fiber connectivity and broadband services to rural and underserved North Dakota critical community institutions, including public safety entities, schools and government agencies.

http://www.dakotacarrier.com/
http://www.ciena.com

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Orange to Offer Enterprise Content Delivery Service with Akamai

Orange will begin selling enterprise content delivery network (CDN) services using Akamai Technologies' optimization and acceleration solution.  Orange Business Services will market these solutions initially in France. The companies have formed an innovation steering committee to identify areas of innovation in the field of CDN solutions.

"We see great potential in this partnership with Akamai," said Gilles Prunier, Senior Vice President in charge of the Smart Networks program at Orange. "Developing an Orange CDN service, powered by Akamai, will allow us to enrich our existing BtoB services portfolio and to support our customers' growth by providing them with new and differentiated web features that improve the end-user experience and ultimately increase customer loyalty."

"Akamai and Orange have a history of bringing unique and innovative solutions to address enterprises' needs," said Mark Vargo, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Akamai EMEA. "By combining the strengths of two leading technology companies in a single partnership, we believe we can provide enterprises in the French market with a robust and comprehensive set of acceleration and optimization offerings that will help address all aspects of their online businesses."

http://www.akamai.com
http://www.orange-business.com

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NSN Teams with Ballard on Mobile Network Fuel Cell

Nokia Siemens Networks and Ballard Power Systems are collaborating on a fuel cell system that could provide extended electrical backup to a cell site during an emergency.

The companies cited a number of advantages to fuel cell over battery back-ups or diesel generators.  These include higher reliability across a wide range of operating conditions, lower maintenance costs, longer operating life as well as reduced size, weight, installation footprint, noise signature and environmental impact.

The base station and fuel cell combination developed by Nokia Siemens Networks with Ballard can provide 4.5 kW of power for approximately 40 hours on a single tank of fuel.

NTT DOCOMO is testing the system alongside the Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Multiradio base station at  Yokosuka Research Park (YRP) for potential commercial deployment.
The solution from Nokia Siemens Networks and Ballard Power Systems has already received the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) statutory approval in Japan.

“Mobile networks can be vital when a natural disaster strikes, and power outages make other forms of communication difficult,” said Mark Donaldson, head of energy solutions for mobile broadband networks at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Integrating fuel cells with our base stations can significantly increase the resilience of the mobile networks we provide.”

“Our fuel cell systems provide power for extended periods during outages caused by natural calamities and commercial grid failures,” said Larry Stapleton, vice president of sales, Ballard. “The collaboration with Nokia Siemens Networks has helped us leverage our service and integration expertise in order to deliver an emergency-ready alternative power solution for mobile networks.”

http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
http://www.ballard.com/about-ballard/newsroom/news-releases/news11191201.aspx

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DOCOMO Develops 3G/LTE Femtocell

NTT DOCOMO has developed a dual-mode small-cell base station, or femtocell, supporting 3G (W-CDMA) and LTE simultaneously.   The dual-mode femtocell, which will be commercially launched from December, is designed for indoor locations such as offices, shops and homes.

The new femtocell weighs only 0.7 kg and measures just 18.5cm by 17.5 cm by 4.5 cm.  It supports 3G/LTE service coverage in a range of up to several tens of meters, depending on actual conditions.  The LTE radio supports maximum downlink rates of 112 Mbps.  The unit is plug-and-play, automatically configuring itself to the surrounding radio environment.

http://www.nttdocomo.com/pr/2012/001620.html

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T-Mobile USA Appoints Chief Marketing Officer

T-Mobile USA announced the appointment of  Michael Sievert as the company’s new chief marketing officer, effective immediately.  Most recently, Sievert served as CEO of Seattle-based Discovery Bay Games.  He has also held positions at Clearwire, AT&T Wireless, Microsoft, IBM and Procter & Gamble.

http://newsroom.t-mobile.com

• In September, Deutsche Telekom appointed John Legere as CEO of T-Mobile USA, replacing Jim Alling, who will return to his position of Chief Operating Officer. Legere, a 32-year veteran of the U.S. and global telecommunications and technology industries, is the former CEO of Global Crossing, where he successfully transformed the company to become a leading provider of IP services worldwide. Prior to joining Global Crossing, Mr. Legere was CEO of Asia Global Crossing, a Microsoft, Softbank and Global Crossing joint venture. Before that, Mr. Legere served as Senior Vice President of Dell Computer Corporation, where he was President of the Company’s operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, as well as in the Asia-Pacific region.

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Broadcom Supplies Low Latency 5GHz Wi-Fi for Nintendo's Wii U

Broadcom supplied wireless connectivity, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC, for the new Wii U system from Nintendo. The companies jointly developed customized 5GHz Wi-Fi technology that supports low-latency video and audio transmission between the console and GamePad controller.  Bluetooth 4.0 support with backward compatibility enables most legacy games and legacy peripherals to be used with the new system.

http://www.broadcom.com

http://www.youtube.com/wiiu

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The Verge: Verizon Rushes to Replace Copper with Fiber in Lower Manhattan

The storm surge from Hurricane Sandy inflicted catastrophic damage at Verizon's central office on Broad Street in lower Manhattan when an underground cabling vault was completely submerged in salt water. 

Verizon's Executive Director of Operations, Christopher D. Levendos, tells The Verge's Dante D'Orazio that the best choice is to strip out the spoiled copper and simply to rebuild with fiber.

The full article is online here: 
http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/17/3655442/restoring-verizon-service-manhattan-hurricane-sandy

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DOJ Requests Additional Info on T-Mobile USA + MetroPCS Deal

The U.S. Department of Justice issued a request for additional information from MetroPCS in regards to its proposed transaction with T-Mobile USA.   MetroPCS said it will cooperate fully with the DOJ to obtain approval of the transaction as soon as possible and remains confident that the DOJ will find that the transaction is both pro-competitive and pro-consumer. 

http://www.metrpopcs.com

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Overture Boosts its Carrier Ethernet Edge Platform

Overture rolled out a 3-port DS3 interface module and software enhancements for its Overture 1400 gigabit Carrier Ethernet edge platform, which enables premium business Ethernet and mobile backhaul service delivery over a variety of infrastructures, including native optical Ethernet, SONET/SDH, DS3/E3, DS1, and E1.

The new card can bond up to three DS3 circuits to overcome Ethernet service delivery challenges in areas outside of existing fiber network footprints and offer 100 Mbps or more using readily available DS3s.  The new card also supports Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) and Virtual Concatenation (VCAT) bonding using Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme (LCAS).

The software upgrades add MLPPP bonding to the existing T1/E1 interface module, as well as capabilities for rapid service activation, dynamic re-marking of service classes, and synthetic loss measurements.

“Carriers are looking for ways to better serve the needs of all customers, including those who require reliable high bandwidth services but can’t connect directly to the optical network due to physical or geographical barriers, or other gating factors,” said Vijay Raman, vice president of product management and marketing, Overture Networks. “With the Overture 1400 Release 12.1 and the 3-port DS3 interface module, service providers can quickly and easily meet customer demand for premium business services. It’s another powerful solution that allows us to turn the difficult into the doable.”

http://www.overturenetworks.com

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Ciena Gains 10G FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Certification

Ciena has received Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2 certification for its 10G wire-speed encryption solution from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE).

FIPS 140-2 is an officially recognized North American standard that validates proper use of standard, peer-reviewed methods of encryption. All government agencies and departments in the U.S. and Canada that use commercial grade encryption are required to use FIPS-certified solutions in their networks. Additionally, enterprise organizations in healthcare, financial services and other security conscious industries worldwide often seek network solutions with FIPS certification.

http://www.ciena.com

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Russia's VimpelCom Selects Cisco ASR 5000

VimpelCom has selected the Cisco ASR 5000 mobile multimedia core platform as a core element of its 3G mobile network and as a foundation for its 4G LTE development in key regions, including St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don. The project is implemented by CTI, a Cisco Gold Certified Partner in Russia. Financial terms were not disclosed.

http://www.cisco.com

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