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Note: For xDSL news after 10/01/06, please go to Optical Networking

xDSL News (Before 10/01/06)

Huawei's CPE devices successfully pass interoperability testing with the DSL Forum CPE WAN Management protocol
China's Huawei Technologies, a leader in providing next generation telecommunications networks, serving 28 of the world's top 50 operators, as well as over one billion users worldwide, and SupportSoft, Inc., a leading provider of technical support automation software, announced that Huawei's customer premises equipment (CPE) devices have successfully passed interoperability testing with the DSL Forum CPE WAN Management protocol. Known as TR-069, this specification ensures that Huawei CPE devices can be easily configured, activated and managed from a console in the network, helping service providers to effectively control the costs of deployment and support of a CPE device, as well as tightly manage delivery of multiple services.
The TR-069 specification provides the necessary framework for efficient and scalable deployment of new services using DSL broadband infrastructure, including combined delivery of VoIP, IPTV and high-speed data services. SupportSoft lab testing has validated Huawei's CPE devices and SupportSoft ServiceGateway(TM) software interoperate in accordance with the DSL Forum's specification.
"It is important to our customers that our devices interoperate with industry specifications, and they have specifically told us that they regard SupportSoft's Digital 360 Interoperability Lab as important to verify interoperability with TR-069," said Ren Xuebin, VP of Fixed Network Termination Product Line at Huawei Technologies. "SupportSoft's Lab helps to assure our customers that we are TR-069 compliant."
"Digital service providers don't want to take on the burden of integration, and rely upon their CPE vendors to provide interoperability out of the box," said Peter Szalay, vice president of business development and alliances at SupportSoft. "As an extremely fast growing and important CPE manufacturer, Huawei can get ahead of the competition by proactively ensuring their devices interoperate in accordance to the TR-069 specification."
The DSL Forum is recognized as the leading industry consortium dedicated to developing the full potential of DSL broadband. Its membership includes 200 leading service providers, equipment manufacturers and other interested parties worldwide -- all committed to developing common standards and embracing new applications to meet the needs of the next generation of multi- media services for DSL customers.
Related Channels: xDSL, VoIP, Video, Test, OSS/BSS, China

Top Story: China to become the world's largest broadband market next year
China will become the world's largest broadband market next year, led by China Telecom and China Netcom, on nationwide demand for faster internet.
"We believe China's broadband development will continue to benefit from a booming economy, growing income, expanding personal computer penetration and value-added services such as VoIP and IPTV," Kevin Lee, technology research firm Ovum's senior analyst in Hong Kong, said in a report. "The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will provide another boost."
There were more than 45 million broadband subscribers in the mainland as of June following an average annual growth rate of about 79% since 2003.
Ovum forecast China's broadband market would grow to 139 million subscribers by 2010.
Worldwide broadband subscriptions will almost double in five years, expanding from about 205 million last year to about 400 million in 2010, according to technology analysers International Data Corp.
"Consumer demand for broadband remains strong, with three in four global online households connecting to the internet via broadband in 2010," said Amy Harris Lind, IDC's programme manager for consumer broadband markets.
IDC said broadband surpassed narrowband last year as the primary method online households worldwide use to connect to the internet.
Ovum noted that China Telecom and China Netcom remained the dominant providers of broadband access services in the mainland China, with a combined broadband market share of 87% of subscribers. The balance is accounted for by China Tietong, China Unicom and various cable and IP-based network operators.
The growth opportunity is still huge, as the mainland's broadband penetration rate is only 3.4% of the population, well behind many countries in Asia-Pacific.
China Telecom offers the highest broadband subscription rates which are typical in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.
Growing IPTV deployment is expected to encourage more broadband usage in China. The mainland's two largest DSL operators introduced extensive IPTV trials last year in collaboration with IPTV licensees Shanghai Media Group and China Central Television.
Related Channels: China, xDSL, Video, VoIP

SFR acquires Tele2's fixed and broadband businesses in France
Stockholm-based Tele2 AB, ("Tele2"), Europe's leading alternative telecoms operator, has sold its fixed and broadband businesses in France to SFR. SFR will pay cash and will acquire these businesses on a debt free basis, for approximately BSEK 3.3. Tele2's French mobile business is being retained by Tele2. The sale of the French fixed line and broadband business will result in a capital loss of BSEK 1. Meanwhile, Tele2 has made a valuation of the group's remaining goodwill and has decided to book a loss related to that, of BSEK 3.0 to 3.5 in the third quarter, 2006. The reported losses will have no cash effect on Tele2 but are adjustments of the current values from the SEC acquisition in 2000.
The estimated acquisition price is based on Tele2's fixed line and broadband customer numbers forecasted as at the end of October, 2006. However, the final acquisition price is dependent on the exact number of Tele2's fixed line telephony and broadband customers at the time of closing, which is estimated to be by the end of October. The agreement is subject to clearance from the French competition authorities. The majority of Tele2 employees in France will transfer to SFR as part of the agreement.
SFR will operate the acquired customer base under the Tele2 brand name for a maximum period of three years. Tele2 will continue to operate its French Mobile business using the Tele2 Mobile brand name.
Related Channels: xDSL, Mergers & Acquisitions

Nominum promotes Tom Tovar to President and COO
Related Channels: Appointments

2Wire appoints Pasquale Romano as CEO
San Jose-based 2Wire, Inc., a provider of broadband service delivery platforms, announced the appointment of Pasquale "Pat" Romano as 2Wire's president and chief executive officer. Mr. Romano's appointment is the conclusion of an extensive executive search involving both internal and external candidates.
Pat Romano (41), succeeds Brian Hinman (45), as chief executive, with Mr. Hinman continuing his service on 2Wire's board of directors. Brian Hinman said: "2Wire is now stronger than ever, and growing rapidly. Having achieved the current state of stability and sustained growth, I feel the time is right to fully pass the reigns of the company to my very capable co-founder and friend, Pat Romano. I am confident in Pat's ability to assume the role of CEO and guide 2Wire to its next level of growth. Together, Pat and I built the foundation for 2Wire over eight years ago. At that time, we were just friends with a slide deck, some seed funding and a shared vision of a broadband world to come. Since then, we have established 2Wire as the standard-bearer for best practices in providing broadband products and services and helped improve the broadband experience for DSL subscribers around the world."
"We are grateful to Brian for his crucial role in establishing 2Wire's strategic direction and tireless promotion of the 2Wire vision at a time when the future of broadband was so uncertain." said Mr. Romano. "I am also personally honored by the faith placed in my abilities by Brian and the 2Wire Board of Directors in appointing me 2Wire's next CEO. This is a pivotal time for both 2Wire and for the broadband industry, as the triple play we have been visualizing and promoting for the past eight years finally becomes a reality. 2Wire is optimally positioned as a leading provider in this space and I intend to maximize our role in the industry growth ahead."
Related Channels: xDSL, Appointments

Verizon to offer FiOS TV in Fort Wayne, Ind., in 2007
Starting next year, customers in Fort Wayne will be able to enjoy the most robust and compelling TV-viewing experience available when Verizon introduces its all-digital, fiber-based FiOS TV service there.
"Customers love FiOS. Since we introduced FiOS Internet Service, customers have told us that our all-fiber network and customer service have exceeded their expectations on value and quality," said Mike Millegan, senior vice president and general manager, who is based in Fort Wayne. "When we begin offering video service in Fort Wayne next year, we fully expect customers to recognize its superior qualities. We have the best network, services, pricing and people to make a dramatic market impact."
Verizon already offers the amazingly sharp pictures and sound delivered over its all-digital, fiber-optic network to customers in about 80 cities in parts of seven states: California, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Texas and Virginia. The company's ultra-fast, all-fiber FiOS Internet Service was introduced in Fort Wayne and New Haven last year, and continues to receive very favorable customer reviews.
"Verizon's announcement speaks to the value of the legislation we passed earlier this year, proving its ability to bring investment and consumer benefits to Indiana," said state Sen. Brandt Hershman.
As Verizon expands its FiOS offering to include in-home video service, the company will bring significant choice for subscription television and on-demand programming, along with a new "triple-play" option of voice, Internet and television services on one bill.
"Watching entertainment, cultural and news content over a FiOS TV connection will forever transform the television-viewing experience in Fort Wayne," said Gale Given, Great Lakes region president. "The very progressive legislation put in place earlier this year by Gov. Mitch Daniels and the Indiana Legislature created an environment where video choice and infrastructure investment is encouraged. We are confident that consumers will positively embrace our video service, and we look forward to bringing about real video competition in the Fort Wayne area."
Verizon is the only company to offer an all-fiber communications network (FTTH) that extends all the way into customers' homes, apartments and small-business offices across the country. This new, advanced network is the largest of its kind in the country and is currently under construction in more than half the states where Verizon offers landline communications services.
Verizon first began offering its fiber-optic-based TV service last Sept. 22 in North Texas.
Early response to the television, data and voice offerings enabled by Verizon's all-fiber network have been strong. When Verizon reported its 2006 second-quarter earnings in August, it noted that in markets where the company has been selling FiOS TV for at least six months, its penetration levels already average 10 percent.
FiOS TV service highlights in existing markets include:
* A lead offer with more than 180 digital video and music channels.
* More than 20 high-definition (HD) channels, with extraordinary clarity and theater-quality sound.
* More than 2,800 On Demand titles available to customers now, increasing to over 3,500 titles in the next several months.
* Channels grouped by genres such as entertainment, sports, news, shopping, movies and family, making it easy for audiences to find their favorite programming.
* An easy-to-use interactive programming guide that integrates HD programming, On Demand content and the digital video recorder along with broadcast television into a seamless user experience.
* A dual-tuner, HD-capable DVR that gives customers the freedom to pause and rewind live TV, record one show while watching another, and fast forward to their favorite part of the program - all without a VCR, tapes or DVDs.
* The option of Home Media DVR, featuring a multi-room DVR that enables up to three simultaneous viewings of programs recorded by the device without requiring customers to set up a complex home network or buy extra equipment. The recorder is bundled with Media Manager, a new feature that lets customers easily access photos and music from their personal computer and play them on their entertainment center where they look and sound the best.
* FiOS TV Widgets, a free interactive feature that provides local weather and traffic information.
Related Channels: Video, FTTP, xDSL

ADTRAN intros fixed-port IP access routers
ADTRAN, Inc., a leading global provider of networking and communications equipment, announced the introduction of the NetVanta 3100 Series of fixed-port IP access routers. These devices are designed to address the needs of SMBs for secure cost-effective Internet access and corporate connectivity using carrier-supplied broadband services such as DSL or cable.
The NetVanta 3100 Series consists of the NetVanta 3120 and NetVanta 3130. The NetVanta 3120 is a fixed-port Ethernet router with an integral four-port managed Ethernet switch, a single 10/100Base-T Ethernet WAN interface, and an analog modem for dial-backup or remote management. The NetVanta 3130 is a fixed-port ADSL access router with an integral four-port managed Ethernet switch, a single ADSL WAN interface, and an analog modem for dial-backup or remote management. In addition to ADSL and ADSL2, the NetVanta 3130 supports today's most advanced ADSL technology, ADSL2+, for applications with the ability to take advantage of its greater reach and higher bandwidth (up to 25Mbps).
Each of these devices offers a variety of standard features including: standards-based routing/switching protocols; stateful inspection firewall for network security; IPSec VPN for secure corporate connectivity across the Internet; a familiar Command Line Interface (CLI) that eliminates re-training of technical personnel; a user-friendly Web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI); NAT-compatible SIP ALG for VoIP applications; Quality of Service (QoS) for VoIP and other delay-sensitive applications; and an analog dial-backup interface for disaster recovery/mission critical applications or for remote management by the carrier.
Related Channels: Switching & Routing, Ethernet, VPN, xDSL

Telecom Italia to acquire Time Warner's AOL Germany business for €675M
Telecom Italia has agreed to acquire Time Warner's AOL Germany Internet access business for EUR 675 million ($870 million, Equity Value) in cash.
The companies expect to close the transaction in four to six months, after receiving the customary regulatory approvals.
In light of Germany's fast-growing demand for broadband Internet access (over 12 million ADSL subscribers at 30 June 2006 that could increase by 10 million in the next three years), Telecom Italia is moving to consolidate its presence in Germany, which started with its acquisition of Hansenet in 2003 and expanded with its organic growth. Once its acquisition of AOL Germany's Internet access business closes, Telecom Italia will be Germany's second-largest broadband provider - with more than 3.2 million total subscribers, including nearly 2 million broadband customers.
Telecom Italia is already a European leader in broadband Internet access. With its presence in Italy, France, Germany and Netherlands as well as its pending acquisition of AOL Germany's Internet access business, Telecom Italia will serve approximately 9 million broadband subscribers in Europe.
Under a new partnership, AOL will provide co-branded audience services and content on a joint web portal for all of Telecom Italia's residential Internet access subscribers in Germany and will handle all online advertising sales.
AOL Germany has operated as an ISP for over 10 years and competes in both narrowband and broadband Internet access. As of June 2006, AOL Germany, ranked second and third among German narrowband and broadband access providers, had 1.1 million broadband subscribers and approximately 1.3 million narrowband subscribers.
Riccardo Ruggiero, CEO of Telecom Italia said: "This acquisition marks a further step in Telecom Italia's strategy of focusing on Broadband services and content delivery at an international level. Since we acquired Hansenet in 2003, our German presence has gone from strength to strength, confirming the validity of Telecom Italia's Broadband strategy, and with the AOL co-branding agreement our content offer, as well as our customer base, grows."
Related Channels: xDSL, Mergers & Acquisitions

Telecom Italia Chairman quits after Prime Minister Prodi attacks his business plan
Telecom Italia SpA Chairman Marco Tronchetti Provera resigned after his plan to split off and possibly sell its wireless division was assailed by Prime Minister Romano Prodi's government and unions.
Tronchetti Provera, 58, resigned to "safeguard the interests of the firm and investors," Milan-based Telecom Italia said in a stock-exchange statement late Friday. He turned down the board's request to remain, saying the decision was "irrevocable," the firm said.
Prodi quits less than a week after announcing a plan to reverse his strategy and focus on broadband Internet, raising concern he may sell Telecom Italia's mobile unit. He remains the largest shareholder in the holding company that controls Telecom Italia, the country's biggest phone company.
Guido Rossi, 75, a former chairman of Italy's stock market regulator, was appointed chairman of Telecom Italia, a post he held in 1997. Rossi was appointed in May the emergency commissioner of the country's soccer federation after a probe into match fixing led to the resignation of the previous chief.
Carlo Buora, currently co-chief executive officer of the telco, was named executive vice chairman and will have most of Tronchetti Provera's organizational responsibilities. The general counsel will report to Rossi, who will also oversee institutional relations, the company said.
Public Works Minister Antonio Di Pietro called for Tronchetti Provera to step down two days ago. Prodi revealed private conversations in which Tronchetti Provera said the company would remain in Italian hands.
Tronchetti Provera's resignation was "a necessary and responsible act," newswire ANSA cited Di Pietro as saying on Saturday in Shanghai.
Prodi said he was "surprised and disturbed" by the plan announced on Tuesday to separate the mobile and fixed-line units. The prime minister in Shanghai yesterday denied that he had been previously informed of Tronchetti's decision to resign, ANSA reported.
Italy's three largest unions on Wednesday asked to meet with Prodi "urgently" over concerns the mobile unit will be sold and jobs will be cut, according to an e-mailed statement. Telecom Italia is one of Italy's largest employers with more than 85,000 workers.
"It's clear that it's a move that's intended to placate political opposition," said Gianluca Verzelli, chief investment officer of BNP Paribas Private Banking in Milan.
The company had no buyer for the unit, daily Il Sole/24 Ore reported on Saturday, citing unidentified people who saw a letter sent by Tronchetti Provera to Bank of Italy Governor Mario Draghi, Italian Finance Minister Tommaso Padoa Schioppa and Enrico Letta, undersecretary at the prime minister's office.
Related Channels: Wireless, xDSL

KPN to acquire Tiscali's Dutch operations for 255 million euros ($324.5 million)
Dutch telecom group KPN has agreed to acquire the Dutch operations of Italian Internet service provider Tiscali for 255 million euros ($324.5 million).
KPN will take over the provision of services to 276,000 broadband and 126,000 dial-up Internet customers as well as its infrastructure in the Netherlands.
"This acquisition forms a further step in KPN's strategy of strengthening its position on the Dutch broadband market," KPN said in a statement.
The acquisition is subject to approval by the Dutch competition authority.
Related Channels: xDSL, Mergers & Acquisitions

Zhejiang Telecom picks Redback's multiservice edge routers
Redback Networks Inc. announced another new customer in China. Zhejiang Telecom will use Redback's SmartEdge family of multi-service edge routers to deliver broadband Internet, IPTV and virtual private network (VPN) services to business and residential users. Zhejiang Telecom is a major subsidiary of China Telecom Corporation, the largest wire-line carrier in China. There are more than 3 million broadband subscribers in Zhejiang province and more than 30+ million broadband users in China.
"We want to thank Zhejiang Telecom for selecting Redback," said Simon Williams, vice president of sales and operations in Asia, Redback Networks. "China is Redback's second largest market outside the U.S. and we are pleased that Zhejiang Telecom leaders share Redback's vision of a single IP network for broadband data, voice and video services. Over time, we see a future where all communications services will be managed in harmony under a broadband infrastructure."
Related Channels: Switching & Routing, xDSL, Video, VPN, China

Deutsche Telekom to open its VDSL network
German Regulators on Wednesday gave Deutsche Telekom AG three months to open its new high-speed communications network to rivals.
DT must offer a standard contract at a price agreed on with regulators so that competitors can easily access its VDSL network, the Federal Network Agency said.
Deutsche Telekom, the former government-owned telephone monopoly, argues that competition should be limited, at least initially, so that it can recoup the costs of its investment.
The new VDSL network, already available in ten German cities, is capable of carrying telephone, Internet and TV signals simultaneously.
Related Channels: xDSL

Motorola unveils Powerline MU for broadband
Motorola delivers broadband coverage to multi-unit buildings through standard electrical systems with powerline MU
Motorola, Inc. Wednesday introduced a multi-unit (MU) building broadband solution, Powerline MU, that is the latest addition to the company's MOTOwi4(TM) portfolio. The Powerline MU solution delivers broadband access through a pervasive, existing network -- the building's electrical wiring. When combined with Motorola's Canopy® platform or one of Motorola's wi4 WiMAX solutions for backhaul, Powerline MU can provide affordable, always-on Internet connectivity access through standard power outlets within a building.
The Powerline MU solution converts Ethernet signal to a HomePlug® protocol with a Powerline MU Gateway located within the building. The gateway injects the signal directly into a building's electrical system. Users can then connect their computer or router to a Powerline modem that is plugged into a standard electrical outlet to gain access to the Internet.
Powerline MU is scheduled for commercial availability during Q4 2006 with initial introduction in North America, followed by anticipated availability in other markets.
"Powerline MU is a very cost-effective way for service providers, building owners, commercial property managers and businesses to provide occupants of multiple-unit buildings with reliable Internet connectivity," said Tom Hulsebosch, senior director of sales and marketing, Canopy Wireless Broadband Group, Motorola Networks & Enterprise. "The combination of the Motorola Powerline MU solution's high speed, low cost, and quick deployment to 'broadband enable' an entire building makes the Powerline MU solution very attractive to an Internet service provider, telco, or cable company."
Related Channels: xDSL, Cable MSO

AT&T and MobiTV to offer mobile TV service to broadband users
AT&T Inc. and MobiTV, Inc., the global leader in television and music services for all things mobile and broadband, Tuesday announced an agreement to offer a mobile TV service to broadband users in the United States, including AT&T Yahoo!® High Speed Internet and AT&T WorldNet subscribers. The browser-based service, which will be called AT&T Broadband TV, will enable subscribers to use a computer to access a wealth of live programming while at home, at work, or on the go using wired and wireless broadband technologies.
Through the deal, AT&T becomes the first U.S. broadband provider to offer a live TV subscription service with MobiTV to consumers through any broadband connection. The service expands upon an earlier agreement that enables AT&T to offer MobiTV to customers who use thousands of AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots.
The AT&T Broadband TV service will initially have approximately 20 channels of live and made-for-broadband television content spanning national news, sports, entertainment and full-length music videos from top artists. Among the channels included in the initial channel lineup is Fox News,* Bloomberg, Oxygen, History Channel, Comedy Time, Toonworld, Maxx Sports and the Weather Channel.
The industry-leading, browser-based service features desktop integration for easy access, fast channel-changing, full-screen functionality and quality video playback. Subscribers can quickly access AT&T Broadband TV through a hyperlink or desktop shortcut.
Users will have access to a comprehensive channel lineup for a flat monthly subscription of $19.99. And soon, additional television channels will be offered to ensure that AT&T customers have access to the broadest range of entertainment content. The subscription can be used with nearly any broadband connection, at home, work or on the road.
"The AT&T Broadband TV service offers our customers the ability to watch live television programming beyond the TV screen, increasing our capabilities to provide compelling content to consumers who are seeking information and entertainment when, where and on the device they desire," said Scott Helbing, executive vice president, AT&T Entertainment Services. "The deal helps further enhance AT&T's broadband service and three-screen initiative by offering differentiated broadband-enabled content that consumers are increasingly demanding."
"Television is officially available on the PC now and will reach television fans in their home, office, college dorm, at the airport or anywhere they happen to be," said Dr. Phillip Alvelda, CEO, chairman and co- founder of MobiTV. "MobiTV and AT&T will deliver premium quality content seamlessly across all broadband networks, making entertainment, wireless and technology history."
Related Channels: Wireless, Video, xDSL

DSL Forum appoints Robin Mersh as COO
The DSL Forum, an international consortium of more than 200 broadband providers and device manufacturing members, appointed Robin Mersh as its new Chief Operations Officer (COO), announced Monday at the Broadband World Forum Americas conference.
The appointment of Mr. Mersh marks a new chapter in the DSL Forum’s history. Mr. Mersh will be responsible for executing the DSL Forum strategy effectively and ensuring funding and internal resources are managed wisely and in line with key initiatives and external relations goals. His appointment is aligned with the launch of the latest Forum initiative, which is designed to expand the scope of the Forum’s technical work and engage the broader industry in aligned broadband specifications for growth and enhanced network transparency.
“Robin brings us a wealth of operational experience and industry knowledge,” said Michael Brusca, chairman and president, DSL Forum. “His appointment will further support the DSL Forum in its expanding leadership role to create a global broadband market of excellence.”
“I am excited to be appointed to lead the operations of such a distinguished, far-sighted and successful organisation. The DSL Forum is uniquely placed to take advantage of its leadership role in broadband standards and bring that into the world of next generation networks and services,” said Robin Mersh.
Related Channels: xDSL, Appointments

DSL Forum unveils BroadbandSuite Initiative
The DSL Forum, an international consortium of more than 200 member organizations, announces a major initiative to fuel the growth of next-generation broadband services. Taking into account the variety of ways people are beginning to enjoy “quadruple play” services – voice, video, data and mobile – the new BroadbandSuite initiative expands the DSL Forum’s mission beyond DSL to address interoperability and management across DSL, fiber and alternative broadband technologies.
For the past 12 years, the DSL Forum has helped to define key infrastructure and procedures needed to drive global DSL growth. Today, DSL is the dominant broadband technology, used by more than 150 million subscribers worldwide for IP-based services that range from ‘simple’ high speed data transfer to multi-channel HDTV, video on-demand, videoconferencing and VoIP. Service providers are evolving their access infrastructures to serve more customers with newer services through adoption of a common set of specifications, including DSL Forum Technical Reports (TR). DSL Forum members are building on their achievements to develop specifications that embrace multiple broadband access methods, applying best practices developed for DSL to the range of access technologies.
“The DSL Forum serves as the catalyst for developing critical standards necessary for the delivery of DSL and integrated services across the globe,” said Matt Davis, Director, Consumer Multiplay at IDC. “Companies not normally associated strictly with DSL, such as consumer electronics vendors and home networking companies stand to benefit as the DSL Forum evolves in order to create the technological underpinnings necessary for the delivery of voice, video, and multimedia over DSL and other broadband technologies.”
BroadbandSuite extends the concept of traditional end-to-end solutions by developing an access and management platform responsive to devices beyond the customer gateway as well as the distribution network. This “blueprint” is designed to minimize provisioning and maintenance issues for service and application providers who must support vast and growing requirements of new applications and hardware. With BroadbandSuite, components work together seamlessly, delivering a high quality consumer experience vital for driving next-generation voice, video, data and mobile services.
“Our BroadbandSuite initiative clearly reflects the DSL Forum’s commitment to stimulate greater opportunities for the broadband industry as well as even better value for consumers,” said Michael Brusca, chairman and president, DSL Forum.
Related Channels: xDSL, Video, VoIP

Redback touts carrier wins in 22 of 32 provinces in China
San Jose-based Redback Networks Inc., a leading provider of next-generation broadband networking systems, announced several milestones in broadband service deployments with incumbent carriers in China, including carrier wins in 22 of 32 provinces in China.
Redback's SmartEdge® family of multi-service edge routers have now been deployed in 22 of China's 32 provinces, serving millions of business and residential broadband customers. There are about 30 million DSL users in China, about 20 percent of the estimated 150+ million DSL users worldwide, according to Point-Topic, a U.K.-based telecommunications research firm.
China is Redback's second largest market and third largest customer, if you combine China's public-owned telephone carriers into one group. Over the last 12 months, Redback has 22 carrier wins in China, focused on the independently operated, provincial subsidiaries of China Telecom and China Netcom, the two largest incumbent carriers in China. For China Telecom, this includes provincial carriers in Guangdong, Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui, Hubei, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Heilongjiang and Tibet. For China Netcom, this includes similar deployments in Shandong, Liaoning, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Henan, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Zhejiang, Chongqing and Yunnan.
With these carriers in China, Redback is at the center of one of the largest IPTV deployments in the world. In China, five carriers are either using or plan to use in the future Redback's multi-service edge router to help deliver IPTV service in Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shaanxi and Heilongjiang provinces. Because China has little cable TV infrastructure, these five telephone carriers hope to sign up to 500,000 IPTV users as a competitive alternative to satellite and broadcast TV services.
"Our research shows compound annual growth rates of greater than 50% for many new business and residential broadband services in China," said Mark Bieberich, research director at Yankee Group., a major research firm in Boston, MA. "Redback's success in the China market demonstrates its ability to meet this demand with a proven multi-service edge router."
"China is a leader in broadband service delivery, delivering high-speed Internet, telephone and TV services over a single IP-infrastructure," said Simon Williams, vice president of sales and operations in Asia Pacific, Redback Networks. "Redback supports China's vision that next-generation broadband services will help to foster economic growth in the future."
Related Channels: China, Video, xDSL, Switching & Routing

Keymile appoints Bjoern Claassen as CMO
Hanover-based EYMILE AG, a leading manufacturer of Next-Generation-Access Systems, has appointed Bjoern Claassen as Chief Marketing Officer with effect from October 1, 2006. Apart from taking on this role he will also support the management of KEYMILE AG in Switzerland.
Bjoern Claassen will focus on business development, product management and marketing. In doing so KEYMILE AG is increasing its executive board, comprising of Dr. Ziaedin Chahabadi, CEO, Dr. Georg Szlatinay, CFO, and Heinrich Kreft, COO and vice chairman, to four members.
Bjoern Claassen has more than 20 years marketing and technological experience in the IT and telecommunications industry. Before his job at KEYMILE AG he was CTO and Managing Director of the Deutsche Telekom AG subsidiary, T Systems Business Services GmbH, responsible for network operation, engineering, procurement, IT and other areas. Previously, he managed LambdaNet Communications Deutschland AG as COO and Managing Director.
"By appointing Bjoern Claassen we're gaining an experienced manager. With his exceptional knowledge of the market he can provide new stimuli to KEYMILE AG, particularly in areas such as business development, product strategy and marketing", commented Dr. Ziaedin Chahabadi, CEO of KEYMILE AG.
Related Channels: xDSL, Video, FTTP, VoIP, Appointments

Tollgrade wins deals in Romania and South Africa
Tollgrade Communications, Inc., a leading supplier of network service assurance products for the global cable and telecom industries, announced that the previously disclosed pilot deployment of Tollgrade's recently acquired test system technology has been successfully completed at Romtelecom, the only fixed line carrier in Romania. The Line Test System Controller (LTSC) Operation Support System (OSS) and NxTest hardware, technology included in Tollgrade's acquisition of the Emerson Line Test System business unit in February 2006, were deployed and accepted by Romtelecom. This acceptance completes the initial part of a multi-phase, network-wide contract with Romtelecom. At the completion of the contract, it is expected that Tollgrade's LTSC and NxTest products will be deployed to test voice services and to pre- qualify loops for DSL service for approximately 3.5 million Romtelecom customers. This project, valued at nearly $4.5 million, is expected to be fully implemented during the next six months.
Separately, Telkom South Africa has expanded its broadband footprint, and through its in-country supplier TeleSciences (Pty) Ltd, will further deploy Tollgrade's LoopCare(TM) Test Operations Support System (OSS) and the DigiTest® EDGE® broadband test platform. This follow-on project represents continuing implementation of a previously announced project that began in September 2005 to provide subscribers in South Africa with comprehensive testing for DSL services.
Related Channels: Test, OSS/BSS, xDSL

Mexico's Cofemer proposes "triple play" plan letting telcos enter the TV market and cable MSOs offer phone services
Mexico's Cofemer, a government agency dedicated to making regulations more efficient, signed off on the Communications and Transport Ministry's proposal to adopt a standard to deliver high-speed Internet, television and phone services over a single broadband connection.
The "triple play" plan that would let telcos enter the TV market and cable MSOs offer phone services.
However, Cofemer also made some suggestions, including that the ministry decide whether to let dominant telephone operator Telmex's license tap markets outside fixed-line and Internet.
Critics say letting giant Telmex, owned by billionaire Carlos Slim, into the TV market too soon could hurt smaller cable companies or even established media giants like Televisa.
On the other hand, while Telmex has said it agrees with the triple play, it also says cable MSOs monopolize sources of TV content.
The next step is for the Communications and Transport Ministry, which is not bound to follow Cofemer's suggestions, to make changes or make the new policy official.
Related Channels: Video, VoIP, xDSL, Cable MSO

Optus Wholesale to offer ADSL2+ broadband services
Sydney-based Optus is set to deliver a revolution in the wholesale telecommunications market by providing competitive ADSL2+ broadband and standard telephony over its network to its wholesale customers.
A number of Optus Wholesale customers are participating in a Business Readiness Testing exercise for the company's roll out of wholesale residential broadband and telephony services over copper on the unbundled local loop (ULL).
Customers signed up to participate in the testing are Exetel, iseek Communication and Internode.
Optus' network will be available for more wholesale customers in the fourth quarter of this year.
The access network and wholesale support systems went 'live' on 24 July 2006 to test the customers own ordering systems.
David Katz, Acting Managing Director Optus Wholesale, said Optus had reinforced its commitment to the wholesale market by providing a viable alternative to the incumbent.
Related Channels: xDSL

Telstra and Alcatel announce $270 million IP works program for 2006/07
Telstra Corporation and Alcatel Thursday announced a works program for Telstra's fixed network transformation in 2006/07, with an expected value of Euro 270 million (AUD460 million).
This works program is part of Alcatel and Telstra's strategic supplier relationship announced in November 2005. It will see Telstra move to the next phase of its Internet Protocol (IP) network transformation that will deliver leading-edge services to 5.3 million Telstra customers over the next five years.
In 2006/07, Alcatel will establish an IP network footprint in five Australian cities - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide - by supplying and deploying its leading portfolio of technology including IP-DSLAMs, Ethernet aggregation and optical networking solutions.
"Since announcing its transformation strategy in November 2005, Telstra has made solid progress in its move to a next generation fixed network - Telstra connected its first customer to Alcatel's IP-DSLAM technology early this year," said Telstra's Executive Managing Director of Network & Technology, Mr. Dan Burns.
"These upgrades are important for future-proofing our network over the next five to ten years, where we will be able to provide customers with access to offerings such as high speed internet, telecommuting, video conferencing and video delivery of services in general."
As part of the 2006/07 works program, Alcatel will test the first mated pair of softswitches in Australia, in the Telstra Integration Laboratory.
Frédéric Rose, President of Alcatel's Asia Pacific activities, said: "This confirms Alcatel's participation as a key strategic supplier to Telstra as it continues the transformation of its fixed network to a next-generation IP-based network. Alcatel's integrated and flexible architecture will provide Telstra with a scalable, future-proofed network that can simultaneously deliver new personalized multi-media services to residential customers and advanced VPN services to businesses."
Related Channels: xDSL, Ethernet, VoIP, VPN

Verizon and Microsoft expand alliance
Verizon Communications Inc. and Microsoft Corp. announced an expanded alliance in which Verizon will offer its consumer DSL and FiOS Internet customers a co-branded suite of Microsoft® Windows LiveTM services to help them enjoy more personalized Internet experiences with enhanced online security.
"We're delighted to move forward with Microsoft in offering our broadband customers an enhanced, more-personalized Internet experience through a combination of Windows Live services and innovative features from Verizon," said John Wimsatt, Senior Vice President, Broadband Solutions Marketing for Verizon. "By expanding our relationship with Microsoft, a leader in Internet solutions, we continue our commitment to creating the best value in broadband, offering more and better choices than cable and creating a superior online experience."
As part of the new agreement, which is an expansion of the two companies' broadband relationship that began in April 2002, Verizon customers will have access to co-branded information and communications services, including a co-branded Live.com home page with easy access to Verizon and Windows Live services, a Windows Live Toolbar, a co-branded Windows Live Search page, Verizon e-mail powered by Windows Live Mail, a co-branded version of Windows Live Messenger and safety protection via Windows Live OneCareTM safety scanner.
"Verizon continues to be a highly valuable partner for us in delivering Windows Live services that unite consumers' interests, information and relationships in a way that's most meaningful to them," said Steve Berkowitz, Senior Vice President, Online Services Group at Microsoft. "This expanded alliance further solidifies the growth and success of the Windows Live platform."
Related Channels: Video, xDSL, OSS/BSS

Sumitomo Electric Networks picks Ikanos' VDSL2 chipsets
California-based Ikanos Communications, Inc., a leading developer and provider of Fiber Fast(TM) broadband solutions, announced that Sumitomo Electric Networks, Inc. (SEN), one of Japan's leading communications equipment manufacturers, has selected Ikanos' Fx(TM)100100-5 and Fx100100S-5 CO and CPE chipsets for its next generation of broadband equipment. SEN's selection of Ikanos' products will enable Japanese carriers to deliver high-performance, symmetric 100 Mbps bandwidth as well as POTS-compatible "IP-Phone" services.
Ikanos' multi-mode chipsets are the first to offer many new features for optimized IPTV delivery, such as integrated QoS and enhanced impulse noise protection schemes. These features are expected to enable unsurpassed triple play experiences for consumers. Ikanos' fifth generation chipsets are designed to provide the highest throughput and density, with the lowest per port power consumption, thereby enabling OEMs to offer high-density systems that reduce carriers' capital expenditures and operating expenditures.
"We are pleased that Sumitomo Electric Networks, one of the leading DSLAM manufacturers in Japan, has chosen Ikanos to provide VDSL2 chipsets for its next generation of broadband equipment," said Rajesh Vashist, chairman and CEO of Ikanos. "SEN's selection validates our continued leadership in delivering high-performance, IPTV-optimized, multi-mode VDSL2 products."
Related Channels: Chipsets, xDSL, Video

Verizon's smart move for promoting its FiOS TV: Verizon launches free PlayLinc connecting online gamers
New Age warriors in the online gaming arena now can play on PlayLinc(TM), a unique, new service from Verizon that provides a better, faster and more entertaining way to wage battle. PlayLinc, which is free, provides a wide variety of features, including free public servers, and the service allows players to host games on their own PCs and invite friends to private Internet gaming sessions.
Verizon also announced the launch of its new online community Web site, games.verizon.com, which showcases PlayLinc and includes forums, frequently asked questions, blogs, gaming news and other features for online gaming aficionados.
PlayLinc and the new Web site are key parts of Verizon's overall strategy to establish relationships with and encourage the growth of a large, loyal community of serious and casual gamers. These relationships with gamers will fuel business opportunities for Verizon, including digital distribution of games, in-game and on-site advertising, promotion of other Verizon services, and increased adoption of Verizon's FiOS and DSL broadband services. Verizon's introduction of PlayLinc is the result of the company's new relationship with SuperComputer International (SCI), a leading provider of high-performance game-server hosting solutions, gameplay-related services and fully integrated gaming portals. Verizon acquired an equity position in SCI in May. "PC gamers have long been held hostage, having to rent expensive servers to host games with their friends, or having to take their chances on public servers with ill-matched players of varying skills," said Colson Hillier, director of new product development for Verizon. "It's been frustrating."
Related Channels: Video, xDSL

Australian government will proceed with the planned sale of its remaining stake in Telstra
Australian Prime Minister John Howard confirmed Friday the government will proceed with the planned sale of its remaining stake in Telstra Corp., offering A$8 billion worth of shares to investors.
Howard said the remainder of the government's 51.8% stake in Telstra, about A$14.5 billion worth of stock, will be transferred to the Future Fund, to be sold down over time.
"We are proceeding with this sale because we believe that we can achieve an appropriate return for taxpayers at this time," Howard said in a statement.
"Our sale advisers have been closely assessing market conditions and their unanimous advice to the government is that there is sufficient demand to support an offer of this magnitude and it can be done at a fair price."
Howard said the shares will be sold in October and November, with the final sale structure to be finalized prior to the launch. The offer, to Australian and overseas retail and institutional investors, will include two installment receipts over 18 months.
The shares offered by the government will include the Telstra full-year dividend of 28 cents, Howard said.
Related Channels: Wireless, xDSL

Verizon brings hyper-fast Internet connections to Gresham customers
Verizon customers can experience breathtaking high-speed Internet access as the company expands its Verizon FiOS suite of Internet services to Gresham.
FiOS services are now available to approximately 500 customers in Gresham, and Verizon will soon offer FiOS services in additional areas of Gresham and Troutdale. The company plans to pass 16,000 homes with its FTTP (fiber-to-the premises) network by year-end in east Multnomah County. FTTP technology utilizes fiber-optic connections -- instead of copper wire -- directly into homes and businesses to enable a broad array of voice, data and video applications.
The company is offering several tiers of FiOS Internet Service with downstream (download) speeds of up to 5, 15 and 30 Mbps (megabits per second) and upstream (upload) speeds of up to 5 Mbps.
"FiOS is setting the new standard for consumer and small-business broadband services in America," said David S. Valdez, Verizon's senior vice president - West. "Customers who already subscribe to FiOS services are astounded at what they now can do with their online experience. Video chats and conferencing, purchased digital movie downloads and interactive multi- player games have become a part of their daily lives.
"And FiOS for Business gives companies robust connection speeds for bandwidth-intensive applications at prices close to those the companies pay for ordinary broadband services," said Valdez.
Related Channels: Video, FTTP, xDSL

AT&T to construct FTTP network in Houston
AT&T Inc. and General Growth Properties have agreed to construct a fiber to the premises (FTTP) network to deliver IPTV, high-speed DSL and VoIP services to a 20,000-home, master-planned community near Houston.
The agreement will enable AT&T to make Internet protocol-based communications and entertainment services available to the estimated 65,000 residents who will move into Bridgeland, a 10,000-acre residential development currently under construction.
“Many of today’s home buyers are embracing the digital lifestyle and want advanced communications and entertainment options as soon as they move in,” said Ed Cholerton, AT&T vice president and general manager for the Houston area.
The first Bridgeland model homes are to scheduled to open this summer, with construction of the remaining residential and commercial properties to continue through 2020.
Related Channels: FTTP, Video, VoIP, xDSL

Greek service provider Tellas to upgrade its DSLAMs
Within the frame of the Tellas ADSL Internet wider strategic review, Tellas is making the first step by doubling for one more time the current speed for the subscribers of this service. It is about the third consecutive free of charge upgrade, which is realized by the company specifically for its subscribers, within a two year period.
The procedure of the upgrade will be completed right after the completion of the relevant upgrade of the OTE infrastructures (DSLAMs).
It is worth noting that both the current and the new Tellas ADSL Internet subscribers will take advantage of the upgrade without any supplementary charge or change of their current equipment.
Mr. Antonis Tzortzakakis, Marketing Manager of Tellas underlined:”SinceApril 2006 and with the completion of the three year of successful operation, TELLAS offers free of charge Internet upgrade in twice as fast speed, which is also offered after the first year of subscription to those who have 24month connection in Tellas ADSL Internet. Hence, the subscribers of Tellas who, early at the beginning of 2005, have chosen the speed of 384, have in 2006 a 2Mbps speed. It is also worth noting that since 2004 until today, our subscribers have been taking advantage of it twice, since they do not only enjoy all the reductions of the prices, but they are also not encased in prepaid packages, the prices of which are not competitive”.
Related Channels: xDSL

Telecom Argentina plans to invest US$433M in 2007
Telecom Argentina plans to invest nearly 1.3B pesos (US$433M) in 2007 to expand its network infrastructure. The investment is earmarked to expand mobile telephony and broadband services.
For 2006 the company expects total investments to reach 1B pesos and the main focus to be related to IP projects.
Telecom Argentina plans to expand its broadband network infrastructure as all operators are concentrating investments in this key area of the telecommunication business.
"Companies intend new investments in business units to be convergent," said company CEO Carlos Felices.
Telecom ended 1H06 with 3.99 million fixed lines in service and 7.66 million mobile users, while its ADSL client base totaled 300,000.
Related Channels: Wireless, xDSL

Greece government mulls selling more OTE shares
Greece government may sell another stake of telecom provider OTE next year as part of an ongoing privatization drive, Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis said.
The sale would cut the state's stake in the former monopoly from the 38.7% it currently controls.
Alogoskoufis told private Mega television that more OTE shares would be sold "only in the event where there is genuine interest" from a major European telecoms firm.
Local news reports said the sale would be between 10% and 15%, adding that Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom and Telefonica have shown interest in acquiring a stake in OTE.
Greeks pay higher rates for telecommunications services, both landlines and mobile phones, than most other European Union consumers, while broadband Internet penetration is the lowest in the EU.
The government is expected to announce privatization measures for 2007 in September. This year's privatization revenues amount to 1.74 billion euros ($2.24 billion), exceeding the 2006 target of 1.65 billion euros ($2.12 billion).
Related Channels: Wireless, xDSL

Verizon serves up DSL at 18 Wal-Mart stores in Indiana
Shoppers at 18 Wal-Mart stores in Indiana can get connected to the Internet's express lane, now that Verizon Online DSL service is available at the stores' Wal-Mart Connection Centers.
"We're excited about offering customers the convenience of ordering fast, affordable broadband service from Verizon at Wal-Mart," said Michael H. Millegan, senior vice president/general manager, Verizon Midwest region. "Verizon Online DSL's combination of fast connections, superior service and affordable pricing is an ideal fit with Wal-Mart's focus on giving its value- conscious shoppers customer satisfaction and 'Every Day Low Prices.'"
pecially trained Wal-Mart Connection Center associates will help shoppers use an easy, automated ordering system that checks eligibility for Verizon DSL service and then lets them quickly place their order in the store. A simple three-step, do-it-yourself installation kit will be shipped directly to the customer once the order is completed.
At Wal-Mart, Verizon Online offers a DSL speed for every need and a price for every budget, starting as low as $17.99 a month, plus fees and taxes, for a maximum connection speed of 768 kilobits per second (Kbps) downstream and 128 Kbps upstream with an annual service agreement. Qualifying customers can also order service with a maximum connection speed of up to 3.0 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 768 Kbps upstream for a promotional price of $17.99 a month for the first six months and $34.99 a month thereafter, plus fees and taxes, with an annual agreement.
Related Channels: xDSL

Calix touts leadership in GPON and DSL
California-based Calix announced that it continues to lead two key North American broadband markets: gigabit passive optical networking (GPON), as well as digital subscriber line (DSL) based on the fastest-growing equipment category, multiservice access platforms (MSAPs). Information from Dell'Oro Group shows that Calix continued its leadership position in Q2, 2006 for both GPON optical line terminals (OLTs) and optical network terminals (ONTs), a position Calix has held since Dell'Oro Group began tracking the GPON market.
With GPON expected to become the dominant form of fiber to the premises (FTTP) infrastructure in North America, Calix is leading the way with innovative solutions such as the 700-Series auto-detect GPON ONTs. And MSAPs are playing an increasingly strategic role as wireline service providers deploy them to deliver extremely high-speed, pure-packet services such as IPTV and ultra-broadband internet access.
"Telcos and cable operators are battling for the consumer broadband relationship, and for seven quarters in a row, the telcos have been winning," added Ray Savona, Calix vice president of field marketing. "Once the broadband relationship is established, telcos can easily offer advanced services such as IPTV and VOIP, further enhancing the value of the consumer relationship. Industry-leading PON and DSL access solutions from Calix provide critical weapons in winning the battle with cable."
Related Channels: FTTP, xDSL

Siemens intros interoperability testing program
Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices LLC today formally announced an interoperability testing program for tangoTM Subscriber Manager (tSM), which is Siemens' TR-069 Auto-Configuration Server (ACS), designed to give service providers more flexibility and freedom for delivering advanced multimedia services to today's digital home. The program is open to all DSL-based customer premise equipment (CPE) manufacturers.
Siemens developed the program to ensure seamless interoperation of non-Siemens CPE with the ACS and underlying DSL Forum TR-069 standards, which govern configuration of devices such as modems, set-top boxes, home networking devices and Voice over IP (VoIP) gateways in a DSL-based home network. The ACS is a component of the Siemens tangoTM Software Suite, which includes the tangoTM Installer and Support software clients, along with the server-based tSM remote management software. This high-performance platform allows service providers to automate all phases of the broadband lifecycle including ordering, deployment, installation, management and support.
Related Channels: Test, xDSL, VoIP

Thailand's TOT picks Ericsson to deploy IP MSAN
Ericsson has been selected by TOT Public Company Limited (TOT), Thailand's leading fixed-line operator, to deliver its EDA solution to provide high performance broadband services to subscribers across the country.
With this contract, TOT becomes the first operator in Thailand to deploy IP MSAN (Multi Service Access Node), which will be integrated into the operator's existing nationwide network architecture. This will allow TOT to provide its customers with an ultra-high speed broadband connection of up to 24Mbps.
By deploying an all-IP network, TOT will be able to meet increased subscriber demands for faster speed and superior quality of services in a cost-efficient way and through a future-proof investment.
Hans O. Karlsson, President Ericsson Thailand, says: "We are proud to support TOT in its move towards an all-IP network and in their efforts to provide broadband services at unprecedented speed to consumers in Thailand. This is very much in line with Ericsson's aim to bring broadband connectivity to everyone over fixed and mobile networks."
Related Channels: VoIP, xDSL

WildBlue secures $350M
Denver-based WildBlue Communications, Inc. has completed a $350 million debt financing led by Liberty Media Corporation and Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC. The $350 million of secured financing enhances the company's capital structure and provides additional capital to fund the continuing growth of WildBlue's broadband business. WildBlue provides broadband connectivity via satellite to homes and small businesses in communities where terrestrial broadband access alternatives are either limited or unavailable.
"The WildBlue team has worked very hard this year to make our affordable broadband Internet service available to homes and small businesses in rural areas across the continental U.S.," said Dave Leonard, CEO of WildBlue. "Our customer base continues to expand rapidly, with over 85,000 customers in rural areas who've taken advantage of the availability of WildBlue's high speed service to date. We are now adding over 10,000 new subscribers per month, and this funding enables substantial expansion of our service availability by tripling our customer capacity with the launch of our second satellite, WildBlue-1."
Related Channels: Wireless, xDSL

TeliaSonera Finland offers 100 Mbps
TeliaSonera Finland Oyj launches new generation high-speed broadband services based on optical fibre and starts selling and delivering them to housing companies and their residents in the Greater Helsinki Area and in Tampere during the summer. The consumer customers will be offered the fastest broadband access in Finland, Sonera Laajakaista Extra (Sonera Broadband Extra), with a maximum speed of 100 Mbps. The housing companies will be offered Sonera Kiinteistöyhteys Kuitu (Sonera Multi-Dwelling Fibre Access), with a speed of 1/1 Gbps.
”TeliaSonera Finland focuses major efforts on building a next generation network and developing services for it. An optic fibre network is a secure and sustainable solution, an investment in the future. For consumers and housing companies the optical fibre opens a door to new services. The next generation television technology – HDTV – for example, sets entirely new requirements for broadband access. In future, it will also be important to further develop the transactions between citizens and authorities. High-speed network connections are becoming a service comparable to the electric power network, and the optic fibre network offers a sufficient amount of capacity both now and in the future,” says Eero Sinkkonen, Head of the Information Society Structures and Services division at TeliaSonera Finland.
Related Channels: xDSL, Video

EU supports BNetzA's decision to require DT to share VDSL access
In a letter sent today to the German telecom regulator Bundesnetzagentur (“BNetzA”), the Commission endorses, with comments, a regulatory measure proposed by BNetzA that will give new market entrants high-speed access to end-customers (or bitstream access) via the broadband networks of Deutsche Telekom. This measure is meant to remedy the position of dominance of Deutsche Telekom on the German broadband market, identified by BNetzA already in December 2005 in agreement with the Commission (see IP/05/1708). The Commission welcomes in particular that the remedy proposed now requires bitstream access regardless of the technology used by Deutsche Telekom (ADSL2, ADSL2+, SDSL and VDSL). In its comments, the Commission asks the German regulator to ensure that the remedy is applied without further delay, in line with EU law, and that final clarifications are made in the interest of legal certainty on the German broadband market.
“I welcome that in spite of considerable political pressure, the German regulator has proved its independence by proposing to the Commission, as required by EU law, to remedy the well-known competition problems on the German broadband market”, commented Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding. “To open the German broadband market to competition will lead to better services and lower internet access prices for consumers. I however note that time is a crucial factor. While bitstream access has already been available to new market entrants in the vast majority of EU Member States for a number of years, it has taken the German regulator more than three years since the entry into force of the EU telecom rules and more than eight months since the finding of dominance of Deutsche Telekom to take the required measures. I therefore urge the German regulator to implement this remedy now without any further delay to ensure that both competitors and consumers can profit from fairer competition also in Germany.”
Related Channels: xDSL

T-Com offers free ADSL trial
T-Com is giving its residential telecom subscribers an opportunity to try the ADSL service free of charge without commitment and discover the benefits of broadband Internet from August 21 through October 31.
T-Com is committed to the growth of the Internet society, so it strives to make an increasingly broad layer of the society aware of the benefits of broadband Internet. T-Com is providing an opportunity for the free trial of ADSL in the frame of a campaign starting on August 21.
T-Com provides ADSL access free of the monthly fee to residential subscribers until October 31. There is no connection fee, the modem required to access the service is provided by T-Com as a gift and delivered to the home of the subscriber free of charge. The 512 kbit/s Internet access is independent from the volume of traffic and unlimited in time; one e-mail address and a storage capacity of 50 MB is provided with the service.
Related Channels: xDSL

IPTV drives DSL IC chipset market
While data and VoIP continue to drive the DSL IC chipset market, and will account for the bulk of port shipments through 2010, the delivery of IPTV capability is the wave of the future, reports In-Stat. Carriers worldwide are using ADSL2+ and VDSL2 as they upgrade their networks to deliver television and video service, the high-tech market research firm says.
“With applications like video phone service, uploading of photos and video in addition to music, on-line applications from Google and others, the demand for upstream traffic is likely to increase over the next few years,” says Norm Bogen, In-Stat analyst. “This means the technology able to deliver upstream bandwidth will have the advantage going forward.”
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
- In 2005, there were 153.1 million total ports of DSL shipped worldwide, including CO and CPE for ADSL, VDSL, and SHDSL.
- The number of ports shipped is expected to grow to 185.5 million in 2010.
- Revenues through 2010 will decline, however, as there is increasing pressure on price from DSLAM vendors.
Related Channels: Video, Chipsets, xDSL

The Magic Word FREE: Virgin Mobile and Virgin.net join forces to offer free broadband
Virgin Mobile and broadband provider Virgin.net have joined forces to offer a year’s free up to 8 Mbps broadband to customers that take one of Virgin Mobile’s new SIM-only pay monthly tariffs.
Anyone joining Virgin Mobile’s £15 (normally £20) or £30 (normally £32) a month SIM-only service will be able to save up to £275* by registering for 12 month’s free broadband through Virgin.net. The free broadband service will offer customers up to 8 Mbps download speeds, a 6 Gigabyte monthly download allowance (which is more than enough for most households) and everything that’s needed to get online, including free set-up and a free broadband modem. Customers have three months to redeem the Virgin.net free broadband offer once they have joined Virgin Mobile.
Virgin.net’s free broadband offer is available to all new Virgin Mobile £15 & £30 SIM-only customers but only until the 31st October 2006 via Virgin Mobile Stores and those within Virgin Megastores or online at www.virginmobile.com/freebroadband. Once the SIM is active (usually within 24 hours), customers can join Virgin.net’s free broadband service at www.virgin.net/freebroadband or by calling 0845 045 1307.
Virgin Mobile’s SIM-only service doesn’t require customers to commit to a long term contract so, as long as a customer stays on the Virgin Mobile SIM-only tariff, the free broadband just keeps coming until the 12 months are up. If a customer chooses to leave Virgin Mobile, they can decide whether or not to start paying for their broadband service from Virgin.net
Virgin.net Sales and Marketing Director, Cristel Lee Leed said: “We love this offer. It’s really easy to understand – get a Virgin Mobile SIM card and then get free broadband from Virgin.net. We’re confident that customers will be delighted with our broadband service – even independent comparison website Uswitch gave us an 87% customer satisfaction rating.”
Graeme Hutchinson, trading director at Virgin Mobile said: “This offer represents fantastic value for those customers who want free broadband for a year at home and have someone in their household who wants a great value mobile package and has a handset they are happy with. We will keep our promise and deliver what our competition has failed to do.”
Related Channels: Wireless, xDSL

Spain's Jazztel implements Harmonic-based digital headend
California-based Harmonic Inc. announced that Jazztel PLC, a leading telecommunications service provider in Spain, has implemented a comprehensive Harmonic-based digital headend, including the best-in-class DiviCom(R) Electra(TM) 5000 MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) encoder, for its IP-based Jazztelia TV service. Initiated in March 2006, the country-wide rollout includes standard definition broadcast television channels delivered via Jazztel's ADSL2+ network. This deployment underscores the significant lead Harmonic has established in the European IPTV market, with DiviCom encoders powering more channels for European telcos than any other brand.
Increasingly, operators such as Jazztel are taking advantage of local loop unbundling to implement a competitive broadband service by co-locating DSLAMs at the incumbent telecom provider's central offices. Founded in 1998, Jazztel now operates a comprehensive network of DSLAMs, overlaying an area encompassing nearly 60 percent of Spain's lines, which is connected to an extensive fiber network. By owning the access and metro interconnect, Jazztel can deliver more bandwidth to the home. This advanced infrastructure makes it possible for Jazztel to offer a full range of IP-based voice, data and video services which has attracted more than 250,000 residential and business customers.
Related Channels: Video, xDSL

DSL port shipments up 16% year on year
According to DITTBERNER's recently released report “Broadband Access Quarterly Shipment Report”, DSL port shipments in the second quarter grew 3% quarter-over-quarter to 22.3 Million. This followed a 4% growth in the first quarter and shipments are up 16% year-over-year.
Alcatel remained the overall leader, with Huawei, Siemens, Lucent and Ericsson rounding out the top 5 vendors in terms of ports shipped. Alcatel increased its market share to 30%, the same as a year ago. Huawei also increased its market share to 20%, its largest ever.
Market growth has been steady since the large quarterly increase registered in 1Q05, but the mix of platforms and access technologies has been changing rapidly. IP DSLAMs now account for 57% of all DSLAM port shipments, up from 49% in the first quarter and 38% a year ago. The growth of IP DSLAMs is affecting the Broadband Aggregation networks which have migrated largely from ATM to Ethernet backhaul, due to this trend.
VDSL has grown to 6.7% of all DSL ports shipped, up from 5.7% in the first quarter and 5% last year. Network Transformations and the need to supply Triple Play services are causing the rapid growth of VDSL2, which was not even a standard a year ago. Deutsche Telekom currently has the largest VDSL2 deployment, having declared its intention to offer IPTV.
EMEA remained the largest region for shipments even though they declined slightly. Shipments to CALA and North America remained flat, but Asia Pacific recovered from a slow first quarter with a 12% jump in ports shipped. The North American market should remain stable as the AT&T acquisition of BellSouth proceeds, and telco emphasis shifts to fiber access. This shift is being driven by the need of wireline Service Providers to compete with a very large TV services offering from the MSOs. DSL growth over the next year is likely to be slow, steady, and concentrated in Asia Pacific and the emerging markets of EMEA.
Related Channels: xDSL, Video, Cable MSO

Moscow-based Golden Telecom acquires Telcom
Moscow-based Golden Telecom, Inc. ("Golden Telecom" or the "Company") announces the acquisition of a 100% interest in Telcom LLC ("Telcom") -- an alternative telecommunications services operator in Nizhny Novgorod, third largest city of Russia.
Telcom was established in 1999 and provides local telephone services in Nizhny Novgorod. Telcom communication network operates 9,000 copper lines which cover the Avtozavodsky district of the city. The overall numbering capacity allocated to Telcom is 17,000 numbers, of which more than 12,000 are already in use.
Golden Telecom will be able to provide broadband access services to some 9,000 customers by installing all necessary asymmetric digital subscriber line ("ADSL") equipment on Telcom's network.
Commenting on this acquisition, Jean-Pierre Vandromme, Golden Telecom's Chief Executive Officer, noted: "Provision of broadband access services to corporate clients, small businesses, and mass market is a major component of the Company's business strategy. The acquisition of Telcom provides us with the access to new subscribers interested in high quality voice services as well as in broadband Internet access. Acquiring Telcom, with its 9,000 customers and additional numbering capacity, Golden Telecom's position in the city and contribute to our further regional expansion."
Related Channels: xDSL, Mergers & Acquisitions

Telchemy intros triple play tester
Duluth, Ga.-based Telchemy, Incorporated, the global leader in Voice and Video over IP fault and performance management technology, announced the release of the DVQattest/RE active test system, giving service providers essential visibility into service quality problems for the fast growing residential VoIP and IPTV market. DVQattest/RE has already been supplied to a leading residential service provider for use in testing and characterizing the performance of VoIP over DSL and Cable access services.
DVQattest/RE comprises high performance server software capable of generating high call volumes and collecting performance data, lightweight downloadable agents and DVQattest Reporter - an interactive Java based user interface. Agents can be downloaded onto subscriber PCs or other customer premise equipment and interact with the network-based server to measure the quality of bidirectional VoIP test calls or network originated IPTV test streams. VoIP/IPTV performance information is gathered during each call or video session and reported to the DVQattest Reporter application.
VoIP performance information generated by DVQattest/RE includes listening and conversational quality MOS scores and R factors, essential data on transient congestion related IP problems, advanced jitter metrics, route information and network diagnostic data that can help with root cause analysis. IPTV performance information includes Audio, Video and Audio-Video (Multimedia) MOS scores, video transmission quality metrics, RTP and MPEG transport metrics.
DVQattest/RE is complementary to Telchemy's VQmon passive monitoring technology that can be integrated into soft clients, IP Set Top Boxes or residential gateways. VQmon non-intrusively monitors live VoIP and IPTV streams and provides real-time QoE/QoS feedback and network diagnostic data to service providers.
"Our new DVQattest/RE technology will be extremely helpful for service providers facing the challenge of delivering high quality triple play services to their residential customers," said Alan Clark, Telchemy's CEO and President. "This technology can be used during early experimental trials, to support subscriber pre-signup testing, for continued service level monitoring and for on-demand troubleshooting."
Related Channels: Test, VoIP, Video

Covad Communications names Eric Weiss CMO
San Jose-based Covad Communications Group, Inc., a leading national provider of integrated voice and data communications, today named Eric Weiss chief marketing officer, effective immediately. Weiss is a 15-year veteran in key areas of strategic focus for Covad: retail and wholesale communications, voice over IP (VoIP), wireless, broadband, and other enhanced IP services for businesses.
Weiss will lead Covad's effort to accelerate revenue growth from new and existing service offerings and marketing initiatives. He will oversee marketing, product management and product strategy and will report to Covad's president and CEO, Charles Hoffman.
"Eric is a vital addition to the Covad management team as we continue to focus on profitable revenue growth," said Hoffman. "Throughout his career he has demonstrated his ability to achieve rapid growth from next-generation networks, whether in start-up ventures or by launching new lines of business within larger public companies."
"I am thrilled to join the Covad team," said Weiss. "Covad is uniquely positioned to help businesses realize the cost benefits and enhanced features of next generation IP and wireless networks."
Related Channels: VoIP, DSL, Wireless, Appointments

Alcatel boosts Litespan ADSL capacity in North America
Alcatel Monday announced a significant increase in ADSL capacity for its Litespan-2000 remote cabinets, giving Alcatel customers the flexibility to offer ADSL services to 100% of the subscribers served by Litespan remote terminals.
This unsurpassed density applies to both new and existing Litespan-2000 and Litespan-2012 remote cabinets. With this improvement, the Litespan LSC- 2016 cabinet can now support up to 2,016 combined POTS and ADSL lines from a single cabinet.
With a significant increase in demand for broadband services, the incorporation of newer ADSL technology becomes an imperative step to increasing Litespan throughput. This advancement enables service providers to now offer ADSL services (ADSL2, ADSL2plus, and ER-ADSL) to customers who might otherwise have been unserviceable due to initial constraints placed on network design.
"Litespan has enjoyed tremendous success in North America," said Mike Dobbs, Senior vice President of Alcatel's access network activities in North America. "With over 48 million lines of Litespan capacity in our customer networks, Alcatel is uniquely positioned to assist service providers in deploying reliable and cost effective DSL solutions. This development is one of many that makes Litespan one of the most competitive multi-service access platforms in today's market place."
Related Channels: xDSL

Tiscali UK to merge with Video Networks Ltd (VNL)
Tiscali UK and Video Networks International Ltd announce have reached an agreement whereby their respective UK market operations would be fully integrated.
Pursuant to this agreement, Video Networks International Ltd (VNIL) would contribute 100% of their UK operations - Video Networks Ltd (VNL) - into Tiscali UK Ltd, fully owned subsidiary of Tiscali SpA, in exchange for an interest in Tiscali UK. As a result, Tiscali SpA would control 88.5% of Tiscali UK, while VNIL would own 11.5%. The agreement is expected to become effective in August 2006, upon fulfillment of certain technical conditions. Furthermore, the shareholding of VNIL in Tiscali UK could be increased to up to 20% if certain performance targets are reached. Tax losses carried forward would also be contributed to Tiscali UK by VNIL at a discount and payable on a deferred basis and according to their expected utilisation in the future. Tiscali SpA has the right to acquire and VNIL to sell VNIL's stake in Tiscali UK starting from three years after closing or earlier upon certain trigger events.
Following this integration, Tiscali UK will immediately have more than 1.3 million DSL customers, of which 350,000 customers are taking voice and broadband, over 45,000 will be IPTV subscribers, and an unbundled local loop ("ULL") network covering over 300 BT exchanges with in excess of 220,000 ULL customers.
"This agreement represents a very important step for the Tiscali Group not only in the UK market, where Tiscali's position would be further strengthened, but also in the other markets, allowing Tiscali to position itself as a true Triple Play operator. The Triple Play offer in the UK will be launched by the end of the year and will be immediately followed by the launch of the service in Italy and then in the other markets." says Tommaso Pompei, CEO of the Tiscali Group.
Related Channels: Video, xDSL, Mergers & Acquisitions

EarthLink Business Solutions launches Small Office DSL Plus
EarthLink, Inc., the nation's next generation Internet service provider (ISP) Friday announced the introduction of Small Office DSL Plus, a cost-saving, alternative high speed Internet connection that does not require local phone service. Instead, Small Office DSL Plus works by using a line set aside for data service. Available through EarthLink Business Solutions, Small Office DSL Plus gives small and medium-sized business owners a new option for obtaining high speed access. Its benefits include:
- High speed service for phone systems that do not support line-shared DSL.
- Broadband access that works in conjunction with third party voice systems.
- Professional installation at no extra cost and free hardware after rebate.
"Small Office DSL Plus is the latest offering from EarthLink Business Solutions," said Linda Beck, executive vice president and general manager for EarthLink Business Solutions. "This service takes away the added expense of a local phone line and is a perfect solution for small and medium-sized businesses that can't get DSL from their local phone company."
Related Channels: xDSL

China Netcom signs new Olympic deal with France Telecom's GlobeCast
China Netcom, the nation's second-largest fixed line phone carrier and DSL provider, reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GlobeCast, a branch under the aegis of France Telecom, which will allow Globecast to provide content distribution services from China, notably during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
As the official partner of the 2008 Olympic Games, China Netcom operates a large fibre and teleport network within China, and is connected to many of the world's leading broadcasters.
GlobeCast is a broadcast content management and delivery company with offices on five continents and a worldwide satellite and fibre network. Its Sports and Special Events Division is present at major events worldwide including the World Cup, Olympics and Asian Games.
Joining their strengths, GlobeCast and China Netcom will provide end-to-end services between China and the rest of the world. After the Olympics, the two companies hope to continue meeting broadcasters' needs in this area with a continued partnership using a joint network.
The MoU signing ceremony itself acted as a showcase of the two companies' technical abilities, with a virtual signing taking place live in High Definition.
A two-way fibre, linking GlobeCast's headquarters in Paris with CNC's headquarters in Beijing, connected Zhao Jidong, Senior Vice-President of China Netcom, and Christian Pinon, Chief Executive Officer of GlobeCast.
Zuo Xunsheng, president of China Netcom, recently reiterated China Netcom's strategic goal of shifting to a "broadband communications and multimedia service provider." Broadband, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and internationalization are the three biggest strategies of China Netcom, which are interconnected, mutually supported, and complementary to each other. Broadband is the basis and core of the three strategies.
At present, traditional fixed network carriers in the world are confronted with the plight of ever-declining business income. There are mainly two reasons for this, with the first being the rapid development of mobile communications and the second the popularization of Internet. Facing the adversity, fixed network carriers can do nothing but speed up their shift and innovation, seeking for new ways out.
The three strategies prop one another up and complement each other, and broadband is the basis and core. Firstly, broadband strategy is the support to the objective of "broadband Olympic Games," and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is the activator and accelerator of China Netcom's broadband strategy. As the official partner of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, China Netcom expects to boost the development of broadband while serving the Olympic Games with broadband. The purpose is to further enhance its broadband access and service level. Secondly, internationalization strategy is based on broadband as well, which, from the perspective of market, lets the world know China Netcom, reinforces its leading position in Asia, and then enables it to find a solid foothold in the world. Broadband strategy facilitates the other two strategies.
China Netcom's broadband strategy indicates the transit from narrowband communications to broadband communications.
China Netcom divides the implementation of the strategy into two phases. In the early phase, it was mainly engaged in broadband access, developing users through access ways such as ADSL, LAN, WiFi, and WiMAX on the basis of the acceleration of broadband network construction. As a matter of fact, broadband access is the basis and prerequisite for broadband strategy. The development of broadband business can only be pushed forward through large numbers of users. Through the integration of network resources, CHINA169 and CNCNet have been able to carry various applications of individual users and commercial clients.
Related Channels: China, xDSL, Video, Wireless

FTTH for US Rural Communities: Demand, Economic Feasibility and Government's Role
Rural Wyo. city eyes fiber optic network
Sunday August 13
By Becky Bohrer, Associated Press Writer
Rural Wyoming city moves toward fiber-optic network; private providers miffed
POWELL, Wyo. (AP) -- Hay and beans have fueled this rural economy for years. But it's fiber of another kind that city leaders believe is key to Powell's future.
Plans are under way to build a fiber-optic network capable of delivering ultrafast Internet, cable TV and telephone service to virtually every household and business in this community of about 5,300 people.
The goal of the $6 million project is to create another selling point for a community where quality of life issues -- good schools and safe streets -- are no longer enough of a draw to do business in a place where the nearest major city is 100 miles away in Billings, Mont.
"As a city administrator, I hear the term 'economic development' thrown around," said Zane Logan, the leading voice behind CityNet, which is opposed by local phone carrier Qwest Communications and cable provider Bresnan Communications. "I can't think of anything more economic-development minded than a fiber-optic network."
Powell is part of a growing phenomenon, fueled by dissatisfaction in sparsely populated areas where the local phone and cable providers are slower to invest in costly network upgrades that may not be profitable.
At least 40 municipalities and public utility districts around the nation already offer so-called "fiber to the home" (FTTH) according to market researcher Michael Render. These fiber networks are both more robust and costlier to build than the municipal wireless networks proposed in hundreds of cities, often sparking similar controversy.
The rise of community-backed projects has sparked debate about whether it's proper for government to compete with private enterprise, and whether broadband technology is a luxury or a virtual necessity that cities should provide, the way they do water or garbage service.
"Is it a commodity where you pay for what you use and leave it to the private sector? Or is it a utility, as important to today's lifestyle as water and electricity?" said John Anderson, a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who has studied and written about the debate.
"A lot of communities feel it's in their interest to step in and offer it," he said.
That was the case in Windom, Minn. Before the city announced plans to build its fiber network, Internet options were limited to frustratingly slow dial-up or finding a wireless hot spot some 20 miles away, said Dan Olsen, operations manager with WindomNet, the farming community's telecommunications office.
Now, more than a year after Windom built its nearly $11 million network, Qwest also is in town offering competitive high-speed Internet connections, he said. About 1,700 customers subscribe to at least one of the three city services -- Internet, phone or cable -- and some take all three.
"If you're a small town out there and can't get a provider to provide services, what do you do? Give up or get the community involved?" Olsen asked. Windom's network isn't profitable yet, though Olsen said it wasn't expected to be so soon. "We've been constantly hooking up and growing and monitoring."
There are challenges: According to Joe Savage, president of the Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Council North America, up to 30 percent of households in a given community must subscribe to a fiber network for the system to begin making money. And it can be hard for budget-strapped municipalities to secure funding, requiring them to use tax money, borrow or partner with a for-profit investor.
However, Render, the market researcher, said he knows of no documented failures in what he considers a still-new phenomenon.
In Utah, the vitality of a network known as the UTOPIA project depends on its potential to grow and attract new customers, said Roger Black, the chief operating officer. Just six of the 14 communities behind the project are now being served by the superfast service, he said. The network must be built out for the others to be brought on, and Black said finding a lender delayed expansion plans by at least seven months. He expects construction can begin soon.
Typically, a municipality will own the infrastructure needed to run a fiber network, Render said. In some cases, a community will run its own system with customers paying the city directly. In other cases, a community essentially leases network space to a service provider that handles customer service and billing.
That's the approach Powell is pursuing. The city has entered an exclusive, six-year contract with regional carrier TCT of Basin, Wyo., to provide Internet, phone and cable over the network, City Administrator Zane Logan said. Now the city is seeking investors to buy $6 million in municipal bonds to build the network.
The dominant telecommunications providers in Powell argue this initiative is unfair and an example of government needlessly intruding in private enterprise: Representatives from both Qwest Communications International Inc. and Bresnan Communications say their companies already meet customers' demands with high-speed, high-quality services.
But Logan said the CityNet system would surpass the top speeds from those companies, offering 10 megabits per second for both uploads and downloads at an as-yet undermined price.
Bresnan recently increased its download speeds to 8 mbps for downloads in many of its markets across the Rocky Mountain region, but uploads remain as slow as 384 kilobits per second. That service costs $46 a month for Bresnan's cable customers, or can be bundled with phone and cable for $99 a month combined.
"There probably is some place in the country where it makes sense for a community to endeavor to do such a thing because there's a dearth of services there," said Jerold Lambert, associate general counsel for Bresnan. "It is hardly understandable or prudent for a community to do that where there's already an extended marketplace thriving in their community."
Lambert also suggested there may be "legal implications" related to the exclusive deal.
The city says both Qwest and Bresnan were invited to compete for the contract to run the system or, alternatively, to cut a deal to sell their own services over the new network.
Qwest and Bresnan each vow aggressive marketing in response to the city's planned network. Logan said he expects the Powell system "will be able to compete" for customers.
Construction of the network could begin this year if the necessary investors are lined up. The city isn't committing any money above the $125,000 it provided for a business plan, Logan said, and he expects the city will be reimbursed that cost.
Still, Logan is feeling the pressure: he said he brought the idea to build the network to the City Council late last year, and he's aggressively promoted it as a vital investment in Powell's future.
Potential customers seem interested. When businesses and prospective new residents call Sharon Earhardt at the local chamber of commerce, they often follow questions about schools and housing with questions about the city's Internet service: What does Powell have to offer? Is it fast?
Earhardt fills them in on the existing services and the fiber-optic plan. For people looking to relocate, she said, "technology will be our ticket."
Related Channels: FTTP, xDSL

Asia Netcom, Clara Online to partner on fast backbone connection
Asia Netcom and Japanese server hosting service company Clara Online will partner to provide a high-speed international backbone connection across its global internet infrastructure for enterprise customers. The new connection is designed to greatly enhance the reliability of Clara Online's network connection, enabling the company to offer better service performance and customer satisfaction to its customer base. Asia Netcom's regional IP backbone consists of over 30 Gbps of intra-Asia and trans-Pacific capacity.
Related Channels: WDM, xDSL, VoIP, Video

Deutsche Telekom's T-Com picks Ericsson's EDA
Ericsson has signed a frame agreement with Deutsche Telekom and its broadband/fixed-network business unit T-Com. T-Com will use Ericsson's cutting-edge EDA solution for the expansion of its German broadband network.
With EDA, Germany's leading fixed-network provider will bring its broadband services to areas where DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) has so far been unavailable. The rollout has already started for fiber-to-the-curb areas in Germany.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will deliver all nodes required for the different areas of the access network. Ericsson EDA will be completely integrated into the existing T-Com network architecture, allowing the operator to efficiently increase high-performance broadband coverage nationwide and increase speed up to 6Mbps.
Stefan Kindt, President, Ericsson Germany, says: "We are glad to support T-Com's expansion with fast broadband lines into regions where there is no access today. Our solution will also help T-Com to cut operating costs while maintaining the highest service quality."
Related Channels: FTTP, xDSL

Guangzhou Telecom upgrades DSL speed
Guangzhou Telecom, the Guangzhou branch of China Telecom, recently commissioned the upgraded ADSL business across the city, and some of Guangzhou Telecom's ADSL users can have their ADSL speed upgraded to 3M for free.
Specifically, of the users who began ADSL service from June 1 of this year, those who have contracted package service of monthly CNY200 for 2M ADSL for at least one year can get the 3M upgrade for free; and those contracted one year of monthly package of CNY 150 for 512K ADSL will have to pay an extra of CNY 50 each month to have the speed lift to 3M, according to Guangzhou Telecom, the local carrier in Guangzhou, capital city of southern Guangdong Province.
So far, China Telecom's Guangdong branch has completed the ADSL network upgrade in the entire province, by which its users can enjoy faster and smoother Internet access like broadband video, network game and download.
Related Channels: China, xDSL

Huawei ranks No.3 among the top 100 Chinese non-state-owned enterprises listed by the Chinese version of Forbes
The Chinese version of Forbes, a magazine that tracks the world's wealthy, has officially released a list of top Chinese enterprises, the first survey conducted by it on Chinese non-state-owned enterprises with annual sales revenues of more than CNY 5 million.
Among a total of 100 firms on the list, Legend Holdings Limited and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. rank among the top 3.
Legend Holdings heads the list with total assets of CNY 62.3 billion, sales revenues surging 107% to CNY 108.2 billion, and an above average profit of up to CNY 2.05 billion. The third one is Huawei, which has owned total assets of CNY 49 billion, sales revenues of CNY 40.5 billion with a growth of 39%, and a profit of CNY 4.07 billion coming to the fore.
Related Channels: China, Switching & Routing, WDM, VoIP, VPN, xDSL, Video, FTTP, Ethernet, Wireless, OSS/BSS, Security, Cable MSO, SDH/SONET, Storage

ECTA warns Germany's broadband growth could be in jeopardy
ECTA warns Germany's broadband growth could be in jeopardy unless the regulator ensures VDSL access is opened to competition.
Germany’s growth in broadband penetration, which currently stands at 14% and at the low end of the European Broadband League, could be in serious jeopardy if both the German government and telecoms regulator give in to the request from the incumbent, Deutsche Telekom, for a regulatory holiday on high-speed services based on vDSL technology, the European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA) warned Tuesday.
Steen Clausen, Managing Director of ECTA, said, “Unless the regulator also ensures vDSL access is opened to competition, Germany will end up with another monopoly just like the one that we have fought hard to dismantle since the market was liberalised in 1998.”
Related Channels: xDSL

City of New York awards AT&T major services and networking contract
AT&T announced Monday that the City of New York has awarded AT&T Inc. a major contract for telecommunications (local, long distance and networking) services for both the City's routine and critical data applications. The multi-year agreement, initially valued at $25 million, will enable AT&T to secure up to $100 million in business from the city's various agencies.
AT&T is one of only two carriers with which the City has negotiated a "master services contract" for the provision of such services, as a result of a competitive procurement process.
Under the contract, potentially one of the company's largest since the merger of SBC and AT&T, the City of New York will have the option to use AT&T local and long distance voice services, as well as AT&T data services. Agencies of the city's municipal government, as well as a substantial list of publicly funded cultural institutions (such as New York City's public libraries) and public authorities (such as public transportation agencies and public hospitals) can use the contract either to purchase new services or replace those being provided by other carriers.
The AT&T services provided under the contract will constitute a citywide network enhanced with technology that offers increased redundancy, reliability and security of critical data. All city agencies and other New York City- based government institutions, including mission-critical emergency services, hospitals, cultural sites, and libraries will -- if they choose to use such services -- have access to the AT&T network.
"We are pleased to strengthen our relationship with the City of New York by offering voice and data services throughout the city," said Forrest Miller, group president, AT&T. "AT&T's outstanding business continuity services will serve the agencies of New York well, and will enable the city to enhance the services provided to its residents and businesses.
"The vibrancy of the New York City government, including dozens of cultural institutions, schools, and parks, make this an assignment we are especially excited to tackle," added Miller.
Related Channels: VoIP, Security, xDSL

Cavium's technology enables cost-effective, high-performance SSL VPNs for SOHO, SME environments
California-based Cavium Networks, a world leader in security, network services and embedded processor solutions, Monday announced that NETGEAR, a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, has selected Cavium's NITROX Soho CN22X MIPS32® processor and SSL application toolkit to power the new NETGEAR ProSafe SSL VPN Concentrator for small to medium enterprises (SME). The NETGEAR ProSafe SSL VPN Concentrator provides secure, easy to use, multi- tunnel remote access connectivity for SME users without having to maintain IPsec VPNs or the accompanying client software. Cavium's NITROX Soho MIPS32 Broadband Communication processors have become the products of choice for OEM vendors delivering cost-effective, high-performance SOHO/SME gateways, routers and access points. Along with its OCTEON(TM) MIPS64® processors, Cavium Networks is enabling secure, intelligent functionality in a wide range of broadband and triple-play equipment for FTTX, Ethernet, xDSL, GPON/EPON, 802.11 a/b/g/n, VoIP and video applications.