OpenCloud Raises $10 Million for Real-Time Apps

OpenCloud Limited, a start-up based in Cambridge, UK, closed $10 million in second round funding for its work in real-time application servers for next-generation telecommunications services.


OpenCloud's :"Rhino" is a carrier grade JAIN SLEE application server that provides a java-based service creation and continuously available run-time environment for real-time telecommunications applications.


The company said its OpenCloud Rhino enables the delivery of new person-to-person communications services at a faster pace and at a significantly lower price-point throughout the application lifetime - during service development, deployment and operation. Deploying an open standards platform, such as OpenCloud Rhino enables third-party companies and service providers to develop product applications and deploy them into any JAIN SLEE-enabled telecommunications network.


Existing institutional investors, Advent Venture Partners, No 8 Ventures and Motorola Ventures together with Silicon Valley Bank provided the $10M debt and equity investment. The investment will support the global sales, marketing, delivery and support of OpenCloud's Rhino product set.http://www.opencloud.com

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Ericsson to Supply IMS for Vodafone Ireland

Vodafone Ireland has appointed Ericsson to be the systems integrator of a real-time charging and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution, including upgrading and expanding the operator's network. Under the contract, Ericsson will be responsible for systems integration of existing solutions into the IMS environment. Ericsson will also upgrade and expand network capacity, enable real-time charging and underpin demanding multimedia functionality. The deal builds upon Ericsson's long-standing relationship with Vodafone Ireland as its sole supplier of an IP-based circuit core network. Based on the Ericsson Mobile Softswitch Solution, the network will now be upgraded to support interworking with IMS. Financial terms were not disclosed.http://www.ericsson.com

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Rim Semiconductor Develops Amplitude Modulation Decoder

Rim Semiconductor filed a non-provisional patent application on its "RQAM" technology. The company claims its "Cupria" transport processor leverages the RQAM technology to drive data traffic at more than 40 Mbps 5,500 feet (1.67km) on 26AWG (0.40mm) telephone wire. Existing technologies are able to drive data 15 mbps at this distance on this wire type.


The patent, entitled "Amplitude Modulation Decoder," was filed as a non-provisional patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.http://www.rimsemi.com

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Seagate Unveils 1.5-Terabyte HDD for Desktops

Seagate unveiled the industry's first 1.5-terabyte desktop and half-terabyte notebook hard drives.


The new Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB hard drive represents the eleventh generation of Seagate's flagship drive for desktop PCs. The new model delivers a half-terabyte increase from the previous highest capacity of 1TB, thanks to the capacity-boosting power of perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) technology.


Seagate's new 2.5-inch half-terabyte 5400- and 7200-rpm drives -- Momentus 5400.6 and Momentus 7200.4 -- are the fourth generation of Seagate's laptop family to use PMR.http://www.seagate.com

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Sonus and VeriSign Test IP Number Portability

Sonus Networks and VeriSign completed interoperability testing of number portability queries over IP-based networks.


The companies said the introduction of number portability regulation by many governments has, in some cases, increased the resources needed by carriers to complete the accurate transfer of calls. The implementation of Local Number Portability (LNP) has created the need for carriers to perform a LNP Query. This in turn has resulted in an elevated use of the carrier's SS7 networks, and in some cases necessitates the need to purchase additional SS7 network capacity.


Sonus has implemented an IP-based LNP Query mechanism, ENUM-LNP, as an inexpensive alternative to the traditional SS7-based LNP Query. The IP transported LNP Query is served by the VeriSign Number Identity Registry.http://www.sonusnet.comhttp://www.verisign.com

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Nokia Completes Acquisition of NAVTEQ

Nokia completed its acquisition of NAVTEQ, a leading provider of comprehensive digital map information. The deal was first announced in November 2007.


NAVTEQ brings a number of key assets to Nokia: maps and navigation industry expertise, an existing customer base and a map data and technology platform with broad geographical coverage. The company is a leading provider of comprehensive digital map information for automotive navigation systems, mobile navigation devices, Internet-based mapping applications, and government and business solutions. NAVTEQ also owns Traffic.com, a web and interactive service that provides traffic information and content to consumers.


NAVTEQ generated 2006 revenues of $582 million and has approximately 3,000 employees located in 168 offices in 30 countries. The company is based in Chicago and was founded in 1985.


As part of Nokia, NAVTEQ will continue to develop its expertise in the navigation industry, service its customer base, and invest in the further development of its map data and technology platform. It will continue to build out and expand coverage of countries already included in its database as well as add new pieces of both static and dynamic content.http://www.nokia.com

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TranSwitch to Acquire Centillium for Optical Access, VoIP ICs

TranSwitch agreed to acquire Centillium Communications in a deal valued at about $42.8 million.


TranSwitch is a provider of carrier-class semiconductor solutions for EoS (Ethernet over SONET/SDH), Broadband Access and Carrier Ethernet applications. TranSwitch said the acquisition broadens its portfolio especially for FTTH and VoIP solutions.


Centillium is a System-on-Chip (SoC) provider offering PON solutions for optical access network and VoIP ICs capable of carrying up to 1,000 VoIP channels on a single chip.


Under the deal, TranSwitch will issue an aggregate of 25 million shares of common stock and $15 million, which will be allocated pro rata among holders of Centillium common stock and vested, in-the-money, stock options outstanding at the closing of the merger. Based on Centillium's capitalization as of July 9, 2009, Centillium shareholders would receive 0.5958 shares of TranSwitch common stock and $0.36 in cash for each share of Centillium common stock. Based on TranSwitch's closing share price on July 9, 2008, the total consideration values Centillium at $42.8 million or approximately $1.02 per share on a fully-diluted basis. Centillium shareholders will own approximately 16% of the combined company.


TranSwitch said it has identified approximately $10.5 million of annual expense savings and expects the transaction to be accretive to earnings in the first full quarter after closing and significantly accretive in 2009.http://www.transwitch.comhttp://www.centillium.com

• In February 2008, Ikanos Communications acquired Centillium's DSL technology and assets in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $12 million.

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AT&T Claims Fastest 3G in U.S.

AT&T claims to be the fastest 3G network in the U.S., based on data compiled by leading independent wireless research firms. The claim is based on a variety of tests conducted by third-party researchers, who downloaded a variety of applications and files to test throughput and overall performance. AT&T said it was the winner by a significant margin.


AT&T also announced it has started doubling the data capacity of its 3G markets, and nearly half of all cell sites will receive additional 3G capacity by the end of the year. The additional capacity will help accommodate the anticipated growth of 3G subscribers over the next several years.


AT&T's 3G network is currently available in nearly 300 major U.S. metropolitan areas, with plans to expand to nearly 350 by the end of the year.http://www.att.com

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Time Warner Cable to Sell Certain Non-Core Cable Systems

Time Warner Cable announced a deal to sell a group of small cable systems to Windjammer Communications, a venture between MAST Capital Management, LLC and Communications Construction Services (CCS).


The systems serve approximately 80,000 basic video subscribers and 120,000 revenue generating units spread across more than 125 head-ends in 25 states and located in areas outside of the company's core geographic clusters.http://www.timewarnercable.com

• Time Warner Cable ranks as the second-largest cable operator in the U.S., serving approximately 14.7 million customers who subscribed to one or more of its video, high-speed data and voice services, representing approximately 33.0 million revenue generating units.

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Vonage Awarded Its First Technology Patent

Vonage recently received approval of its first internally developed patent, called "Method and Apparatus for Placing a Long Distance Call Based on a Virtual Phone Number." The invention allows customers to use a virtual number to contact parties at distant locations without incurring long distance charges.


The patent -- No. 7,386,111 -- covers a process for a system that connects calls by converting virtual numbers at an originating point to a physical number associated with a destination point.


A virtual number allows a Vonage customer to have a secondary number where they can be reached. For example, a Vonage customer can get a secondary phone number with the same area code as his mother, so when his mother tries to contact him, she can as a local call even if he lives across the country.
http://www.vonage.com

• In October 2007, Vonage and Verizon announced a settlement in their patent dispute. The terms of the resolution depend on how the Court of Appeals decides Vonage's pending petition for rehearing regarding two of the Verizon patents (the '574 and '711). If Vonage wins rehearing on either the '574 or '711 patent or if the injunction is vacated as to the '574 or '711 patent, Vonage will pay Verizon $80 million. If Vonage does not win rehearing on either the '574 or '711 patent, or if the stay is lifted reinstating the injunction, Vonage will pay Verizon $117.5 million.



• Earlier this month, Vonage settled its pending patent dispute with Sprint and entered into a licensing arrangement valued at $80 million. The fee includes $35 million for past use of license, $40 million for a fully paid future license, and $5 million in prepayment for services.

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Verizon Introduces FiOS TV for Business

Verizon launched a new subscription-television service designed for small and medium-sized businesses, delivered exclusively by Verizon's fiber-optic network.


Verizon FiOS TV for Business is immediately available in select areas of the 13 states where more than 1.2 million customers already subscribe to the residential version of the service. The states are: California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.


Pricing for FiOS TV for Business begins at $49.99 per month in most areas for small-business customers. Service highlights include:

• Up to 400 all-digital TV and music channels to choose from.



• Approximately 30 high-definition channels (varies by market) with extraordinary clarity and theater-quality sound. Verizon has started to add more HD channels, and plans to expand its lineup to offer all available major HD programming by year-end.



• A library of more than 10,000 video-on-demand titles each month, 70 percent of which are free.



• Channels grouped by genres such as entertainment, sports, news, shopping, movies and family, making it easy for audiences to find their favorite programming.



• An interactive media guide that integrates HD programming, on-demand content and the digital video recorder along with broadcast television into a seamless user experience.



• Pay-per-view access to sporting events, concerts, movies, etc.

http://www.verizon.com/bizfiostv

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Sprint Selects DragonWave for XOHM Wireless Backhaul

Sprint has selected DragonWave's IP backhaul solutions for its XOHM-branded WiMAX mobile-broadband services in North America.

Specifically, DragonWave's Horizon Compact and Horizon Duo products will be deployed initially in the Baltimore/Washington and Chicago markets. Financial terms were not disclosed.


DragonWave's native Ethernet radios will provide Sprint's XHOM network with carrier-grade reliability, capacity, throughput and Quality of Service (QoS) for backhauling 4G traffic. The Horizon products provide software controlled scalability, ultra-low latency, wire-speed connectivity up to 1.6 Gbps full duplex, 99.999% service availability and a full suite of network management options.


"We are progressing with our deployment of the XOHM mobile broadband network using WiMAX technology and we will include wireless backhaul in our first launch markets" said Doug Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Operations Officer of Sprint's XOHM business unit.http://www.dragonwaveinc.com

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Sycamore Optical Switch Completes DISA Joint Interoperability Assessment Testing

Sycamore Networks' SN 9000 Intelligent Multiservice Switch has successfully completed interoperability testing with the US Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC). JITC assessment and approval is required for systems intended to participate in US Department of Defense networks.


The SN 9000 joins other Sycamore optical switching solutions -- including the previously certified SN 16000, SN 3000, and SILVX Network Management System -- in successfully completing JITC interoperability testing. By reaching this milestone with the SN9000, Sycamore has strengthened its position as an established provider of JITC-approved, core-to-edge optical switching solutions.


Sycamore's SN 9000 brings important new functionality to multiservice switching -- including unique bandwidth capacity licensing, service modularity, and any-service, any-port features -- in the 80-320 Gbps bandwidth range. It is designed to cost-effectively integrate multiple functions in a single, highly-compact system that can include low-order (VT/VC) and high-order (OC-n/STM-n) switching, add-drop multiplexing, advanced Ethernet services, and integrated optical transport.


.http://www.sycamorenet.com

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Opnext to Acquire StrataLight for 40G

Opnext agreed to acquire privately held StrataLight Communications, a supplier of 40 Gbps line-side optical subsystems and advanced dispersion compensation modules for the communications industry. StrataLight Communications has shipped more than 2,500 units to its customers so far. The company is headquartered in Los Gatos, CA and has more than 200 employees.


Under the terms of the agreement, Opnext will acquire StrataLight for a total consideration of approximately 26.55 million common shares and $30 million in cash. Based on Opnext's closing share price of $5.35 on July 8, 2008, this represents a value of approximately $172 million. Upon completion of the acquisition, StrataLight Communications' shareholders will own approximately 29 percent of the combined company.


"Through this acquisition, Opnext will provide a complete 40G solution, which we believe will make us the market leader in 40G. Opnext is known for one of the most comprehensive and best performing product portfolios in the marketplace and now, by incorporating StrataLight's leading 40G line-side products into our portfolio, we will be able to address both the line- and client-sides, significantly expanding our addressable market," said Harry Bosco, President and CEO of Opnext.http://www.opnext.comhttp://www.stratalight.com

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TIA Predicts Global Telecom Revenue to Hit $5 Trillion in 2011

Global telecommunications revenue is projected to hit nearly $5 trillion by 2011, with growing demand for high-volume data applications driving both business and consumer markets, according to the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).


TIA also announced today that it is working with TelecomView, a strategic analysis firm for the telecommunications industry, to create a series of forecasts for the year 2020.


In November 2008, TIA will publish the ICT2020 Brief that will define the best practices for service providers in the year 2020 and will give examples of companies today that have already made significant progress along this path. The ICT2020 Analysis will be published in February 2009 and will provide an extensive analysis of the progress being made toward the standard defined in the ICT2020 Brief. http://www.tiaonline.org

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Huawei-Symantec Selects RMI's Multi-core Multi-threaded Processors

Huawei-Symantec, a joint venture formed to develop leading-edge security and storage appliances, will use RMI's multi-core multi-threaded processors for its storage and security appliances, including the USG9000 and the USG6000. Huawei-Symantec also announced the introduction of the Joint Venture's first unified security gateway device.


The Huawei-Symantec joint venture was announced in May 2007 between Huawei Technologies and Symantec to develop and distribute security and storage appliances to global telecommunications carriers and enterprises.http://www.RMICorp.com

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OKI Launches “Visual Nexus�? Video Conference System

Oki Electric Industry introduced the latest version of its video conferencing system. The Visual Nexus offers enhanced functions for large-scale operation and includes a multi-tenant function that enables video conferences to be operated via application service providers. Specifically, OKI has added the following three functions to Visual Nexus ( ver3.2-3):

• Enhancements enabling up to 5,000 users and devices to be managed on the video conference system. Up to 1000 devices to be connected simultaneously to the gatekeeper.



• Functions to disperse server load. This averages out overall system load by identifying, from among multiple servers, the one with the least connection load and automatically allocates connections for individual devices.



• Multi-tenant function to enable ASP operations. The number of service providers offering application services, including Saas, is expected to increase going forward. Application service providers need to minimize their capex and system management load by sharing a system with multiple tenants (companies). With the multi-tenant function, providers can set dedicated tenants for each user on a single system, which can then be managed independently. The system can thus be shared while maintaining security among tenants.

http://www.oki.com

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Digitel Philippines Selects Ceragon for Wireless Backhaul

Digitel Mobile Philippines has again selected Ceragon Networks' FibeAir wireless backhaul solutions as part of its network upgrade to provide 3G data and multimedia services based on IP technology. This order totaling over $3.5 million, follows several successful deployments of Ceragon's wireless backhaul solution for DMPI over the past years.http://www.ceragon.com

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ShoreTel Granted Two Patents in Unified Communications

ShoreTel has been granted two new U.S. patents in the area of unified communications.


The first, (US Patent 7,379,540) covers server backup capabilities across distributed IP telephony systems, increasing the survivability and fault tolerance of managing and routing voice calls over the IP network (LAN/WAN).


The second (US Patent 7,386,114) covers techniques for collecting and sharing information when multiple switches or servers are involved in a call.


ShoreTel said the patented technologies are part of its integrated system that scales seamlessly from 10 to tens of thousands of users. ShoreTel's unique architecture, which allows call processing to be distributed across multiple sites, switches, and servers, pulls information together from many sources to present call details for applications such as call accounting. Independent of device or location.http://www.shoretel.com

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Xeround Secures $16 Million for Intelligent Data Grid

Xeround, a start-up based in Bellevue, Washington, closed $16 million in Series B funding for its development of a distributed data grid with virtualization capabilities. The company has R&D operations in Israel.


Xeround has developed a live, scalable Intelligent Data Grid, which is a cloud computing database with data virtualization capabilities. With Xeround's offerings, applications no longer need to know where data resides or if it is being managed with relational, hierarchical or object models. Now, applications get access to data in whatever format is needed -- wherever it's needed.


The new funding was led by Ignition Partners and Trilogy Partnership. Also participating in the round were existing investors Benchmark Capital and Giza Venture Capital.

http://www.xeround.com

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