OSAKA, JAPAN: Panasonic Corp. has successfully developed a 60GHz multi-gigabit wireless communication technology that is optimized for mobile devices, and supports the WiGig specification and/or the IEEE802.11ad draft specification. This multi-gigabit wireless communication technology consists of a 60GHz transceiver and a baseband processor which are integrated individually onto CMOS semiconductor chips through circuit technologies optimized for mobile devices.
The technology enables multi-gigabit wireless communication of more than 20 times faster than existing wireless LANs using the 60GHz frequency band, and through the optimization of both the transceiver core and peripheral circuits, it also enables lower than 1W low-power, multi-gigabit wireless communication in the future.
Up till today, only the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands have been used in high-speed wireless communication for mobile devices while 60GHz ultra-high-speed wireless communication remains to be employed only in stationary devices such as TVs, but not in mobile devices due to the higher energy consumption associated with the use of wider frequency bandwidth.
With high-speed communication of 20 times faster than existing wireless LANs, this technology allows the transferring of a 30-minute long compressed high definition (HD) video content within 10 seconds. In combination with the low power features made possible through the transceiver core and peripheral circuits optimization, it has been made viable for mobile devices such as smart phones that requires lower than 1W of power consumption in their radio function unit. This is a big step forward to realize stress-free, fast HD video content transfer and streaming on mobile devices.
The technology has the following features:
1. The world’s lowest noise signal generator (-95dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset frequency) enables high sensitivity wireless performance. The transceiver has been integrated into a CMOS chip, which leads to miniaturization of the mobile devices.
2. Forward error correction (FEC) code is indispensable to maintain reliability in high-speed wireless communication. In this technology, the circuit size of decoding block is 30 percent smaller than that of Panasonic’s conventional architectures by optimizing decoding circuits. This reduction results in lower power consumption.
3. The chipset supports the WiGig specification, which is going to be an industry standard for a multi-gigabit, short range wireless communication system. It will provide reliable interoperability among various devices.
The technology consists of the following new Panasonic’s technologies:
1. A unique multiband voltage controlled oscillator technology, which achieves excellent phase noise while covering over 9GHz frequency bandwidth required by the WiGig specifications.
2. A FEC decoding circuit technology, which enables the use of common functional units to handle various error correction codes specified in the WiGig and at the same time, achieves low power by reducing the circuit complexity and the operation frequency.
On this development, Panasonic holds 16 domestic patents and 16 overseas patents, including pending applications.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Dramatic growth in FTTx market, while DSL edges down
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: There was dramatic growth in the FTTx (fiber to the X) and CMTS (cable modem termination system) markets in the first quarter of 2011, thanks to continuing next-generation access (NGA) network upgrades, finds Ovum.
According to a new market share report* from the independent telecoms analysis firm, the market for PON (passive optical network), FTTH (fiber to the home) and FTTB (fiber to the building) OLT (optical line terminal) ports grew by 35 percent in the first quarter of 2011, when compared to the last quarter of 2010, to reach 988,889 ports.
When compared to the same period of 2010, the growth jumps to a massive 182 percent with shipments into Asia-Pacific comprising a whopping 93 percent of the total. China was the powerhouse for much of this growth, propelling Huawei, ZTE, and FiberHome into the first three places for PON OLT port shipments.
Kamalini Ganguly, Ovum analyst and author of the new market report, commented, “Shipments also jumped in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region and in the South and Central America region to their highest levels ever.”
Conversely, the DSL (digital subscriber line) market was an exception and edged down five per cent when compared to the last quarter of 2010. The fall was expected due to the seasonal trend at the beginning of a new year and was consistent with the four per cent sequential drop in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009. In addition, DSL growth has slowed or turned negative in some countries as subscribers churn to FTTB or FTTH connections.
Ganguly commented: “Despite the sequential drop in the first quarter of 2011, year-on-year (YoY) shipments were higher in all regions, many supported by upgrades related to FTTN and FTTB rollouts. In fact, the first quarter of 2011 was another record quarter for VDSL2 (very high-speed digital subscriber line 2) shipments, which crested to 4.8 million ports.”
According to Ovum’s market analysis, Alcatel-Lucent currently leads the VDSL/VDSL2 market with 42 percent market share, followed by Huawei with 22 percent, and Ericsson with 8 percent.
According to a new market share report* from the independent telecoms analysis firm, the market for PON (passive optical network), FTTH (fiber to the home) and FTTB (fiber to the building) OLT (optical line terminal) ports grew by 35 percent in the first quarter of 2011, when compared to the last quarter of 2010, to reach 988,889 ports.
When compared to the same period of 2010, the growth jumps to a massive 182 percent with shipments into Asia-Pacific comprising a whopping 93 percent of the total. China was the powerhouse for much of this growth, propelling Huawei, ZTE, and FiberHome into the first three places for PON OLT port shipments.
Kamalini Ganguly, Ovum analyst and author of the new market report, commented, “Shipments also jumped in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region and in the South and Central America region to their highest levels ever.”
Conversely, the DSL (digital subscriber line) market was an exception and edged down five per cent when compared to the last quarter of 2010. The fall was expected due to the seasonal trend at the beginning of a new year and was consistent with the four per cent sequential drop in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009. In addition, DSL growth has slowed or turned negative in some countries as subscribers churn to FTTB or FTTH connections.
Ganguly commented: “Despite the sequential drop in the first quarter of 2011, year-on-year (YoY) shipments were higher in all regions, many supported by upgrades related to FTTN and FTTB rollouts. In fact, the first quarter of 2011 was another record quarter for VDSL2 (very high-speed digital subscriber line 2) shipments, which crested to 4.8 million ports.”
According to Ovum’s market analysis, Alcatel-Lucent currently leads the VDSL/VDSL2 market with 42 percent market share, followed by Huawei with 22 percent, and Ericsson with 8 percent.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
New Ofcom-accredited mobile price comparison site launches
UK: CInergy International, the UK mobile market intelligence firm, announced the arrival of Mobilife, [mobilife.com] a new mobile price comparison site for consumers designed to take the confusion out of choosing a new mobile phone contract. The price comparison calculator behind the site has received accreditation from telecom watchdog Ofcom, and will help address the £3 billion* wasted annually by mobile phone users on the wrong the contract.
CInergy International is a UK-based company that has been providing mobile market data and intelligence solutions to mobile network operators since 2003. Mobilife is built around the engine which has been powering call centre and retail systems of mobile service providers and supported more than 20 million customer interactions across Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, O2 and Virgin Mobile. By putting this capability directly in the hands of consumers it aims to bring transparency and balance to a confused market.
Recommending best deals for individual consumers’ needs
Mobilife is a mobile price comparison site which clearly recommends the best deal for consumers, based on the way they use their phone – rather than basing recommendations on deals that are the most popular or most heavily advertised. There are over 1 million mobile contract deals available to UK consumers. Mobilife analyses and updates these daily meaning that consumers can be sure the contract deals recommended are the best value deals available.
People can choose to either search for the best package for the phone of their choice or use Mobilife’s real-time bill analyser (currently in beta trial) which looks at the last three months of a user’s mobile bill via their online account and recommends the best contract based on their actual voice, text and data usage.
The free-to-use service can save consumers hundreds of pounds a year. An example of a higher data user who used the beta site saved £612.24 annually as a result of a Mobilife recommendation – enough to pay for a gym membership!
Brian Boroff, MD of CInergy International and Mobilife, commented: “Mobilife aims to make the complex and confusing process of choosing a new contract mobile deal easier and more transparent for everybody.. There are dozens of mobile deal sites out there, but these generally only advertise deals the mobile phone providers pay them to advertise or show most popular deals - which are often not the best value deal for the consumer.”
Delivering what consumers want
Mobilife has been awarded the Ofcom price accreditation scheme logo for meeting the terms of a rigorous independent audit. The audit checks whether the information provided to consumers is accessible, accurate, transparent, comprehensive and up to date, giving consumers the reassurance they need to know that the deals recommended by Mobilife are the best value available in the UK and updated every day.
Commenting on the accreditation, Ed Richards, Ofcom chief executive said: “Clear and accurate pricing information on mobile phone services is fundamental to consumer choice. Consumers can be sure that by using an Ofcom-accredited price comparison service they are going to be receiving accurate, transparent and comprehensive pricing information to enable them to choose the best mobile deal for them.”
Brian Boroff, MD of CInergy International and Mobilife, added, “Ofcom accreditation is a major step in our goal to delivering the best mobile price comparison service on the market, with accurate and up-to-date price comparison of every UK contract deal.”
CInergy International is a UK-based company that has been providing mobile market data and intelligence solutions to mobile network operators since 2003. Mobilife is built around the engine which has been powering call centre and retail systems of mobile service providers and supported more than 20 million customer interactions across Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, O2 and Virgin Mobile. By putting this capability directly in the hands of consumers it aims to bring transparency and balance to a confused market.
Recommending best deals for individual consumers’ needs
Mobilife is a mobile price comparison site which clearly recommends the best deal for consumers, based on the way they use their phone – rather than basing recommendations on deals that are the most popular or most heavily advertised. There are over 1 million mobile contract deals available to UK consumers. Mobilife analyses and updates these daily meaning that consumers can be sure the contract deals recommended are the best value deals available.
People can choose to either search for the best package for the phone of their choice or use Mobilife’s real-time bill analyser (currently in beta trial) which looks at the last three months of a user’s mobile bill via their online account and recommends the best contract based on their actual voice, text and data usage.
The free-to-use service can save consumers hundreds of pounds a year. An example of a higher data user who used the beta site saved £612.24 annually as a result of a Mobilife recommendation – enough to pay for a gym membership!
Brian Boroff, MD of CInergy International and Mobilife, commented: “Mobilife aims to make the complex and confusing process of choosing a new contract mobile deal easier and more transparent for everybody.. There are dozens of mobile deal sites out there, but these generally only advertise deals the mobile phone providers pay them to advertise or show most popular deals - which are often not the best value deal for the consumer.”
Delivering what consumers want
Mobilife has been awarded the Ofcom price accreditation scheme logo for meeting the terms of a rigorous independent audit. The audit checks whether the information provided to consumers is accessible, accurate, transparent, comprehensive and up to date, giving consumers the reassurance they need to know that the deals recommended by Mobilife are the best value available in the UK and updated every day.
Commenting on the accreditation, Ed Richards, Ofcom chief executive said: “Clear and accurate pricing information on mobile phone services is fundamental to consumer choice. Consumers can be sure that by using an Ofcom-accredited price comparison service they are going to be receiving accurate, transparent and comprehensive pricing information to enable them to choose the best mobile deal for them.”
Brian Boroff, MD of CInergy International and Mobilife, added, “Ofcom accreditation is a major step in our goal to delivering the best mobile price comparison service on the market, with accurate and up-to-date price comparison of every UK contract deal.”
Airtel money makes cashless payments a reality for customers in Delhi NCR
NEW DELHI, INDIA: Tired of running to the ATM machine for cash every time going you go to buy groceries at your neighbourhood kirana store? Bored of standing in standing in long queues this the summer’s heat to pay your utility bills? airtel money is here!
Bharti Airtel, through its wholly owned subsidiary Airtel M Commerce Services Limited, announced the launch of its mobile wallet service - airtel money, for its mobile customers in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. Aimed at offering customers with an efficient alternative to cash transactions, airtel money will empower its customers with access to a convenient and secure way of making payments through the ubiquitous mobile platform.
Airtel has already established partnerships with over 2,200 merchants in Delhi NCR (including utility providers like NDPL, BSES Yamuna, BSES Rajdhani, Indraprastha Gas, LIC and organized retailers such as Easy Day, Chalchitra, Yo China, Costa Coffee, Hair n Shanti, DT Cinemas, Fun Cinemas among others as well as local chemists and grocery stores) who will accept payments via airtel money. Customers using airtel money will also be able to avail exclusive discounts and attractive offers at various merchant outlets in the market – and save money as they shop.
Bharti Airtel, through its wholly owned subsidiary Airtel M Commerce Services Limited, announced the launch of its mobile wallet service - airtel money, for its mobile customers in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. Aimed at offering customers with an efficient alternative to cash transactions, airtel money will empower its customers with access to a convenient and secure way of making payments through the ubiquitous mobile platform.
Airtel has already established partnerships with over 2,200 merchants in Delhi NCR (including utility providers like NDPL, BSES Yamuna, BSES Rajdhani, Indraprastha Gas, LIC and organized retailers such as Easy Day, Chalchitra, Yo China, Costa Coffee, Hair n Shanti, DT Cinemas, Fun Cinemas among others as well as local chemists and grocery stores) who will accept payments via airtel money. Customers using airtel money will also be able to avail exclusive discounts and attractive offers at various merchant outlets in the market – and save money as they shop.
Mentum confirms network planning and optimization leadership position with new product releases
PARIS, FRANCE: Mentum, the industry’s leading wireless access and backhaul network planning and optimization company, announced the release of Mentum Planet 5.3 - a major release of its leading access network planning product - and Mentum Ellipse 8 - the most innovative microwave and backhaul network planning solution on the market.
Mentum Planet 5.3 and Mentum Ellipse 8 focus on the wireless operators’ need to rethink their operating landscape as the rapidly increasing demand for mobile data drives the requirement for major changes in network plans and strategies. These new product releases are another demonstration of Mentum’s ability to innovate and deliver increased value through its ambitious R&D program.
Mentum Planet 5.3 introduces a set of capabilities that make it easier for mobile network operators to manage large-scale networks, automate design and simplify the process of comparing scenarios. Alongside state-of-the-art LTE modeling, operators will be able to quickly assess the merits of deployment scenarios enabling faster network rollouts while at the same time improving upon the radio design quality.
The Mentum Automated Network Planning (ANP) package provides innovative capabilities for LTE network rollouts with features such as automatic site creation, densification, selection and optimization. At the core of the ANP lies a high performance multi-technology optimization engine that supports Mentum Planet advanced antenna system modeling, with capabilities including multi-band shared antennas, distributed antenna systems, and MIMO.
“The new Mentum Automated Network Planning solution is natively integrated within Mentum Planet to provide the best possible user experience and the ability to optimize radio parameters during the design cycle. In addition, Mentum Planet has the high level of accuracy and performance that network operators have come to expect from Mentum products,” said Bernard Breton, chief operating and strategy officer at Mentum. “This complete end-to-end solution is part of Mentum’s commitment to help operators rollout next-generation networks in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.”
Mentum Ellipse 8 is the result of the integration of Mentum LinkPlanner capabilities with the new Mentum Ellipse 7 software platform for microwave design, management, and optimization. The result is a wireless backhaul planning solution that can be used to tackle the most complex rollouts. It encompasses the multi-user capabilities of Mentum Ellipse 8 along with innovative features such as an automated topology designer and the ability to manage transport networks on top of traditional microwave engineering.
Mentum Planet 5.3 and Mentum Ellipse 8 focus on the wireless operators’ need to rethink their operating landscape as the rapidly increasing demand for mobile data drives the requirement for major changes in network plans and strategies. These new product releases are another demonstration of Mentum’s ability to innovate and deliver increased value through its ambitious R&D program.
Mentum Planet 5.3 introduces a set of capabilities that make it easier for mobile network operators to manage large-scale networks, automate design and simplify the process of comparing scenarios. Alongside state-of-the-art LTE modeling, operators will be able to quickly assess the merits of deployment scenarios enabling faster network rollouts while at the same time improving upon the radio design quality.
The Mentum Automated Network Planning (ANP) package provides innovative capabilities for LTE network rollouts with features such as automatic site creation, densification, selection and optimization. At the core of the ANP lies a high performance multi-technology optimization engine that supports Mentum Planet advanced antenna system modeling, with capabilities including multi-band shared antennas, distributed antenna systems, and MIMO.
“The new Mentum Automated Network Planning solution is natively integrated within Mentum Planet to provide the best possible user experience and the ability to optimize radio parameters during the design cycle. In addition, Mentum Planet has the high level of accuracy and performance that network operators have come to expect from Mentum products,” said Bernard Breton, chief operating and strategy officer at Mentum. “This complete end-to-end solution is part of Mentum’s commitment to help operators rollout next-generation networks in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.”
Mentum Ellipse 8 is the result of the integration of Mentum LinkPlanner capabilities with the new Mentum Ellipse 7 software platform for microwave design, management, and optimization. The result is a wireless backhaul planning solution that can be used to tackle the most complex rollouts. It encompasses the multi-user capabilities of Mentum Ellipse 8 along with innovative features such as an automated topology designer and the ability to manage transport networks on top of traditional microwave engineering.
Cloud business models struggle to coexist with the public Internet
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Resiliency, latency, and security on the core Internet are problem areas for mission-critical cloud-based business applications, as are the irregular last-mile access networks that exist in many countries, according to Ovum’s network infrastructure analysts.
“Public IP will not be sufficient for business-grade cloud computing and carrier Ethernet and IP/MPLS VPNs will play increasingly important roles. More efficient data centers, and more of them, distributed globally, will also help”, said Matt Walker, Ovum principal analyst.
Although cloud computing is a well-defined concept, it will require a strong physical network infrastructure to live up to its promise. These will need improved interconnectivity for resiliency, load balancing, new transmission capacity; and added intelligence from new optical and IP hardware.
Ovum's recent discussions with operators and vendors indicates that hope runs high, that IaaS (infrastructure-as-a-service) applications will generate more and higher-margin revenue - not just traffic growth - to support building multi-terabit networks.
Expanding on this theme, Dana Cooperson, Ovum’s Practice Leader, Network Infrastructure, commented: “Public cloud IaaS business models are "pay-for-use" or at least tiered, which, unlike "all you can eat" consumer broadband models, tie resources used more directly to revenues generated. Public and private cloud business and pricing models are new and in flux, so there's still ample time to get it right...or wrong.”
Cooperson added “The network is an essential part of telcos' value propositions as cloud computing applications move from public IP, with no QoS or SLA guarantees, to trusted networks.
“We expect cloud applications to only incrementally add to infrastructure vendors' equipment sales. But product capabilities that help telcos move away from simple access/connectivity services and advanced optical and packet gear that can create large, intelligent network cores to facilitate, for example, resource and application transfers between data centers, will be in demand to support new revenues, not just traffic growth.”
Relating this to carrier revenues, Walker added: “The last mile crisis is, not surprisingly, seen as an opportunity by some. For consumer-oriented services and apps residing in the cloud, FTTH may be the delivery pipe, supplemented by mobile broadband. For mission-critical business applications, though, we imagine cloud will provide a healthy kick to the market for carrier Ethernet and IP VPNs.
“Given how tough it is for operators - especially wireline players - to find revenue growth nowadays, this may be a welcome reality”, concluded Walker.
“Public IP will not be sufficient for business-grade cloud computing and carrier Ethernet and IP/MPLS VPNs will play increasingly important roles. More efficient data centers, and more of them, distributed globally, will also help”, said Matt Walker, Ovum principal analyst.
Although cloud computing is a well-defined concept, it will require a strong physical network infrastructure to live up to its promise. These will need improved interconnectivity for resiliency, load balancing, new transmission capacity; and added intelligence from new optical and IP hardware.
Ovum's recent discussions with operators and vendors indicates that hope runs high, that IaaS (infrastructure-as-a-service) applications will generate more and higher-margin revenue - not just traffic growth - to support building multi-terabit networks.
Expanding on this theme, Dana Cooperson, Ovum’s Practice Leader, Network Infrastructure, commented: “Public cloud IaaS business models are "pay-for-use" or at least tiered, which, unlike "all you can eat" consumer broadband models, tie resources used more directly to revenues generated. Public and private cloud business and pricing models are new and in flux, so there's still ample time to get it right...or wrong.”
Cooperson added “The network is an essential part of telcos' value propositions as cloud computing applications move from public IP, with no QoS or SLA guarantees, to trusted networks.
“We expect cloud applications to only incrementally add to infrastructure vendors' equipment sales. But product capabilities that help telcos move away from simple access/connectivity services and advanced optical and packet gear that can create large, intelligent network cores to facilitate, for example, resource and application transfers between data centers, will be in demand to support new revenues, not just traffic growth.”
Relating this to carrier revenues, Walker added: “The last mile crisis is, not surprisingly, seen as an opportunity by some. For consumer-oriented services and apps residing in the cloud, FTTH may be the delivery pipe, supplemented by mobile broadband. For mission-critical business applications, though, we imagine cloud will provide a healthy kick to the market for carrier Ethernet and IP VPNs.
“Given how tough it is for operators - especially wireline players - to find revenue growth nowadays, this may be a welcome reality”, concluded Walker.
Ralink demos cutting edge connectivity solutions for complete range of mobile lifestyle electronics
COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2011, TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Ralink Technology Corp. will demonstrate its latest wireless technologies for tablets, mobile PCs and connected consumer electronics at Computex Taipei 2011. Ralink’s demonstrations will take place at the Grand Hyatt Taipei, Hospitality Room #1005/1006.
Ralink will be showcasing some of the industry’s highest performing, commercially available, peer-to-peer wireless connectivity and video streaming technologies. These include specialized wireless technologies tailored to the new generation of connected digital devices including the latest Wi-Di capability to push content from PCs to TVs, the world’s first PC-centric single-chip to integrate both 1x1 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0LE technologies, and 3x3 MIMO solutions with OptiLink technology for flawless transmission of high definition video throughout the home.
Ralink will also exhibit a range of new industry-leading chips designed to deliver unprecedented levels of miniaturization, integration, and power utilization. The company invites the public to take a look into the future of wireless connectivity at Ralink’s Computex demonstration suite where the following technologies will be on display:
* Next-generation Wireless Display solutions using Ralink’s RT3572 dual-band 2x2 802.11n chip.
* Wireless Blu-ray players featuring embedded Ralink 802.11n chips.
* Wireless IP STB delivering HD IPTV over Wi-Fi.
* Wi-Fi + Zigbee hybrid AP/routers incorporating home energy monitoring and management technology for a greener household.
* Wireless peer-to-peer connectivity solutions featuring RT3290LE, the world’s first ever integrated 802.11n+Bluetooth 4.0LE solution on a single-chip for tablets and mobile computers.
* Video-over-Wi-Fi solutions based on Ralink’s RT3883 3x3 802.11n SoC with OptiLink technology.
* A variety of customer solutions that feature embedded Ralink Wi-Fi chips including Tablet PCs, eReaders, Femtocells, 3G routers, cable modems, Internet radios, and other consumer electronics solutions.
Ralink will be showcasing some of the industry’s highest performing, commercially available, peer-to-peer wireless connectivity and video streaming technologies. These include specialized wireless technologies tailored to the new generation of connected digital devices including the latest Wi-Di capability to push content from PCs to TVs, the world’s first PC-centric single-chip to integrate both 1x1 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0LE technologies, and 3x3 MIMO solutions with OptiLink technology for flawless transmission of high definition video throughout the home.
Ralink will also exhibit a range of new industry-leading chips designed to deliver unprecedented levels of miniaturization, integration, and power utilization. The company invites the public to take a look into the future of wireless connectivity at Ralink’s Computex demonstration suite where the following technologies will be on display:
* Next-generation Wireless Display solutions using Ralink’s RT3572 dual-band 2x2 802.11n chip.
* Wireless Blu-ray players featuring embedded Ralink 802.11n chips.
* Wireless IP STB delivering HD IPTV over Wi-Fi.
* Wi-Fi + Zigbee hybrid AP/routers incorporating home energy monitoring and management technology for a greener household.
* Wireless peer-to-peer connectivity solutions featuring RT3290LE, the world’s first ever integrated 802.11n+Bluetooth 4.0LE solution on a single-chip for tablets and mobile computers.
* Video-over-Wi-Fi solutions based on Ralink’s RT3883 3x3 802.11n SoC with OptiLink technology.
* A variety of customer solutions that feature embedded Ralink Wi-Fi chips including Tablet PCs, eReaders, Femtocells, 3G routers, cable modems, Internet radios, and other consumer electronics solutions.
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