Thursday, March 10, 2011

LightSquared Partners with Open Range for Rural LTE+Satellite

LightSquared, the new company building a wholesale-only integrated LTE + broadband satellite network, has formed a multi-year, strategic partnership with Open Range Communications to serve rural markets across the U.S.

The partnership is expected to include a licensing arrangement whereby Open Range will lease LightSquared's L-band spectrum. This wholesale agreement will enable Open Range to sell LightSquared's next generation satellite capacity. The partnership will also include a 4G nationwide reciprocal roaming arrangement. Under the arrangement, the companies will collaborate on the design, build-out and operation of Open Range's network as well as on product and service evolution.


The companies said their partnership will help fulfill the promise of the FCC's National Broadband Plan by addressing the needs of "consumers, businesses, healthcare, tribal organizations, public safety and other government users located in or traveling to rural communities."


The deal is still being completed and is subject to review by the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Program, and approval of spectrum lease arrangements by the FCC.


"Open Range's unwavering vision is for ubiquitous High Speed Internet Service at an affordable price across all of rural America. The partnership with LightSquared helps fulfill our vision of delivering the most advanced and interoperable broadband wireless communications services to un-served and underserved rural communities across America. The combination of satellite and Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) services provides the only feasible way to offer meaningful ubiquitous nationwide rural broadband and meet President Obama's goals," said Open Range Chief Executive Officer and founder Bill Beans.
http://www.LightSquared.com
  • Open Range Communications is a unique public and private partnership. The company was approved in 2009 for a loan by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Utilities Program (RDUP) to deliver High Speed Wireless Internet to more than 500 communities across 17 states. This Broadband Access Loan of $267 million loan (the largest in USDA history) was made possible through the positive and combined efforts of the USDA’s RUS and FCC. Open Range received additional private equity funding on January 9, 2009 through an investment of $100 million from One Equity Partners (OEP), the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase & Co. The OEP investment satisfied the RDUP's loan terms, making the funds available to Open Range.

Google Sees Slight Bump in Traffic from Japan

Despite the earthquake, tsunami and network/power outages, Google search traffic volume from Japan showed a slight increase on March 11. There was not a sudden cut.


http://www.google.com/transparencyreport/traffic/?r=JP&l=WEBSEARCH

Fujitsu Selects Telefónica as its Strategic Partner for Mobile Services in Europe

Fujitsu, the Japanese global ICT company, has selected Telefónica as its European wireless communications provider for voice and data services for 30,000 connections across 15 countries. The €30 million four-year contract covers the UK, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Norway, Denmark and Sweden – of which more than 60 per cent are migrations to the Telefónica network, representing a significant win in Europe.


Telefónica Multinational Solutions will assume responsibility for the end to end delivery of customer service management, development and post-sales service in the countries covered by the agreement, coordinating Telefónica Business Units and partners in those countries.
http://www.telefonica.com

Indonesia's Protelindo Outsources Base Station Mgt to NSN

Protelindo, an independent provider of wireless communications infrastructure in Indonesia, has renewed its managed services contract with Nokia Siemens Networks for maintaining and operating over 5,000 base station towers for a multi-year period, with the possibility of yearly extensions. Financial terms were not disclosed.



Nokia Siemens Networks noted that it has more than 300 managed services contracts, supporting 490 million subscribers on its customer networks globally.
http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

Ericsson Completes Acquisition of Nortel's Multiservice Switch business

Ericsson completed its previously announced acquisition of Nortel's Multiservice Switch business.


The Multiservice Switch business offers switching platforms for CDMA networks.


Ericsson said the deal gives its a strong product portfolio and installed base in the data segment while ensuring the supply of the platform for the recently acquired CDMA and GSM units.


"We are gaining a solid business with a significant installed base and technology that complements our existing Ericsson portfolio. In key locations around the globe, we grow our data capability with experienced and talented people." said Rima Qureshi, senior vice president and head of business unit CDMA Mobile Systems.


The former Nortel Multiservice Switch staff will be integrated into the Ericsson group in business unit CDMA Mobile Systems over the coming months and will work under the Ericsson brand effective today. Former Nortel customers gain a stable partner committed to the ongoing evolution of their networks and the assurance of a seamless business transition.
http://www.ericsson.com

NTT Implements Network Congestion Controls, Docomo Activates I-mode Disaster Message Board

NTT is implementing pre-arranged plans to separately manage voice calls and data packet transmissions for some handsets in order to avoid network congestion following the high-magnitude earthquake and tsunami. Voice calls are being limited to ensure SMS and packet traffic priority.


Docomo activated its I-mode Disaster Message Board Service, which allows subscribers in Japan to post personal messages for friends and relatives who might not otherwise be able to contact them in the immediate aftermath of a national disaster, such as a high-magnitude earthquake.


In addition to heavy network traffic, the company said its Corporate Communications Services (IP-VPN, e-VLAN, etc.) are disrupted, possibly due to damage at a data center near Tokyo.


Initial reports also indicated that the APCN2 cable system may have been damaged in some segments.https://www.web171.jp/top.phphttp://www.ntt.co.jp

Ericsson Deploys 3G Core and RAN in Delhi for Airtel

Ericsson announced the deployment of its latest core and radio technology to support the launch of airtel's 3G services in Delhi and the National Capital Region. The network was deployed only 5 months and will be able to serve 7.6 million customers in the region. airtel 3G services in Delhi will have a comprehensive presence, delivering speeds up to 21 Mbps even in indoor environments.



Ericsson is supplying a 3G network based on WCDMA/HSPA technology across 8 circles. The company is providing services like network rollout, network design, network integration and training. The network comprises more than 1,800 radio base stations based on Ericsson's RBS 6000, and the latest core technology, which will drastically boost the capacity of the network and evolve it into an IP network.



Ericsson estimates the mobile broadband customers will hit the one billion mark in 2011. The greatest number of customers, around 400 million, is expected to be concentrated in the Asia Pacific region. By 2016, the number of mobile broadband customers is forecast to be close to 5 billion, with 95 percent on HSPA, CDMA and LTE networks.http://www.ericsson.com

  • In September 2010, Bharti Airtel announced the selection of Ericsson India, Nokia Siemens Networks and Huawei Technologies as network partners to launch 3G Services in India. Bharti Airtel awarded majority of the 3G License Circles to Ericsson India. With this, Ericsson continues to be Bharti's largest Network Partner across 2G and 3G circles in the country. On the same lines, Bharti has also expanded its relationship with Nokia Siemens Networks, which would manage Bharti's 3G Network in 3 circles across India. Bharti Airtel has also introduced Huawei Technologies as the 3rd partner for offering 3G services in a few circles.

Pacific Crossing's PC-1 Cable Suffers Cut

Pacific Crossing, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT Communications, confirmed the outage of its PC-1 W and PC-1 N cables following Friday's 8.9 magnitude earthquake. The company evacuated its Japanese cable landing station in Ajigaura due to the tsunami. No word yet on employee status, cable condition or estimated time to repair.



Pacific Crossing's 21,000km fiber optic system consists of four fiber-pairs organized in four segments connecting four cable landing stations at Harbour Pointe, Washington (near Seattle); Grover Beach, California (between San Francisco and Los Angeles); Ajigaura, Japan (near Tokyo); and Shima, Japan (near Osaka and Nagoya). The network offers extensive backhaul into major U.S. and Japanese cities.



There are at least 20 other fiber cables serving Japan, so most international traffic can be re-routed.http://www.pc1.com

Vietnam's VTN Tests Coherent 100G with Ciena

Vietnam Telecoms National (VTN), Vietnam's largest service provider, has completed a 100 Gbps network trial using Ciena's coherent 100G technology.



The trial was conducted in February 2011, spanned 500 kilometers between the cities of Vinh and Danang, and follows the recent deployment of Ciena's coherent 40G solution across VTN's nationwide optical backbone. The trial was implemented by adding coherent 100G line cards in the ActivFlex 6500 Packet-Optical Platform while the platforms were in-service. No re-engineering of existing fiber routes or additional equipment required.http://www.ciena.com

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Comcast Extends Technical Support for all Connected Devices

Comcast launched a new 24x7 technical support and equipment protection program for consumers needing help with the growing number of home electronics devices – like laptops, home networking equipment, gaming consoles, Wi-Fi enabled smart phones and tablets – that are connecting to Comcast's services.


Comcast Xfinity Signature Support offers customers a single source for troubleshooting and support for their connected devices. Customers can select an enhanced level of technical support with monthly subscription plans and one-time support options. The service is offered in addition to the 24x7 support Comcast already provides for its video, high-speed Internet and phone services.
http://www.comcast.com
http://www.xfinity.com/signaturesupport

Cisco Prices $4 Billion of Senior Unsecured Notes

Cisco announced the pricing of three series of senior unsecured notes for an aggregate principal amount of $4 billion. The offering is expected to close on March 16, 2011.Of these notes, $2.0 billion will mature in March 2014 and will bear interest at an annual rate of 1.625%, $1.25 billion will mature in March 2014 and will bear interest at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 25 basis points, and $750 million will mature in March 2017 and will bear interest at an annual rate of 3.150%.


Cisco intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes.
http://www.cisco.com

Nokia Siemens Networks Selected for Qinghai-Tibet Power Grid

Nokia Siemens Networks has been selected to supply optical transmission gear for the Qinghai-Tibet power grid, which is the largest construction project in the region. Nokia Siemens Networks will provide its Surpass hiT 7065 DWDM and Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP). The company will also supply its all-in-one Transmission Network Management System to optimize State Grid's network operations through centralized control and supervision. Services including installation, project management and system integration form an essential part of the overall scope of the project.
http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

Clearwire's CEO Steps Down

Bill Morrow resigned as CEO and as a director of the board of Clearwire, citing personal reasons. He is being replaced on an interim basis by John Stanton, chairman of Clearwire's board of directors and former CEO of Western Wireless and VoiceStream Wireless. Stanton will continue to serve in his role as board chairman.


Clearwire also announced the following management changes. Erik Prusch, Clearwire's CFO, has been promoted to the newly created position of chief operating officer (COO). In this position, Prusch will be responsible for the company's day-to-day operations, including wholesale and retail sales, marketing, customer service, supply chain, human resources, IT and network operations. In addition, Hope Cochran, Clearwire's senior vice president and treasurer, has been promoted to the position of CFO. Cochran will be responsible for all of the company's financial and investor related functions, including overseeing Clearwire's ongoing fundraising efforts.


The company also announced that Mike Sievert, chief commercial officer, and Kevin Hart, CIO, are both leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.


In a statement, Clearwire said these changes in executive leadership are not expected to impact the company's progress on an agreement with Sprint to resolve wholesale pricing disputes. Clearwire believes that an agreement with Sprint is imminent.
http://www.clearwire.com
  • Craig O. McCaw resigned as Clearwire's Chairman of the Board of Directors on December 31, 2010.

U.S. Congress: Proposed Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011

A new "Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011" has been introduced in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives and co-sponsored by over 140 Representatives and Senators.


The proposed bill provides for a 5-year moratorium on any new discriminatory wireless tax or fee. It does not take away any existing revenue from state or local governments, it simply caps the current taxes and fees.


"Wireless Tax Fairness Act, is about expanding access and innovation in our nation's wireless broadband market," noted Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who represents much of Santa Clara County, California. "By freezing wireless taxes and fees, we hope to spur additional consumer driven development in wireless broadband and to increase access to advanced wireless networks. This legislation is about stabilizing the wireless and giving consumers the opportunity to choose services based on the merits and not on the changing rate of taxation."


"In light of today's challenging economic conditions, it is hard to understand why the average wireless consumer is being charged more than 16 percent in taxes and fees when other taxable goods and services are only 7.4 percent. When you add the fact that policymakers are looking for ways to make affordable broadband accessible for all Americans, it's incomprehensible why 47 states and the District of Columbia charge their wireless consumers a rate that exceeds the general rates for other taxable goods and services," stated CTIA-The Wireless Association President and CEO Steve Largent.
http://www.ctia.org http://lofgren.house.gov

Dell'Oro: PON Market Surges to Record, Driven by China

The PON market posted record revenues of almost $800 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to a new report from Dell'Oro Group. The report shows that the continued upward trajectory of the market was driven largely by growing fiber deployments in China.



The top three GPON vendors in the fourth quarter were Huawei, Alcatel-Lucent, and Ericsson. While Chinese vendor, Huawei, remained the top PON supplier in its domestic market, non-Chinese vendors Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson also derived substantial portions of their fourth quarter GPON revenues from shipments to China. Alcatel-Lucent benefited from being a leading supplier for Verizon's FiOS, which also accounted for a significant 15 percent of total GPON revenues.



"We estimate that China accounted for more than half of total GPON revenues in the fourth quarter," said Tam Dell'Oro, President of Dell'Oro Group. "Chinese operators initially utilized EPON when fiber deployments began a couple of years ago, but have increasingly utilized GPON over the last several quarters. We now expect that GPON will become the leading PON technology in China within the next few years due to its higher bandwidth capabilities and functionality," Dell'Oro added.http://www.delloro.com

HP Claims 50% Improvement in Energy Efficiency of Products since 2005

HP has reduced the energy consumption of its products by 50% compared to its offerings in 2005. This is nine months ahead of the aggressive energy-reduction goals made by the company in 2009.



HP also unveiled energy savings research and analysis showing that if all makes and models of printers, notebook and desktop PCs, displays and servers shipped in 2005 were recycled and replaced with new HP energy-efficient models, customers could save approximately $10.4 billion in energy costs, and avoid more than 40 million metric tons of CO2 emissions within a year. http://www.hp.com/go/unlocking

FiberTower Loses a Key Wireless Backhaul Customer

FiberTower, which provides wireless backhaul service for U.S. mobile operators, reported Q4 2010 service revenue of $20.5 million, up 22% compared to $16.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. Average monthly revenue per deployed site net of ETL increased 15% to $2,049 in the 2010 fourth quarter from $1,789 in the 2009 fourth quarter. Deployed sites grew 5% to 3,276 at the end of the fourth quarter of 2010 from 3,117 at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009.



However, FiberTower recently announced that it received an early termination notice from a customer, which resulted in the February 28, 2011 disconnection of approximately 220 billing locations and reduced monthly billing revenue by approximately $256,000. The customer is now reviewing approximately 50 additional locations, which generate monthly billing revenue of approximately $88,000, for possible termination on March 31, 2011.



Kurt Van Wagenen, FiberTower's president and chief executive officer, stated, "We have taken immediate actions to reduce costs, including a 10% headcount reduction, to offset this financial impact without compromising continued consistent execution and excellent customer service. While we are not issuing 2011 financial guidance because of the uncertainty described above, we expect to remain Adjusted EBITDA positive in 2011 by continuing to add revenue and control costs. We are planning a $10 to $15 million capital program for 2011, focused on meeting existing customer commitments, supporting customer bandwidth growth, increasing density in existing markets and maintaining our network. The combination of our cash on hand, cost reductions and a more modest 2011 capital budget is designed to offer us sufficient liquidity this year." http://www.fibertower.com

NSN Carries 100 Gbps across 4000 km Submarine Cable

Nokia Siemens Networks announced the transmission of 100 Gbps line rate over a record 4,000 km span of undersea cable. The trial of the Submarine Line Terminal Equipment (SLTE) solution was performed over a submarine segment between Florida and Puerto Rico for a major submarine cable network. As part of the demonstration, Nokia Siemens Networks also achieved 40G DWDM transmission over a distance of 9,000 km.

Nokia Siemens Networks' SLTE solution based on its hiT 7300 platform increases the capacity of the already deployed undersea cable links by adding 40G and 100G DWDM channel and bandwidth management capabilities to support current and future network requirements. Nokia Siemens Networks' SLTE solution with new transmission capacities of 40G and 100G will be commercially available this year.

"Our global customers are faced with a continuous need to expand their installed network capacity to keep up with the tremendous increase in traffic requirements," said Pathmal Gunawardana, head of Transport Networks business unit, North America, Nokia Siemens Networks. "As we support them in terrestrial network expansions, it made perfect sense to do the same for their global networks as well, which often include submarine cable links. While terrestrial networks increase capacity, these submarine cable links often remain a bottleneck."http://www.nsn.com

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

NSN's Acquisition of Motorola Wireless Networks Awaits China's Approval

Nokia Siemens Networks and Motorola Solutions announced a further delay in NSN's pending acquisition of Motorola's wireless networks infrastructure assets. Originally announced on July 19, 2010, the deal is still pending anti-trust approval from the Chinese regulatory authorities. The companies said the closing will not be completed in the first quarter of 2011 as previously targeted.


The proposed acquisition has entered phase three of the review process with the Anti-Monopoly Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce in China (MOFCOM).


Nokia Siemens Networks said it remains committed to the acquisition but will provide no further guidance on when it is likely to be completed. Motorola said it also remain committed to the deal.
http://www.nsn.com
http://www.motorola.com

Devicescape Tracks Consumer Demand for Wi-Fi Services

Devicescape, which works with device manufacturers and service providers to enable easy WiFi connectivity, published the results of a broad consumer survey into wireless connectivity preferences.


Key findings from the "Q1 2011 Devicescape WiFi Report" showed:

  • Eighty percent of respondents believe 24/7 connectivity has improved their lives, and almost 90 percent of respondents like feeling connected while on the go.


  • The majority of respondents (80.5 percent) prefer to shop at retail outlets that offer WiFi.


  • More than 65 percent of respondents would take advantage of a WiFi zone in a retail store to sign up in real time for club cards, free memberships and coupons.


  • WiFi availability and pricing have no real significance when choosing an airline, according to 55.3 percent of respondents.


  • Reduced data plan costs are not enough to entice 50.3 percent of iPhone and Android enthusiasts to switch brands.


  • When cash flow is strained, almost 60 percent of respondents say paying for a gym membership takes a backseat to paying for their smartphone.


The survey queried a cross-section of Devicescape's members — a group of 1,088 respondents that includes a variety of professionals and students.

"Connectivity is simply critical to everyday life, as evidenced by the demand for WiFi in our homes, shopping centers, airports, businesses, parks, cafés — you name it," said Dave Fraser, CEO of Devicescape. "Wherever there is a need to interact with another human, there is a need for connectivity. This is why such importance is placed on how we deliver that connectivity — whether over 3G or WiFi."http://www.devicescape.com