European Union Sets Mobile Data Roaming Caps

Tariffs for international mobile data roaming across the European Union will drop significantly in the next few years under a tentative deal reached this week by Members of the European Parliament and the Danish Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Currently, mobile data roaming services charged to consumers do not have a price ceiling, and the existing legislation capping roaming charges for phone calls, SMS messaging expires on 30 June 2012.


The new tariffs seek to bring roaming costs into line with domestic prices by 2015. A downloaded megabyte would cost no more than 70 cents as of 1 July 2012, 45 cents in 2013 and 20 cents as of 1 July 2014 to consumers. The cost of a one-minute call would not exceed 29 cents as of 1 July 2012 and 19 cents as of July 2014, down from 35 cents under the current legislation. An SMS would cost no more than 9 cents as of 1 July 2012 and 6 cents as of 1 July 2014, down from 11 cents under the current legislation.


The agreement also would force operators to enable customers to buy roaming services separately. This would let the consumer chose alternative service suppliers for roaming whilst retaining their national operators for domestic use and keeping their national phone numbers. The consumer would be able to access mobile local data services while abroad without having to unsubscribe from their existing data roaming contract or arrangement, and while keeping their mobile number. The agreement also proposes facilitating access to the wholesale market for new alternative operators (mobile virtual network operators or MVNOs).
http://www.europa.eu

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Verizon Wireless Prices LTE Mi-Fi at $50

Verizon Wireless will begin selling its Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot- MiFi 4620L starting April 12 for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.


The Jetpack, which was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2012, was developed by Novatel Wireless. Up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices can be served simultaneously by the LTE connection.


In addition to a multicolor LED status indicator, the Jetpack also features and an interactive OLED display on the face of the device, allowing customers to scroll through menu options, check security settings, view battery life, display data usage alerts.
http://www.verizonwireless.com

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Sprint Offers CDMA Home Alarm Communicator

Sprint is partnering with Uplink, a provider of security alarm solutions, to offer a new Uplink CDMA Alarm Communicator powered by Sprint in the summer of 2012. The M2M solution uses the CDMA network for primary or back-up wireless alarm communications.
http://www.sprint.com

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Telebras Plans Brazil-Angola Cable

Brazil and Angola announced plans for the joint construction of a 6,000km submarine cable across the Atlantic linking Fortaleza and Luanda. Survey work began in November 2011. Telebras is playing a key role.
http://www.telebras.com.br

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Xilinx Ships Virtex-7 for Next Gen Systems

Xilinx announced commercial shipments of its Virtex-7 X690T FPGA, which packs high-speed serial transceivers, highest system bandwidth, and market-optimized FPGA resources.


Xilinx said its Virtex-7 X690T and X1140T FPGAs provide the greatest processing capacity and bandwidth per watt of any FPGA to implement advanced Packet Processing, FEC, Quality-of-Service, Switching, and Traffic Management algorithms as well as next generation EdgeQAM implementations.


"Xilinx has taken its years of experience in serial transceivers – having shipped to date over 75 percent of all FPGAs that include serial transceivers – and combined that with the innovative low power, 28nm 7 series FPGA architecture to deliver a highly optimized family for the Wired Communication marketplace," said Tim Erjavec, senior director of FPGA platforms at Xilinx.
http://www.xilinx.com

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ECI Names First Apollo Optimized Multi-Layer Transport Customer

The Israeli Electric Corporation (IEC) has selected ECI Telecom's new Apollo family of Optimized Multi-Layer Transport (OMLT) platforms, part of ECI’s 1Net packet-optical transport solutions, for its network connectivity needs. As part of this deployment, the IEC ran a successful pilot of the platform’s 100G capabilities. This marks ECI's first announced customer for the Apollo OMLT.


“By deploying this technology, the IEC will contribute to a marked increase in efficiency and a noted improvement in the telecommunications capabilities we are able to provide our customers, bringing Israel to the forefront of communications technology," stated Nava Trinczer, Deputy VP for Information Systems and Communication, and Manager for the Communication and Electronics Unit, IEC.
http://www.ecitele.com

• In November 2011, ECI Telecom announced its next step beyond packet-optical transport system (P-OTS) with a new modular platform that integrates L0 to L3 functionality with a single management system for all layers. The Apollo Optimized Multi-Layer Transport system (OMLT) addresses metro core and regional networks for carriers shifting from traditional ring-based architecture to mesh-based and OTN switching architecture. With the OMLT, ECI's aim is to address shortcomings of packet-optical transport system (P-OTS), especially the need to deploy additional Carrier Ethernet platforms with separate management systems to support advanced data services. The OMLT reduces infrastructure costs by optimizing the whole (multi-layered) architecture instead of the individual parts (layers), while simplifying the provisioning of new wavelength, private line, L2 or L3 services. The OMLT features a Universal fabric supporting OTN, Ethernet and switching between the two. The control plane uses GMPLS across the data (MPLS-TP) and optical layers.
  
  
  The Apollo product launch includes six platforms, along with the LightSoft unified network management system. LightSoft is a graphical automated end-to-end provisioning and management across network layers and technologies. LightSoft's multi-layer interface allows the user to get multiple physical and logical views of the network, facilitating the visualization of connections and correlations between different network layers.

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Cisco to Acquire Clear Access for TR-069 Tools

Cisco agreed to acquire ClearAccess, a privately-held company that provides TR-069-based software to service providers for the provisioning and management of residential and mobile devices. Financial terms were not disclosed.


The acquisition includes ClearAccess' software business and talent. The hardware portion of ClearAccess' business, Smart RG Gateways, will continue forward as a separate company called SmartRG, Inc.


ClearAccess offers the ClearVision Management System, a web-based remote management and applications platform based on the Broadband Forum’s TR-069 suite of protocols. ClearVision provides deep operational visibility to the CPE (e.g. DSL modem, cable, Ethernet gateway, IPTV set-top box, etc.) and a variety of tools which enable the service provider to lower customer churn, reduce truck rolls, and lower support costs. ClearVision also includes advanced applications which can be upsold to subscribers for additional high-margin revenue for the service provider.

ClearAccess is based in Vancouver, Washington.


"The ClearAccess acquisition reinforces Cisco's commitment to service providers by accelerating software architectural advancements in mobility, cloud and managed devices, and video," said Jamie Lerner, vice president and general manager, Cisco Network Management Technology Group, Service Provider Applications. "ClearAccess provides a critical technology that will advance Cisco's mission to offer service providers a complete set of tools to manage their networks, within the home and across any connected device, amid the ongoing proliferation in network traffic."http://www.cisco.com
http://www.clearaccess.com

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Deutsche Telekom Tests 4x4 MIMO LTE with Huawei

Deutsche Telekom, in collaboration with Huawei, has undertaken the world's first LTE 4×4 MIMO field trial, achieving download data rates of up to 250 Mbps. The 4×4 MIMO field trial utilized Huawei's SingleRAN LTE solution.

Deutsche Telekom launched its LTE network in Cologne in June 2011 using the 1.8 GHz frequency band and Huawei's SingleRAN LTE as one solution.

"This is a key milestone in the LTE industry." said Ying Weimin, president of GSM&UMTS&LTE wireless networks, Huawei. "Deutsche Telekom is one of the most innovative operators in the world. We are proud to foster our strategic partnership with Deutsche Telekom and to contribute to the development of mobile broadband. Huawei remains committed to being the best business partner for operators around the world."
http://www.huawei.com

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ZTE Posts 23% Revenue Growth in 2011, but Profits Decline 37%

ZTE reported 2011 revenue of RMB 86.25 billion, an increase of 23.4% compared to 2010. However, net profit fell to RMB 2.06 billion, down 36.6% from 2010’s result. Basic earnings per share were RMB 0.61.


"In 2011, equipment investments by the telecommunications industry varied by region across the globe,�? said ZTE Chairman Mr. Hou Weigui. "During the year, ZTE adjusted its product lines to continue to provide comprehensive integrated solutions to carriers. A range of measures designed to improve efficiency and optimize production processes also were introduced."


Some highlights:


ZTE's domestic and overseas operating revenue grew 22.7% and 24% year-on-year respectively.


Domestic operating revenue was RMB 39.50 billion, accounting for 45.8% of overall operating revenue.


Overseas operating revenue was RMB 46.76 billion, accounting for 54.2%.


ZTE has secured over 30 commercial LTE contracts.


ZTE became the second-fastest growing smartphone company in the world during the year.


ZTE also was the fourth-largest mobile manufacturer in the world in terms of shipments during the year.


By product segment, Carrier Networks generated operating revenue of RMB46.522 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 10.83%. Terminal Products generated operating revenue of RMB26.933 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 52.63%. Operating revenue for Telecommunication Software Systems, Services and Other Products amounted to RMB12.799 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 24.46%.


According to statistics published by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, revenue for the domestic telecommunications sector amounted to RMB901.15 billion for the first eleven months of 2011, representing a year-on-year growth of 9.6%.
http://www.zte.com.cn

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NEC to Open Mobile Network Excellence Center in Chennai

NEC Corporation will establish a Mobile Network Excellence Center (NMEC) for the offshore development of mobile communication systems in Chennai, India. This is the first such development center that the NEC Group will establish in India. The center will design and develop hardware and software for the PASOLINK series of ultra-compact microwave communication systems, which are key products for mobile backhaul in the global market.
http://www.nec.co.jp

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NEC Joins Cryptography for Mobile Project

NEC Corporation has joined a research project on anonymous authentication technologies for smartphones.


The goal is to develop a method of enabling sophisticated payment and location-based services without the risk of violating user privacy. The research explores cryptography-based, anonymous authentication technology for verifying users and terminals with IDs that can be used to track user access and behavioral history.


In order to address these issues, NEC is joining a research consortium along with France Telecom, Microsoft and other enterprises, that is funded by the French National Research Agency (l'Agence Nationale de la Recherche), the ANR. http://www.nec.co.jp

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eircom to Enter Court Restructuring

The Eircom Group submitted an application to the High Court in Dublin to be placed in Irish examinership with the objective of placing the company’s balance sheet on a stable financial footing for the medium to long term, with reduced debt.


Eircom said operations would continue as usual during the restructuring. All existing voice, broadband and data services provided to our residential, business, Government and corporate customers will continue. The company intends to maintain its existing relationships with all suppliers and honour all outstanding work and payment agreements.
http://www.eircom.net

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Lantiq Samples ADSL2/2+ Gateway System-on-Chip

Lantiq unveiled its XWAY ARX300 device family for new ADSL2/2+ Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) designs. Four versions will be offered for different broadband gateway models. Key features include:

• Complete ADSL PHY on-chip, including line driver circuitry, compliant with ITU-T G.992 for 28 Mbps downstream and 2.7 Mbps upstream data rates supporting physical layer features such as erasure decoding and retransmission (G.998.4), directly benefiting Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) applications.



• Fully integrated Gigabit Ethernet switch and Gigabit or Fast Ethernet PHYs.



• Integrated, flexible 802.11n Wireless LAN (WLAN) connectivity supporting 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band operation. XWAY WRX312 (2x2 MIMO) and XWAY WRX313 (3x3 MIMO) companion chips are low power multi-standard IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n RF transceiver with integrated power amplifier for 2.4 GHz band operation.



• Two device versions: XWAY ARX382 and XWAY ARX388 derivatives leverage Lantiq’s extensive voice communications and home networking portfolio in multiple reference designs, including XWAY SLIC 100 voice interface, COSIC Modem DECT/CAT-iq single-chip device, and XWAY HNX G.hn chipsets for powerline/phone line/copper wire connectivity.



• Low system Bill of Materials (BOM)



• High-performance dual-processor architecture includes a 500 MHz CPU and dedicated 32-bit protocol processing engine that assures Gigabit routing performance with zero load on the application processor.



• Fully-compliant 802.11n.e/i/h WLAN performance at up to 300 Mbps with zero-packet-error rate technology and “Thick MAC�? architecture to offload processor intensive operations from the main CPU supports carrier grade wireless links for rich media, including IPTV.



• Designed with power management mechanisms to meet European CoC v4 and beyond requirements.

http://www.lantiq.com

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Google Data Centers Measure 2011 PUE at 1.14

Google announced that its trailing 12-month average PUE (power usage effectiveness) was approximately 1.14 -- an improvement from 1.16 in 2010. PUE is a ratio of the total power used to run a data center to the amount used to power the servers.


Google said its calculation includes everything that contributes to energy consumption in its data center -- not just power for servers and cooling systems. It also includes heating/cooling for the office, system inefficiencies like transformer, cable and UPS losses and generator parasitic energy draw. Otherwise, the number would have been even lower.
http://www.google.com/about/datacenters/inside/efficiency/power-usage.html

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Comcast Business Launches Cloud-based Unified Communications

Comcast Business introducing a new cloud-based voice and unified communications service aimed at small and medium-sized businesses of up to 250 users.


The new Comcast Business VoiceEdge, which is delivered over either the company's HFC or fiber plants, is a hosted service that eliminates the need for a PBX on premise and delivers HD-quality voice with advanced features. Comcast is using the Broadsoft platform to enable all switching capabilities in the cloud. Polycom is a preferred supplier of IP phones provided with the service. Four digit extension dialing is possible to other branch locations also on the Comcast network. One number follow-me service allows workers to integrate their work line with their mobile device, home office or other locations to have calls follow them or push/pull them between devices without having to disconnect and then reconnect the call.


Business VoiceEdge is now available across most of Comcast’s Northeastern Division, which includes 14 states from Maine through Virginia and the District of Columbia, as well as Chicago. Nationwide rollout across Comcast’s entire service is targeted by the end of 2012.http://business.comcast.com/voiceedge

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ADTRAN Adds Session Border Control Capability to Enterprise Gateways

ADTRAN has added Session Border Control (SBC) software functionality to its NetVanta 3430 and 6000 series, as well as Total Access 900e IP Business Gateways.


The SBC capability gives service providers a new demarcation device to handle normalization, security and monitoring for their SIP trunking services. Specifically, the NetVanta and Total Access devices with the SBC features will handle NAT/firewall traversal, VoIP protocol interworking, transcoding, media anchoring and provide numerous service provider troubleshooting tools. By moving this functionality to the edge of the enterprise network, service providers can more easily integrate directly with a wide variety of IP PBX vendors’ SIP trunking implementations.


In addition, ADTRAN said its new SBC functionality combined with Total Access 900e IP Business Gateways will enable service providers to offer a customer migration path as the proliferation of IP continues into the foreseeable future.
http://www.adtran.com

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Ciena Teams with SafeNet on Low-latency Ethernet Link Encryption

Ciena and SafeNet agreed to jointly sell high-speed, low-latency Ethernet link encryption services for commercial and government networks. Ciena’s Carrier Ethernet and Packet-Optical platforms, and SafeNet’s Ethernet Encryptor solutions, have been extensively tested for interoperability and provide assured, optimized and secure Layer 2 encryption services at speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
http://www.ciena.com

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Vodafone Hungary Deploys Tellabs for Mobile Backhaul

Vodafone Hungary has selected to upgrade its mobile backhaul network to IP/Ethernet. The cornerstone of the upgraded network is the new Tellabs 8609 Access Switch, which can be deployed in various network locations, enabling HSPA and LTE-enabled networks. Previously, Vodafone Hungary had deployed the Tellabs 8600 Managed Edge System and the Tellabs 8000 Intelligent Network Manager into its mobile backhaul network in 2005. http://www.tellabs.com
http://www.vodafone.com

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TIM Brasil Selects Amdocs' Customer Experience System

TIM Brasil, the second largest mobile service provider in Brazil, has selected the Amdocs CES (Customer Experience Systems) product portfolio and a range of Amdocs consulting, integration and implementation services for its new TIM Fiber residential broadband service. Specifically, Amdocs will provide the business support systems (BSS) and operational support systems (OSS) required to deliver TIM Fiber broadband services.


TIM's new broadband offering follows its 2011 acquisition of AES Atimus, which operated a 5,000-kilometer fiber-optic network in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and other major Brazilian cities. Amdocs is also providing the strategic business-process consulting that will allow TIM Brasil to rapidly integrate the Atimus network and begin delivering broadband services less than 12 months after the acquisition.
http://www.amdocs.com

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NTIA Spectrum Report Proposes Sharing 1755-1850 MHz Band

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued its long-awaited report on reallocating spectrum currently occupied by the federal government for commercial purposes.


The "Assessment of the Viability of Accommodating Wireless Broadband in the 1755 – 1850 MHz Band" finds that 95 megahertz (MHz) of prime spectrum could be repurposed for wireless broadband use. Over 20 federal agencies currently hold more than 3,100 individual frequency assignments in this band. Federal uses of this spectrum include law enforcement surveillance, military tactical communications, air combat training, precision-guided munitions, weather balloons, etc.


Clearing a spectrum band of federal users requires finding other spectrum for these applications, as well as the cost and migration challenges in deploying new equipment. The NTIA estimates it may take a decade to complete a migration.


In addition, NTIA said its analysis of the cost of a complete relocation raises questions as to whether the proceeds from auctioning the 1755-1850 MHz band for commercial use will exceed federal relocation costs, as required by law.


Therefore, NTIA is proposing NTIA proposes a spectrum sharing scheme between government and industry.


"Spectrum is a finite resource in growing demand, and we need to focus on new ways to maximize its use. By working with the FCC, other federal agencies, and the industry, we can make more spectrum available to fuel innovation and preserve America’s technological leadership while protecting vital government missions,�? said Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling.
http://www.ntia.doc.gov

• In November 2010, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recommended that 115 MHz of spectrum be reallocated for wireless broadband service within the next five years. As part of the announcement, NTIA released two complementary reports detailing the effort to nearly double commercial wireless spectrum: a Ten-Year Plan and Timetable, as well as a Fast Track Evaluation identifying the 115 megahertz of spectrum to be made available within five years. In the Fast Track Evaluation report, NTIA examined four spectrum bands for potential reallocation within five years: 1) 1675-1710 MHz, 2) 1755-1780 MHz, 3) 3500-3650 MHz, and 4) 4200-4220 MHz and 4380-4400 MHz. The report recommends that various portions of these bands totaling 115 megahertz be made available for wireless broadband use within five years, contingent upon the allocation of resources for necessary reallocation activities. Specifically, NTIA recommends reallocating 1695-1710 MHz, currently used for dissemination of severe weather information and alerts via satellites operated by Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and 3550-3650 MHz, which would be shared with Department of Defense radar systems mainly on ships. NTIA recommends some geographic limitations on the availability of these bands to prevent harmful interference to government facilities in the 1695-1710 MHz band and to the proposed commercial services in the 3550-3650 MHz band.



• In June 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum committing the federal government to make available 500 MHz of federal and commercial spectrum available to new mobile broadband usage over the next 10 years. The effort, which would nearly double the amount of commercial spectrum currently available for commercial use, was expected to result new rounds of spectrum auctions.

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