comScore: 78 Million Americans Own Smartphones, Up 11% in Latest Quarter

For the three month average period ending in May, 234 million Americans ages 13 and older used mobile devices, according to new data released by comScore. 76.8 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during the three months ending in May 2011, up 11 percent from the preceding three month period. Google Android ranked as the top operating system with 38.1 percent of U.S. smartphone subscribers, up 5.1 percentage points. Apple strengthened its #2 position with 26.6 percent of the smartphone market, up 1.4 percentage points. RIM ranked third with 24.7 percent share, followed by Microsoft (5.8 percent) and Palm (2.4 percent).
http://www.comscore.com

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Netflix Charts Expansion in Latin America

Netflix disclosed plans to expand throughout Latin America and the Caribbean later this year with its unlimited movie and TV streaming service. The company plans to offer American, local and global TV shows and movies via a monthly plan. Pricing details have not yet been disclosed. http://www.netflix.com

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NSN to Supply GPON for Bulgaria's EVO

EVO Ltd, a leading regional Internet Service Provider in Bulgaria, has awarded a three year contract to Nokia Siemens Networks to supply GPON technology for a network upgrade. EVO has started offering higher bandwidth and new, high-quality data services such as IPTV, to its customers. Specifically, NSN is supplying the customer premise equipment (CPE), the Optical Line Termination (OLT) and services such as installation and maintenance.


"Our goal is to improve the individual experience and satisfaction of our subscribers by providing new high-quality services, and increasing network capacity," said Rosen Velikov, CEO of EVO Ltd. "Nokia Siemens Networks' solution will translate into a more cost-efficient network expansion and also guarantee extremely reliable and high-quality data services to our subscribers."http://www.nsn.com
http://www.evo.bg

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RADWIN Launches High Capacity 2.5 GHz Wireless for North America

RADWIN introduced its wireless point-to-point solution is ideal for 2.5 GHz license-holders in North America. The RADWIN 2000 2.5 GHz BRS/EBS solution is aimed at carriers, ISPs, public and private organizations such as educational institutions (e.g. colleges, universities and school boards), many of whom were granted 2.5 GHz band licenses and must demonstrate substantial use of this spectrum by November 1, 2011. Otherwise, the licenses could be reclaimed by the FCC.


The RADWIN 2000 Point-to-Point system delivers up to 200 Mbps and up to 16 E1s/T1s with carrier-grade reliability.


Mike Cook, General Manager North America, stated: "The RADWIN 2000 2.5 GHz new BRS/EBS offering enhances our presence in North America as a leading supplier of high performance yet cost-effective wireless communications solutions, while addressing the broadband demand from many different market segments. With RADWIN 2000 2.5 GHz, operators as well as private networks can leverage the 2.5 GHz band, one of the most sought-after spectrum currently available. Moreover, institutions with a scholastic mission can drive education and distance learning initiatives in urban, suburban as well as rural markets."http://www.radwin.com

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Verizon Wireless Moves to Tiered Data Plans

Beginning this week, Verizon Wireless will stop offering an unlimited data plan and instead implement usage-based pricing tiers. The company is expected to offer four monthly data tiers: $10 for 75 MB, $30 for 2 GB, $50 for 5 GB and $80 for 10 GB. Verizon Wireless is also planning to implement a monthly fee for Wi-Fi hotspot capability for LTE devices. http://www.verizonwireless.com

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GCT Shows 4x4 MIMO WiMAX 2 Chip

GCT Semiconductor introduced a WiMAX 2 (IEEE 802.16m) single-chip solution that integrates RF, MAC and PHY. The monolithic WiMAX 2 single-chip offers a 4x4 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system, enabling high-speed wireless broadband communications four to five times faster than existing WiMAX technology.


GCT said its new GDM7225 chip allows for higher data rates and provides backward compatibility with existing 16e mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e) requirements. It features a complete transceiver that supports full coverage of the 2GHz WiMAX band in Japan and other countries, and offers the world's first 4x4 MIMO performance enabled by four independent RF receivers. With GCT's proprietary MIMO modem technology, GDM7225 enables performance at speeds of up to 150 Mbps downlink and 50 Mbps uplink, based on device specifications. In addition, GDM7225 supports multicarrier operation (10MHz + 10MHz) up to 20MHz bandwidth. With its advanced features and high data rate, GDM7225 is designed to serve the growing demands of the WiMAX broadband market.


"We believe WiMAX 2 is the natural next generation option for WiMAX operators to improve network performance cost-effectively and enhance the user-experience," said Dr. Kyeongho "KH" Lee, President and CEO of GCT Semiconductor, Inc. "Our new WiMAX 2 single-chip will power the terminal devices needed by operators that are upgrading their networks. The announcement of GDM7225 today demonstrates our continuing efforts to advance the 4G ecosystem and provide market-proven 4G SoC solutions to our WiMAX and LTE customers." http://www.gctsemi.com

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Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom Pursues Wi-Fi Offload

In a press event marking its 15th anniversary, Chunghwa Telecom discussed plans to invest NT$200 billion (US$6.94 billion) by 2020 to boost is fiber broadband service, expand its island-wide 3G network, launch 4G services and enable extensive cloud-based offerings.


Some key items on the agenda include:

• Investing NT$ 5 billion this year in the 3G network by adding 1,250 new 3G base stations to its existing 7,000 3G base stations.



• Pursue a Wi-Fi mobile data offload strategy with the deployment of 20,000 WiFi hot spots by the end of this year and up to 30,000 in 2012.



• Provide fiber-based backhaul for other broadband players in Taiwan.

http://www.cht.com.tw/

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KDDI Picks Ruckus for Extensive Wi-Fi Offload Strategy

KDDI Corporation has selected Ruckus Wireless to supply Wi-Fi products for what is described as "the world's first and largest "instant on" Wi-Fi access and mobile data offload service." The goal is to offload mobile data traffic from its cellular network while providing subscribers with seamless, high-speed wireless access throughout Japan.


Subscribers of KDDI's packet flat rate plans can now use the new KDDI "au Wi-Fi SPOT" service free of charge with their au Android smartphones in over 10,000 locations initially, scaling to 100,000 locations by March 2012.


KDDI subscribers are automatically authenticated to KDDI au Wi-Fi hotspots using credentials embedded within each phone over secure and encrypted connections.KDDI is introduceing bundled plans that include both 3G and Wi-Fi traffic in a variety of options. The charging is unified, and access to both 3G and Ruckus-driven Wi-Fi networks is a single seamless experience.


KDDI's new Wi-Fi overlay leverages its national WiMAX network to backhaul data traffic from each Wi-Fi hotspot to KDDI's mobile network core. Each Ruckus ZoneFlex Wi-Fi access point (AP) connects wirelessly to KDDI's WiMAX infrastructure. KDDI's initial focus is offloading data traffic indoors. For its first phase, KDDI is deploying more than 10,000 Ruckus ZoneFlex 7363 and 7341 dual-band 802.11 indoor access points in venues throughout Japan. A WiMAX router connected to each ZoneFlex 7300 via a USB port. KDDI is using Ruckus controller and network management systems to centrally manage ZoneFlex APs, and the Ruckus FlexMaster Wi-Fi system management platform to provide statistical traffic analysis, reporting and troubleshooting on a national scale.


"Dramatic changes in customer behavior and the related growth in mobile data traffic from the use of smartphones are having a profound impact on user expectations, service delivery and network infrastructure build-out," said Tadashi Egawa, head of KDDI's Service Development and Wi-Fi Business Strategy Department.


"We selected Ruckus products and technologies because they not only outperformed competitive alternatives but were specifically designed to be easily managed and scaled to support service provider infrastructures such as ours," said Egawa. "Ruckus Wi-Fi technology is delivering much better coverage, interference mitigation and deployment flexibility that we couldn't find in any other supplier and at a cost point that enables nationwide deployment. They meet our needs and specifications for carrier grade equipment."

http://www.ruckuswireless.com

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Sprint Signs Sub-Tenant for Campus in Overland Park

FishNet Security, which provides IT services, signed a sublease agreement with Sprint and will move 175 employees and the company's headquarters to the Sprint World Headquarters Campus in Overland Park, Kansas, in early 2012.


Founded in Kansas City in 1996, FishNet Security reported $316 million in revenue in 2010 and is expected to surpass $400 million in revenue in 2011. The company currently has over 400 employees nationwide, with 175 employees located across three buildings in Kansas City's Crossroads district. http://www.fishnetsecurity.com

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Eutelsat Signs Italian Space Agency for Ka-SAT service

ASI, the Italian Space Agency, has signed an agreement with Eutelsat Communications to use its new KA-SAT High Throughput Satellite for broadband connectivity in Italy. Specifically, ASI is planning the progressive use of 550 Mbps of KA-SAT capacity across 10 spotbeams that together provide full coverage of Italian territory. The capacity will mainly be deployed to deliver broadband to Italian government facilities beyond range of terrestrial networks.
http://In May 2011, Eutelsat Communications announced commercial activation of its KA-SAT High Throughput Satellite, marking the official launch of its new-generation Tooway broadband service across Europe. Up to 10 Mbps downstream and 4 Mbps upstream is immediately available for consumers irrespective of location across Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. The service is sold by various channel partners in each national market.

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SK Telecom Launches LTE with Cloud RAN and CoMP Capabilities

SK Telecom inaugurated its 4G LTE service in Seoul on July 1, 2011.


The network will provide a maximum downlink speed of 75Mbps, which is five times faster than that of its 3G WCDMA network (HSUPA) and 1.9 times faster than Wibro that provides maximum downlink speed of 39.8Mbps and maximum uplink speed of 10Mbps. The network uses the 800 MHz band. The company plans to expand the frequency bandwidth for LTE from one-way 5MHz (at the time of service launch) to 10MHz by the fourth quarter of 2011 to achieve the full downlink potential.


The LTE rollout in Seoul was accomplished by building 1,772 Radio Units (RU) and 609 Digital Units (DU). In addition to this, the company will also use its 200,000 existing 800MHz repeaters to offer seamless and flawless 4G LTE service in all areas of Seoul, including underground and indoor areas.


SK Telecom said it expects to attract 300,000 LTE subscribers in 2011, 6 million by 2013, and 10 million by 2015. Eleven 11 devices are expected to be on the market by year's end.


SK Telecom is working on LTE roll-outs in 23 cities including the Seoul Metropolitan area and six metropolitan cities by early next year, and secure national coverage (82 cities) by 2013. SK Telecom also said that the national coverage could become a reality earlier than planned depending on the market situation. Moreover, the company expects to introduce LTE-Advanced, the download speed of which reaches 1Gbps, in around 2013, by upgrading its LTE networks.


In addition, SK Telecom said it is leveraging cloud network technology in its LTE networks to flexibly handle wireless data demand that differs by time and region.


SK Telecom also claims to the first carrier in the world to use Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) technology to prevent the degradation of data speed coverage in cell boundary areas.http://http://www.sktelecom.com/

• In January 2011, South Korea's SK Telecom announced the selection of Samsung Electronics, LG-Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks as key equipment suppliers for its LTE network.
  
  
  
  
  Samsung Electronics and LG-Ericsson are supplying switching equipment, while all three companies will provide base station equipment. SK Telecom said it made the selection based on price and compatibility with other suppliers.
  
  
  SK Telecom has adopted its own Smart Cloud Access Network (SCAN) architecture to optimize its rollout. A base station largely consists of Digital Unit (DU) and Radio Unit (RU). With the SCAN architecture, LTE network DUs will be stored together in one area, while Remote Radio Units (RRU) - along with the antenna - will be set up in various locations. The carrier said this cloud-based network design enables multiple RRUs to be installed according to varying network capacity needs of each area.
  
  
  SK Telecom also plans to boost network capacity in small areas by deploying 62,000 Wi-Fi zones and over 10,000 femtocells. This will require the installation of 45,000 Wi-Fi this year, as well as expanding the 1,000 femtocells deployed last year to 10,000 femtocells. Also, SK telecom plans to offer femtocells that can handle voice and data traffic at the same time in small areas. Furthermore, the 6-sector solutions, which can double the capacity of current base stations, will be expanded to 500 base stations this year from 20 base stations beta-tested at the end of last year.

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China Mobile Tests TD-LTE with NSN

China Mobile has been running live TD-LTE trial networks in Hangzhou and Xiamen using equipment from Nokia Siemens Networks. Nokia Siemens Networks said it has already finished testing the core network and is now testing radio access. It is working with China's Ministry of Information and Industry Technology (MIIT) on TD-LTE device testing, and will use devices in the trial, when testing is completed.


The trial networks, operational since May, demonstrate the promise of TD-LTE to transform the mobile broadband experience in China. Trial users have been able to enjoy peak download and upload speeds of up to 100 Mbps along with uninterrupted access to applications such as video streaming and online HD video conferencing.


Nokia Siemens Networks deployed its single RAN advanced TD-LTE equipment in 2.3GHz and 2.6GHz spectrum. The company's network management system, NetAct is providing configuration, monitoring and operations support system capabilities during the trial. Nokia Siemens Networks is also providing network planning and optimization services.


"Nokia Siemens Networks has been committed to developing the TD-LTE ecosystem since its inception. The Motorola Solutions' acquisition clearly strengthens our market proposition and enables us to deliver greater value to operators, looking to adopt TD-LTE," said Markus Borchert, head of customer operations for Greater China at Nokia Siemens Networks. "China Mobile's trust in our TD-LTE capabilities for this large-scale trial affirms our technology leadership and readiness for large-scale commercial TD-LTE rollouts."http://www.nsn.com

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Nortel Patents Sold for US$4.5 Billion

A consortium consisting of Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, Research In Motion and Sony prevailed as the winning bidder for all of Nortel's remaining patents and patent applications. The winning bid was US$4.5 billion.


The sale includes more than 6,000 patents and patent applications spanning wireless, wireless 4G, data networking, optical, voice, internet, service provider, semiconductors and other patents.


Nortel said its extensive patent portfolio touches nearly every aspect of telecommunications and additional markets as well, including Internet search and social networking.
http://www.nortel.com

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Korea's LG U+ Launches LTE with 75 Mbps Top Speed

LG U Plus (formerly LG Telecom) announced the launch of its LTE service in Seoul, Busan, and Gwangu.


The network employs High-Rate Packet Data (eHRPD) for seamless mobility between LTE and CDMA. LG U+ is promising top download speeds of 75 Mbps and upload speeds of 36 Mbps. The service is delivered over 800 MHz spectrum using a 10 MHz allotment. The network design will use LTE repeaters and "cloud banks" to scale up in size.


LG U+ has previously disclosed the selection of Samsung, Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks as key suppliers for its LTE rollout.http://mobile.uplus.co.kr/jsp/lte/lte_01_1.jsp

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China Telecom Selects Alcatel-Lucent for IMS in 6 Provinces

China Telecom has selected Alcatel-Lucent to supply an IMS platform for delivering multimedia services to subscribers in Shanghai, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Xinjiang and Sichuan provinces.


This contract, won by Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell -- represents the first commercial deployment of IMS technology for China Telecom, and builds on a successful trial in Shanghai and Shandong provinces.


"This project with Alcatel-Lucent, our first large-scale commercial deployment of IMS, is a critical step in our transformation to a much more flexible, cost effective all-IP network," said XU Sui, Deputy General Manager of Network Development Dept.in China Telecom. "The world of communications is moving to more video, more streamed content from the web, more personalized services – we are building a network for this new world."


In addition, China Telecom and Alcatel-Lucent will work together to develop advanced services, including unified network address book, presence, multimedia instant messaging (including SMS, text and video) and image sharing.
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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NTT Com Builds Data Center in Cyberjaya, Malaysia

NTT Communications will begin construction of the new Cyberjaya 3 Data Center in July, aiming to launch commercial operation of this Tier III-ready facility by June 2012. Located within Cyberjaya, Malaysia, the Cyberjaya 3 Data Center will join NTT Com's Cyberjaya 1 and Cyberjaya 2 data centers in meeting the expanding needs of Southeast Asian customers.



NTT Com noted that customers of the new Cyberjaya 3 Data Center will receive the added benefit of extra-low-latency, extra-reliable services when the Asia Submarine-cable Express connecting Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines and Singapore starts up in 2012.
http://www.ntt.co.jp

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ZTE Introduces LTE Micro Base Station

ZTE introduced an LTE Micro Base Station designed for urban and indoor hotspot coverage.


The ZXSDR BS8920, which the company describes as the world's smallest commercially available LTE base station, offers a capacity of 150Mbps, with 2X10W transmit power and 2T4R modulation for a large footprint. The design of the BS8920 encompasses key features to reduce power consumption to as low as 100W average, with up to 30 percent lower deployment costs in terms of deployment compared to other distributed base stations.


The BS8920 is an Omni sector eNodeB product, with less than half of the size and weight of a standard remote radio unit (RRU). It also supports all-standard LTE frequency band spectrums, and AC/DC power supply.
http://www.zte.com.cn

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Global Crossing Wins UK Data Contract

Global Crossing has been named one of only three suppliers in the UK's Government Procurement Service, Managed Telecommunications Convergence Framework (MTCF). The framework agreement, which spans an initial two-year period. will facilitate the delivery of managed telephony and data network services and enable the public sector to benefit from access to a new portfolio of hosted IP telephony, unified communications and video conferencing services. http://www.globalcrossing.com

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Investment Firms Acquire Go Daddy

KKR, Silver Lake and Technology Crossover Ventures have acquired The Go Daddy Group, the world's largest provider of Web hosting, domain names and new SSL Security Certificates. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Go Daddy is the world's largest on-ramp for cloud-based software and services. The company serves more than 9.3 million global customers and manages more than 48 million domain names.


Greg Mondre, Managing Director, of Silver Lake said: "Go Daddy is powerfully positioned for future growth as it continues to innovate and add to its truly unique platform of cloud-based software and services. At the same time, we plan to maintain and augment all of the attributes that have made Go Daddy a clear market leader today, including world class customer support and competitive pricing for its 9.3 million customers."https://www.godaddy.com

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Bridgewave -- 4G Backhaul Solutions

What's driving millimeter wave technology as a backhaul solution for 4G? This interview with Amir Makleff, President and CEO of Bridgewave Communications, and Paul Obsitnik, Senior VP of Business Development, discusses the challenges of 4G rollouts and the frontier of innovation in wireless backhaul.
http://www.bridgewave.com

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