LUXEMBOURG: Skype has recently launched of the new version of its iPhone application. Available to download from the Apple App Store today, this update allows iPhone users to make and receive Skype-to-Skype calls, and to call mobiles and landlines around the world at very low rates for the first time over their 3G data connection.
Skype-to-Skype calls on 3G will be free for a trial period which will run until the end of 2010.* Details of pricing will be announced in the coming months and will be in line with Skype's commitment to providing customers with great value. Skype-to-Skype calls over WiFi will still remain free.
“Using Skype on 3G has been the number one request among our iPhone customers. This new version is a great step towards enabling our customers to take and use Skype everywhere they go”, said Russ Shaw General Manager for Mobile, Skype. “Using Skype on iPhone without being restricted to the availability of a WiFi network will open up new ways for Skype customers to stay connected and make free or low-cost calls whenever they want, wherever they are in the world.”
“We have a group of young tennis players that are constantly travelling inside Spain and around the world. One of them is my daughter, she travels a lot and we use Skype to communicate because it’s easier, faster and cheaper. The change of having Skype on the mobile phone has been crucial for us. Before we had to look for a computer in the tennis clubs and hotels and it was a real problem because it was very difficult to find one,” said Alexei Starkov, the physical/fitness coach of the Federación de Tenis de Madrid.
“Tennis is an individual sport and when you travel by yourself at times you feel very lonely. Now with Skype for iPhone also allowing for calls over 3G you can call anytime and anywhere without having to find a WiFi spot.”
Additional new features of the Skype for iPhone application include:
* Near CD-quality sound for Skype-to-Skype calls using wideband audio on iPhone 3GS or 2nd generation iPod touch and onwards.
* Enhanced call quality indicator, which will help customers choose the best moment to call.
* Improved start-up time.
* Rapid access to the dial pad from the home screen.
* The new version is compatible with the iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch and iPad. Skype requires iPhone OS version 3.0 and above.
* Calling functionality is available on iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and 2nd generation iPod touch onwards. iPod touch requires a compatible headset with a microphone.
The Skype for iPhone application is available to download for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or Skype.
Monday, May 31, 2010
CapRock selects Alpheus for terrestrial connectivity requirements
HOUSTON, USA: CapRock Communications, a leading provider of satellite communications to harsh and remote environments, today announced it has selected Alpheus Communications’ complete suite of terrestrial connectivity services.
CapRock will leverage Alpheus’ SAS 70 Type II Audited Certified data centers and deep metro fiber footprint to provide reliable circuit access and supporting services to its clients.
“Our customers have voice and data traffic that needs to be transported to different points across the globe,” said CapRock CEO Peter Shaper. “We needed a partner that could not only support our Houston operations with a proven data center and extensive fiber optic network, but could also accommodate our worldwide requirements. This is where we see Alpheus excel. Alpheus is provider agnostic and manages connectivity to other providers seamlessly, delivering a true end-to-end service.”
Under the terms of the agreement, CapRock will leverage Alpheus’ connectivity, redundancy, colocation and interconnection services for all of its Houston teleport circuits and international connectivity. Previously, these services were provided by Alpheus as well as other providers.
“We’ve seen first-hand how responsive Alpheus is to our service requirements,” said CapRock COO Doug Tutt. “Our customers operate day and night and in different time zones so it’s important that our partners can also support us around the clock. With Alpheus’ 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC), we’ve always been able to speak with a knowledgeable expert when we need to.”
“Since 2005, we have built a strong partnership with CapRock,” said Paul Hobby, CEO of Alpheus Communications. “Wireless satellite communications and terrestrial fiber networks need each other to serve customers, so this is an excellent partnership. We are proud to have been selected by CapRock.”
CapRock will leverage Alpheus’ SAS 70 Type II Audited Certified data centers and deep metro fiber footprint to provide reliable circuit access and supporting services to its clients.
“Our customers have voice and data traffic that needs to be transported to different points across the globe,” said CapRock CEO Peter Shaper. “We needed a partner that could not only support our Houston operations with a proven data center and extensive fiber optic network, but could also accommodate our worldwide requirements. This is where we see Alpheus excel. Alpheus is provider agnostic and manages connectivity to other providers seamlessly, delivering a true end-to-end service.”
Under the terms of the agreement, CapRock will leverage Alpheus’ connectivity, redundancy, colocation and interconnection services for all of its Houston teleport circuits and international connectivity. Previously, these services were provided by Alpheus as well as other providers.
“We’ve seen first-hand how responsive Alpheus is to our service requirements,” said CapRock COO Doug Tutt. “Our customers operate day and night and in different time zones so it’s important that our partners can also support us around the clock. With Alpheus’ 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC), we’ve always been able to speak with a knowledgeable expert when we need to.”
“Since 2005, we have built a strong partnership with CapRock,” said Paul Hobby, CEO of Alpheus Communications. “Wireless satellite communications and terrestrial fiber networks need each other to serve customers, so this is an excellent partnership. We are proud to have been selected by CapRock.”
Middle East will surpass Europe in LTE early adoption
CAMBRIDGE, USA: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and UAE will pioneer Long Term Evolution (LTE) adoption in the Middle East as LTE penetration rate for these countries is expected to reach 11.8 percent, more than the projected Western European average of 7.7 percent, according to a new report from Pyramid Research.
In the Insider report LTE in the Middle East: Early Lessons From the Gulf Pioneers, Pyramid Research analyst Kerem Arsal examines the market criteria that will drive the early LTE deployments in the Middle East. By relating the driving factors to our forecasts for LTE adoption, it shows why certain markets are better positioned for growth than others in the region.
Arsal also investigates the obstacles that some Middle Eastern markets may face despite sharing some commonalities with the early adopters. To provide a closer look at the active dynamics, this report presents three case studies from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Turkey, which collectively comprise more than half of the total mobile service revenues in the region.
While the Middle East is a smaller market, it makes up the difference in its potential for growth. The Middle East's mobile data revenue growth of 34 percent for 2009 compares with only 7 percent for the same period in Western Europe, Arsal notes.
He said: "We expect LTE adoption in the region to reach 6.1 percent of all mobile subscriptions by 2014, due to strong growth of demand for data services, reliance on mobile rather than fixed access technologies, and the increasingly competitive approaches of the telecom regulators.
"Among the region's LTE pioneers - specifically Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain - we project LTE adoption to reach 11.1 percent of all subscriptions by 2014, which surpasses our forecast of a 7.7 percent LTE adoption rate in Western Europe."
Mobile data revenue growth is a result of the absence of strong fixed broadband infrastructure and/or sufficient fixed competition, giving favorable signals to the network operators that are considering LTE deployments in the region.
"Throughout the wealthier Gulf region, the absence of widespread fixed broadband infrastructure forced most subscribers to rely on mobile technologies for their Internet needs; as a result, some markets in the Middle East, particularly the Gulf area, have experienced huge leaps in mobile broadband demand," Arsal explained.
"These are the most suitable settings for LTE, which is likely to begin its life cycle with data cards and connectivity modems. In addition, wealthy Gulf nations have already developed much expertise in upgraded 3G networks; this will lead to a smoother transition to LTE."
In the Insider report LTE in the Middle East: Early Lessons From the Gulf Pioneers, Pyramid Research analyst Kerem Arsal examines the market criteria that will drive the early LTE deployments in the Middle East. By relating the driving factors to our forecasts for LTE adoption, it shows why certain markets are better positioned for growth than others in the region.
Arsal also investigates the obstacles that some Middle Eastern markets may face despite sharing some commonalities with the early adopters. To provide a closer look at the active dynamics, this report presents three case studies from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Turkey, which collectively comprise more than half of the total mobile service revenues in the region.
While the Middle East is a smaller market, it makes up the difference in its potential for growth. The Middle East's mobile data revenue growth of 34 percent for 2009 compares with only 7 percent for the same period in Western Europe, Arsal notes.
He said: "We expect LTE adoption in the region to reach 6.1 percent of all mobile subscriptions by 2014, due to strong growth of demand for data services, reliance on mobile rather than fixed access technologies, and the increasingly competitive approaches of the telecom regulators.
"Among the region's LTE pioneers - specifically Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain - we project LTE adoption to reach 11.1 percent of all subscriptions by 2014, which surpasses our forecast of a 7.7 percent LTE adoption rate in Western Europe."
Mobile data revenue growth is a result of the absence of strong fixed broadband infrastructure and/or sufficient fixed competition, giving favorable signals to the network operators that are considering LTE deployments in the region.
"Throughout the wealthier Gulf region, the absence of widespread fixed broadband infrastructure forced most subscribers to rely on mobile technologies for their Internet needs; as a result, some markets in the Middle East, particularly the Gulf area, have experienced huge leaps in mobile broadband demand," Arsal explained.
"These are the most suitable settings for LTE, which is likely to begin its life cycle with data cards and connectivity modems. In addition, wealthy Gulf nations have already developed much expertise in upgraded 3G networks; this will lead to a smoother transition to LTE."
Verizon Wireless, LG Mobile Phones turn the world into your corner office
LITTLE ROCK, USA: Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics MobileComm USA Inc. (LG Mobile Phones), announced that the LG Fathom will be available online and in Communications Stores beginning June 3.
The ultimate on-the-go office, the LG Fathom redefines productivity with Windows Phone power, stylish design and smart global capabilities for making voice calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in 200 countries, 110 with 3G speeds.
Key features:
* Sleek slate blue case takes customers from Monday meetings to Friday outings.
* Large 3.2" touch screen with Improved Touch Experience and vibration for tactile feedback.
* 1 GHz processor.
* Full slide-out QWERTY keyboard with simultaneous touch screen capabilities.
* microSD slot for up to 16 GB of memory.
* Wi-Fi enabled (802.11 b/g/n).
* Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities with support for the following profiles: headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, stereo, phone book access, basic printing, basic imaging, object push for vCard and vCalendar, file transfer, and serial port.
* Built-in MP3 and WMA music player with music library, repeat and shuffle features, as well as stereo sound via headset or Bluetooth.
* Windows Media Player 10 Mobile and video player for WMV, MP4, and 3GP formats
USB mass storage for file transfer between microSD card and PC.
* One-touch speaker phone and speaker-independent voice commands.
* Text-to-speech and voice-activated dialing for up to 4,000 entries.
The ultimate on-the-go office, the LG Fathom redefines productivity with Windows Phone power, stylish design and smart global capabilities for making voice calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in 200 countries, 110 with 3G speeds.
Key features:
* Sleek slate blue case takes customers from Monday meetings to Friday outings.
* Large 3.2" touch screen with Improved Touch Experience and vibration for tactile feedback.
* 1 GHz processor.
* Full slide-out QWERTY keyboard with simultaneous touch screen capabilities.
* microSD slot for up to 16 GB of memory.
* Wi-Fi enabled (802.11 b/g/n).
* Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities with support for the following profiles: headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, stereo, phone book access, basic printing, basic imaging, object push for vCard and vCalendar, file transfer, and serial port.
* Built-in MP3 and WMA music player with music library, repeat and shuffle features, as well as stereo sound via headset or Bluetooth.
* Windows Media Player 10 Mobile and video player for WMV, MP4, and 3GP formats
USB mass storage for file transfer between microSD card and PC.
* One-touch speaker phone and speaker-independent voice commands.
* Text-to-speech and voice-activated dialing for up to 4,000 entries.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
China Digital TV wins satellite TV contract in Venezuela
BEIJING, CHINA: China Digital TV Holding Co. Ltd, a leading provider of conditional access systems to China's expanding digital television market, has entered into a contract with CANTV, the leading integrated telecommunication service provider in Venezuela, to install various systems and solutions on CANTV's direct-to-home (DTH) satellite platform.
CANTV is the largest integrated telecom operator in Venezuela and has been developing its IPTV services since 2009, expecting to deliver IPTV beta tests in 2010.
China Digital TV has been engaged to install a conditional access (CA) system, a subscriber management system (SMS), and electronic program guides (EPGs) on CANTV's DTH satellite platform to enhance the operator's IPTV network.
The DTH platform is expected to begin beta testing in the third quarter of 2010 and be fully operational in early 2011. It is expected to cover the entire territory of Venezuela, servicing more than 600,000 paying subscribers by 2015.
Tracy Yue, general manager of China Digital TV's overseas business, said: "We are delighted to win our first contract in Latin America, which shows the solid progress we are making in overseas market expansion. This encouraging achievement also demonstrates the strong demand for China Digital TV's products and services in emerging markets. We will continuously optimize our solutions during the implementation process according to the needs of CANTV, and assist CANTV to enhance its competitiveness in Venezuela's emerging pay-TV market."
Alfredo Munoz, manager of multimedia operations at CANTV added, "We are excited to partner with China Digital TV, whose solutions have demonstrated great success in China, the world's largest TV market by viewership. China Digital TV's excellent security technology, anti-piracy solutions, and high-quality service enjoy a high reputation among industry players in the China market. We are very confident in our partner's ability to provide the advanced technologies and solutions necessary for the success of our groundbreaking DTH project."
CANTV is the largest integrated telecom operator in Venezuela and has been developing its IPTV services since 2009, expecting to deliver IPTV beta tests in 2010.
China Digital TV has been engaged to install a conditional access (CA) system, a subscriber management system (SMS), and electronic program guides (EPGs) on CANTV's DTH satellite platform to enhance the operator's IPTV network.
The DTH platform is expected to begin beta testing in the third quarter of 2010 and be fully operational in early 2011. It is expected to cover the entire territory of Venezuela, servicing more than 600,000 paying subscribers by 2015.
Tracy Yue, general manager of China Digital TV's overseas business, said: "We are delighted to win our first contract in Latin America, which shows the solid progress we are making in overseas market expansion. This encouraging achievement also demonstrates the strong demand for China Digital TV's products and services in emerging markets. We will continuously optimize our solutions during the implementation process according to the needs of CANTV, and assist CANTV to enhance its competitiveness in Venezuela's emerging pay-TV market."
Alfredo Munoz, manager of multimedia operations at CANTV added, "We are excited to partner with China Digital TV, whose solutions have demonstrated great success in China, the world's largest TV market by viewership. China Digital TV's excellent security technology, anti-piracy solutions, and high-quality service enjoy a high reputation among industry players in the China market. We are very confident in our partner's ability to provide the advanced technologies and solutions necessary for the success of our groundbreaking DTH project."
Friday, May 28, 2010
Fourth generation mobile phone technology to overtake 3G services
NEW DELHI, INDIA: Pass over 3G, the Fourth Generation mobile phone technology, better known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) is already here. “It is not why LTE, but when and how?” says Subodh Kumar, Telecom Additional Secretary.
LTE standardised by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has emerged as the next generation wireless technology that will lead the growth of mobile broadband services later in this decade.
Its adoption by service providers around the world has the potential to generate economies of scale unprecedented by any previous generation of wireless networking technology as it becomes the universal 4G mobile platform used by both GSM and CDMA service providers, the technology experts claimed today at India's first conference on LTE -- LTE INDIA 2010.
“Quite a lot of spectrum for this is possibily available for this purpose,” Subodh Kumar said. “If it is not now, certainly later” he added discussing different bands in which Fourth Generation technology could improve upon the customer richness of 3G and reduce costs for the 3G operators.
The Fourth Generation is on offer globally by 64 telecom service providers in 31 countries, said Mr.Adrian Scrase, head of Mobile Competence Centre of the 3G Partnership Project(3GPP). Most of them are the largest in the world, like Verizon of US and China Mobile. Some 22 LTE based networks would be operational by the end of this year, he added. “Why should India be different?” was the question he proposed.
How would LTE serve the mobile telecom industry was defined at the conference. Also, there should be no apprehension for the 3G operators who have offered in this country Rs. 70,000 crores for the 3G spectrum.
“3G is part of the Fourth Generation” that would subserve 3G also, said Abhay Savargaonkar, senior vice-president, 3G networks, Bharti Airtel. It improves richness of customer experience, reduces cost per megabit and also increases average revenue per user for the operator. For customers, it would bring down cost per bit for heavy users. It would be essential as the “on demand culture” was spreading fast. There were 1.5 billion Apple users, 100 billion You Tube customers, 245 billion Yahoo fans and 413 million Google key-ins at any moment and this was spreading fast-that gave an idea of the bandwidth that would be needed in future. LTE provided the answer.
LTE would enable reuse of 2G/3G spectrum promoting efficient roll out and reduce costs by more than 50 percent for 3G networks. It would also reduce latency by a factor of 2 to 3 and enable networks to be optimized for efficient roll-out, said Savargaonkar. Due to all round advantages for the user, operator and equipment provider, the “chase for LTE is on” he added.
“LTE is shaping the future,” according to Vineet Agarwal, head of business development, Nokia Siemens Networks. How that future would appear, could be seen from the projection that by 2015, 6.3 billion people will be downloading digital books every day, 50 percent on laptops and the other 50 percent on small devices like mobile phones.
The demand on laptop capacity would go up by 1,000 percent and on small devices by 10,000 percent. LTE would enable a 1GB file to be downloaded in your laptop quickly or upload a 500 MB file is less than minute through your mobile device or regular monitoring of health condition and send updates to your doctor's monitoring system. “The average bandwidth per subscriber is expected to grow more than ten fold with LTE over 3G networks”, he said.
A Nokia-Siemens executive claimed that the networks for LTE made by his company would need 70 percent less hardware, generate 55 percent in energy savings, 25 percent less site costs and boost the service experience.
Dr. Sandeep Sibal, country manager of Qualcomm India, pointed out that LTE would be ”future proofing” 3G networks and that 3G eco system was “committed to LTE”.
“It is right time for LTE in India,” according to Anil Tandon, CTO, Idea Cellular. However, he cautioned that though the equipment might be available, “developing the eco-system would take time.” One reason was that in India, voice was dominant in mobile phones, while it was data in Europe.
“The shift from voice to data will take time” he added. “You cannot skip a generation” he told the LTE fans. “It would take next four to five years for the right eco-system for LTE to develop.” The mass market for data was a basic requirement for LTE to be profitable. LTE would be very useful in a country like India where spectrum is a very scarce resource. “A strong lead from India is needed for most efficient spectrum use like 900 MHz band re-farming,” he underlined.
LTE standardised by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has emerged as the next generation wireless technology that will lead the growth of mobile broadband services later in this decade.
Its adoption by service providers around the world has the potential to generate economies of scale unprecedented by any previous generation of wireless networking technology as it becomes the universal 4G mobile platform used by both GSM and CDMA service providers, the technology experts claimed today at India's first conference on LTE -- LTE INDIA 2010.
“Quite a lot of spectrum for this is possibily available for this purpose,” Subodh Kumar said. “If it is not now, certainly later” he added discussing different bands in which Fourth Generation technology could improve upon the customer richness of 3G and reduce costs for the 3G operators.
The Fourth Generation is on offer globally by 64 telecom service providers in 31 countries, said Mr.Adrian Scrase, head of Mobile Competence Centre of the 3G Partnership Project(3GPP). Most of them are the largest in the world, like Verizon of US and China Mobile. Some 22 LTE based networks would be operational by the end of this year, he added. “Why should India be different?” was the question he proposed.
How would LTE serve the mobile telecom industry was defined at the conference. Also, there should be no apprehension for the 3G operators who have offered in this country Rs. 70,000 crores for the 3G spectrum.
“3G is part of the Fourth Generation” that would subserve 3G also, said Abhay Savargaonkar, senior vice-president, 3G networks, Bharti Airtel. It improves richness of customer experience, reduces cost per megabit and also increases average revenue per user for the operator. For customers, it would bring down cost per bit for heavy users. It would be essential as the “on demand culture” was spreading fast. There were 1.5 billion Apple users, 100 billion You Tube customers, 245 billion Yahoo fans and 413 million Google key-ins at any moment and this was spreading fast-that gave an idea of the bandwidth that would be needed in future. LTE provided the answer.
LTE would enable reuse of 2G/3G spectrum promoting efficient roll out and reduce costs by more than 50 percent for 3G networks. It would also reduce latency by a factor of 2 to 3 and enable networks to be optimized for efficient roll-out, said Savargaonkar. Due to all round advantages for the user, operator and equipment provider, the “chase for LTE is on” he added.
“LTE is shaping the future,” according to Vineet Agarwal, head of business development, Nokia Siemens Networks. How that future would appear, could be seen from the projection that by 2015, 6.3 billion people will be downloading digital books every day, 50 percent on laptops and the other 50 percent on small devices like mobile phones.
The demand on laptop capacity would go up by 1,000 percent and on small devices by 10,000 percent. LTE would enable a 1GB file to be downloaded in your laptop quickly or upload a 500 MB file is less than minute through your mobile device or regular monitoring of health condition and send updates to your doctor's monitoring system. “The average bandwidth per subscriber is expected to grow more than ten fold with LTE over 3G networks”, he said.
A Nokia-Siemens executive claimed that the networks for LTE made by his company would need 70 percent less hardware, generate 55 percent in energy savings, 25 percent less site costs and boost the service experience.
Dr. Sandeep Sibal, country manager of Qualcomm India, pointed out that LTE would be ”future proofing” 3G networks and that 3G eco system was “committed to LTE”.
“It is right time for LTE in India,” according to Anil Tandon, CTO, Idea Cellular. However, he cautioned that though the equipment might be available, “developing the eco-system would take time.” One reason was that in India, voice was dominant in mobile phones, while it was data in Europe.
“The shift from voice to data will take time” he added. “You cannot skip a generation” he told the LTE fans. “It would take next four to five years for the right eco-system for LTE to develop.” The mass market for data was a basic requirement for LTE to be profitable. LTE would be very useful in a country like India where spectrum is a very scarce resource. “A strong lead from India is needed for most efficient spectrum use like 900 MHz band re-farming,” he underlined.
Andrew upgrades GeoLENs location platform with new enhancements
BANGALORE, INDIA: Andrew Solutions, the CommScope, Inc., division that is a global leader in wireless communications systems and products, has added powerful new capabilities in Version 10 of its versatile GeoLENs mobile location center (MLC), the all-inclusive yet flexible system platform of its GeoLENs wireless and wireline location solution.
“Location is increasingly considered to be a value-add in wireless networks, and we see no abatement in this trend,” said John Baker, vice president and general manager, Network Solutions, Andrew.
“Demand for accurate and consistent location information is rising with the increased use of navigation, social networking, and points of interest applications. GeoLENs MLC 10 helps wireless operators control bandwidth use and prepares them to meet growing demand while retaining the ability to effectively support emergency calling needs.”
With Version 10, Andrew’s GeoLENs MLC increases in processing capacity by several orders of magnitude. MLC 10 also gives operators the tools to monetize their investment in location infrastructure, enabling greater control over access to the network’s location resources. Additional features help improve the performance of Assisted-GPS (A-GPS) for E-911 applications.
“GeoLENs MLC 10 gives operators the flexibility to add or refocus their location system as their needs change and as market directions clarify, whether for commercial or emergency applications or both,” said Baker. “While other vendors offer operators a system with one or two locating techniques, Andrew offers an all-inclusive, flexible system that is designed to provide the location capacity, throughput and support necessary for present and future applications.”
Andrew’s GeoLENs MLC 10 is a complete location system that supports both gateway and serving functions for emergency, value added, and security LBS. Andrew believes GeoLENs supports the widest range of positioning capabilities available from a single vendor, individually or in combination and on a common platform, including handset-based, network-based, and hybrid locating technologies for 2G and 3G access—specifically, cell identity (CID), A-GPS, enhanced-CID (E-CID), uplink time difference of arrival (U-TDOA) on the traffic channel, multiple range estimation location (MREL) and angle of arrival (AOA).
“The extended capacity that the platform offers coupled with the functional completeness enables operators to consolidate all location functions for the entire network onto a single GeoLENs MLC. This directly translates into significant CapEx and OpEx savings for operators,” said Baker.
The operational and diagnostic enhancements in MLC 10 and the additional key features are designed to enhance operators’ value-added location-based service offerings in addition to improving the yield and performance of critical emergency services such as E-911.
“Location is increasingly considered to be a value-add in wireless networks, and we see no abatement in this trend,” said John Baker, vice president and general manager, Network Solutions, Andrew.
“Demand for accurate and consistent location information is rising with the increased use of navigation, social networking, and points of interest applications. GeoLENs MLC 10 helps wireless operators control bandwidth use and prepares them to meet growing demand while retaining the ability to effectively support emergency calling needs.”
With Version 10, Andrew’s GeoLENs MLC increases in processing capacity by several orders of magnitude. MLC 10 also gives operators the tools to monetize their investment in location infrastructure, enabling greater control over access to the network’s location resources. Additional features help improve the performance of Assisted-GPS (A-GPS) for E-911 applications.
“GeoLENs MLC 10 gives operators the flexibility to add or refocus their location system as their needs change and as market directions clarify, whether for commercial or emergency applications or both,” said Baker. “While other vendors offer operators a system with one or two locating techniques, Andrew offers an all-inclusive, flexible system that is designed to provide the location capacity, throughput and support necessary for present and future applications.”
Andrew’s GeoLENs MLC 10 is a complete location system that supports both gateway and serving functions for emergency, value added, and security LBS. Andrew believes GeoLENs supports the widest range of positioning capabilities available from a single vendor, individually or in combination and on a common platform, including handset-based, network-based, and hybrid locating technologies for 2G and 3G access—specifically, cell identity (CID), A-GPS, enhanced-CID (E-CID), uplink time difference of arrival (U-TDOA) on the traffic channel, multiple range estimation location (MREL) and angle of arrival (AOA).
“The extended capacity that the platform offers coupled with the functional completeness enables operators to consolidate all location functions for the entire network onto a single GeoLENs MLC. This directly translates into significant CapEx and OpEx savings for operators,” said Baker.
The operational and diagnostic enhancements in MLC 10 and the additional key features are designed to enhance operators’ value-added location-based service offerings in addition to improving the yield and performance of critical emergency services such as E-911.
RFMD intros fully tested WiMAX power amplifier
ANAHEIM, USA: RF Micro Devices Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance radio frequency components and compound semiconductor technologies, today announced the availability of the RF5633, a WiMAX 3.3 GHz - 3.8 GHz power amplifier IC.
The RF5633 is optimized for WiMAX systems, however it can be designed into multiple applications, including customer premises equipment (CPE), gateways, access points, wireless infrastructure, and WiFi-based wireless high definition interface (WHDI) for wireless video distribution networks.
The RF5633 integrates a 3-stage PA and power detector in an industry-leading 4mm x 4mm QFN package, significantly minimizing design-in footprint requirements. Additionally, the RF5633 works from a standard 5V supply, eliminating the need for additional power supplies and enhancing ease of use for product development engineers.
The RF5633 is also fully DC and RF tested, including EVM at the rated output power, maximizing application yields and accelerating time-to-market. The RF5633 features InGaP HBT semiconductor technology and is packaged in a leadless chip carrier with a backside ground.
The RF5633 delivers EVM of 2.5% with an output power of 28dBm in the 3.4 GHz - 3.6GHz frequency range, or 27dBm in the 3.6 - 3.8GHz frequency range. The bias of the PA may be controlled to accommodate a 22dB gain step to increase the dynamic range of the system.
The RF5633 offers high gain of 34dB and high linear output power, with best-in-class efficiency. The RF5633 maintains linearity over a wide range of temperatures and power outputs while the external match enables tuning for output power over multiple bands. The RF5633 also features internal input and inter-stage matching, a power-down mode and power detection.
The RF5633 offers global customers a broadly applicable power amplifier IC featuring the powerful combination of industry-leading RF performance with best-in-class product size and superior ease of use.
The RF5633 is optimized for WiMAX systems, however it can be designed into multiple applications, including customer premises equipment (CPE), gateways, access points, wireless infrastructure, and WiFi-based wireless high definition interface (WHDI) for wireless video distribution networks.
The RF5633 integrates a 3-stage PA and power detector in an industry-leading 4mm x 4mm QFN package, significantly minimizing design-in footprint requirements. Additionally, the RF5633 works from a standard 5V supply, eliminating the need for additional power supplies and enhancing ease of use for product development engineers.
The RF5633 is also fully DC and RF tested, including EVM at the rated output power, maximizing application yields and accelerating time-to-market. The RF5633 features InGaP HBT semiconductor technology and is packaged in a leadless chip carrier with a backside ground.
The RF5633 delivers EVM of 2.5% with an output power of 28dBm in the 3.4 GHz - 3.6GHz frequency range, or 27dBm in the 3.6 - 3.8GHz frequency range. The bias of the PA may be controlled to accommodate a 22dB gain step to increase the dynamic range of the system.
The RF5633 offers high gain of 34dB and high linear output power, with best-in-class efficiency. The RF5633 maintains linearity over a wide range of temperatures and power outputs while the external match enables tuning for output power over multiple bands. The RF5633 also features internal input and inter-stage matching, a power-down mode and power detection.
The RF5633 offers global customers a broadly applicable power amplifier IC featuring the powerful combination of industry-leading RF performance with best-in-class product size and superior ease of use.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Teleca India inaugurates new 400-seater design center in Bangalore
MALMO, SWEDEN & BANGALORE, INDIA: Teleca, a world-leading supplier of solutions and services to the mobile industry announced that it will be inaugurating its new 400 seat facility in Bangalore on May 27.
Since commencement of commercial operations opening in India in January 2009, the company has grown exponentially, gaining many blue-chip customer wins along the way. Teleca has already moved into its new facility in the Salarpuria Hallmark center in Bangalore, and will now officially inaugurate the office at a ceremony on May 27. Among the 40 or more guests will be prominent members of the International Mobile Infrastructure, and the Swedish Ambassador to India, His Excellency Lars-Olof Lindgren.
The location of the new office is important for Teleca as it puts the company within eight kilometres of many of their blue-chip international customers.
“Moving into these premises is a strategic move to help us better serve our customers and grow others,” says Vividh Baru, director and head of sales for India, at Teleca. “We have quickly developed into a key provider of mobile solutions for many of these companies, successfully completing projects in application development for operating systems that include iPhone, RIM, PalmOS, Windows Mobile, Android and Symbian.
"We are also widely known as a Center of Excellence in multimedia and for our expertise in testing, building and releasing all forms of mobile software. We are now over 300 engineers doing our utmost to help our customers. We plan to expand our client footprint in India by leveraging our wireless domain expertise to build new relationships across MNC R&D captives, media/content customers and operators."
“Our vision for Teleca India is to establish a full design center offering end-to-end solutions spanning the entire mobile internet value chain," says Anette Gregow, SVP Marketing and Communications.
"Inaugurating this new facility shows the mobile development community in India – and the world – that we are well on the way to realizing our vision. Through our new center in Bangalore we can carry on with the work of making our customers more successful through the innovative solutions we offer.”
Since commencement of commercial operations opening in India in January 2009, the company has grown exponentially, gaining many blue-chip customer wins along the way. Teleca has already moved into its new facility in the Salarpuria Hallmark center in Bangalore, and will now officially inaugurate the office at a ceremony on May 27. Among the 40 or more guests will be prominent members of the International Mobile Infrastructure, and the Swedish Ambassador to India, His Excellency Lars-Olof Lindgren.
The location of the new office is important for Teleca as it puts the company within eight kilometres of many of their blue-chip international customers.
“Moving into these premises is a strategic move to help us better serve our customers and grow others,” says Vividh Baru, director and head of sales for India, at Teleca. “We have quickly developed into a key provider of mobile solutions for many of these companies, successfully completing projects in application development for operating systems that include iPhone, RIM, PalmOS, Windows Mobile, Android and Symbian.
"We are also widely known as a Center of Excellence in multimedia and for our expertise in testing, building and releasing all forms of mobile software. We are now over 300 engineers doing our utmost to help our customers. We plan to expand our client footprint in India by leveraging our wireless domain expertise to build new relationships across MNC R&D captives, media/content customers and operators."
“Our vision for Teleca India is to establish a full design center offering end-to-end solutions spanning the entire mobile internet value chain," says Anette Gregow, SVP Marketing and Communications.
"Inaugurating this new facility shows the mobile development community in India – and the world – that we are well on the way to realizing our vision. Through our new center in Bangalore we can carry on with the work of making our customers more successful through the innovative solutions we offer.”
Data loss menace escalates with consumerization of IT
BANGALORE, INDIA: Symantec Corp. has released the findings of its study on Enterprise Security Survey 2010 - Millennial Mobile Workforce & Data Loss.
The study reveals that with the adoption of web-based tools, smart mobile devices and portable storage, “the office” can be anywhere. The resulting mobile workforce, coupled with growing heterogeneity of enterprise IT environments, increases the threat of losing sensitive data.
According to the report, 59 percent of Indian enterprises feel employee-owned endpoints compromise security, and 42 percent have lost confidential or proprietary data in the past. While security is a concern, many enterprises are unprotected and unprepared for the threats to information from Consumerization of IT.
“Access to unlimited information and the presence of collaborative tools in the business environment is enormously empowering. But, it can easily manifest rogue business processes that violate regulations resulting in loss of sensitive data,” Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, Symantec India.
“Enterprises require a clear understanding about where their sensitive data resides and how it is being used if they wish to reduce their risk of data breaches. There is an urgent need to ensure the highest level of risk reduction to automatically enforce compliance with data security policies and enable enterprises to change employee behavior.”
Study Highlights
Enterprise IT is increasingly becoming consumerized
The official use of consumer technology such as social networking, instant messaging and blogs has become prevalent in Indian enterprises. However, enterprises are not adequately protected. The study reveals that 82 percent of Indian enterprises use Facebook, while 54 percent officially use web-based consumer email and 62 percent use blogs. Additionally, 46 percent of Indian enterprises use microblogging tools, 69 percent use Google Talk and 61 percent use Yahoo Messenger.
The biggest concern was around the use of instant messaging (IM) , with 57 percent of respondents rating IM as a major security threat. Social media is being increasingly used in business for collaboration and communication. Yet, 54 percent of CIOs and CISOs considered social networking sites to be a serious threat to their security. Fifty percent of Indian enterprises revealed that web-based email presented a high security threat as well.
However, 69 percent of respondents indicated that they did not feel sufficiently protected while using blogs, followed by social networking sites (50 percent), microblogs (47 percent), web-based consumer email (44 percent and instant messaging (42 percent). Interestingly, while most enterprises were concerned about the threats of instant messaging tools, the least number of respondents feel protected while using this technology.
Employees are accessing information from more locations and devices
Workforces are rapidly growing in geographically diverse locations and employees often work outside the corporate networks. Given this, Indian enterprises are encouraging employees to access, modify and disseminate information – often stored on the cloud – using their own devices.
While the use of Windows-based laptops are growing in 77 percent of Indian enterprises, the number of smartphones connecting to the network is increasing in 73 percent of the respondent enterprises. This was followed by PDAs (54 percent) and Mac-based laptops (51 percent).
Cloud computing is a major factor enabling employees to access data through their personal devices and from remote locations. However, 23 percent of respondents feel cloud computing increases the risk of losing data, and 27 percent feel it makes it harder to prevent/react to data loss.
As enterprise IT becomes more heterogeneous, data loss threats increase
Consumerization of IT, the use of employee-owned endpoints and the consequent diversity of enterprise IT, poses a security challenge for enterprises. While just 4 percent of respondents were not concerned about the threat of data loss, the Indian enterprises are not adequately equipped to protect their information, leaving them vulnerable to data breaches, especially from inside.
The study reveals that Indian enterprises perceive malicious insiders (61 percent), well-meaning insiders (50 percent) and former employees (50 percent) as threat to sensitive information.
Recommendations
Effective data loss prevention (DLP) establishes repeatable processes and procedures that reduce the risk of data exposure throughout an enterprise. Enterprises should have a sustainable DLP program that allows them to measurably reduce risk of a data breach, demonstrate regulatory compliance and safeguard customer privacy, brand equity and intellectual property.
Comprehensive, long-term, sustainable DLP is based on:
Threat coverage
Information has to be protected wherever it resides, whether at-rest, in-motion or in-use. This requires control points at multiple tiers (i.e., endpoint, gateway, network, back-end databases). Further enhanced compatibility with a cloud environment and Web 2.0 sites provides a more transparent Web experience for end-users that seamlessly prevents data exposure.
Data ownership
DLP should help enterprises identify their most critical information and enable simplified data clean-up and remediation through automated data owner identification. Besides continuous monitoring and auditing of data usage DLP needs to ensure adherence with corporate policies and regulatory compliance.
Business process integration
DLP must be incorporated into an organization’s overall business process so that it is viewed as a business necessity, aligned with strategic goals, compliance requirements and risk management.
Risk reduction measurement
Enterprises should define achievable and measurable goals and then regularly review progress against them and hold business leaders accountable for meeting them.
The study reveals that with the adoption of web-based tools, smart mobile devices and portable storage, “the office” can be anywhere. The resulting mobile workforce, coupled with growing heterogeneity of enterprise IT environments, increases the threat of losing sensitive data.
According to the report, 59 percent of Indian enterprises feel employee-owned endpoints compromise security, and 42 percent have lost confidential or proprietary data in the past. While security is a concern, many enterprises are unprotected and unprepared for the threats to information from Consumerization of IT.
“Access to unlimited information and the presence of collaborative tools in the business environment is enormously empowering. But, it can easily manifest rogue business processes that violate regulations resulting in loss of sensitive data,” Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, Symantec India.
“Enterprises require a clear understanding about where their sensitive data resides and how it is being used if they wish to reduce their risk of data breaches. There is an urgent need to ensure the highest level of risk reduction to automatically enforce compliance with data security policies and enable enterprises to change employee behavior.”
Study Highlights
Enterprise IT is increasingly becoming consumerized
The official use of consumer technology such as social networking, instant messaging and blogs has become prevalent in Indian enterprises. However, enterprises are not adequately protected. The study reveals that 82 percent of Indian enterprises use Facebook, while 54 percent officially use web-based consumer email and 62 percent use blogs. Additionally, 46 percent of Indian enterprises use microblogging tools, 69 percent use Google Talk and 61 percent use Yahoo Messenger.
The biggest concern was around the use of instant messaging (IM) , with 57 percent of respondents rating IM as a major security threat. Social media is being increasingly used in business for collaboration and communication. Yet, 54 percent of CIOs and CISOs considered social networking sites to be a serious threat to their security. Fifty percent of Indian enterprises revealed that web-based email presented a high security threat as well.
However, 69 percent of respondents indicated that they did not feel sufficiently protected while using blogs, followed by social networking sites (50 percent), microblogs (47 percent), web-based consumer email (44 percent and instant messaging (42 percent). Interestingly, while most enterprises were concerned about the threats of instant messaging tools, the least number of respondents feel protected while using this technology.
Employees are accessing information from more locations and devices
Workforces are rapidly growing in geographically diverse locations and employees often work outside the corporate networks. Given this, Indian enterprises are encouraging employees to access, modify and disseminate information – often stored on the cloud – using their own devices.
While the use of Windows-based laptops are growing in 77 percent of Indian enterprises, the number of smartphones connecting to the network is increasing in 73 percent of the respondent enterprises. This was followed by PDAs (54 percent) and Mac-based laptops (51 percent).
Cloud computing is a major factor enabling employees to access data through their personal devices and from remote locations. However, 23 percent of respondents feel cloud computing increases the risk of losing data, and 27 percent feel it makes it harder to prevent/react to data loss.
As enterprise IT becomes more heterogeneous, data loss threats increase
Consumerization of IT, the use of employee-owned endpoints and the consequent diversity of enterprise IT, poses a security challenge for enterprises. While just 4 percent of respondents were not concerned about the threat of data loss, the Indian enterprises are not adequately equipped to protect their information, leaving them vulnerable to data breaches, especially from inside.
The study reveals that Indian enterprises perceive malicious insiders (61 percent), well-meaning insiders (50 percent) and former employees (50 percent) as threat to sensitive information.
Recommendations
Effective data loss prevention (DLP) establishes repeatable processes and procedures that reduce the risk of data exposure throughout an enterprise. Enterprises should have a sustainable DLP program that allows them to measurably reduce risk of a data breach, demonstrate regulatory compliance and safeguard customer privacy, brand equity and intellectual property.
Comprehensive, long-term, sustainable DLP is based on:
Threat coverage
Information has to be protected wherever it resides, whether at-rest, in-motion or in-use. This requires control points at multiple tiers (i.e., endpoint, gateway, network, back-end databases). Further enhanced compatibility with a cloud environment and Web 2.0 sites provides a more transparent Web experience for end-users that seamlessly prevents data exposure.
Data ownership
DLP should help enterprises identify their most critical information and enable simplified data clean-up and remediation through automated data owner identification. Besides continuous monitoring and auditing of data usage DLP needs to ensure adherence with corporate policies and regulatory compliance.
Business process integration
DLP must be incorporated into an organization’s overall business process so that it is viewed as a business necessity, aligned with strategic goals, compliance requirements and risk management.
Risk reduction measurement
Enterprises should define achievable and measurable goals and then regularly review progress against them and hold business leaders accountable for meeting them.
CDMA Certification Forum to address importance of device testing and certification at 2010 CDMA World Forum
USA: The CDMA Certification Forum (CCF) will be presenting a topic focus session about "Testing and Certification" of CDMA2000 handsets and devices at the 2010 CDMA World Forum.
CCF President and CEO Thomas Erickson will highlight the increasing demands being put on operator networks due to the rapidly-growing number of sophisticated CDMA2000 devices and embedded modules. Only an extensive and rigorous testing and certification process will ensure ideal handset performance, maximized network capacity and an optimal end-user experience.
Erickson will provide a detailed outline of the CCF's industry-recognized device testing and certification process, endorsed by the CDMA Development Group (CDG). He will discuss the risks that operators and manufacturers take by not testing, and clearly define the value that each stands to gain by utilizing one of the tiered device certification options offered by the CCF.
The CDMA Certification Forum (CCF) is a partnership of CDMA vendors and operators worldwide that has established and maintains a single core global device certification process. The CCF process allows quick and affordable certification of devices so they meet prescribed international performance requirements. This process improves quality through consistent interoperability, signaling conformance, and performance testing.
CCF President and CEO Thomas Erickson will highlight the increasing demands being put on operator networks due to the rapidly-growing number of sophisticated CDMA2000 devices and embedded modules. Only an extensive and rigorous testing and certification process will ensure ideal handset performance, maximized network capacity and an optimal end-user experience.
Erickson will provide a detailed outline of the CCF's industry-recognized device testing and certification process, endorsed by the CDMA Development Group (CDG). He will discuss the risks that operators and manufacturers take by not testing, and clearly define the value that each stands to gain by utilizing one of the tiered device certification options offered by the CCF.
The CDMA Certification Forum (CCF) is a partnership of CDMA vendors and operators worldwide that has established and maintains a single core global device certification process. The CCF process allows quick and affordable certification of devices so they meet prescribed international performance requirements. This process improves quality through consistent interoperability, signaling conformance, and performance testing.
Ciena extends capabilities of industry-leading carrier Ethernet service delivery portfolio
LINTHICUM, USA: Ciena Corp., the network specialist, has introduced the CN 5150 Service Aggregation Switch, the latest addition to its Carrier Ethernet Service Delivery (CESD) portfolio.
The CN 5150 sets a new benchmark for versatile, carrier-grade service delivery with its ability to provide scalable subscriber capacity and deterministic Ethernet behavior while operating in controlled or uncontrolled temperature environments.
It offers customers a flexible, cost-efficient network solution to support highly reliable wireless backhaul, Ethernet business service aggregation and delivery, and multi-purpose Carrier Ethernet-based infrastructures.
“Network operators increasingly are looking for flexible, compact, high-density platforms like the CN 5150 that can help them control both their capital and operational costs as they extend Ethernet to more access locations in support of next-generation business, mobile backhaul, and residential applications.”
Ciena is the market leader for fiber-based Ethernet access* and continues to build momentum with customers worldwide by offering intelligent Carrier Ethernet devices and software that address a wide range of application, service, market and access technology requirements.
The new CN 5150 broadens network operators’ service capabilities by supporting industry-leading subscriber scalability, extended operating temperatures, higher port density and advanced features including a wide range of resilient, connection-oriented Ethernet services.
These advanced capabilities enable service providers, enterprises, utilities and government agencies to accelerate their transition to more flexible and cost-effective pure packet architectures. In particular, the combination of features available on CN 5150 makes it an ideal solution for satisfying unique LTE backhaul requirements, including support for the X2 interface, clock synchronization, scalability and difficult operating environments.
“Ciena has emerged as a thought leader in the carrier Ethernet market and is helping define next-generation access and first-level aggregation platforms that are rich in service OAM and scalability features,” said Stan Hubbard, senior analyst for telecom research firm Heavy Reading.
“Network operators increasingly are looking for flexible, compact, high-density platforms like the CN 5150 that can help them control both their capital and operational costs as they extend Ethernet to more access locations in support of next-generation business, mobile backhaul, and residential applications.”
The CN 5150 sets a new benchmark for versatile, carrier-grade service delivery with its ability to provide scalable subscriber capacity and deterministic Ethernet behavior while operating in controlled or uncontrolled temperature environments.
It offers customers a flexible, cost-efficient network solution to support highly reliable wireless backhaul, Ethernet business service aggregation and delivery, and multi-purpose Carrier Ethernet-based infrastructures.
“Network operators increasingly are looking for flexible, compact, high-density platforms like the CN 5150 that can help them control both their capital and operational costs as they extend Ethernet to more access locations in support of next-generation business, mobile backhaul, and residential applications.”
Ciena is the market leader for fiber-based Ethernet access* and continues to build momentum with customers worldwide by offering intelligent Carrier Ethernet devices and software that address a wide range of application, service, market and access technology requirements.
The new CN 5150 broadens network operators’ service capabilities by supporting industry-leading subscriber scalability, extended operating temperatures, higher port density and advanced features including a wide range of resilient, connection-oriented Ethernet services.
These advanced capabilities enable service providers, enterprises, utilities and government agencies to accelerate their transition to more flexible and cost-effective pure packet architectures. In particular, the combination of features available on CN 5150 makes it an ideal solution for satisfying unique LTE backhaul requirements, including support for the X2 interface, clock synchronization, scalability and difficult operating environments.
“Ciena has emerged as a thought leader in the carrier Ethernet market and is helping define next-generation access and first-level aggregation platforms that are rich in service OAM and scalability features,” said Stan Hubbard, senior analyst for telecom research firm Heavy Reading.
“Network operators increasingly are looking for flexible, compact, high-density platforms like the CN 5150 that can help them control both their capital and operational costs as they extend Ethernet to more access locations in support of next-generation business, mobile backhaul, and residential applications.”
Fujitsu chooses Stordis as EMEA distributor for XG series Ethernet switches
STUTTGART, GERMANY: Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc. has appointed Stordis as EMEA distributor for the Fujitsu XG series Ethernet switches, including the new XG2600 family of high performance ultra-low latency switches. The decision cements Stordis’ growing reputation as Europe’s leading distributor of high performance networking and storage products.
New to the European market, the Fujitsu XG2600 and XG2000 families offer users ultra-low latency 10GbE in a small 1U form factor. The use of advanced Fujitsu application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology has enabled industry-leading performance, with switch latency as low as 300 nanoseconds.
As network bandwidth increases, switching and network latency is increasingly important for maintaining true network performance, particularly for real-time applications. Low-latency networking solutions are a must-have technology in financial trading environments, live video streaming and communications, and in many other time-sensitive high performance application environments.
“We fought hard to win this distribution deal because the latest Fujitsu switches are the best products on the market. They are the perfect finish to our existing product portfolio, which is focused on low latency, high performance networking and storage infrastructure,” comments Alexander Jeffries, managing director at Stordis.
“By combining these switches with our large stock of best-in-class high performance networking cards, cabling and transceivers, we are now confident that we can offer resellers the lowest latency 10GbE networking solution on the market.”
“Stordis is the type of focused, value-added distributor we needed to deliver the Fujitsu XG Series of Ethernet switch products to the European market. The company’s high performance expertise combined with its significant stock of complementary cards, cables, and infrastructure gave us the confidence they could deliver a very comprehensive high performance solution to the channel.” comments Vic Herring, vice president of sales and marketing for Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc.
New to the European market, the Fujitsu XG2600 and XG2000 families offer users ultra-low latency 10GbE in a small 1U form factor. The use of advanced Fujitsu application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology has enabled industry-leading performance, with switch latency as low as 300 nanoseconds.
As network bandwidth increases, switching and network latency is increasingly important for maintaining true network performance, particularly for real-time applications. Low-latency networking solutions are a must-have technology in financial trading environments, live video streaming and communications, and in many other time-sensitive high performance application environments.
“We fought hard to win this distribution deal because the latest Fujitsu switches are the best products on the market. They are the perfect finish to our existing product portfolio, which is focused on low latency, high performance networking and storage infrastructure,” comments Alexander Jeffries, managing director at Stordis.
“By combining these switches with our large stock of best-in-class high performance networking cards, cabling and transceivers, we are now confident that we can offer resellers the lowest latency 10GbE networking solution on the market.”
“Stordis is the type of focused, value-added distributor we needed to deliver the Fujitsu XG Series of Ethernet switch products to the European market. The company’s high performance expertise combined with its significant stock of complementary cards, cables, and infrastructure gave us the confidence they could deliver a very comprehensive high performance solution to the channel.” comments Vic Herring, vice president of sales and marketing for Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
BANGALORE, INDIA: BT has announced that its corporate voice-communication solution, BT Onevoice, will integrate advanced voice services from BT’s open innovation platform Ribbit, bringing feature-rich voice applications to the desktop.
Onevoice Ribbit v1.0 connects the worlds of the web and traditional corporate voice networks by embedding Ribbit’s innovative voice features into any existing corporate telephony environments.
The service is aimed at multinational customers looking to realise the benefits converged communications deliver. It will also significantly lower operational, network and administration costs by keeping voice calls on-net, minimising expensive international calls.
Onevoice Ribbit v1.0 will provide users with a single direct dial phone number for all incoming and outgoing calls making it easier for customers, suppliers and partners to contact them first time. Users will be able to define how calls are routed through the Onevoice VPN to reach them if they are away from their office.
Calls will be delivered on-net to other sites directly to the Ribbit softphone or via the nearest PSTN breakout point to any number globally, minimising international call costs. Users can choose to have multiple device options for making and receiving calls through the Onevoice network offering significant call savings on mobile bills.
Onevoice Ribbit v1.0 connects the worlds of the web and traditional corporate voice networks by embedding Ribbit’s innovative voice features into any existing corporate telephony environments.
The service is aimed at multinational customers looking to realise the benefits converged communications deliver. It will also significantly lower operational, network and administration costs by keeping voice calls on-net, minimising expensive international calls.
Onevoice Ribbit v1.0 will provide users with a single direct dial phone number for all incoming and outgoing calls making it easier for customers, suppliers and partners to contact them first time. Users will be able to define how calls are routed through the Onevoice VPN to reach them if they are away from their office.
Calls will be delivered on-net to other sites directly to the Ribbit softphone or via the nearest PSTN breakout point to any number globally, minimising international call costs. Users can choose to have multiple device options for making and receiving calls through the Onevoice network offering significant call savings on mobile bills.
Opnext, TeliaSonera demo longest live 100 Gigabit link on largest EU IP network
FREMONT, USA: Opnext Inc., a leader in high speed optical communications technology, has demonstrated a single wavelength, real-time coherent 127G PM-QPSK (Polarization Multiplexed Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) modem on the TeliaSonera network running through Sweden. The TeliaSonera trial represents the first real-time, single wavelength 100G field trial in Europe.
The trial conducted over a long haul link with 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps mixed traffic ran from Uppsala, Sweden to Olofström, Sweden and back for a total distance of 1700km and represents the longest un-regenerated real-time test to date.
"TeliaSonera has one of the largest and fastest growing IP backbones in Europe, and this trial demonstrates our focus on maintaining a state of the art network that is ready to use next-generation technologies, such as coherent 100 Gbps, from vendors like Opnext," said Staffan Göjeryd, Head of Broadband Development, TeliaSonera.
The transmission channel did not require optimization to implement the 100 Gbps technology, which further demonstrates the ease-of-use of coherent technology from Opnext.
Today, many 10 Gbps and most 40 Gbps optical systems using direct detection require optimization and intervention by an optical network engineer to balance all of the optical impairments on an installed optical fiber.
Opnext plug and play technology allows carriers to upgrade their existing line systems to 100 Gbps without requiring any change to their existing networks. In addition, new systems using Opnext technology can eliminate the need for external dispersion compensation, which reduces cost, minimizes IP latency and allows for deployment over older installed fiber.
"100G modem performance is critical to help carriers meet the ever-increasing bandwidth demands from their customers," said Mike Chan, President of the Opnext Subsystems business unit. "This trial represents the longest real-time 100G trial performed to date, moving the industry one step closer to the commercialization of 100G technology."
The trial conducted over a long haul link with 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps mixed traffic ran from Uppsala, Sweden to Olofström, Sweden and back for a total distance of 1700km and represents the longest un-regenerated real-time test to date.
"TeliaSonera has one of the largest and fastest growing IP backbones in Europe, and this trial demonstrates our focus on maintaining a state of the art network that is ready to use next-generation technologies, such as coherent 100 Gbps, from vendors like Opnext," said Staffan Göjeryd, Head of Broadband Development, TeliaSonera.
The transmission channel did not require optimization to implement the 100 Gbps technology, which further demonstrates the ease-of-use of coherent technology from Opnext.
Today, many 10 Gbps and most 40 Gbps optical systems using direct detection require optimization and intervention by an optical network engineer to balance all of the optical impairments on an installed optical fiber.
Opnext plug and play technology allows carriers to upgrade their existing line systems to 100 Gbps without requiring any change to their existing networks. In addition, new systems using Opnext technology can eliminate the need for external dispersion compensation, which reduces cost, minimizes IP latency and allows for deployment over older installed fiber.
"100G modem performance is critical to help carriers meet the ever-increasing bandwidth demands from their customers," said Mike Chan, President of the Opnext Subsystems business unit. "This trial represents the longest real-time 100G trial performed to date, moving the industry one step closer to the commercialization of 100G technology."
Yahoo-Nokia deal 'first step' in long-term strategy
Eden Zoller, Principal Analyst, Ovum
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: According to Eden Zoller, Principal Analyst, Ovum, “The alliance between Yahoo! and Nokia is a sensible, tactical move but ultimately no game changer for either party. The deal is helpful in bolstering their respective offerings in communications, mapping and navigation but this in itself is not enough to allow them to gain the ground they have lost to sharper rivals like Google and Apple. The most constructive way of viewing the alliance is a first step in a longer term strategy.”
She added: “Under the deal, Nokia will provide Yahoo! with navigation and mapping capabilities, an area where Yahoo! has failed to make an impact but where Nokia has made good progress with Ovi Maps on the back of its 2007 acquisition of Navteq. Nokia will in turn make Yahoo! email and instant messaging default services on all Nokia handsets, including low end phones which dominate in emerging markets.
“The broad thrust of the alliance is to improve Nokia and Yahoo’s mobile Internet offerings. The agreement might have some impact in emerging markets, a key focus for both companies and where high-end smartphones are still in the hands of a few. However, we cannot see the deal making waves in Europe or North America, where Yahoo! in particular needs to play a much stronger hand.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: According to Eden Zoller, Principal Analyst, Ovum, “The alliance between Yahoo! and Nokia is a sensible, tactical move but ultimately no game changer for either party. The deal is helpful in bolstering their respective offerings in communications, mapping and navigation but this in itself is not enough to allow them to gain the ground they have lost to sharper rivals like Google and Apple. The most constructive way of viewing the alliance is a first step in a longer term strategy.”
She added: “Under the deal, Nokia will provide Yahoo! with navigation and mapping capabilities, an area where Yahoo! has failed to make an impact but where Nokia has made good progress with Ovi Maps on the back of its 2007 acquisition of Navteq. Nokia will in turn make Yahoo! email and instant messaging default services on all Nokia handsets, including low end phones which dominate in emerging markets.
“The broad thrust of the alliance is to improve Nokia and Yahoo’s mobile Internet offerings. The agreement might have some impact in emerging markets, a key focus for both companies and where high-end smartphones are still in the hands of a few. However, we cannot see the deal making waves in Europe or North America, where Yahoo! in particular needs to play a much stronger hand.”
Principles of Engagement on ICT (Australia)
Kevin Noonan, Research Director, Ovum
AUSTRALIA: The Principles document is a good start. It has defined some lofty objectives for the future, however it is at best the first step in a very long journey. In his 2008 review of Federal Government ICT, Sir Peter Gershon found “the government marketplace is neither efficient not effective”. His report noted that 40 percent of surveyed companies “had decided not to participate in the government market”. Clearly, a lot is needed to be done to achieve any lasting change.
The Federal Government has already gone to great effort to achieve agreement between all the major players, about the content of the document. This is to be commended because without some basic agreement, no lasting change could be achieved.
The Principles document has no force in law, but is instead provide a statement of intention about good corporate citizenship for all players in the government market. There is likely there will be no shortage of vendors willing to sign up to the document, as it contains nothing particularly controversial. As more vendors sign up, the document will have greater moral persuasion. Government agencies are equally covered by the document, and the market will be looking to them for a clear show of support.
The Principles could best be compared to a specification document prepared at the beginning of a major project. The big test is what happens next. We now all agree what nirvana will look like. The big challenge will be getting there.
AUSTRALIA: The Principles document is a good start. It has defined some lofty objectives for the future, however it is at best the first step in a very long journey. In his 2008 review of Federal Government ICT, Sir Peter Gershon found “the government marketplace is neither efficient not effective”. His report noted that 40 percent of surveyed companies “had decided not to participate in the government market”. Clearly, a lot is needed to be done to achieve any lasting change.
The Federal Government has already gone to great effort to achieve agreement between all the major players, about the content of the document. This is to be commended because without some basic agreement, no lasting change could be achieved.
The Principles document has no force in law, but is instead provide a statement of intention about good corporate citizenship for all players in the government market. There is likely there will be no shortage of vendors willing to sign up to the document, as it contains nothing particularly controversial. As more vendors sign up, the document will have greater moral persuasion. Government agencies are equally covered by the document, and the market will be looking to them for a clear show of support.
The Principles could best be compared to a specification document prepared at the beginning of a major project. The big test is what happens next. We now all agree what nirvana will look like. The big challenge will be getting there.
Cortina takes PON integration to next level with voice and switching
SUNNYVALE, USA: Cortina Systems Inc. (Cortina), delivering innovative technologies that link people and networks worldwide, announced the newest additions, CS8017 EPON ONU, CS8210 GPON ONU, and CS8022 OLT, to its Integrated Access platform, a comprehensive technology development suite for the access network.
Cortina continues to work with systems providers to optimize network cost on both ends of the fiber through integration. As part of Integrated Access Platform, Cortina Systems CS8017/CS8210 ONUs are consolidated EPON/GPON ONU solutions with integrated VoIP processors and Ethernet switches.
Cortina Systems CS8022 OLT is the 2nd generation quad EPON OLT with integrated switch. To enable fast time to market, these devices include a device driver, software applications, operating systems, and reference designs.
“As access subscribers continue to grow dramatically, worldwide carriers need integrated PON solutions to enhance their offerings on both sides of the fiber,” said Fred Olsson, Director, Access Business Unit at Cortina. “By using Cortina’s PON chipsets, service providers can simplify their OLT line cards as well as provide a low cost, integrated solution for all ONU configurations including voice.”
As technology shifts to keep up with the higher bandwidth demands of revenue generating services such as IPTV, video on demand, VoIP, online gaming and ultra-broadband internet access, service providers are looking to implement either EPON or GPON solutions.
Cortina’s Integrated Access platform is delivering complete first and next generation GPON/EPON solutions for the evolution of fiber access from the installed copper and coax infrastructure. The Integrated Access platform provides a complete solution, enabling carriers to offer the next generation, bandwidth intensive services over the access network.
Cortina continues to work with systems providers to optimize network cost on both ends of the fiber through integration. As part of Integrated Access Platform, Cortina Systems CS8017/CS8210 ONUs are consolidated EPON/GPON ONU solutions with integrated VoIP processors and Ethernet switches.
Cortina Systems CS8022 OLT is the 2nd generation quad EPON OLT with integrated switch. To enable fast time to market, these devices include a device driver, software applications, operating systems, and reference designs.
“As access subscribers continue to grow dramatically, worldwide carriers need integrated PON solutions to enhance their offerings on both sides of the fiber,” said Fred Olsson, Director, Access Business Unit at Cortina. “By using Cortina’s PON chipsets, service providers can simplify their OLT line cards as well as provide a low cost, integrated solution for all ONU configurations including voice.”
As technology shifts to keep up with the higher bandwidth demands of revenue generating services such as IPTV, video on demand, VoIP, online gaming and ultra-broadband internet access, service providers are looking to implement either EPON or GPON solutions.
Cortina’s Integrated Access platform is delivering complete first and next generation GPON/EPON solutions for the evolution of fiber access from the installed copper and coax infrastructure. The Integrated Access platform provides a complete solution, enabling carriers to offer the next generation, bandwidth intensive services over the access network.
Xtendwave granted patent for technology improving broadband DSL availability and performance
DALLAS, USA: Xtendwave, a technology company dedicated to changing the economics of delivering broadband signals over existing telecommunications networks, today announced that the US Patent and Trade Office approved issuance of the company’s patent application on the topic "Multichannel Wavelet Codec."
Xtendwave provides semiconductor technology that improves broadband service by increasing the speed, capacity and distance of signals traveling over existing copper phone lines. Xtendwave’s technology enables service providers to expand service past the limits of their existing xDSL networks, using the same infrastructure.
Xtendwave's technology will result in cost-effective delivery of broadband service, particularly in rural and remote locations with phone lines extending past 12,000 feet from a telecom central office.
Xtendwave's development work is well aligned with the Federal Governments' objectives, under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) of expanding broadband access and adoption in communities across the US, which will increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits.
This new patent covers enhanced methods for the modulation and encoding of DSL signals, and adaptively adjusting to channel conditions, resulting in improved performance of the company's AFBMTM (Adaptive Filter Bank Modulation) technology.
The new issuance, in addition to Xtendwave's four issued patents, provides further patent protection for implementations of the company's technology. With the methods covered by the company's patent portfolio, telecom equipment using Xtendwave's chips will be able to cover twice the area with broadband service, compared to existing DSL standards, and based on distance of subscribers from a telecom central office.
“Patent approval is a major milestone in substantiating and bringing to market Xtendwave’s solution to dramatically improve broadband service delivery, particularly in unserved and underserved locations in the US,” said Mort Aaronson, Chairman and CEO of Xtendwave. “Additionally, broadband providers and millions of subscribers worldwide will benefit from better broadband signals that travel further.”
Xtendwave's approved patents cover key aspects of Xtendwave's implementation of its AFBMTM technology, which employs wavelet-transform signal processing methods. In addition to the approved patents, Xtendwave has additional patents pending covering both the core technology and its application to various transmission media. Xtendwave will offer devices for incorporation into DSL line cards and CPE modems, as well as providing licensed IP to key customers.
The issuance of this patent expands Xtendwave’s portfolio of its existing approved patents pertaining to AFBM™ technology. “With these patents in place, Xtendwave is poised to achieve several goals with an upside for all industry participants,” said Dr. Dennis I. Robbins, Xtendwave's COO.
“Xtendwave will help telecom companies compete into the future, help satisfy customer and regulator demand for broadband ubiquity, help equipment providers use and monetize spare DSLAM slots, and help equipment manufacturers develop relevant new products for the vast telecom market.”
Xtendwave provides semiconductor technology that improves broadband service by increasing the speed, capacity and distance of signals traveling over existing copper phone lines. Xtendwave’s technology enables service providers to expand service past the limits of their existing xDSL networks, using the same infrastructure.
Xtendwave's technology will result in cost-effective delivery of broadband service, particularly in rural and remote locations with phone lines extending past 12,000 feet from a telecom central office.
Xtendwave's development work is well aligned with the Federal Governments' objectives, under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) of expanding broadband access and adoption in communities across the US, which will increase jobs, spur investments in technology and infrastructure, and provide long-term economic benefits.
This new patent covers enhanced methods for the modulation and encoding of DSL signals, and adaptively adjusting to channel conditions, resulting in improved performance of the company's AFBMTM (Adaptive Filter Bank Modulation) technology.
The new issuance, in addition to Xtendwave's four issued patents, provides further patent protection for implementations of the company's technology. With the methods covered by the company's patent portfolio, telecom equipment using Xtendwave's chips will be able to cover twice the area with broadband service, compared to existing DSL standards, and based on distance of subscribers from a telecom central office.
“Patent approval is a major milestone in substantiating and bringing to market Xtendwave’s solution to dramatically improve broadband service delivery, particularly in unserved and underserved locations in the US,” said Mort Aaronson, Chairman and CEO of Xtendwave. “Additionally, broadband providers and millions of subscribers worldwide will benefit from better broadband signals that travel further.”
Xtendwave's approved patents cover key aspects of Xtendwave's implementation of its AFBMTM technology, which employs wavelet-transform signal processing methods. In addition to the approved patents, Xtendwave has additional patents pending covering both the core technology and its application to various transmission media. Xtendwave will offer devices for incorporation into DSL line cards and CPE modems, as well as providing licensed IP to key customers.
The issuance of this patent expands Xtendwave’s portfolio of its existing approved patents pertaining to AFBM™ technology. “With these patents in place, Xtendwave is poised to achieve several goals with an upside for all industry participants,” said Dr. Dennis I. Robbins, Xtendwave's COO.
“Xtendwave will help telecom companies compete into the future, help satisfy customer and regulator demand for broadband ubiquity, help equipment providers use and monetize spare DSLAM slots, and help equipment manufacturers develop relevant new products for the vast telecom market.”
Portugal Telecom selects Envivio to power innovative Internet TV service
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Envivio Inc. announced that Portugal Telecom (PT), the largest telecom and broadband service provider in Portugal, selected Envivio's Three Screens delivery platform to support the commercial rollout of MEO@PC—a complete television service for delivery to PCs.
The service relies on Envivio's complete Internet TV solution, including 4Caster C4 encoders configured to deliver content via Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Smooth Streaming and Silverlight, protected with PlayReady DRM, providing subscribers with high quality video and playback delivered over broadband. After an initial trial period, PT plans to offer subscribers a channel lineup and interactivity that mirrors its MEO@TV service throughout Portugal.
Pedro Leitão, board member at Portugal Telecom, said: "Subscribers have been thrilled with the experience offered by our IPTV service. MEO has reached 581,000 clients in less than two years, and we want to bring that same MEO experience, enabled by Microsoft MediaRoom, to everyone in Portugal by delivering it over the Internet, reinforcing our multi-platform strategy.
"Envivio earned our trust during our Mobile TV rollout, proving that they know how to deliver great quality video service at very low bitrates. The close cooperation between Microsoft and Envivio, particularly in enabling the deployment of PlayReady DRM, brought the whole MEO@PC project together, allowing us to complete it in record time."
"While compelling interactivity and high quality video are essential to pleasing subscribers, content protection is a critical requirement for service providers to deliver the premium video content consumers are demanding," said Jonathan Usher, marketing director for the Media Platforms Business at Microsoft Corp.
"The development of a seamless interface between Envivio's 4Caster C4 platform and Microsoft PlayReady Servers means that innovative services such as PT MEO@PC can move forward knowing that all of these components for secure delivery of high quality content are covered."
The Internet TV headend at PT uses Envivio 4Caster C4 encoders to simultaneously process video at a variety of resolutions. This enables PT to use Microsoft IIS Smooth Streaming adaptive streaming technology for Silverlight, which ensures viewers receive uninterrupted video live play at the highest quality possible given variable network bandwidth and PC processing conditions.
The Envivio encoders directly ingest the same sources as Portugal Telecom's IPTV service, enabling the MEO@PC service to mirror PT's IPTV channel lineup without requiring additional interfaces.
Microsoft and Envivio have developed a dedicated interface between the Envivio 4Caster C42 encoder and Microsoft PlayReady DRM Server to in order to secure delivery of high-value content while ensuring complete transparency for subscribers. The Envivio 4Manager network management system provides complete system monitoring and redundancy management to maintain 24/7 service availability.
"Portugal Telecom is demonstrating a keen understanding of what today's consumer wants, which is to have access to their favorite TV services whenever and wherever they want," said Envivio Vice President of Marketing Boris Felts. "Envivio's Internet TV solution brings the highest quality video experience to PC screens, ensuring that MEO@PC will far exceed consumer expectations."
The service relies on Envivio's complete Internet TV solution, including 4Caster C4 encoders configured to deliver content via Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Smooth Streaming and Silverlight, protected with PlayReady DRM, providing subscribers with high quality video and playback delivered over broadband. After an initial trial period, PT plans to offer subscribers a channel lineup and interactivity that mirrors its MEO@TV service throughout Portugal.
Pedro Leitão, board member at Portugal Telecom, said: "Subscribers have been thrilled with the experience offered by our IPTV service. MEO has reached 581,000 clients in less than two years, and we want to bring that same MEO experience, enabled by Microsoft MediaRoom, to everyone in Portugal by delivering it over the Internet, reinforcing our multi-platform strategy.
"Envivio earned our trust during our Mobile TV rollout, proving that they know how to deliver great quality video service at very low bitrates. The close cooperation between Microsoft and Envivio, particularly in enabling the deployment of PlayReady DRM, brought the whole MEO@PC project together, allowing us to complete it in record time."
"While compelling interactivity and high quality video are essential to pleasing subscribers, content protection is a critical requirement for service providers to deliver the premium video content consumers are demanding," said Jonathan Usher, marketing director for the Media Platforms Business at Microsoft Corp.
"The development of a seamless interface between Envivio's 4Caster C4 platform and Microsoft PlayReady Servers means that innovative services such as PT MEO@PC can move forward knowing that all of these components for secure delivery of high quality content are covered."
The Internet TV headend at PT uses Envivio 4Caster C4 encoders to simultaneously process video at a variety of resolutions. This enables PT to use Microsoft IIS Smooth Streaming adaptive streaming technology for Silverlight, which ensures viewers receive uninterrupted video live play at the highest quality possible given variable network bandwidth and PC processing conditions.
The Envivio encoders directly ingest the same sources as Portugal Telecom's IPTV service, enabling the MEO@PC service to mirror PT's IPTV channel lineup without requiring additional interfaces.
Microsoft and Envivio have developed a dedicated interface between the Envivio 4Caster C42 encoder and Microsoft PlayReady DRM Server to in order to secure delivery of high-value content while ensuring complete transparency for subscribers. The Envivio 4Manager network management system provides complete system monitoring and redundancy management to maintain 24/7 service availability.
"Portugal Telecom is demonstrating a keen understanding of what today's consumer wants, which is to have access to their favorite TV services whenever and wherever they want," said Envivio Vice President of Marketing Boris Felts. "Envivio's Internet TV solution brings the highest quality video experience to PC screens, ensuring that MEO@PC will far exceed consumer expectations."
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sterlite wins national telecom award for 'Fastest Growing System Integrator'
PUNE, INDIA: Sterlite Technologies Ltd, a leading global provider of transmission solutions for the power and telecom industries, has received award for ‘Fastest Growing System Integrator’ at the CMAI INFOCOM National Telecom Awards 2010.
Held annually on the occasion of World Telecom Day, the National Telecom Awards aim to identify and recognize outstanding contributions to the ICT sector for building a National Telecom Network and thus providing an effective means of communications.
Since the commencement of its Integration & Managed Services Business, Sterlite has been instrumental in helping Indian telcos set-up new networks and upgrade their infrastructures, which has enabled them to provide high Quality of Service (QoS) for ICT offerings.
On receiving the award, Mr Rahul Sharma, Business Head - Integration & Managed Services, Sterlite Technologies, said “We really feel honored to have been chosen for the award and thank CMAI, INFOCOM and the respected jury for this recognition.”
The award ceremony was attended by several prominent dignitaries that included Dr. JS Sarma - Chairman of TRAI, PJ Thomas - Secretary DoT and Chairman of the Telecom Commission and Wen Chyi Ong - Ambassador of Taiwan for India, amongst others.
Held annually on the occasion of World Telecom Day, the National Telecom Awards aim to identify and recognize outstanding contributions to the ICT sector for building a National Telecom Network and thus providing an effective means of communications.
Since the commencement of its Integration & Managed Services Business, Sterlite has been instrumental in helping Indian telcos set-up new networks and upgrade their infrastructures, which has enabled them to provide high Quality of Service (QoS) for ICT offerings.
On receiving the award, Mr Rahul Sharma, Business Head - Integration & Managed Services, Sterlite Technologies, said “We really feel honored to have been chosen for the award and thank CMAI, INFOCOM and the respected jury for this recognition.”
The award ceremony was attended by several prominent dignitaries that included Dr. JS Sarma - Chairman of TRAI, PJ Thomas - Secretary DoT and Chairman of the Telecom Commission and Wen Chyi Ong - Ambassador of Taiwan for India, amongst others.
NI advances IEEE 802.11n WLAN test with WLAN Measurement Suite 2.0
AUSTIN, USA: National Instruments has introduced its new solution for IEEE 802.11n wireless LAN (WLAN) testing, the NI WLAN Measurement Suite 2.0, which includes enhanced software toolkits for IEEE 802.11n WLAN signal generation and analysis.
The suite integrates with NI 6.6 GHz PXI Express multichannel RF signal generators and analyzers to deliver true, phase-coherent multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) RF measurements required for IEEE 802.11n WLAN testing. The suite also delivers the industry's fastest measurement speed for those including error vector magnitude (EVM) and spectrum mask and provides the highest class of measurement accuracy for IEEE 802.11n and a/b/g WLAN test.
Using a software-defined architecture based on PXI and NI LabVIEW graphical system development software, engineers can significantly lower their cost of test and reduce the size of their test systems by testing multiple wireless standards, such as IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, GPS, Bluetooth, GSM/EDGE, WCDMA, WiMAX and others, using the same PXI test system.
The WLAN Measurement Suite 2.0 adds IEEE 802.11n support to the generation and analysis toolkits to facilitate MIMO testing with true port-to-port phase coherency. For measurements, the toolkit integrates with NI PXIe-5663E 6.6 GHz two-, three- and four-channel vector signal analyzers (VSAs) to provide engineers highly accurate multistream MIMO measurements.
For signal generation, the toolkit integrates with NI-PXIe-5673E 6.6 GHz two-, three- and four-channel vector signal generators (VSGs) to generate true phase-coherent, multistream RF signals.
In addition to 802.11n MIMO support, the latest version of the NI WLAN Measurement Suite improves on the previous version with faster measurement time. When combined with the latest NI PXIe-8133 quad-core embedded controller, the system can perform composite EVM and power measurements in 7.0 ms, the fastest in the industry.
A result of the toolkit's multicore-enabled measurement algorithms, the fast measurement speed is crucial for reducing test times and lowering the costs of testing wireless devices.
The new NI WLAN Measurement Suite also adds a variety of software features to improve measurement performance and ease of use. Engineers can software-enable its new resolution bandwidth filter feature to remove broadband noise and increase EVM measurement accuracy. With front-end filtering engaged, engineers can achieve residual EVM accuracy of better than -47 dB when testing WLAN devices.
The measurement suite includes soft front panels for signal generation and analysis to support a wide range of WLAN IEEE 802.11n configurations, including 4x4 MIMO, and to report measurement results and traces.
Additionally, engineers can use the measurement suite as either a standalone executable or as an API in LabVIEW, NI LabWindows/CVI ANSI C development environment or in other C, C++ and .NET development systems.
The suite integrates with NI 6.6 GHz PXI Express multichannel RF signal generators and analyzers to deliver true, phase-coherent multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) RF measurements required for IEEE 802.11n WLAN testing. The suite also delivers the industry's fastest measurement speed for those including error vector magnitude (EVM) and spectrum mask and provides the highest class of measurement accuracy for IEEE 802.11n and a/b/g WLAN test.
Using a software-defined architecture based on PXI and NI LabVIEW graphical system development software, engineers can significantly lower their cost of test and reduce the size of their test systems by testing multiple wireless standards, such as IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, GPS, Bluetooth, GSM/EDGE, WCDMA, WiMAX and others, using the same PXI test system.
The WLAN Measurement Suite 2.0 adds IEEE 802.11n support to the generation and analysis toolkits to facilitate MIMO testing with true port-to-port phase coherency. For measurements, the toolkit integrates with NI PXIe-5663E 6.6 GHz two-, three- and four-channel vector signal analyzers (VSAs) to provide engineers highly accurate multistream MIMO measurements.
For signal generation, the toolkit integrates with NI-PXIe-5673E 6.6 GHz two-, three- and four-channel vector signal generators (VSGs) to generate true phase-coherent, multistream RF signals.
In addition to 802.11n MIMO support, the latest version of the NI WLAN Measurement Suite improves on the previous version with faster measurement time. When combined with the latest NI PXIe-8133 quad-core embedded controller, the system can perform composite EVM and power measurements in 7.0 ms, the fastest in the industry.
A result of the toolkit's multicore-enabled measurement algorithms, the fast measurement speed is crucial for reducing test times and lowering the costs of testing wireless devices.
The new NI WLAN Measurement Suite also adds a variety of software features to improve measurement performance and ease of use. Engineers can software-enable its new resolution bandwidth filter feature to remove broadband noise and increase EVM measurement accuracy. With front-end filtering engaged, engineers can achieve residual EVM accuracy of better than -47 dB when testing WLAN devices.
The measurement suite includes soft front panels for signal generation and analysis to support a wide range of WLAN IEEE 802.11n configurations, including 4x4 MIMO, and to report measurement results and traces.
Additionally, engineers can use the measurement suite as either a standalone executable or as an API in LabVIEW, NI LabWindows/CVI ANSI C development environment or in other C, C++ and .NET development systems.
GarrettCom launches hardened mobile Ethernet switches for transportation apps
FREMONT, USA: The newest member of the industrial-grade Magnum Switches product line, the Magnum 6KM Mobile Ethernet Switch from GarrettCom Inc., is purpose-built to withstand shock and vibration in harsh mobile environments including railroad carriages, public service and emergency vehicles, mining equipment, shipboard, and military vehicles.
Possible applications are wide-ranging and include in-carriage networking of IP-enabled infotainment systems, robotics, security and surveillance systems, and mobile network devices on trains, mobile command centers, light rail and busses, as well as passenger accommodation technology in a variety of scenarios.
The innovative design of the 6KM features M12-type heavy-duty screw-type port connectors, technology borrowed from military equipment that is designed to stand up to mobile vibration.
"Interest in mobile access to IP communications is growing rapidly, but the only available switches to install in vehicular applications, other than high-priced water-tight military Ethernet switches, are ones with standard RJ-45 ports, which do not stand up well to continuous vibration," said Lee House, GarrettCom's CTO.
"With the 6KM, GarrettCom has uniquely combined the features of its hardened Ethernet switches, which stand up to extremes of temperature, dust and dirt, corrosion, power surges and electromagnetic interference, with rugged M12 ports to withstand vibration and shock in an affordable package for many types of mobile applications."
The Magnum 6KM is designed to meet or exceed demanding industrial standards for mobile environments, including compliance with IEC 61373 and IEC 60068-2-27 specifications for withstanding shock, and with IEC 61373, IEC 60068-2-6 FC specifications for withstanding vibration.
In addition, the 6KM design complies with the EN50155 and EN50121-4 Railway Applications Standards, NEMA TS-2, and TEES for DC-powered and PoE-powered traffic control equipment, is DNV compliant for marine applications, is UL listed (UL 60950), and meets European CE and RoHS requirements.
The 6KM base unit has four 10/100 M12 copper ports (PoE optional). Configuration choices include two Gigabit ports (either M12 copper ports or LC-type fiber), and up to four 100Mb LC fiber ports, up to four additional 10/100 M12 copper ports, or combinations of the two.
To protect sensitive electronics from even the harshest environments, the 6KM Mobile Ethernet Switch is packaged in a fully-enclosed steel case that acts as a heat sink, eliminating the need for movable parts such as fans, and providing high EMI noise immunity.
Able to withstand operating temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 195 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees to 85 degrees Celsius); with optional conformal coating for corrosive environments, and with an IP52 rating for dust and dirt resistance, the 6KM is capable of operating under hostile mobile conditions. Power input choices include world-wide AC or DC at 12V, 24V, -48V, 110V, 125V, 250V, and each with Dual-Source power input for redundancy. This powerful, small-footprint device is available with DIN-rail or panel mounting.
The Magnum 6KM comes with MNS-6K Managed Network Software, proven in tens of thousands of hardened applications over 10 years of service. MNS-6K features GUI ease of use, secure web management, SNMPv2, v3 management, 802.1p QoS prioritization, tag-based VLANs, IGMP snooping and IGMP-L2 multicast management, port security, and a choice of software redundancy options including RSTP-2004 with industry-leading fault recovery times in rings and meshes, and GarrettCom's S-Ring product which supports unmanaged switches as part of resilient rings.
Optional MNS-6K-SECURE software adds more security features such as SSH, RADIUS and TACACS+ support, SFTP, DHCP Server, Syslog events, TFTP and SNTP Server.
GarrettCom products are marketed through a direct sales force and a network of resellers, system integrators, manufacturers' representatives, and international distributors. Prices for the Magnum 6KM Managed Switches start at $1,000.
Possible applications are wide-ranging and include in-carriage networking of IP-enabled infotainment systems, robotics, security and surveillance systems, and mobile network devices on trains, mobile command centers, light rail and busses, as well as passenger accommodation technology in a variety of scenarios.
The innovative design of the 6KM features M12-type heavy-duty screw-type port connectors, technology borrowed from military equipment that is designed to stand up to mobile vibration.
"Interest in mobile access to IP communications is growing rapidly, but the only available switches to install in vehicular applications, other than high-priced water-tight military Ethernet switches, are ones with standard RJ-45 ports, which do not stand up well to continuous vibration," said Lee House, GarrettCom's CTO.
"With the 6KM, GarrettCom has uniquely combined the features of its hardened Ethernet switches, which stand up to extremes of temperature, dust and dirt, corrosion, power surges and electromagnetic interference, with rugged M12 ports to withstand vibration and shock in an affordable package for many types of mobile applications."
The Magnum 6KM is designed to meet or exceed demanding industrial standards for mobile environments, including compliance with IEC 61373 and IEC 60068-2-27 specifications for withstanding shock, and with IEC 61373, IEC 60068-2-6 FC specifications for withstanding vibration.
In addition, the 6KM design complies with the EN50155 and EN50121-4 Railway Applications Standards, NEMA TS-2, and TEES for DC-powered and PoE-powered traffic control equipment, is DNV compliant for marine applications, is UL listed (UL 60950), and meets European CE and RoHS requirements.
The 6KM base unit has four 10/100 M12 copper ports (PoE optional). Configuration choices include two Gigabit ports (either M12 copper ports or LC-type fiber), and up to four 100Mb LC fiber ports, up to four additional 10/100 M12 copper ports, or combinations of the two.
To protect sensitive electronics from even the harshest environments, the 6KM Mobile Ethernet Switch is packaged in a fully-enclosed steel case that acts as a heat sink, eliminating the need for movable parts such as fans, and providing high EMI noise immunity.
Able to withstand operating temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 195 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees to 85 degrees Celsius); with optional conformal coating for corrosive environments, and with an IP52 rating for dust and dirt resistance, the 6KM is capable of operating under hostile mobile conditions. Power input choices include world-wide AC or DC at 12V, 24V, -48V, 110V, 125V, 250V, and each with Dual-Source power input for redundancy. This powerful, small-footprint device is available with DIN-rail or panel mounting.
The Magnum 6KM comes with MNS-6K Managed Network Software, proven in tens of thousands of hardened applications over 10 years of service. MNS-6K features GUI ease of use, secure web management, SNMPv2, v3 management, 802.1p QoS prioritization, tag-based VLANs, IGMP snooping and IGMP-L2 multicast management, port security, and a choice of software redundancy options including RSTP-2004 with industry-leading fault recovery times in rings and meshes, and GarrettCom's S-Ring product which supports unmanaged switches as part of resilient rings.
Optional MNS-6K-SECURE software adds more security features such as SSH, RADIUS and TACACS+ support, SFTP, DHCP Server, Syslog events, TFTP and SNTP Server.
GarrettCom products are marketed through a direct sales force and a network of resellers, system integrators, manufacturers' representatives, and international distributors. Prices for the Magnum 6KM Managed Switches start at $1,000.
NTT America creates environment for innovation with IPv6
NEW YORK, USA: NTT America, a wholly owned US subsidiary of NTT Communications Corp. (NTT Com), and a global IP network services provider, announced the support of its ongoing IPv6 initiative with gold sponsorship of the Rocky Mountain IPv6 Task Force’s (RMv6TF) IPv6 Summit, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center from May 26 to May 27, 2010 in Denver, Colorado.
By supporting IPv6 transit service in native, tunneled or dual stack modes, NTT America provides a flexible and speedy transition path for businesses that need to stay competitive on a global basis, allowing them to take advantage of new applications in every market from entertainment to disaster response, while helping to ensure business continuity as IPv4 addresses dwindle.
Now in its third year, the RMv6TF IPv6 Summit is the largest annual IPv6 event in North America. The two-day educational event and expo will address the current state of IPv6 adoption, what organizations are doing to prepare for the migration to IPv6 and how organizations are already utilizing the benefits of IPv6.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about IPv6 to help stay in front of the technology curve, ensure they have a future career path in network technology and collaborate with others in the field. In addition, IPv6 experts and industry leaders will offer counsel to companies regarding government mandates and business requirements for IPv6 and will provide insight on the proper way to deploy dual-stack (IPv4 and IPv6) operating systems.
NTT America’s IPv6 Tier-1 Global IP Network has evolved to meet the growing needs of international business. Currently, approximately 20 percent of NTT America’s customer ports are IPv6 enabled and 40 percent of NTT America’s peering ports are also IPv6 enabled giving companies unprecedented access to worldwide markets.
The most significant growth in IPv6 adoption has been in Internet and telecom, hardware and manufacturing as well as web hosting and web services, all highly competitive markets where it is vital to stay ahead of the technology curve.
“We have long been a proponent of IPv6 and recognize the value of education when it comes to supporting businesses in the transition to the next generation Internet,” said Scott Heller, director of marketing for NTT America’s Global IP Network. “As IPv4 addresses continue to deplete, and more and more applications are created on IP, it is imperative that organizations understand the importance of IPv6 when it comes to remaining competitive on a global basis.”
As a leader in both the implementation of IPv6 and advocacy for IPv6 adoption for more than a decade, NTT America remains committed to sharing IPv6 experience, lessons learned and best practices with other leaders in the industry.
The NTT Communications Global IP Network was the first Tier-1 network fully upgraded to run IPv6 and is one of the world’s largest commercial IPv6 networks. Support of IPv4 and IPv6 was a factor NTT America considered when the company recently chose to deploy the Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Router to scale its Global IP Network infrastructure for leading capacity, nonstop video, power efficiency, robust IPv6 support and integrated video monitoring intelligence.
As evidence of the company’s ongoing support and knowledge of IPv6 and the growing interest by the business community in preparing to transition to the new protocol, NTT America was invited to participate in a variety of conferences to inform, update and educate on its experiences. The conferences included:
* In January, NTT America took part in a panel entitled “IPv6--The Next Big Bail Out: Will IPv6 Save the Internet?” at PTC’10 in Honolulu.
* In February, NTT America spoke at APAN 29 in Sydney, Australia highlighting real world IPv6 Commercial Applications.
* In May, NTT America participated on the “IPv6: Reality Check” panel with other industry leaders including Comcast, ARIN and the University of New Hampshire’s InterOperability Laboratory at FutureNet 2010 in Boston.
By supporting IPv6 transit service in native, tunneled or dual stack modes, NTT America provides a flexible and speedy transition path for businesses that need to stay competitive on a global basis, allowing them to take advantage of new applications in every market from entertainment to disaster response, while helping to ensure business continuity as IPv4 addresses dwindle.
Now in its third year, the RMv6TF IPv6 Summit is the largest annual IPv6 event in North America. The two-day educational event and expo will address the current state of IPv6 adoption, what organizations are doing to prepare for the migration to IPv6 and how organizations are already utilizing the benefits of IPv6.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about IPv6 to help stay in front of the technology curve, ensure they have a future career path in network technology and collaborate with others in the field. In addition, IPv6 experts and industry leaders will offer counsel to companies regarding government mandates and business requirements for IPv6 and will provide insight on the proper way to deploy dual-stack (IPv4 and IPv6) operating systems.
NTT America’s IPv6 Tier-1 Global IP Network has evolved to meet the growing needs of international business. Currently, approximately 20 percent of NTT America’s customer ports are IPv6 enabled and 40 percent of NTT America’s peering ports are also IPv6 enabled giving companies unprecedented access to worldwide markets.
The most significant growth in IPv6 adoption has been in Internet and telecom, hardware and manufacturing as well as web hosting and web services, all highly competitive markets where it is vital to stay ahead of the technology curve.
“We have long been a proponent of IPv6 and recognize the value of education when it comes to supporting businesses in the transition to the next generation Internet,” said Scott Heller, director of marketing for NTT America’s Global IP Network. “As IPv4 addresses continue to deplete, and more and more applications are created on IP, it is imperative that organizations understand the importance of IPv6 when it comes to remaining competitive on a global basis.”
As a leader in both the implementation of IPv6 and advocacy for IPv6 adoption for more than a decade, NTT America remains committed to sharing IPv6 experience, lessons learned and best practices with other leaders in the industry.
The NTT Communications Global IP Network was the first Tier-1 network fully upgraded to run IPv6 and is one of the world’s largest commercial IPv6 networks. Support of IPv4 and IPv6 was a factor NTT America considered when the company recently chose to deploy the Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Router to scale its Global IP Network infrastructure for leading capacity, nonstop video, power efficiency, robust IPv6 support and integrated video monitoring intelligence.
As evidence of the company’s ongoing support and knowledge of IPv6 and the growing interest by the business community in preparing to transition to the new protocol, NTT America was invited to participate in a variety of conferences to inform, update and educate on its experiences. The conferences included:
* In January, NTT America took part in a panel entitled “IPv6--The Next Big Bail Out: Will IPv6 Save the Internet?” at PTC’10 in Honolulu.
* In February, NTT America spoke at APAN 29 in Sydney, Australia highlighting real world IPv6 Commercial Applications.
* In May, NTT America participated on the “IPv6: Reality Check” panel with other industry leaders including Comcast, ARIN and the University of New Hampshire’s InterOperability Laboratory at FutureNet 2010 in Boston.
Monday, May 24, 2010
UNIFI announces undersea cable project with Interoute
NEW YORK, USA: UNIFI Communications, a leading US-based international carrier, and Interoute Communications, the owner/operator of Europe’s most advanced fiber network, announced the signing of an agreement, whereby Interoute will provide the landing solution in Italy for Albania'’s first competitive undersea fiber optic cable, to be constructed as the first phase of UNIFI’s Balkans-Italy Network (“BIN”) project, which is expected to begin providing service in Albania by 1Q2011.
Under the agreement, Interoute is responsible for providing the required facilities and support in Italy to allow UNIFI’s undersea cable to land and connect through Italy to major telecommunications Network Access Points (“NAPs”) located in Milan, Italy and Frankfurt, Germany.
Adrian Shatku, President and CEO of UNIFI, explained: "“We selected Interoute as our landing solution partner because Interoute has a competitive edge in terms of expertise, experience, and Europe’s most advanced network. Thanks to its network connections, Interoute also gives us the flexibility we need for the future, including the ability to connect with other network operators at the Italian cable landing station and throughout Europe.
"With this flexibility, UNIFI can market and sell many types of network services, including wholesale Internet transport at up to Gigabit speeds, all types of other bandwidth services, and dark fiber connectivity to Albania from Italy or from other parts of Europe. Naturally, our network will be built using the state-of-the-art fiber optic and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (‘DWDM’) technologies, providing virtually unlimited bandwidth capability and much needed diversity for Albania and eventually for the entire Balkan region.”"
According to UNIFI’s plans, the first phase of BIN aims to provide seamless optical connectivity into Tirana, the capital city of Albania, which is some 40 km inland from the 240 km Adriatic Sea crossing. The next immediate steps for UNIFI will involve finalizing the selection of its undersea cable supplier, and meeting with potential partners that may be interested in modifying the cable configuration to include one or more branching units for expedited future connection of additional cable segments to other countries, such as Montenegro, Greece, or perhaps even Middle Eastern countries across the Mediterranean Sea.
Also as a part of the first phase, UNIFI plans to establish Albania’s first NAP, which will facilitate interconnections among the country’s telecom operators and ISPs, and is expected to become a major telecommunications hub for the Balkan region.
To address region-wide market needs, UNIFI plans for subsequent phases of BIN to include development of additional terrestrial connectivity into the neighboring countries of Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Montenegro. Such fiber links will stimulate the growth of connectivity into other regional markets, such as Bulgaria and Turkey.
“As early as next week, UNIFI expects to begin providing more information about the BIN project to potential customers, including pre-construction bandwidth sales incentives for network transport services offerings in Albania,” noted Brian Crawford, Vice President of Business Development for UNIFI.
Gareth Williams, CEO of Interoute, commented “Interoute is proud to be involved in this significant digital step for Albania and Eastern Europe. It is a very exciting time for this region with many rapidly growing telecommunications markets. The extra capacity and resilience provided by this new cable will support new business growth and should encourage investment in Albania and the surrounding countries.”
Under the agreement, Interoute is responsible for providing the required facilities and support in Italy to allow UNIFI’s undersea cable to land and connect through Italy to major telecommunications Network Access Points (“NAPs”) located in Milan, Italy and Frankfurt, Germany.
Adrian Shatku, President and CEO of UNIFI, explained: "“We selected Interoute as our landing solution partner because Interoute has a competitive edge in terms of expertise, experience, and Europe’s most advanced network. Thanks to its network connections, Interoute also gives us the flexibility we need for the future, including the ability to connect with other network operators at the Italian cable landing station and throughout Europe.
"With this flexibility, UNIFI can market and sell many types of network services, including wholesale Internet transport at up to Gigabit speeds, all types of other bandwidth services, and dark fiber connectivity to Albania from Italy or from other parts of Europe. Naturally, our network will be built using the state-of-the-art fiber optic and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (‘DWDM’) technologies, providing virtually unlimited bandwidth capability and much needed diversity for Albania and eventually for the entire Balkan region.”"
According to UNIFI’s plans, the first phase of BIN aims to provide seamless optical connectivity into Tirana, the capital city of Albania, which is some 40 km inland from the 240 km Adriatic Sea crossing. The next immediate steps for UNIFI will involve finalizing the selection of its undersea cable supplier, and meeting with potential partners that may be interested in modifying the cable configuration to include one or more branching units for expedited future connection of additional cable segments to other countries, such as Montenegro, Greece, or perhaps even Middle Eastern countries across the Mediterranean Sea.
Also as a part of the first phase, UNIFI plans to establish Albania’s first NAP, which will facilitate interconnections among the country’s telecom operators and ISPs, and is expected to become a major telecommunications hub for the Balkan region.
To address region-wide market needs, UNIFI plans for subsequent phases of BIN to include development of additional terrestrial connectivity into the neighboring countries of Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Montenegro. Such fiber links will stimulate the growth of connectivity into other regional markets, such as Bulgaria and Turkey.
“As early as next week, UNIFI expects to begin providing more information about the BIN project to potential customers, including pre-construction bandwidth sales incentives for network transport services offerings in Albania,” noted Brian Crawford, Vice President of Business Development for UNIFI.
Gareth Williams, CEO of Interoute, commented “Interoute is proud to be involved in this significant digital step for Albania and Eastern Europe. It is a very exciting time for this region with many rapidly growing telecommunications markets. The extra capacity and resilience provided by this new cable will support new business growth and should encourage investment in Albania and the surrounding countries.”
Fibre-optic cables will drive fixed-line telecoms in Sub-Saharan Africa
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest fixed-line penetration rate in the world. Incumbent operators mainly attribute this to low investments in copper-wire network infrastructure in the past.
However, a series of fibre-optic cables that are being placed along the east and west coasts of the continent are expected to give a second life to fixed-line telecom and cater to the rising demand for data and broadband Internet services.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Survival Strategies for Fixed-line Telecommunications Operators in Sub-Saharan Africa, finds that the market earned revenues of $6.78 billion in 2008 and estimates this to reach $12.25 billion in 2015.
The fixed-line technologies covered in this research include copper-wire network, fibre-optic network, dial-up, ADSL, ISDN, WiMAX, CDMA and MPLS.
"The key growth drivers for wire-line telecommunications are the increasing demand for data and Internet services, cost-effective deployment of fixed-wireless technologies, and the introduction of fibre-optic cables," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Jiaqi Sun. "Corporate customers are the major revenue contributor for fixed-line services, particularly data and Internet services and fixed-wireless technologies."
Fixed-wireless technologies such as WiMAX and CDMA have overcome the requirements of capital-intensive copper-wire infrastructure investments to achieve less time-to-market of new services. Additionally, fibre-optic cables will reduce costs and increase the bandwidth capacity of Internet services in the next three to five years.
"Corporate customers continue to prefer superior fixed-line to mobile services," Sun notes. "Traditional fixed-line operators are in the process of deregulating and migrating to fixed and/or fixed-wireless technologies."
He expects that the combination of fixed-line strength with innovative mobile offerings will help to retain existing customers as well as attract new ones. In addition, data and Internet services will be the future revenue generators for fixed-line telecommunications.
However, the dearth of reliable power supply is hampering network performance. Furthermore, high incremental costs of fixed-line infrastructure are inhibiting network rollout and market monopoly is restraining competition.
"The lack of physical infrastructure such as power generation plants in sub-Saharan Africa limits the expansion of wire-line networks," explains Sun. "Conventional fixed-line telecommunications also relies on expensive copper-wire lines. Fixed-line operators find it difficult to improve the quality of services as there is a lack of private investments to fund the infrastructure rollouts."
In addition, the majority stakes of incumbent operators are still controlled by national governments in sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, the slow progress in deregulation of national incumbents restricts the growth of fixed-line telecommunications, because governments have a limited funding for the development of the capital-intensive fixed-line network infrastructure.
Frost & Sullivan believes that traditional incumbent operators should gradually migrate to fixed-wireless and/or mobile technologies to diversify their service portfolios.
"Combining the quality of fixed-line services with the mobility of wireless ones will give fixed-line operators a competitive edge to increase customer loyalty and consequently service uptake," concludes Sun. "It is imperative for fixed-line operators to enhance the quality of customer services, which will help retain existing customers and attract new ones."
However, a series of fibre-optic cables that are being placed along the east and west coasts of the continent are expected to give a second life to fixed-line telecom and cater to the rising demand for data and broadband Internet services.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Survival Strategies for Fixed-line Telecommunications Operators in Sub-Saharan Africa, finds that the market earned revenues of $6.78 billion in 2008 and estimates this to reach $12.25 billion in 2015.
The fixed-line technologies covered in this research include copper-wire network, fibre-optic network, dial-up, ADSL, ISDN, WiMAX, CDMA and MPLS.
"The key growth drivers for wire-line telecommunications are the increasing demand for data and Internet services, cost-effective deployment of fixed-wireless technologies, and the introduction of fibre-optic cables," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Jiaqi Sun. "Corporate customers are the major revenue contributor for fixed-line services, particularly data and Internet services and fixed-wireless technologies."
Fixed-wireless technologies such as WiMAX and CDMA have overcome the requirements of capital-intensive copper-wire infrastructure investments to achieve less time-to-market of new services. Additionally, fibre-optic cables will reduce costs and increase the bandwidth capacity of Internet services in the next three to five years.
"Corporate customers continue to prefer superior fixed-line to mobile services," Sun notes. "Traditional fixed-line operators are in the process of deregulating and migrating to fixed and/or fixed-wireless technologies."
He expects that the combination of fixed-line strength with innovative mobile offerings will help to retain existing customers as well as attract new ones. In addition, data and Internet services will be the future revenue generators for fixed-line telecommunications.
However, the dearth of reliable power supply is hampering network performance. Furthermore, high incremental costs of fixed-line infrastructure are inhibiting network rollout and market monopoly is restraining competition.
"The lack of physical infrastructure such as power generation plants in sub-Saharan Africa limits the expansion of wire-line networks," explains Sun. "Conventional fixed-line telecommunications also relies on expensive copper-wire lines. Fixed-line operators find it difficult to improve the quality of services as there is a lack of private investments to fund the infrastructure rollouts."
In addition, the majority stakes of incumbent operators are still controlled by national governments in sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, the slow progress in deregulation of national incumbents restricts the growth of fixed-line telecommunications, because governments have a limited funding for the development of the capital-intensive fixed-line network infrastructure.
Frost & Sullivan believes that traditional incumbent operators should gradually migrate to fixed-wireless and/or mobile technologies to diversify their service portfolios.
"Combining the quality of fixed-line services with the mobility of wireless ones will give fixed-line operators a competitive edge to increase customer loyalty and consequently service uptake," concludes Sun. "It is imperative for fixed-line operators to enhance the quality of customer services, which will help retain existing customers and attract new ones."
Operator must embrace prepaid
Raymond Yu and Nathan Burley, Senior Analysts, Ovum
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Across many developed markets, we have witnessed a shift in customer demands toward tariffs with “prepaid-like” qualities. Operators should take prepaid customers more seriously and offer them the same services as post-paid customers. In addition, operators should stop worrying about diluting ARPU and instead focus on the bottom line.
Customers are demanding prepaid-like qualities
During the past few years we have witnessed increased demand in some developed Asia-Pacific markets for prepaid-like qualities. Customers want greater control over their mobile expenditure and the freedom of not being tied to a contract. This has resulted in a range of hybrid tariffs that possess both post-paid and prepaid traits.
The emergence and growth in SIM-only tariffs gives post-paid customers the ability to change or limit their monthly expenditure and monthly contract terms.
This shift from post-paid toward prepaid has also been fuelled by long contracts for the latest handsets in many develop Asia-Pacific countries and poorer economic conditions.
Operators need to take prepaid more seriously
As developed mobile markets mature, operators’ priorities have moved away from connections growth and toward retention. Under these conditions, prepaid customers are just as important as post-paid. However, operators still have work to do on the prepaid side.
Prepaid customers are increasingly demanding access to the same range of features and services available to post-paid customers. We support their demands because it does not make sense that prepaid customers are punished.
Prepaid is still a good opportunity for operators in developed markets
Operators in developed markets need to view prepaid as a growth opportunity. As shown by our recent report “Mobile operators in mature markets must learn from emerging markets”, operators in developed countries have much to learn from prepaid-dominated emerging markets such as India where operators are profitable even with very low ARPUs.
Operators might even learn to take a more relaxed approach to multiple SIM ownership, which is already very attractive to many customers in developed markets. Operators are reluctant to encourage this because they believe it will negatively impact ARPU by which financial and other analysts judge them.
We believe it is high time for the industry to take a more aggressive view and begin to educate stakeholders that the bottom line is the metric that really matters.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Across many developed markets, we have witnessed a shift in customer demands toward tariffs with “prepaid-like” qualities. Operators should take prepaid customers more seriously and offer them the same services as post-paid customers. In addition, operators should stop worrying about diluting ARPU and instead focus on the bottom line.
Customers are demanding prepaid-like qualities
During the past few years we have witnessed increased demand in some developed Asia-Pacific markets for prepaid-like qualities. Customers want greater control over their mobile expenditure and the freedom of not being tied to a contract. This has resulted in a range of hybrid tariffs that possess both post-paid and prepaid traits.
The emergence and growth in SIM-only tariffs gives post-paid customers the ability to change or limit their monthly expenditure and monthly contract terms.
This shift from post-paid toward prepaid has also been fuelled by long contracts for the latest handsets in many develop Asia-Pacific countries and poorer economic conditions.
Operators need to take prepaid more seriously
As developed mobile markets mature, operators’ priorities have moved away from connections growth and toward retention. Under these conditions, prepaid customers are just as important as post-paid. However, operators still have work to do on the prepaid side.
Prepaid customers are increasingly demanding access to the same range of features and services available to post-paid customers. We support their demands because it does not make sense that prepaid customers are punished.
Prepaid is still a good opportunity for operators in developed markets
Operators in developed markets need to view prepaid as a growth opportunity. As shown by our recent report “Mobile operators in mature markets must learn from emerging markets”, operators in developed countries have much to learn from prepaid-dominated emerging markets such as India where operators are profitable even with very low ARPUs.
Operators might even learn to take a more relaxed approach to multiple SIM ownership, which is already very attractive to many customers in developed markets. Operators are reluctant to encourage this because they believe it will negatively impact ARPU by which financial and other analysts judge them.
We believe it is high time for the industry to take a more aggressive view and begin to educate stakeholders that the bottom line is the metric that really matters.
Qualcomm, CK Telecom sign WCDMA subscriber unit and modem card/module license agreement
SAN DIEGO, USA: Qualcomm Inc. and CK Telecom (Heyuan) Ltd, an ODM and OEM for wireless terminal products based in China, have entered into a subscriber unit and modem card/module license agreement (including PCB assemblies).
Under the terms of the royalty bearing agreement, Qualcomm has granted CK Telecom a worldwide patent license to develop, manufacture and sell WCDMA and TD-SCDMA subscriber units and modem cards/modules. The royalties payable by CK Telecom are at Qualcomm's standard worldwide rates.
"CK Telecom has been playing a role in manufacturing, R&D, marketing and technical support services in the telecommunications industry since 2001," said Derek Aberle, executive vice president of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm Technology Licensing.
"This agreement enables them to continue and expand their activities with a license to develop, manufacture and sell WCDMA and TD-SCDMA subscriber units, modem cards and modules."
"Qualcomm is a leader in next-generation mobile broadband technologies," said Roy Ho, CEO of CK Telecom (Heyuan). "We are pleased to enter into this licensing agreement with Qualcomm, which will serve to further strengthen CK Telecom's competitive market position."
CK Telecom (Heyuan) Ltd is an OEM and ODM player for wireless terminal products based on mainland China. With its vertical integration, CK Telecom (Heyuan) has been focusing on improving its manufacturing capabilities in various aspects. Meanwhile, CK Telecom (Heyuan) also attaches importance to advanced mobile broadband technologies.
Under the terms of the royalty bearing agreement, Qualcomm has granted CK Telecom a worldwide patent license to develop, manufacture and sell WCDMA and TD-SCDMA subscriber units and modem cards/modules. The royalties payable by CK Telecom are at Qualcomm's standard worldwide rates.
"CK Telecom has been playing a role in manufacturing, R&D, marketing and technical support services in the telecommunications industry since 2001," said Derek Aberle, executive vice president of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm Technology Licensing.
"This agreement enables them to continue and expand their activities with a license to develop, manufacture and sell WCDMA and TD-SCDMA subscriber units, modem cards and modules."
"Qualcomm is a leader in next-generation mobile broadband technologies," said Roy Ho, CEO of CK Telecom (Heyuan). "We are pleased to enter into this licensing agreement with Qualcomm, which will serve to further strengthen CK Telecom's competitive market position."
CK Telecom (Heyuan) Ltd is an OEM and ODM player for wireless terminal products based on mainland China. With its vertical integration, CK Telecom (Heyuan) has been focusing on improving its manufacturing capabilities in various aspects. Meanwhile, CK Telecom (Heyuan) also attaches importance to advanced mobile broadband technologies.
Qualcomm opens R&D center in Shanghai
SHANGHAI, CHINA: Qualcomm Inc., a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies, products and services, today announced the opening of a new, multi-million dollar R&D Center in Shanghai.
The new R&D center is part of Qualcomm's ongoing efforts to both utilize the growing pool of telecommunications engineering talent and enhance local R&D capabilities for the increasingly important wireless communications market in China.
The new R&D center in Shanghai will focus on advancing chipset solutions to better address China's increasing need for high quality and affordable 3G handsets with customized features and time-to-market advantages.
The Shanghai center is the second research and development facility of Qualcomm in China. Qualcomm entered the China market in the late 1990s and already has an established CDMA R&D center in Beijing, in addition to branch offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
"We are very excited about the expansion of Qualcomm's research and development activities in China, including the establishment of the new R&D center in Shanghai, which will enable our partners to bring a greater breadth and depth of 3G devices at a faster pace to one of the world's most rapidly expanding mobile markets," said Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies.
"Qualcomm's expanded presence in China is an example of our commitment to focusing our resources on supporting our customers as well as promoting wireless innovation efforts in China."
"Shanghai has become one of the global epicenters for mobile system and handset design, making it the perfect choice for Qualcomm's latest center for platform-level innovation," said Xiang Wang, senior vice president of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm Greater China.
"We are confident that our R&D center in Shanghai will help drive continued innovation of 3G chipset solutions by leveraging the expertise of our local companies and the talent of exceptional employees."
The new R&D center is part of Qualcomm's ongoing efforts to both utilize the growing pool of telecommunications engineering talent and enhance local R&D capabilities for the increasingly important wireless communications market in China.
The new R&D center in Shanghai will focus on advancing chipset solutions to better address China's increasing need for high quality and affordable 3G handsets with customized features and time-to-market advantages.
The Shanghai center is the second research and development facility of Qualcomm in China. Qualcomm entered the China market in the late 1990s and already has an established CDMA R&D center in Beijing, in addition to branch offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
"We are very excited about the expansion of Qualcomm's research and development activities in China, including the establishment of the new R&D center in Shanghai, which will enable our partners to bring a greater breadth and depth of 3G devices at a faster pace to one of the world's most rapidly expanding mobile markets," said Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies.
"Qualcomm's expanded presence in China is an example of our commitment to focusing our resources on supporting our customers as well as promoting wireless innovation efforts in China."
"Shanghai has become one of the global epicenters for mobile system and handset design, making it the perfect choice for Qualcomm's latest center for platform-level innovation," said Xiang Wang, senior vice president of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm Greater China.
"We are confident that our R&D center in Shanghai will help drive continued innovation of 3G chipset solutions by leveraging the expertise of our local companies and the talent of exceptional employees."
Friday, May 21, 2010
Asia-Pacific WAN services to grow 10 percent, exceed $13 billion in 2010
MALAYSIA: The Asia-Pacific WAN (wide area network) services market is forecasted to hit nearly $13.3 billion in revenues by the close of 2010, rising 10 percent over 2009 billings of $12 billion.
The market grew a modest 6.2 percent last year in spite of one of the worst recessions. Frost & Sullivan research manager Arun Chandrasekaran rationalizes that the growth was stoked by cross-regional branch expansions and data centre consolidation.
He estimates the per annum growth for WAN services to hover around the 10 percent mark till 2013 - before dipping slightly - with Ethernet and IP VPN (Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network) expected to see huge gains during this time.
“The convergence of voice, video and data is prompting rising demand for MPLS IP VPN (Multi-protocol Label Switching IP VPN) services given its scalability, low TCO (total cost of ownership) and ease in multiple site connectivity,” Chandrasekaran says. “While Ethernet is proving to be the preferred technology for high-speeds and connectivity between limited sites such as data centre-to-data centre.”
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Asia-Pacific WAN Services Market - covering 13 Asia-Pac countries ex-Japan - estimates the market to grow at a CAGR of 9.4 percent (2009-2016), clocking revenues of $22.6 billion by end-2016.
According to Chandrasekaran, the migration from legacy services to IP and Ethernet services continued at breakneck speed in the past 12 months due to the weak economic climate. “Enterprises faced with unviable telecom OPEX (operational expenditure) switched to MPLS and Ethernet to reduce cost and simplify management,” he reasons.
“Many carriers have in fact decommissioned their circuits for legacy technologies such as frame relay (FR) and ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) due to the lack of demand,” he adds. By 2016, the demand for FR and ATM is expected to ebb considerably - each serving less than one percent of the domestic and international WAN routes.
Domestic traffic made up approximately 71 percent ($8.57 billion) of the regional WAN revenues last year. Leased-circuits (LLC), still very much a dominant technology for domestic routes, accounted for 56 percent of the domestic WAN traffic in 2009.
Waning demand for LLC however is forecasted - by 2016, LLC will account for just 32 percent of domestic WAN needs - to be gradually replaced by MPLS IP VPN which is expected to serve a majority 46 percent of domestic WAN connectivity by 2016 (up from 26 percent in 2009).
MPLS IP VPN already leads in the international WAN segment at 47 percent of the international routes last year, and is expected to grow further to 64 percent of international routes by 2016.
Chandrasekaran believes that the key determinants for service differentiation and carrier competitiveness in this segment are ownership of network and region-wide reach.
He says: “The critical attributes for successful WAN service provisioning include strong international routes across the region, deep partnerships with domestic providers, PoPs (point-of-presence) region-wide, NNIs (network-to-network interface) with local providers, and diverse routing - particularly around seismic zones such as the Taiwan and Luzon Straits.”
He reckons Carrier Ethernet, both Metro and international services, will grow significantly owing to its simplicity, low cost per Mbps and ability to support high-speeds. Carriers, he expects, will aggressively expand the portfolio of Ethernet services to enhance profitability and control costs.
[Metro] Ethernet services are expected to account for 21 percent of domestic WAN traffic by 2016 (up from only 9 percent in 2009); and 22 percent of international circuits (up from 7 percent in 2009).
The market grew a modest 6.2 percent last year in spite of one of the worst recessions. Frost & Sullivan research manager Arun Chandrasekaran rationalizes that the growth was stoked by cross-regional branch expansions and data centre consolidation.
He estimates the per annum growth for WAN services to hover around the 10 percent mark till 2013 - before dipping slightly - with Ethernet and IP VPN (Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network) expected to see huge gains during this time.
“The convergence of voice, video and data is prompting rising demand for MPLS IP VPN (Multi-protocol Label Switching IP VPN) services given its scalability, low TCO (total cost of ownership) and ease in multiple site connectivity,” Chandrasekaran says. “While Ethernet is proving to be the preferred technology for high-speeds and connectivity between limited sites such as data centre-to-data centre.”
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Asia-Pacific WAN Services Market - covering 13 Asia-Pac countries ex-Japan - estimates the market to grow at a CAGR of 9.4 percent (2009-2016), clocking revenues of $22.6 billion by end-2016.
According to Chandrasekaran, the migration from legacy services to IP and Ethernet services continued at breakneck speed in the past 12 months due to the weak economic climate. “Enterprises faced with unviable telecom OPEX (operational expenditure) switched to MPLS and Ethernet to reduce cost and simplify management,” he reasons.
“Many carriers have in fact decommissioned their circuits for legacy technologies such as frame relay (FR) and ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) due to the lack of demand,” he adds. By 2016, the demand for FR and ATM is expected to ebb considerably - each serving less than one percent of the domestic and international WAN routes.
Domestic traffic made up approximately 71 percent ($8.57 billion) of the regional WAN revenues last year. Leased-circuits (LLC), still very much a dominant technology for domestic routes, accounted for 56 percent of the domestic WAN traffic in 2009.
Waning demand for LLC however is forecasted - by 2016, LLC will account for just 32 percent of domestic WAN needs - to be gradually replaced by MPLS IP VPN which is expected to serve a majority 46 percent of domestic WAN connectivity by 2016 (up from 26 percent in 2009).
MPLS IP VPN already leads in the international WAN segment at 47 percent of the international routes last year, and is expected to grow further to 64 percent of international routes by 2016.
Chandrasekaran believes that the key determinants for service differentiation and carrier competitiveness in this segment are ownership of network and region-wide reach.
He says: “The critical attributes for successful WAN service provisioning include strong international routes across the region, deep partnerships with domestic providers, PoPs (point-of-presence) region-wide, NNIs (network-to-network interface) with local providers, and diverse routing - particularly around seismic zones such as the Taiwan and Luzon Straits.”
He reckons Carrier Ethernet, both Metro and international services, will grow significantly owing to its simplicity, low cost per Mbps and ability to support high-speeds. Carriers, he expects, will aggressively expand the portfolio of Ethernet services to enhance profitability and control costs.
[Metro] Ethernet services are expected to account for 21 percent of domestic WAN traffic by 2016 (up from only 9 percent in 2009); and 22 percent of international circuits (up from 7 percent in 2009).
Fear-stricken telcos must learn to exploit Google
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Google is causing “fear and paranoia” in the telecoms industry and telcos must learn to exploit the search and technology giant rather than be exploited, Ovum has warned.
A new report by the independent technology analyst states that Google poses a greater long-term threat to telecommunications firms and the broader telecoms ecosystem than any other company of its kind.
Ovum principal analyst Tony Cripps said: “Google’s ability and willingness to invest in whatever is necessary to achieve its aims – to place advertising in front of as many people as possible, wherever and whenever it can – is placing a growing strain on traditional telecoms industry players’ ability to roll out novel and profitable services to their subscriber bases. By targeting users of connected devices other than PCs, Google is also competing with telecoms players for the attention and loyalty of subscribers.”
To date, this has been a particular problem for mobile telecoms operators, but the same phenomenon also looks set to impact those whose primary point of customer contact is their living room – namely IPTV, cable, satellite, and other broadcasters. Google can be expected to make similar moves aimed at making its existing portfolio of web applications and content ubiquitous on TVs and other screens used to watch video.
“Google’s ability to leverage its cloud services core to infiltrate new screens marks it out as a competitive threat to even the most converged of today’s service providers, including Verizon in the US and Orange/France Telecom in France,” added Cripps.
In its report, Ovum has drawn up a series of recommendations for telecoms industry players, including thinking like a developer instead of platform, investing in core assets and looking for ways to complement Google.
Ovum believes telcos that are intent on playing Google at its own game must do it properly, with sufficient investment and commitment in systems, software and community-building (both in terms of users, and content and application partners), in order to give their offerings a competitive chance.
A new report by the independent technology analyst states that Google poses a greater long-term threat to telecommunications firms and the broader telecoms ecosystem than any other company of its kind.
Ovum principal analyst Tony Cripps said: “Google’s ability and willingness to invest in whatever is necessary to achieve its aims – to place advertising in front of as many people as possible, wherever and whenever it can – is placing a growing strain on traditional telecoms industry players’ ability to roll out novel and profitable services to their subscriber bases. By targeting users of connected devices other than PCs, Google is also competing with telecoms players for the attention and loyalty of subscribers.”
To date, this has been a particular problem for mobile telecoms operators, but the same phenomenon also looks set to impact those whose primary point of customer contact is their living room – namely IPTV, cable, satellite, and other broadcasters. Google can be expected to make similar moves aimed at making its existing portfolio of web applications and content ubiquitous on TVs and other screens used to watch video.
“Google’s ability to leverage its cloud services core to infiltrate new screens marks it out as a competitive threat to even the most converged of today’s service providers, including Verizon in the US and Orange/France Telecom in France,” added Cripps.
In its report, Ovum has drawn up a series of recommendations for telecoms industry players, including thinking like a developer instead of platform, investing in core assets and looking for ways to complement Google.
Ovum believes telcos that are intent on playing Google at its own game must do it properly, with sufficient investment and commitment in systems, software and community-building (both in terms of users, and content and application partners), in order to give their offerings a competitive chance.
Mobile broadband modem sales to reach 200 million in 2014
BOSTON, USA: The sales of new devices with integrated mobile broadband connectivity, together with external USB modems, will top 100 million in 2010, as mobile broadband makes major inroads into the mass market, stimulated by new devices such as the Amazon Kindle and Apple iPad and more aggressive tariffs from mobile operators.
According to a new Strategy Analytics Wireless Enterprise Strategies (WES) service report, “Untethering the User: Mobile Broadband Market Outlook on USB Modems, PC Cards & Embedded Cellular Connectivity,” the installed base of mobile broadband modems will have grown to a staggering 415 million devices by 2014, highlighting the need for true, ubiquitous mobility, that enables users to engage with their contacts and content whatever their location.
This report examines in detail the global market for embedded laptops, netbooks and USB modems. Strategy Analytics evaluates drivers behind carriers’ aggressive promotion of mobile broadband devices--such as cellular-based modems for notebooks, netbooks and numerous other industrial and consumer devices--from smart meters and advertising displays to EBook Readers, media tablets and even picture frames. The report also looks at factors that could disrupt the mobile broadband market, such as Wi-Fi, and reliance on smartphones and handset tethering.
“Decreasing module costs and greater variety of pre and post-pay tariff plans are making mobile broadband more accessible, allowing more people to access their content wherever and whenever they desire. Going forward, emerging markets and M2M will represent major opportunities for growth,” according to Andrew Brown, Director of Wireless Enterprise Strategies at Strategy Analytics and author of the report.
Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, Director, Mobile Broadband Opportunities (MBO), added: “Clearly we are at an inflection point in the mobile broadband market. New devices, such as the Amazon Kindle and Apple iPad, as well as netbooks and notebooks, are helping to drive mobile broadband into the mass market.”
According to a new Strategy Analytics Wireless Enterprise Strategies (WES) service report, “Untethering the User: Mobile Broadband Market Outlook on USB Modems, PC Cards & Embedded Cellular Connectivity,” the installed base of mobile broadband modems will have grown to a staggering 415 million devices by 2014, highlighting the need for true, ubiquitous mobility, that enables users to engage with their contacts and content whatever their location.
This report examines in detail the global market for embedded laptops, netbooks and USB modems. Strategy Analytics evaluates drivers behind carriers’ aggressive promotion of mobile broadband devices--such as cellular-based modems for notebooks, netbooks and numerous other industrial and consumer devices--from smart meters and advertising displays to EBook Readers, media tablets and even picture frames. The report also looks at factors that could disrupt the mobile broadband market, such as Wi-Fi, and reliance on smartphones and handset tethering.
“Decreasing module costs and greater variety of pre and post-pay tariff plans are making mobile broadband more accessible, allowing more people to access their content wherever and whenever they desire. Going forward, emerging markets and M2M will represent major opportunities for growth,” according to Andrew Brown, Director of Wireless Enterprise Strategies at Strategy Analytics and author of the report.
Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, Director, Mobile Broadband Opportunities (MBO), added: “Clearly we are at an inflection point in the mobile broadband market. New devices, such as the Amazon Kindle and Apple iPad, as well as netbooks and notebooks, are helping to drive mobile broadband into the mass market.”
Sequans announces successful TD-LTE demo for China Mobile
PARIS, FRANCE & SHANGHAI, CHINA: 4G chipmaker Sequans announced that Sequans-powered TD-LTE USB dongles performed successfully as part of China Mobile’s end-to-end TD-LTE demonstration network that debuted at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, May 1.
China Mobile selected Sequans to provide TD-LTE chips and USB dongles for this revolutionary technology demonstration that was designed to show the world a real-life performance of a TD-LTE network.
China Mobile is covering several major pavilions at the Shanghai Expo with the TD-LTE service. During the demonstrations, Sequans’ small, commercial-sized TD-LTE USB dongle delivered high definition video for an audience of China Mobile executives, and high throughput for an audience of editors and analysts attending the debut event.
“We are very pleased and proud to collaborate with China Mobile on this major achievement,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO. “The successful demonstration shows the great potential of TD-LTE technology and that it can certainly become a global technology standard.”
The USB dongles used for the demo are powered by Sequans’ SQN3010 baseband SOC. The chip is designed to comply with the 3GPP R8 standard, supporting UE category 3 throughput of 100 Mbps in a 20 MHz channel, and LTE band classes 38 and 40.
“We have taken an early lead in the development of LTE silicon and our participation in the world’s first TD-LTE demonstration network shows our commitment to becoming a valued supplier to China Mobile and the worldwide TD-LTE ecosystem,” said Karam.
China Mobile selected Sequans to provide TD-LTE chips and USB dongles for this revolutionary technology demonstration that was designed to show the world a real-life performance of a TD-LTE network.
China Mobile is covering several major pavilions at the Shanghai Expo with the TD-LTE service. During the demonstrations, Sequans’ small, commercial-sized TD-LTE USB dongle delivered high definition video for an audience of China Mobile executives, and high throughput for an audience of editors and analysts attending the debut event.
“We are very pleased and proud to collaborate with China Mobile on this major achievement,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO. “The successful demonstration shows the great potential of TD-LTE technology and that it can certainly become a global technology standard.”
The USB dongles used for the demo are powered by Sequans’ SQN3010 baseband SOC. The chip is designed to comply with the 3GPP R8 standard, supporting UE category 3 throughput of 100 Mbps in a 20 MHz channel, and LTE band classes 38 and 40.
“We have taken an early lead in the development of LTE silicon and our participation in the world’s first TD-LTE demonstration network shows our commitment to becoming a valued supplier to China Mobile and the worldwide TD-LTE ecosystem,” said Karam.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tejas Networks wins national telecom award
NEW DeLHI, INDIA: Tejas Networks Ltd has won the INFOCOM CMAI National Telecom Award as the ‘Largest Exporter of Telecom Equipment’.
The award was presented by Thiru A Raja, Honorable Minister of Communications & IT, Government of India and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Karia Munda. The award seeks to recognize telecom companies for their contribution in building robust national telecom networks and providing effective means of communication.
Sanjay Nayak, CEO and MD, said: "We are delighted to have won the National Telecom Award. This is a great recognition for Tejas Networks, which is one of the first technology product companies from India in the telecom sector and the optical networking leader in the highly competitive Indian telecom market. Our consistent growth over the past many years is a result of our execution strategy of aggressively investing in R&D to build world-class products and our innovative sales model that gives us access to global markets using a partnership approach.
"We have seen significant international success and our products are deployed in over 50 countries around the world. Our global success is a strong endorsement of our technology-leading products, world-class quality and competitive prices. We are truly honored that we have been selected as the telecom equipment exporter of the year by a prestigious industry body like CMAI."
The award was presented by Thiru A Raja, Honorable Minister of Communications & IT, Government of India and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Karia Munda. The award seeks to recognize telecom companies for their contribution in building robust national telecom networks and providing effective means of communication.
Sanjay Nayak, CEO and MD, said: "We are delighted to have won the National Telecom Award. This is a great recognition for Tejas Networks, which is one of the first technology product companies from India in the telecom sector and the optical networking leader in the highly competitive Indian telecom market. Our consistent growth over the past many years is a result of our execution strategy of aggressively investing in R&D to build world-class products and our innovative sales model that gives us access to global markets using a partnership approach.
"We have seen significant international success and our products are deployed in over 50 countries around the world. Our global success is a strong endorsement of our technology-leading products, world-class quality and competitive prices. We are truly honored that we have been selected as the telecom equipment exporter of the year by a prestigious industry body like CMAI."
Worldwide mobile phone sales grew 17 percent in Q1 2010
EGHAM, UK: Worldwide mobile phone sales to end users totalled 314.7 million units in the first quarter of 2010, a 17 per cent increase from the same period in 2009, according to Gartner Inc.
Smarpthone sales to end users reached 54.3 million units, an increase of 48.7 per cent from the first quarter of 2009. Among the most successful vendors were those that controlled an integrated set of operating system (OS), hardware and services.
"In the first quarter of 2010, smartphone sales to end users saw their strongest year-on-year increase since 2006," said Carolina Milanesi, research vice president at Gartner. “This quarter saw RIM, a pure smartphone player, make its debut in the top five mobile devices manufacturers, and saw Apple increase its market share by 1.2 percentage points. Android’s momentum continued into the first quarter of 2010, particularly in North America, where sales of Android-based phones increased 707 per cent year-on-year.
Growth in the mobile devices market was driven by double-digit growth of smartphone sales in mature markets, helped by wider product availability as well as mass market price tags. “Increasing sales of white-box products in some emerging regions, in particular India, also drove sales of mobile phones upward. We expect sales of white-box products to remain very healthy for the remainder of 2010, especially outside of China,” said Ms Milanesi.
The first quarter also saw some movement outside the top five mobile handset vendor rankings (see Table 1), Hong Kong-based manufacturer G-Five made its debut into the top 10, grabbing 1.4 per cent of market share in the first quarter of 2010.
The rise of white-box manufacturers from Asia has also helped the "others" section, as a proportion of overall sales, increase its market share to 19.20 per cent in the first quarter of 2010, up 2.7 percentage points. “This is having a profound effect on the top five mobile handset manufacturers’ combined share that dropped from 73.3 in the first quarter of 2009 to 70.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2010,” said Ms Milanesi.
Table 1
Worldwide Mobile Terminal Sales to End Users in 1Q10 (Thousands of Units)
Source: Gartner (May 2010).
In the first quarter of 2010, Nokia's mobile phone sales to end users reached 110.1 million units, a 1.2 per cent decline in market share year-on-year. Although Nokia's midtier products sold well, Nokia lacks a high-volume driver in the high-end.
“MeeGo based devices and other high-end products will not rejuvenate Nokia's premium portfolio until the end of the third quarter of 2010 at the earliest, and Nokia will continue to feel pressure on its average selling price (ASP) from vendors such as HTC, RIM and Samsung,” said Ms Milanesi.
The reorganisation announced last week demonstrated that Nokia is trying to streamline the reporting process to deliver results quickly, which we believe shows its recognition of the pressure it faces from investors.
Samsung sold 64.9 million devices in the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 26.3 per cent year-on-year. Samsung was one of the five vendors in the top10 vendors ranking to grow its market share, which increased by 1.5 percentage points year-on-year. Samsung saw healthy margins in the first quarter of 2010 and was also able to grow its presence in developing markets such as India and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
RIM’s mobile phone sales reached 10.6 million units in the first quarter of 2010, a 45.9 per cent increase year-on-year. RIM is making its debut into the top five worldwide mobile handset manufacturers ranking. RIM's focus this quarter was centred on its ecosystem strategy, its tightly integrated control of store, OS and device played to RIM’s strengths.
Sony Ericsson sold enough units to remain in the top five mobile handset manufacturers, but its market share declined 2.3 percentage points in the first quarter of 2010. The channel held some inventory for Sony Ericsson in the first quarter of 2010 as some new products reached the channel late into the quarter.
One of Sony Ericsson's most important future differentiators is its relationship with its parent company, Sony. This partnership, combined with Sony Ericsson’s ownership of the strongest portfolio it has had since 2007, place it well to lead the trend toward increasingly connected consumer devices.
The first quarter of 2010 was Apple’s strongest quarter yet, which placed the company in the No. 7 position with a 112.2 per cent increase in mobile devices sales. “Growth came partly from new communication service providers in established markets, such as the UK, and stronger sales in new markets such as China and South Korea,” said Ms Milanesi.
“The second quarter of 2010 will be a very important one for Apple. We expect that Apple will present its new iPhone in June during its Worldwide Developer Conference, which will be the first to feature the latest release of the iPhone OS that includes welcome improvements for developers and users, such as multitasking.”
In the smartphone OS market, Android and Apple were the winners in the first quarter of 2010 (see Table 2). Android moved to the No. 4 position displacing Microsoft Windows Mobile for the first time. Both Android and Apple were the only two OSs vendors among the top five to increase market share year-on-year. Symbian remained in the No. 1 position but continued to lose as Nokia remains weak in the high-end portfolio.
Smartphones accounted for 17.3 per cent of all mobile handset sales in the first quarter of 2010, up from 13.6 per cent in the same period in 2009.
As seen with the iPad and web books based on Google's Android platform, mobile OS ecosystems are developing and will move beyond smartphones to continue to deliver consumer value and a rich user experience,” said Roberta Cozza, principal research analyst at Gartner.
Table 2
Worldwide Smartphone Sales to End Users by Operating System in 1Q10 (Thousands of Units)
Source: Gartner (May 2010).
Smarpthone sales to end users reached 54.3 million units, an increase of 48.7 per cent from the first quarter of 2009. Among the most successful vendors were those that controlled an integrated set of operating system (OS), hardware and services.
"In the first quarter of 2010, smartphone sales to end users saw their strongest year-on-year increase since 2006," said Carolina Milanesi, research vice president at Gartner. “This quarter saw RIM, a pure smartphone player, make its debut in the top five mobile devices manufacturers, and saw Apple increase its market share by 1.2 percentage points. Android’s momentum continued into the first quarter of 2010, particularly in North America, where sales of Android-based phones increased 707 per cent year-on-year.
Growth in the mobile devices market was driven by double-digit growth of smartphone sales in mature markets, helped by wider product availability as well as mass market price tags. “Increasing sales of white-box products in some emerging regions, in particular India, also drove sales of mobile phones upward. We expect sales of white-box products to remain very healthy for the remainder of 2010, especially outside of China,” said Ms Milanesi.
The first quarter also saw some movement outside the top five mobile handset vendor rankings (see Table 1), Hong Kong-based manufacturer G-Five made its debut into the top 10, grabbing 1.4 per cent of market share in the first quarter of 2010.
The rise of white-box manufacturers from Asia has also helped the "others" section, as a proportion of overall sales, increase its market share to 19.20 per cent in the first quarter of 2010, up 2.7 percentage points. “This is having a profound effect on the top five mobile handset manufacturers’ combined share that dropped from 73.3 in the first quarter of 2009 to 70.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2010,” said Ms Milanesi.
Table 1
Worldwide Mobile Terminal Sales to End Users in 1Q10 (Thousands of Units)
Source: Gartner (May 2010).In the first quarter of 2010, Nokia's mobile phone sales to end users reached 110.1 million units, a 1.2 per cent decline in market share year-on-year. Although Nokia's midtier products sold well, Nokia lacks a high-volume driver in the high-end.
“MeeGo based devices and other high-end products will not rejuvenate Nokia's premium portfolio until the end of the third quarter of 2010 at the earliest, and Nokia will continue to feel pressure on its average selling price (ASP) from vendors such as HTC, RIM and Samsung,” said Ms Milanesi.
The reorganisation announced last week demonstrated that Nokia is trying to streamline the reporting process to deliver results quickly, which we believe shows its recognition of the pressure it faces from investors.
Samsung sold 64.9 million devices in the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 26.3 per cent year-on-year. Samsung was one of the five vendors in the top10 vendors ranking to grow its market share, which increased by 1.5 percentage points year-on-year. Samsung saw healthy margins in the first quarter of 2010 and was also able to grow its presence in developing markets such as India and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
RIM’s mobile phone sales reached 10.6 million units in the first quarter of 2010, a 45.9 per cent increase year-on-year. RIM is making its debut into the top five worldwide mobile handset manufacturers ranking. RIM's focus this quarter was centred on its ecosystem strategy, its tightly integrated control of store, OS and device played to RIM’s strengths.
Sony Ericsson sold enough units to remain in the top five mobile handset manufacturers, but its market share declined 2.3 percentage points in the first quarter of 2010. The channel held some inventory for Sony Ericsson in the first quarter of 2010 as some new products reached the channel late into the quarter.
One of Sony Ericsson's most important future differentiators is its relationship with its parent company, Sony. This partnership, combined with Sony Ericsson’s ownership of the strongest portfolio it has had since 2007, place it well to lead the trend toward increasingly connected consumer devices.
The first quarter of 2010 was Apple’s strongest quarter yet, which placed the company in the No. 7 position with a 112.2 per cent increase in mobile devices sales. “Growth came partly from new communication service providers in established markets, such as the UK, and stronger sales in new markets such as China and South Korea,” said Ms Milanesi.
“The second quarter of 2010 will be a very important one for Apple. We expect that Apple will present its new iPhone in June during its Worldwide Developer Conference, which will be the first to feature the latest release of the iPhone OS that includes welcome improvements for developers and users, such as multitasking.”
In the smartphone OS market, Android and Apple were the winners in the first quarter of 2010 (see Table 2). Android moved to the No. 4 position displacing Microsoft Windows Mobile for the first time. Both Android and Apple were the only two OSs vendors among the top five to increase market share year-on-year. Symbian remained in the No. 1 position but continued to lose as Nokia remains weak in the high-end portfolio.
Smartphones accounted for 17.3 per cent of all mobile handset sales in the first quarter of 2010, up from 13.6 per cent in the same period in 2009.
As seen with the iPad and web books based on Google's Android platform, mobile OS ecosystems are developing and will move beyond smartphones to continue to deliver consumer value and a rich user experience,” said Roberta Cozza, principal research analyst at Gartner.
Table 2
Worldwide Smartphone Sales to End Users by Operating System in 1Q10 (Thousands of Units)
Source: Gartner (May 2010).
Mobile application developers seek cross-platform standards
BOSTON, USA: Difficulties in porting applications across platforms and ensuring applications work across all devices within certain platforms cause frustration for developers of applications on mobile devices.
Developers would embrace the creation of standards to address this issue, according to a recent Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Lab report, “Mobile Application Developers Call for Standards.”
This report summarizes interviews conducted with application developers in North America and Western Europe designed to assess the keys to making compelling experiences on applications and the barriers developers face.
“App developers not only have difficulty porting their applications from one platform to another, developers also have difficulty across different devices in the same platform,” commented Chris Schreiner, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics. “On Blackberry devices in particular, differences in screen size, resolution, input methods and available features make each device seem built on different platforms.”
Kevin Nolan, Vice President of the Strategy Analytics User Experience Practice, added, “Developers also want a more consistent purchase experience for consumers, as well as more flexible pricing options, including subscription-based models.”
Developers would embrace the creation of standards to address this issue, according to a recent Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Lab report, “Mobile Application Developers Call for Standards.”
This report summarizes interviews conducted with application developers in North America and Western Europe designed to assess the keys to making compelling experiences on applications and the barriers developers face.
“App developers not only have difficulty porting their applications from one platform to another, developers also have difficulty across different devices in the same platform,” commented Chris Schreiner, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics. “On Blackberry devices in particular, differences in screen size, resolution, input methods and available features make each device seem built on different platforms.”
Kevin Nolan, Vice President of the Strategy Analytics User Experience Practice, added, “Developers also want a more consistent purchase experience for consumers, as well as more flexible pricing options, including subscription-based models.”
Mobile local search users to reach almost 1.5bn by 2014 as GPS migrates into mass market handsets
HAMPSHIRE, UK: A continuing surge in mobile Internet usage, allied to the increasing penetration of integrated GPS receivers within both smartphones and featurephones, will see location-based local search and information services used by nearly 1.5 billion mobile users by 2014, according to a new report from Juniper Research.
The mobile location report found that while technical advances in handset screens, user interfaces, processors, memory and graphics handling technologies had previously contributed to the launch of a rash of high spec, but relatively high cost, mobile devices from leading vendors, their features – including GPS – were gradually migrating into mass market devices. At the same time, GPS unit prices and form factors had improved considerably making integrated GPS much more cost effective and design friendly.
Meanwhile, the attendant growth in mobile Internet adoption – itself in part a corollary of improved handset form factors and affordable data bundles – is expected to provide further impetus to the adoption of browser-based local search services.
According to report author Dr Windsor Holden, “The sharing culture of Web 2.0 is increasingly shaping the way many location based services and location enabled apps develop. Social networking application usage has continued to grow at an explosive rate, while mobile driven apps such as Loopt and Brightkite have extended the Web 2.0 concept further with the introduction of geotagged content”.
Additionally, the Juniper report found that while browser-based services will dominate the local search market, applications purchased via app stores will take a growing portion of the information services market, particularly template apps providing city guides and entertainment guides.
Other findings from the Juniper report include:
• Total revenues from all mobile location-based services are expected to reach $12.7 billion by 2014.
• While advertising will comprise an increasing proportion of total market value, some concerns remain regarding its large-scale viability as a primary revenue stream.
The mobile location report found that while technical advances in handset screens, user interfaces, processors, memory and graphics handling technologies had previously contributed to the launch of a rash of high spec, but relatively high cost, mobile devices from leading vendors, their features – including GPS – were gradually migrating into mass market devices. At the same time, GPS unit prices and form factors had improved considerably making integrated GPS much more cost effective and design friendly.
Meanwhile, the attendant growth in mobile Internet adoption – itself in part a corollary of improved handset form factors and affordable data bundles – is expected to provide further impetus to the adoption of browser-based local search services.
According to report author Dr Windsor Holden, “The sharing culture of Web 2.0 is increasingly shaping the way many location based services and location enabled apps develop. Social networking application usage has continued to grow at an explosive rate, while mobile driven apps such as Loopt and Brightkite have extended the Web 2.0 concept further with the introduction of geotagged content”.
Additionally, the Juniper report found that while browser-based services will dominate the local search market, applications purchased via app stores will take a growing portion of the information services market, particularly template apps providing city guides and entertainment guides.
Other findings from the Juniper report include:
• Total revenues from all mobile location-based services are expected to reach $12.7 billion by 2014.
• While advertising will comprise an increasing proportion of total market value, some concerns remain regarding its large-scale viability as a primary revenue stream.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
