LightSquared Signs YourTel America

LightSquared announced a wholesale agreement with YourTel America, which provides telecommunications services through 14 branded retail outlets, call centers and network operations in Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Washington. YourTel America is an approved Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) for unserved and underserved low-income customers. This allows the carrier to deliver voice services to low-income customers through Lifeline, the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Program for Low-Income Consumers. Using the LightSquared network, YourTel America can now offer high-speed wireless devices at affordable prices to its Lifeline and other low-income customers.
http://www.lightsquared.com

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Level 3 + Global Crossing Merger Gains FCC & DOJ Approvals

The U.S. Department of Justice has cleared Level 3's previously announced acquisition of Global Crossing. The FCC issued its own order approving the transaction, effective immediately. Level 3 expects to close the transaction as early as next week.http:/www.level3.com
http://www.globalcrossing.com

• On April 11, 2011, Level 3 Communications first announced its plans to acquire Global Crossing in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately $3.0 billion. The combined company will operate fiber optic networks on three continents, connected by extensive undersea facilities. The combined network will serve a worldwide customer set with owned network in more than 50 countries and connections to more than 70 countries. The combined Level 3 + Global Crossing had pro forma combined 2010 revenues of $6.26 billion and pro forma combined 2010 Adjusted EBITDA of $1.27 billion before synergies and $1.57 billion after expected synergies. The customer profiles includes enterprise, government, wholesale, content, and web-based companies.

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CableLabs Establishes PeerConnect Registry

CableLabs has established a "PeerConnect" registry to help cable operators facilitate end-to-end IP communications.


The PeerConnect registry helps cable operators to automate their OSS-BSS service data provisioning for subscriber communication exchanges. It is not a traffic exchange hub, so no media traverses the system. The registry supports three primary service elements:


Registration Services -- allowing cable operators to dynamically provision various data elements into the registry. Examples of such service data include telephone numbers or routing numbers commonly used to establish VoIP calls, all the associated session establishment data such as a SIP route , or other data to provide links to the SMS gateways capable of receiving SMS to these numbers.


Resolution Services -- for cable operators or their PeerConnect partners to perform number translation querying the registry

Replication Services -- to dynamically distribute data for SMS-MMS and VoIP services to select partner companies primarily for session routing purposes.


"The PeerConnect registry allows Comcast to move telephone number translation services inside the IP domain," said Phil Miller, Vice President, Strategic Partnership Development, Comcast Communications and Data services. "It provides a scalable solution for us to dynamically distribute numbers and other IP voice session routing data to select partners."


"Cablevision has been using the PeerConnect registration services for some time with great success to disseminate IP session routing information to peers. It is a scalable solution for managing peering relationships and it is built on open standards to advertise session routing data to various valued-added service companies," said Wayne Thompson, Vice President, Telecom and Internet Management at Cablevision Systems Corp.
http://www.cablelabs.com/peerconnect

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Cox Launches “Unbelievably Fair" Mobile Services in San Diego, Santa Barbara

Cox Communications completed its rollout of mobile services in southern California with the launch of "Unbelievably Fair�? mobile phone plans in San Diego and Santa Barbara, California. The service is distinguished by "MoneyBack Minutes" -- where customers can get refunds at the end of the month billing cycle for minutes not used.


Cox Wireless launched in Orange County, California late last year. It is also available in Omaha, Neb., Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla., Rhode
Island, Hampton Roads, Roanoke and Northern Virginia and Cox communities in Connecticut and Cleveland, Ohio. By the end of this year, Cox Wireless will be available in more than 50% of its footprint, including Topeka and Wichita, Kansas and much of Northwest Arkansas.


“Beginning today, Cox Wireless is now available across our entire California footprint,�? said Kelly Williams, Cox's vice president of wireless products and operations. “In Orange County and across our Wireless markets, customers are responding very enthusiastically to Cox Wireless. We are
excited to bring our unbelievably fair approach to wireless to consumers in San Diego and Santa Barbara.�?http://www.cox.com

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Colombia Solicits Proposals for National Fiber Optic Project

The government of Colombia attracted four proposal for its national fiber optic connectivity project, which aims to connect over 400 municipalities across the country, providing high-speed services to 90% of the population by 2014. The four companies submitting proposals are:

• Unión Temporal Fibra Óptica Colombiana


• Telmex Colombia S.A,


• Unión Temporal Conectividad para todos


• Unión Temporal Telefónica.

http://www.mintic.gov.cohttp://www.mintic.gov.co/index.php/mn-news/416-20110928fibra

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Nokia and Siemens Inject EUR 1 Billion into NSN

Nokia and Siemens are each putting EUR 500 million in new capital into their joint venture, Nokia Siemens Networks, will the aim of further strengthening the company's financial position and setting the stage for strategic flexibility, productivity and innovation in areas such as Mobile Broadband and related services.


In addition, Jesper Ovesen, 54, has been appointed Executive Chairman of the Board of Nokia Siemens Networks, effective immediately, replacing Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo. Previously, Ovesen held a number of senior management positions in leading European companies, most recently serving as CFO of Danish telecommunications group TDC during the company's restructuring process and Initial Public Offering. Jesper has also served as CEO at Kirkbi, CFO at Lego and CFO at Danske Bank. He has extensive experience in finance and M&A activities. Ovesen holds a Master of Science from Copenhagen Business School, and a PMD from Harvard Business School.
http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

• In July 2011, Nokia and Siemens completed a strategic review of their joint venture, Nokia Siemens Networks, and have decided against pursuing a private equity investment or sale. The company cited "good progress" in its turnaround plan, with first quarter 2011 results marking a third successive quarter of year-on-year reported net sales growth, as well as a fifth quarter of non-IFRS operating profits since it announced its change in strategy in November 2009.



• In September 2009, Rajeev Suri was appointed CEO of Nokia Siemens Networks, succeeding Simon Beresford-Wylie.

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Alcatel-Lucent Cites Progress with China Mobile on TD-LTE

Alcatel-Lucent noted progress with China Mobile's LTE network in Shanghai, where it supplied an en-to-end trial system consisting of base stations (eNodeBs), the Evolved Packet Core and Alcatel-Lucent's professional services expertise.


The companies have now completed the first stage of testing on the China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and China Mobile's TD-LTE trial network in the city. The trial network provides coverage to an area of Shanghai including the financial district of Lujiazui and the high-tech business park of Zhangjiang. http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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Ikanos and SoftAtHome Announce Collaboration

SoftAtHome and Ikanos Communications are collaborating to bring a next-generation gateway platform to market. The companies said their partnership combines the latest capabilities of the SoftAtHome Operating Platform and Ikanos recently announced Fusiv Vx185/175 communications processors to create a solution ideally suited for the performance and quality of service demands of next-generation home media gateways in a multiscreen environment.


The combined solution takes unique advantage of the SoftAtHome Operation Platform's streaming media management and graphical user interface and Ikanos' broadband-optimized communications processor architecture. Together, the solution will deliver very high bandwidth capabilities and versatility for any network architecture including Fiber to the Node and Fiber to the Home deployments with bandwidth requirements of 100Mbps and beyond for visualizing multiple high-definition streams on multiple screens in the home. http://www.ikanos.com

• Earlier this month, Ikanos Communications introduced two dual-core communications processors – the Fusiv Vx175 and Fusiv Vx173 -- designed for a wide range of devices including femtocell gateways, smart energy gateways, mobile broadband routers, optical networking terminals, network attached storage and other next generation services gateways. The new devices add to the company's Fusiv portfolio and extend the range of access types supported to PON, LTE and other broadband technologies.

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FTTH Reaches 7.6 million North American homes

The number of homes in North America connected by FTTH has topped 7.6 million, up by 1.15 million in the past year, according to figures from market analysis firm RVA LLC, cited by the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council. FTTH is available to about 22 million homes up by about 10 percent in FTTH "homes passed" over the past year.


"While fiber to the home deployment in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean had barely scratched the surface in previous years, it appears that the FTTH providers in those countries are now out of the starting gate, and I expect see continued growth in their fiber activity going forward," said Mike Render, President of RVA. http://www.ftthcouncil.org

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Bharti Airtel Outsources 2G/3G Networks in Africa to NSN

Bharti Airtel signed an agreement with Nokia Siemens Networks to expand its 2G (GSM/EDGE) networks and deploy 3G networks in seven African countries: Madagascar, Malawi, Congo Brazzaville, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Financial terms were not disclosed.


Specifically, Nokia Siemens Networks will manage end-to-end network operations, including planning, designing and implementing the 2G and 3G networks for Airtel. The vendor will provide its energy-efficient Flexi Multiradio Base Stations* to expand network coverage to under-served areas, including smaller towns and villages in the seven countries.


Nokia Siemens Networks noted that with these new operators, it now supplies 3G access products to over 200 mobile operators -- more than any other vendor. http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com/

• In July 2011, Ericsson announced a five year managed services agreement with Bharti Airtel for upgrading, optimizing and managing its mobile networks in Africa. Financial terms were not disclosed.



• Bharti Airtel awarded a 10-year contract to IBM to provide IT solutions to its employees across 16 African countries. In terms of the agreement, IBM will provide a standard operating environment, help desk and desk side support to enhance employee efficiency and convenience. The announcement builds on a strategic partnership signed in late 2010 to manage the computing technology and services to power Airtel's mobile communications network spanning 16 African countries.



• In June 2010, India's Bharti Airtel completed its previously announced acquisition of Zain's mobile operations in 15 countries across Africa for an enterprise valuation of US$10.7 billion. The acquisition positions Airtel as one of the world's top five mobile operators with 180 million customers, operations in 18 countries across Asia and Africa. It's network footprint covers over 1.8 billion people.

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NeoPhotonics Acquire Santur for Tunable Laser Arrays

NeoPhotonics, which manufacturers photonic integrated circuit based modules and subsystems, agreed to acquire privately held Santur Corporation for $39.2 million in cash.


Santur is a leading supplier of high-performance tunable laser arrays for metro and long-haul DWDM systems and a leading developer of PIC-based products for 40Gbps and 100Gbps client side and coherent line side applications. Santur's technology includes established telecom designs offering elegant approaches to wide tunability as well as high speed transceivers. The company's products are designed to provide reduced size, power consumption and cost for a wide range of DWDM, Coherent and Client Side networking applications in 10G, 40G and 100G networks. The company is based in Fremont, California.


"Santur has developed innovative indium phosphide (InP) based photonic integration products that are critical elements in 100G coherent transmitters and that complement the NeoPhotonics PIC-based 100G coherent receiver product line," said Tim Jenks, Chairman and CEO of NeoPhotonics. "By combining active InP PICs from Santur with our hybrid PICs, we can provide our customers with new products for 100G coherent systems that feature higher levels of integration, higher performance and greater functionality. Furthermore, Santur's advanced tunable laser products also fit with our Speed and Agility product lines, enabling us to provide customers more complete solutions for reconfigurable networks," continued Mr. Jenks.


"In addition, Santur is a leading provider of PIC-based 40 and 100 Gbps transceiver modules for client side and data center applications. NeoPhotonics recently entered this new and rapidly growing market segment with its first products. By combining Santur's products, roadmap and strong customer positions with the NeoPhotonics portfolio of products, vertically integrated and high volume manufacturing capabilities, and complementary customer set, we intend to further develop our 100G coherent line side products and rapidly establish NeoPhotonics as a major vendor of client side components for the cloud," concluded Mr. Jenks. http://www.neophotonics.com http://www.santurcorp.com

• Santur was founded in November 2000. Investors in Santur included Menlo Ventures, Sequoia Capital and Thomas Weisel Venture Partners.

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Qualcomm Atheros and Mindspeed Partner on Video-Over-Wi-Fi

Qualcomm Atheros and Mindspeed Technologies unveiled a joint embedded video-over-Wi-Fi solution and an integrated board using Qualcomm Atheros' new three-stream 802.11n chip and Mindspeed's Comcerto 1000 broadband packet processors. The embedded solution is aimed at next-generation media gateways and systems performing the media resource function processing (MRFP) for IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) networks. Key applications include video and voice content conversion in support of telephony, multimedia messaging services (MMS) and video ad insertion.
http://www.mindspeed.com
http://www.qca.qualcomm.com.

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Huawei Shows New ONT

At this week's Fiber To The Home (FTTH) Conference and Expo 2011 in Orlando, Huawei is showing its new Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and Intelligent Optical Distribution Network (iODN). The ONT design allows a single ONT type to be used for indoor, just-inside, and outdoor applications. It will simplify network operation and reduce deployment costs. The unit – with 2 POTS and 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports – can be deployed indoor for desk or wall mounting use. The same ONT can also be placed in an outdoor enclosure or just-inside enclosure depending upon the network application.


Huawei's iODN brings intelligence to the fiber management system while maintaining the passive nature of the ODN network. The iODN uses eIDs to automatically identify and manage fiber connections, intelligently determine fiber connection operations, and accurately manage optical splitters. With iODN, operators can automatically search the target optical fiber and appropriately operate it, paving the way for efficient Fiber To The Premises (FTTP) rollouts and accurate isolation and identification of fiber faults.
http://www.huawei.com

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ZTE Supplies Symmetrical Commercial 10G EPON Network

ZTE announced the deployment of the first symmetrical commercial 10 Gigabit Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) network with Qoncert, a technology provider based in Tampa Bay, Florida.


The network features a 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GE) User Network Interface (UNI) that enables Qoncert to increase network access speeds for business customers. The network combines 10G EPON and MPLS for service flexibility.
http://www.zte.com.cnhttp://www.qoncert.com

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Amazon Silk Introduces "Silk" Cloud-Accelerated Web Browser

Amazon's new Kindle "Fire" tablet introduces "Silk" -- a radical new "split browser" that accelerates the power of the mobile device hardware by using the computing speed and power of the Amazon Web Services cloud (AWS).


The Silk browser software resides both on Kindle Fire and on the massive server fleet that comprises the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2). With each page request, Silk dynamically determines a division of labor between the mobile hardware and Amazon EC2 (i.e. which browser sub-components run where) that takes into consideration factors like network conditions, page complexity and the location of any cached content. The result is a faster web browsing experience, and it's available exclusively on Kindle Fire, Amazon's new Kindle for movies, music, books, magazines, apps, games, and web browsing.


Some other unique aspects of the split-architecture browser:


Lower Latency-- Amazon EC2 is always connected to the backbone of the internet where round-trip latency is 5 milliseconds or less to most web sites rather than the 100 milliseconds seen over wireless connections.


Reduced Transit time --AWS has peering relationships with major internet service providers, and many top sites are hosted on EC2.


Persistent TCP connections -- Silk keeps a persistent connection open to EC2 so that there is always a connection at the ready to start loading the next page. Silk also uses EC2 to maintain a persistent connection to the top sites on the web.


Collaborative filtering techniques and machine learning algorithms -- By observing the aggregate traffic patterns on various web sites, Amazon refines its heuristics, allowing for accurate predictions of the next page request.
http://www.amazon.com/silk

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Motorola Releases XOOM 4G LTE Upgrade

Motorola Mobility is releasing a software upgrade enables of customers of its XOOM tablet to access the Verizon Wireless LTE network. http://www.motorola.com

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MetroPCS Debuts LTE Android Smartphone from LG

MetroPCS Communications introduced the LTE-enabled LG Esteem smartphone featuring music and multimedia applications like Rhapsody Unlimited Music and MetroSTUDIO.


The LG Esteem is powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). It offers a front-facing camera and 5MP rear camera with flash, 720p HD video recording, a 4.3�? WVGA screen, a micro-HDMI port and DLNA streaming capability to transmit HD content directly to home entertainment units, and face-to-face video calling using the pre-loaded Google Talk Application. In addition, LG Esteem is equipped with a 1GHz processor, 8GB of internal memory and Dolby Mobile Surround 7.1 and a Corning Gorilla Glass Screen Protector.


The device is available with MetroPCS' $50 and $60 4GLTE plans, which include all applicable taxes and regulatory fees. The $60 lets consumers choose between unlimited music with Rhapsody or video entertainment with MetroSTUDIO – on top of unlimited Internet access, voice and texting services.


"Our customers want more entertainment services and multimedia, and the LG Esteem delivers all of the multimedia they desire right at their fingertips with the easy access afforded by our 4GLTE network,�? said Tom Keys, president and chief operating officer of MetroPCS. “By pairing a premium handset with the latest features and our unbeatable service offerings, we are providing our customers with a tremendous value. We're the only no-annual contract, pay-in-advance carrier providing 4G LTE service today, and with our latest 4G LTE smartphone, consumers can take full advantage of our network and the exploding array of Android market applications available today."


Pricing starts at $249 plus tax, after mail-in rebate, through January 1, 2012.
http://www.metropcs.com

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Juniper Offers "Simply Connected" for Enterprise Switching, Security and WLAN

Juniper Networks introduced its "Simply Connected" portfolio of enterprise switching, security and wireless products designed to simplify the management of mobile and desktop devices. The portfolio brings together Juniper's existing EX Series Ethernet Switches with Virtual Chassis technology, its SRX Series security products, its Junos Pulse mobile security paradigm, and wireless LAN controllers and access points through its recent acquisition of Trapeze Networks.


As part of the new networking portfolio, Juniper announced the availability of three new switching products, wireless LAN (WLAN) product innovations, and a set of updated Apple iOS and Google Android mobile device security capabilities.

Juniper said its vision with "Simply Connected" is to provide user-centric security and management independent of mobile device brand or type; and the opportunity to re-architect and reduce the network footprint in facilities where the mix of wireless and wired network access is changing. The Virtual Chassis technology, for example, enables multiple switches across a campus to act as a single switch. The goal is not only fewer network elements to manage but to implement a single system for wired and wireless access.

The new products in this set include:


EX6200 Ethernet Switches: The modular, chassis-based EX6200 delivers a scalable, resilient, high-performance wiring closet solution designed to provide extremely high port densities in a space-optimized form factor. The EX6200 will be shipping in Q4 2011.


EX3300 Ethernet Switches: Available now, The EX3300 line offers a compact, cost-effective, highly scalable solution for supporting the most demanding converged enterprise access environments via Virtual Chassis fabric technology.


EX2200-C Ethernet Switches: Available now, the fan less, wall-mountable EX2200-C is designed for micro-branch, conference room, or classroom deployments, giving customers the flexibility to deploy a compact, cost effective, switch in their open-space environments.


WLC880 Wireless LAN Controller: Designed for mainstream wireless deployments at medium to large sites, the WLC880 enables the extension of secure WLAN services to branch offices. Supporting up to 256 access points, the new controller is supported by new system software capabilities, including Juniper Networks Spectrum Management. Ensures over the air reliability on mainstream 802.11n APs including the WLA-522 AP and advanced spectrum planning capability built into the Ringmaster lifecycle management tool set. The WLC880 will be available in October.


Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite: Enables a secure wireless workforce with an integrated and centrally managed solution for secure network access, anti-malware, anti-theft and remote management features for a wide range of mobile devices. Newly available is the ability for enterprises and service providers with Apple iPhones, iPod touch and iPads to remotely lock and wipe lost or stolen devices, set and enforce security and passcode policies, provision and remove Microsoft Exchange profiles, provision VPN and Wi-Fi settings, inventory device applications and restrict specific apps for iOS devices. Also newly available are full layer 3 SSL VPN as well as automatic application revocation and malware removal without user interaction, for select Google Android-based smartphones and tablets. http://www.juniper.net

• In November 2010, Juniper Networks agreed to acquire Trapeze Networks for approximately $152 million in cash. Trapeze specializes in enterprise wireless local area network (WLAN) systems and management software. Trapeze's "Smart Mobile" WLAN solution combines the advantages of both centralized and distributed approaches to networking or "intelligent switching." This architecture allows organizations to adopt 802.11n networks, deliver high-quality voice for hundreds of users, and scale their WLANs across the enterprise indoors and outdoors without compromising security or manageability. Its product line includes Mobility System Software, a full line of Mobility Exchange controllers, Mobility Point access points, an advanced access control product, SmartPass, the RingMaster wireless management suite, antennas and accessories, and location-based software and appliances. In addition, Trapeze is also partnered with Avaya/Nortel, NEC and D-Link, who market Trapeze products or technology under their own brand name. Trapeze is based in Pleasanton, California. Trapeze Networks was acquired by Belden Inc. in July 2008 for $133 million in cash.

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ADTRAN Doubles Capacity of Total Access 5000 to 5,376 GPON Subs

ADTRAN has doubled the capacity of its flagship Total Access 5000 Multi-Service Access and Aggregation Platform enabling to support 5,376 GPON subscribers and 504 Active Ethernet subscribers per chassis. The higher density helps network operators to scale Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) service offerings.


ADTRAN is also introducing a new family of universal ONTs which bring auto-sensing support for both Active Ethernet and GPON, simplifying deployments with a single ONT for both technologies.


"ADTRAN's new additions to their FTTH portfolio and ability to support us long term were key deciding factors in our evaluation of solutions available in the market today," said Richard Cavin, senior network manager, Valley Telephone (VTCI). "The added scalability and density of the Total Access 5000 with the new 24-port Active Ethernet module made it a perfect fit for our project, allowing VTCI to reach twice as many customers from a single chassis without adding any additional complexity to our network." http://www.adtran.com

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Global Broadband Lines Top 558 Million

The total number of broadband subscriber lines topped 557.8 million at the end of June 2011, up by over 29 million lines since the start of this year, according to figures from Point Topic released by the Broadband Forum. The second quarter outperformed the same period last year, continuing the trend of stronger growth set in the first quarter's results announced in June.


"Globally broadband continues to grow strongly and all indications are that as an industry it has weathered the financial uncertainties of the last two years very well. Increased competition, new markets and market sectors being developed and the recognition of broadband as a vital part of any household or business have all contributed to the continued expansion of the industry," said Robin Mersh, CEO of the Broadband Forum.


Some highlights:

• DSL alone, as distinct from the part copper plays in many hybrid deployments, was responsible for over 50% (52.65%) of the net broadband lines added in the twelve months to end June 2011.



• France still leads the IPTV market with 11.05M subscribers, 50% of Broadband lines, BBF.



• China has 10.5 million IPTV subscribers, about 7.6% of broadband lines.



• China accounted for about 46% of all newly deployed broadband lines last quarter.

http://www.broadband-forum.org

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