Verizon Extends Deployment of Nortel Packet Switches for Local Service

Verizon is extending its deployment of packet voice switches to serve local business and consumer lines in six additional central offices. Company technicians are currently installing packet-switching systems in five southern California communities and one town in the state of Washington. http://www.verizon.com

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Lucent Partners with Microsoft on IPTV

Lucent Technologies and Microsoft announced a non-exclusive partnership to integrate the Microsoft IPTV software platform with Lucent's network access solutions. This integration enables the delivery of standard-definition, high-definition and on-demand programming to the Microsoft TV IPTV-based set-top box via the Lucent Stinger IP-Enabled DSLAM and Lucent ADSL2+ modem. At SuperComm, the companies are showing high-definition content delivered over a single ADSL2+ connection. http://www.lucent.com

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Powell Praises SBC Move toward Network Investment

"The state of the industry is much better off this year than last because the talk about broadband and convergence is turning into real action and investment" said FCC Commissioner Michael K. Powell at a SuperComm event in Chicago.



Powell describe President Bush's goal of making broadband available to all Americans by 2007 as
achievable but ambitious. He said broadband should not be just about DSL or cable modems, but also include WiFi, WiMax, broadband over powerline and other forms of access.



In reaction to the SBC announcement of investing $6 billion in its access network, Powell responded simply "Hallelujah." He urged all three other RBOCs, as well as CLECs and anyone else interested in competing in this market, to invest in their networks as well. He defended his "light regulatory touch" saying new government regulation should never be pursued for its own sake but only if markets have failed or to ensure a specific social goal, such as emergency services.



As for industry forecasts, Powell predicts the industry will be "on fire" a year from now. By SuperComm 2005, he expects dramatic increases in the number of U.S. broadband subscribers as the industry finally enters the "hockey stick" curve of mass adopters.

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Agere Develops Layer 4 Mechanism for "Unbreakable Access"

Agere Systems unveiled a Layer 4 technology for providing per-service protection in broadband access networks. Agere's "Unbreakable Access," which is an algorithm that runs on the company's network processors, identifies premium traffic streams entering the network and sets up back-up IP paths through the transport network. If a network path for a protected service, such as VoIP, IPTV or VOD, should fail, the system would restore the service using the alternate path. Agere said this restoration occurs up to 20 times faster than existing alternatives, which currently would require restoring BGP routing tables or PNNI. The technology also reduces operational expenses by consolidating equipment platforms, such as digital loop carrier (DLC) equipment functions within DSLAMs.



The Unbreakable Access chip set started as an innovation at BT as part of its 21st Century Network initiative. Fujitsu and Marconi supply access equipment to BT. Fujitsu already utilizes Agere's traffic management network processor chips, and Marconi plans to integrate them into their next-generation gear to complement other processors.



Other types of equipment targeted for use with Unbreakable Access include media gateways; Ethernet switches and services such as VoIP telephony; IP/MPLS VPNs; Ethernet virtual local area network; and wireless local area networks. http://www.agere.com

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SBC's Ed Whitacre Outlines $6 Billion FTTN Plans

Ed Whitacre, chairman and CEO of SBC Communications, outlined plans to invest up to $6 billion over the coming five years to push fiber deeper into neighborhoods and fully compete with cable network operators. SBC expects that a FTTN (fiber-to-the-node) architecture will enable it to deliver 15 to 20 Mbps DSL downstream to every home. Under its previous Project Pronto initiative launched in the late 1990s, SBC extended fiber into remote terminals located 12,000 ft from customers. The new plan would push fiber into remote terminals located with 5,000ft of the customer. SBC will also start using FTTP for all new builds in its territory.



SBC is working with Microsoft on IPTV services that would include standard and high-definition programming, customizable channel line-ups, video-on-demand, digital video recording and other advanced features. Field trials are slated for later this year. So far, SBC's partnership with EchoStar is going very well, said Whitacre, indicating "lots of pent-up demand" for cable competition.



Whitacre said he now felt confident making these investments given the Bush Administration recent decision not pursue a Supreme Court appeal to defend the FCC's UNE-p rules. He expressed optimism on another level as well. Whitacre expects the nation's economic recovery, especially the recent growth in jobs, to translate into new demand for telecom services.



Overall, Whitacre believes the telecom industry will evolve into only a handful of super carriers that are able to deliver a full range of services across an extended geography. Beneath these super carriers will exist a lower tier of competitive carriers offering more specific business services to niche markets. Whitacre suggested this is a "more rational model" for the telecom industry and typical of what is seen in other mature sectors of the economy. http://www.sbc.com

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SUPERCOMM 2004 Opens in Chicago

SUPERCOMM 2004 opened in Chicago with 675 exhibitors, up by 25% over last year. Total attendance is expected to be about 30,000 over the three day event -- a 20% increase over last year.

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Turin Unveils SONET/SDH and Ethernet Edge System for Metro Access

Turin Networks introduced its "TraverseEdge 100" (TE-100), a compact next-generation SONET/SDH and Ethernet edge system for metro access networks. The platform can be used to aggregate a combination of DS1 or E1, DS3 or E3, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet service interfaces onto dual high-speed SONET OC-3/12/48 or SDH STM-1/4/16 ports



The TE-100 supports key standards, including GFP (Generic Framing Procedure), LCAS (Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme) and both Low-order and High-order Virtual Concatenation (VCAT), which enable Ethernet traffic to be transported more efficiently over the SONET/SDH infrastructure. In addition, the TE-100 is the first product in its class that integrates Ethernet switching functions to aggregate and manage traffic at layer 2, and deliver next generation Ethernet services such multi-point VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) with guaranteed service levels.



The TE-100 was designed to work seamlessly with Turin Networks' industry leading metro transport network solution, the Traverse Multiservice Transport Platform.



Turin Networks said its TE-100 is differentiated from competing platforms by exceeding standard SONET/SDH facilities protection with optional equipment protection for the high-speed optical network interfaces.



The SONET version of the TE-100 will be available in Q3 and an SDH version will be available in Q4. http://www.turinnetworks.com

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RADVISION Announces ATCA-based Video Media Server

RADVISION has ported its media server platform to the Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (AdvancedTCA).



The AdvancedTCA version of RADVISION's media server is a multipoint video telephony solution powered by Intel Architecture and built with modular communications building blocks optimized for Linux.



The platform is powering a number of live video services demonstrations in Intel's booth at this week's SUPERCOMM tradeshow. The company plans to make available for carrier lab trials in Q4.



RADVISION's existing video telephony solution, based on its own stand-alone NEBS-compliant chassis and called the viaIP400, already powers hosted video telephony offerings by carriers to their broadband residential, 3G mobile, and enterprise customershttp://www.radvision.com

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Nextel Announces Unique 'Push To E-mail' Application

Nextel Communications is launching a "NextMail" application that allows users to send a streaming mp3 voice message from their phone to any e-mail recipient quickly and easily by simply pressing the "Direct Connect" button on the side of every Nextel phone. Because its messages are sent with a time and date stamp, NextMail provides a quick and easy means of communicating the status of current jobs or projects. The application can send the mp3 file to as many as 50 email addresses at once - and the recipient of a NextMail message can easily respond to the originator in text (SMS) form. Customers can also deliver NextMail messages to their own e-mail inboxes as verbal reminders or to record meeting notes.



Nextel describes its 'Push To E-mail' as the convergence of instant walkie-talkie voice communication and e-mail. NextMail is powered by Pacific DataVision (PDV).



The is available on any Nextel handset for $7.50 per month. Airtime charges apply when recording NextMail messages and customers may incur usage charges based on their rate plans. http://www.nextel.com

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Spirent Offers VoIP-PSTN Emulation Test Solution

Spirent Communications introduced new VoIP performance emulation capabilities for Abacus 5000 IP Telephony Test System. The Abacus 5000 can emulate a call agent, signaling gateway, IP end-points, PSTN network elements and generate real voice and RTP packets. Spirent's Abacus 5000 also features the first built-in media gateway controller (softswitch) emulator that can scale up to thousands of simultaneous calls. This feature simplifies testing of VoIP devices by reducing the need to deploy multiple softswitches and by saving time needed to configure and maintain scripts and test setups. Users also may synchronize results across PSTN and IP environments using a high bandwidth backplane. http://www.spirentcom.com

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Verilink Rolls Out a New Generation of VoIP Access Devices

Verilink introduced a new line of VoIP enabled Integrated Access Devices (IADs). Verilink's new 8000 Series supports Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) and Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) and provides a migration path from traditional telephony, TDM or ATM, to IP. Covad Communications is using Verilink's 8000 Series IADs for its valued-added VoIP services. The 8000 Series IADs provide full standards-based SNMP remote management, which enables service providers and enterprises to automate the configuration and provisioning of new services, as well as perform troubleshooting and other network management operations.

Verilink is also introducing VIPER, a new generation of IAD aimed at the SOHO and small to medium-sized business markets. The product family consists of full-featured ADSL and SHDSL IADs supporting either 2-port or 4-port POTS or BRI with Layer 3 routing, Layer 2 bridging and software security. ADSL 2+ and four-wire SHDSL models are also available. 21-Jun-04

http://www.verilink.com

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Cisco Delivers Metro-Scale Wi-Fi for Government

Cisco Systems introduced a wireless LAN product set for delivering broadband wireless access across a city to public sector agencies such as city, state and federal agencies, public safety (police, fire, and ambulance), transportation and public works. The Cisco Metropolitan Mobile Network solution consists of Cisco Aironet Series of Wi-Fi outdoor infrastructure and Cisco 3200 Series Routers with the new integrated Wireless Mobile Interface Card.



When used in vehicles, the Cisco 3200 Series Router with new integrated Wireless Mobile Interface Card creates a network comprised of laptops, PDAs, video surveillance cameras and other devices that maintain connectivity even as the vehicle moves between cellular and Wi-Fi coverage areas and across the community. The Cisco 3200 Series can also be deployed in fixed locations, such as on light poles and on roof tops, as a ruggedized outdoor wireless router to help provide wireless coverage across the city. The Cisco Aironet 1400 Series Outdoor Wireless Bridge provides long range IEEE 802.11a connectivity and the Cisco Aironet 1300 Series Outdoor AP and Wireless Bridge provides IEEE 802.11b/g connectivity and access at medium ranges.



Cook County, Illinois plans to use broadband wireless connectivity to enhance first responders' capabilities to prepare for and respond to events and emergencies. The first phase of deployment will enable emergency personnel to share text, image, and video information across jurisdictional boundaries.



London's Westminster City Council plans to create a "Wireless City" that will help reduce crime; provide real time information to city officials to manage street services such as parking, premises licensing, and environment waste; assist with special events; and deliver community based services such as e-learning. Working with Cisco, the Council is deploying video-surveillance that will result in a 30% savings from rapid Wi-Fi deployment of approximately 50 cameras.www.cisco.com/go/mmn

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Metalink Ships 200,000 VDSL Ports to Korea in Q2

Metalink announced that shipments of its ITU-T standard compliant VDSL products to South Korea for the second quarter of 2004 have exceeded 200,000 ports. The company said its Total-VDSL provides performance of over 50 Mbps and up to 5 km DSL service capability. http://www.metalinkbb.com/

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France Telecom and Motorola Form Strategic Partnership

France Telecom and Motorola signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the joint development of Seamless Mobility Solutions. This collaboration aims at developing and deploying new and innovative, integrated services, using a wide range of wireless access networks and technologies, for the home, office, car and on the move. The MoU includes: the establishment of joint research and development teams; the sharing of R&D funding; and the principle of sharing intellectual property. http://www.francetelecom.comhttp://www.motorola.com

• In recent weeks, France Telecom has announced several strategic partnerships with leading systems companies, including with Alcatel for the joint definition and implementation of a Next Generation Network Architecture (NGN/IMS) towards a converged fixed/Internet/mobile network.; with Ericsson, in order to jointly develop IP Multimedia Services for the consumer market, and with Siemens, to jointly develop a New Generation Network Architecture for mobile/fixed networks.

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Centillium Integrates ADSL2+/2++ and VoIP on a Chip

Centillium Communications introduced an ADSL2+/2++ and VoIP gateway-on-a-chip for next-generation Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). The new Palladia 400 chip uses Centillium's eXtremeDSLMAX technology for downstream rates up to 50 Mbps. It offers an integrated 200MHz MIPS processor and a high-powered DSP designed specifically to process VoIP. Palladia 400 supports a variety of voice codecs such as G.711 (PCM), G.729a/b, G.726.32 and G.723.1. The chip includes support for Caller Identification (Caller ID) -- including Japan Caller Identification Protocol (JCLIP), Call Forwarding and Call Waiting. The chip also supports Generic Voice Activity Detection (VAD) and Comfort Noise Generation (CNG) and includes a Message Waiting Indicator, Tele-Conferencing, Call Hold and Pulse Dialing. Palladia 400 also integrates an IPSec engine with support for Data Encryption Standard (DES), Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES) and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), as well as Secure Hash and Message Digest Algorithms in hardware.



Applications include home gateways, Integrated Access Devices (IADs), small office-home office (SOHO) voice routers, IP PBXs and other access products with ADSL2+/2++, VoIP, advanced security features and WiFi networking capabilities. Sampling is underway.

Centillium also unveiled the first member of a new family of chips for the VoIP Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) market. The Atlanta 100 chip supports up to eight voice channels for toll-quality telephone voice, fax calls and routing functionality over any broadband access network (ADSL, cable, WiMAX, etc.). The device integrates a RISC processor that performs network management, data routing and other functions. The device also includes a built-in packet accelerator that pushes system performance to wire-speed while supporting multiple VoIP channels in parallel. Atlanta 100 supports a variety of voice codecs, such as G.711 (PCM), G.729a/b, G.726.32 and G.723.1. The chip includes support for Caller Identification (Caller ID) including Japan Caller Identification Protocol (JCLIP), Call Forwarding and Call Waiting. It also supports Generic Voice Activity Detection (VAD) and Comfort Noise Generation (CNG) and includes a Message Waiting Indicator, Tele-Conferencing, Call Hold and Pulse Dialing. http://www.centillium.com

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Cablevision Cuts its Pricing for Triple Play Bundle

Cablevision Systems cut the pricing of its bundled triple play (cable TV, cable modem and unlimited VoIP) residential service -- a move that is expected to put increased pricing pressure on Verizon as well as on other VoIP residential providers. The company unveiled a limited-time promotional offer that will run through July 31 and allow new customers to purchase advanced digital video, voice and data services for $29.95 each per month for 12 months when all three services are taken together. Also, Cablevision's cable customers will be offered the opportunity to add the company's high-speed Internet and voice services for $29.95 each per month, also for 12 months, when both services are added together. http://www.cablevision.comAs of May, Cablevision System's residential VoIP service, which is available in the New York metro area, was adding about 3,200 new customers per week. The cable company now has over 100,000 for the service.

In November 2003, Cablevision announced the availability of its digital voice-over-cable telephony across its footprint of nearly 4 million homes in the New York metropolitan area. Cablevision's Optimum Voice service was introduced on a trial basis earlier in 2003 and officially launched throughout Long Island in late September. The service provides unlimited local, regional and long-distance calling across the U.S. and Canada. It includes five custom calling features (Caller ID, Call waiting, Call return, three-way calling and Call forwarding) and provides fully functioning E-911 service.

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KDDI Deploys Calient's Photonic Switches in Japan's R&D Test bed

KDDI has commercially deployed Calient Networks' DiamondWave PXC photonic switch as the core optical switch element in the new R&D Testbed Network JGN II for the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). Financial terms were not disclosed.



JGN II, or Japan Gigabit Network II, has been designed and deployed to provide high-speed IP and Ethernet services to NICT's research centers as well as to universities and government research centers throughout Japan. JGN II is expected to accelerate research and development activities in the area of applications, ubiquitous networking, and so forth. Calient DiamondWave PXC switching systems were deployed to provide fully transparent optical switching and GMPLS-powered networking for bandwidth on demand to all served sites. http://www.calient.net

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Fujitsu Expands FLASHWAVE 4500 for Core Grooming

Fujitsu Network Communications announced the availability of a Multi-Service Switching Platform (MSSP) designed for ultra high-capacity, core grooming applications that traditionally require a high-cost Digital Cross-Connect System (DCS), or the deployment of a completely new, large-scale MSSP network element. Fujitsu's MSSP configuration, which is based on the FLASHWAVE 4500 Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP), delivers a three-fold increase in interface capacity and provides up to 300 Gbps of traffic grooming capacity, while supporting current SONET and DWDM functionality.



Unlike the majority of MSSP devices that handle only optical connections, Fujitsu said its FLASHWAVE 4500 MSSP supports all electrical and optical interfaces from DS1 to OC-192, including next-generation Ethernet and DVB-ASI cards. Interface cards are interchangeable between MSPP and MSSP configurations to simplify sparing and planning. As expansion shelves are linked to the original MSPP shelf, 100 Gbps of interface capacity is added. Three shelves can fit in a single rack to provide 300 Gbps of interface capacity with full STS grooming capabilities. The entire system, whether comprised of one, two or three shelves, retains the single Target Identifier (TID) of the original MSPP to operate as one unit and minimize the effect on existing operating systems and procedures.



As an ultra high-capacity optical hub, a three-stage FLASHWAVE 4500 MSSP can directly terminate up to 15 OC-192 interoffice rings, 30 OC-48 interoffice/access rings, and hundreds of OC-12/OC-3 access rings. For service provisioning, a FLASHWAVE 4500 MSSP system can directly support up to 252 protected DS1 drops, 288 protected DS3 drops, 240 Fast Ethernet ports and 144 DVB-ASI ports.



Fujitsu is offering the MSSP configuration as an upgrade to existing FLASHWAVE 4500-based networks, or for new network installations. http://www.fujitsu.com/us/telecom

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White Rock Networks Adds Multi-Service Optical Access Platform

White Rock Networks launched a low cost, OC-48 SONET-based Optical Access platform for delivering both native DS1/DS3 and FastE/GbE services. The VLX2006, which the company describes as the first OC-48 ADM priced at under $10K, also offers fully protected Ethernet ports.



The unit can remotely "right size" GbE access pipes as well as provide full Layer 2 Ethernet switching. Each GbE fiber interface can support subscribed customer rates from 512 Kbps to 1 Gbps. The VLX2006 is fully compatible with White Rock's VLX2020 OC-48/OC-192 SONET Transport Platform, which is also being enhanced to add matching Layer 2 Ethernet switching capabilities. These enhancements allow a VLX2020 to act as a hub node for multiple VLX2006-based optical access rings while simultaneously providing both TDM and Ethernet aggregation in a compact, low-cost package, reducing both CO Edge-router and Digital Cross Connect system (DCS) costs. http://www.whiterock.com

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Kagoor Signs Reseller Agreement With Siemens IC

Siemens Information and Communication Networks will resell Kagoor Networks' VoiceFlow series session controllers, including the VoiceFlow 200, 1000 and 3000 products, as part of Siemens' Next Generation Product portfolio. With the Kagoor VoiceFlow series products, Siemens will be able to address both carrier and enterprise VoIP markets. http://www.kagoor.com

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