CAMBRIDGE, UK: Pioneering developer of small cell mobile technology, ip.access has signed a major global agreement with Telenor Group, one of the world’s leading mobile network operator groups, for the supply of ip.access' end-to-end small cell solutions.
The frame agreement covers all 11 operators in the Telenor Group including its home network in Norway, as well as the other Scandinavian countries plus Telenor’s operations in Eastern Europe, the Indian sub-continent and the Asia Pacific region.
Telenor’s selection was based on a number of key criteria, including the ability to deliver an end-to-end solution, technical credibility, and a competitive long term Total Cost of Ownership.
Under the terms of the deal, ip.access will be able to supply its standards-compliant end-to-end 3G small cell solution for residential, business and public use to Telenor operators worldwide. Last year, ip.access was the first vendor to pass the milestone of more than half a million 3G small cells operational in networks globally. The deal also has provision to potentially extend to 4G in future.
Simon Brown, ip.access CEO said: “This is another important milestone for both ip.access and the small cell market. Major operators are recognising and reacting to the role that small cells can play to boost coverage, capacity and customer service in homes, offices and public spaces. What’s more – as we move into an ‘always on’ world, small cells will be a key part of the connectivity solution from crowded office buildings to remote rural locations.”
Friday, February 3, 2012
HomePlug Powerline Alliance brings technology summits to China in 2012
PORTLAND, USA: The HomePlug Powerline Alliance, the worldwide industry group for powerline communications networking, announced technology summits in China in 2012 - February 28 in Beijing and March 1 in Shenzhen. HomePlug technology enables a home's electrical wires to distribute broadband Internet, HD video, digital music and smart energy applications.
A delegation of keynote speakers, including some of the largest semiconductor manufacturers globally, will be presenting on the latest advancements in HomePlug technology for network communications using the home's electrical wiring. With millions of HomePlug AV products being deployed each year, and the recent announcements of HomePlug AV2 next generation and the IEEE 1905.1 hybrid networking standard, this is a chance for local Chinese companies to gain insight into these leading edge technology advancements.
A delegation of keynote speakers, including some of the largest semiconductor manufacturers globally, will be presenting on the latest advancements in HomePlug technology for network communications using the home's electrical wiring. With millions of HomePlug AV products being deployed each year, and the recent announcements of HomePlug AV2 next generation and the IEEE 1905.1 hybrid networking standard, this is a chance for local Chinese companies to gain insight into these leading edge technology advancements.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Despite subscriber adoption slowdown, Indian handset market witnesses 14.1 percent growth in 2011
SINGAPORE: The Indian mobile handset market closed 2011 with an annual growth rate of 14.1 percent, achieving a total volume of 182 million handsets. Looking forward, the Indian handset market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.7 percent during the period of 2011-2017, with total handset volume expected to reach 335 million units by 2017. The market is currently led by Nokia (37.2 percent market share), with Samsung (14.9 percent), G’Five (7.5 percent) and Micromax (5.8 percent) trailing behind.
Aishwarya Singh, research analyst, says: “Domestic and Chinese handset makers, such as Micromax, G’Five, Karbonn, Spice, Maxx and Lava, have a strong presence in the Indian market and have kept themselves ahead of many of the big players due to their feature-rich, localized products at much lower price points. However, with incumbent handset vendors (Nokia, Samsung) responding to the competitive threat from these companies, the battle intensifies. Huawei and ZTE, the two major Chinese players, have a presence in the Indian handset market through white label handsets, but have yet to make their mark under their own brand names.”
“The smartphone segment will be the fastest-growing segment and will continue to outpace the overall handset market for the foreseeable future,” says Kevin Burden, VP and practice director, mobile devices. With a CAGR of 40 percent, the smartphone segment is expected to reach 97.2 million units by 2017, accounting for 29 percent of the total handset volume.
Nearly every major handset vendor has entered the smartphone segment, including domestic players, who after remarkable success in the feature phone segment are now eyeing the lucrative smartphone segment as well. “Competition is going to intensify as more and more domestic vendors hit the market with their range of smartphones; consequently the average selling price (ASP) for smartphones is going to decline in coming years,” comments Jake Saunders, VP of forecasting. “The growth in the smartphone segment will be largely driven by the penetration of 3G in India and further catalyzed by falling ASPs.”
Aishwarya Singh, research analyst, says: “Domestic and Chinese handset makers, such as Micromax, G’Five, Karbonn, Spice, Maxx and Lava, have a strong presence in the Indian market and have kept themselves ahead of many of the big players due to their feature-rich, localized products at much lower price points. However, with incumbent handset vendors (Nokia, Samsung) responding to the competitive threat from these companies, the battle intensifies. Huawei and ZTE, the two major Chinese players, have a presence in the Indian handset market through white label handsets, but have yet to make their mark under their own brand names.”
“The smartphone segment will be the fastest-growing segment and will continue to outpace the overall handset market for the foreseeable future,” says Kevin Burden, VP and practice director, mobile devices. With a CAGR of 40 percent, the smartphone segment is expected to reach 97.2 million units by 2017, accounting for 29 percent of the total handset volume.
Nearly every major handset vendor has entered the smartphone segment, including domestic players, who after remarkable success in the feature phone segment are now eyeing the lucrative smartphone segment as well. “Competition is going to intensify as more and more domestic vendors hit the market with their range of smartphones; consequently the average selling price (ASP) for smartphones is going to decline in coming years,” comments Jake Saunders, VP of forecasting. “The growth in the smartphone segment will be largely driven by the penetration of 3G in India and further catalyzed by falling ASPs.”
Aculab launches cloud-based alternative to traditional telephony equipment
MILTON KEYNES, UK: Aculab, a leading provider of computer telephony hardware and software, has launched Aculab Cloud. Described as a new deployment option, Aculab cloud brings together all the essential software traditionally loaded onto voice boards or available to download onto host processors, and wraps it into a scalable, easy to use, on-demand, platform as a service.
If you don’t have a business critical requirement to install, manage and maintain your own telephony hardware or software on site, Aculab Cloud presents a means to utilise proven telephony resources without the set-up and running costs. Aculab handles all the management requirements of the Aculab Cloud telephony platform, freeing up your time and resources to focus on innovation and telephony application development.
Cost reduction goes beyond the ongoing management of traditional technology; savings can also be made as peaks in voice traffic no longer need to be provisioned for. If you need to handle fluctuating call volumes – no problem, Aculab Cloud scales accordingly and you only have to pay for what you used when you used it. As far as you are concerned usage simply becomes an ongoing OPEX not a large upfront expenditure.
Aculab Cloud comes with a comprehensive set of high level telephony APIs, making it easier and more cost effective for developers to build telephony applications in weeks not months. If you know Python or C#, telephony is now in your toolkit.
Features range from: international inbound PSTN service and outbound PSTN service, play, record, TTS, conferencing (for up to 400 parties), transfer, DTMF, CPA, live speaker detection, answer machine detection and many more essential features for building a diverse range of solutions; from contact centres, to conferencing solutions, PBX, to auto diallers, voice broadcast system to IVRs. Aculab Cloud can resource them all.
Aculab have already welcomed a number of ‘volume customers’ to the platform, which during beta saw some 3 million minutes (and growing) pass through the platform last month.
Andrew Maillet from BLI Messaging, said: “The Aculab Cloud service provided my company with the ability to quickly develop and deploy a stable and scalable voice broadcasting system. Our previous internal systems were limited in capacity, but with Aculab Cloud we are able to consistently handle a much higher workload from our clients.”
Adam Johnston, Quality Assurance Analyst at BeQuick Software, said: “Aculab's Cloud architecture allows us to concentrate on designing solutions for our customers needs instead of debugging VoIP protocols and state machines. Aculab's vast experience in Telecoms, along with an industry leading Cloud architecture gave us confidence to choose Aculab as our next gen IVR partner.”
Aculab Cloud is a robust, scalable and cost-effective service that wraps all the complexities of integrating telephony resources into an easy to use platform,” said Faye McClenahan, Aculab’s Head of Strategic Marketing. "Built on Aculab’s telephony heritage and expertise, Aculab Cloud lets all manner of telephony-centric innovations to be created and deployed as on-demand services."
If you don’t have a business critical requirement to install, manage and maintain your own telephony hardware or software on site, Aculab Cloud presents a means to utilise proven telephony resources without the set-up and running costs. Aculab handles all the management requirements of the Aculab Cloud telephony platform, freeing up your time and resources to focus on innovation and telephony application development.
Cost reduction goes beyond the ongoing management of traditional technology; savings can also be made as peaks in voice traffic no longer need to be provisioned for. If you need to handle fluctuating call volumes – no problem, Aculab Cloud scales accordingly and you only have to pay for what you used when you used it. As far as you are concerned usage simply becomes an ongoing OPEX not a large upfront expenditure.
Aculab Cloud comes with a comprehensive set of high level telephony APIs, making it easier and more cost effective for developers to build telephony applications in weeks not months. If you know Python or C#, telephony is now in your toolkit.
Features range from: international inbound PSTN service and outbound PSTN service, play, record, TTS, conferencing (for up to 400 parties), transfer, DTMF, CPA, live speaker detection, answer machine detection and many more essential features for building a diverse range of solutions; from contact centres, to conferencing solutions, PBX, to auto diallers, voice broadcast system to IVRs. Aculab Cloud can resource them all.
Aculab have already welcomed a number of ‘volume customers’ to the platform, which during beta saw some 3 million minutes (and growing) pass through the platform last month.
Andrew Maillet from BLI Messaging, said: “The Aculab Cloud service provided my company with the ability to quickly develop and deploy a stable and scalable voice broadcasting system. Our previous internal systems were limited in capacity, but with Aculab Cloud we are able to consistently handle a much higher workload from our clients.”
Adam Johnston, Quality Assurance Analyst at BeQuick Software, said: “Aculab's Cloud architecture allows us to concentrate on designing solutions for our customers needs instead of debugging VoIP protocols and state machines. Aculab's vast experience in Telecoms, along with an industry leading Cloud architecture gave us confidence to choose Aculab as our next gen IVR partner.”
Aculab Cloud is a robust, scalable and cost-effective service that wraps all the complexities of integrating telephony resources into an easy to use platform,” said Faye McClenahan, Aculab’s Head of Strategic Marketing. "Built on Aculab’s telephony heritage and expertise, Aculab Cloud lets all manner of telephony-centric innovations to be created and deployed as on-demand services."
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Accel intros first smart antenna system
MIAMI, USA: Accel Networks, a leading provider of managed fixed cellular broadband services for business, announced -- at the 4G Wireless Evolution Conference & Expo -- that its newly formed division Accel Technologies is introducing Maestro, the first smart antenna system for businesses that optimizes wireless performance for both 3G and 4G cellular networks.
Over the past 10 years, Accel has perfected wireless network implementation, installation, monitoring and management through proprietary equipment, operational processes and management tools. Enterprise organizations are rapidly moving applications to the cloud, increasing the demand for stable, broadband connectivity that can be deployed faster and at a lower price point than comparable terrestrial broadband. With the advent of 4G service and the last mile optimized by Maestro, wireless can now become the network option of choice.
Maestro addresses the need for better and more cost effective connectivity, tackling issues such as low data rates, latency, jitter and link availability that until now had been viewed as a limitation for enterprise wireless service. The patent-pending, self-optimizing Maestro system includes eight antennas, three switchable filter banks and embedded LNA offering over 500 discreet setting options to generate and maintain the highest carrier-to-noise ratio creating link performance and availability that meets or surpasses service levels for T1s, MPLS and DSL.
The performance of the antenna combined with the cloud-based monitoring and management platform adds a new dimension to fixed cellular broadband deployments.
Over the past 10 years, Accel has perfected wireless network implementation, installation, monitoring and management through proprietary equipment, operational processes and management tools. Enterprise organizations are rapidly moving applications to the cloud, increasing the demand for stable, broadband connectivity that can be deployed faster and at a lower price point than comparable terrestrial broadband. With the advent of 4G service and the last mile optimized by Maestro, wireless can now become the network option of choice.
Maestro addresses the need for better and more cost effective connectivity, tackling issues such as low data rates, latency, jitter and link availability that until now had been viewed as a limitation for enterprise wireless service. The patent-pending, self-optimizing Maestro system includes eight antennas, three switchable filter banks and embedded LNA offering over 500 discreet setting options to generate and maintain the highest carrier-to-noise ratio creating link performance and availability that meets or surpasses service levels for T1s, MPLS and DSL.
The performance of the antenna combined with the cloud-based monitoring and management platform adds a new dimension to fixed cellular broadband deployments.
Operators look to home automation to increase revenue and customer loyalty
CAMPBELL, USA: Infonetics Research recently surveyed broadband operators who are deploying home automation, or home control, services, about the types of services they plan to offer now and in the future, delivery methods, technologies and protocols, home monitoring equipment suppliers they buy from now and are evaluating for future purchases, and who they perceive of as the top suppliers in the field.
The results are published in Infonetics’ Home Automation Service Strategies: Global Service Provider Survey, an in-depth look into the latest trends in home automation (services offered via a broadband or mobile connection to the home).
“While the home automation market is still young, major operators, including Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and China Telecom, have already made public announcements regarding home automation services and some have begun initial rollouts, and many more will jump into the game this year,” expects Jeff Heynen, directing analyst for broadband access and video at Infonetics Research.
“The potential customer loyalty and incremental revenue attached to home automation services, particularly home security and home energy management, are too enticing for any operator to pass up. Many broadband operators are starting out small, offering remote control of lighting, doors, thermostats, audio, video, and security systems. The goal will then be to layer on additional revenue-generating services, such as a full-fledged home security system.”
Survey highlights
* The top two reasons broadband providers are deploying home automation services are to increase average revenue per user (ARPU) and reduce subscriber churn.
* Home security service is the most popular home control service offered currently and will remain a top home automation service.
* Monitoring of appliances and monitoring of whole home energy usage will see the biggest growth among home automation services between now and 2013.
* While the bulk of Infonetics’ survey respondents are fixed-line operators and service providers, there is strong evidence to suggest that mobile operators are also looking to muscle in on the home automation opportunity.
* WiFi is the most popular wireless technology used by operators to deliver home automation services, but Zigbee and Z-Wave are growing fastest, seen by many as better options because they are low-power, mesh networking technologies.
* Zigbee chips are being installed in most smart energy meters in North America and most companies developing smart home adapters are using it.
* Control4 and Honeywell are viewed by respondent operators as the top home automation equipment and software suppliers.
The results are published in Infonetics’ Home Automation Service Strategies: Global Service Provider Survey, an in-depth look into the latest trends in home automation (services offered via a broadband or mobile connection to the home).
“While the home automation market is still young, major operators, including Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and China Telecom, have already made public announcements regarding home automation services and some have begun initial rollouts, and many more will jump into the game this year,” expects Jeff Heynen, directing analyst for broadband access and video at Infonetics Research.
“The potential customer loyalty and incremental revenue attached to home automation services, particularly home security and home energy management, are too enticing for any operator to pass up. Many broadband operators are starting out small, offering remote control of lighting, doors, thermostats, audio, video, and security systems. The goal will then be to layer on additional revenue-generating services, such as a full-fledged home security system.”
Survey highlights
* The top two reasons broadband providers are deploying home automation services are to increase average revenue per user (ARPU) and reduce subscriber churn.
* Home security service is the most popular home control service offered currently and will remain a top home automation service.
* Monitoring of appliances and monitoring of whole home energy usage will see the biggest growth among home automation services between now and 2013.
* While the bulk of Infonetics’ survey respondents are fixed-line operators and service providers, there is strong evidence to suggest that mobile operators are also looking to muscle in on the home automation opportunity.
* WiFi is the most popular wireless technology used by operators to deliver home automation services, but Zigbee and Z-Wave are growing fastest, seen by many as better options because they are low-power, mesh networking technologies.
* Zigbee chips are being installed in most smart energy meters in North America and most companies developing smart home adapters are using it.
* Control4 and Honeywell are viewed by respondent operators as the top home automation equipment and software suppliers.
ICAP to establish testing and certification program for EPON equipment
PISCATAWAY, USA: The IEEE Conformity Assessment Program (ICAP), in collaboration with the IEEE P1904.1TM Working Group, announced an initiative to establish a Conformity Assessment Program for the IEEE P1904.1 Service Interoperability in Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (SIEPON) standard, which is under development.
The goals of the Program are to drive adoption, encourage industry collaboration, and provide a process for the equipment vendors to test and certify their products in ICAP Authorized Laboratories. ICAP, serving in the role of Certification Authority, will administer the Program. ICAP will coordinate the activities of the participating laboratories, issue certificates to vendors whose products have satisfied a rigorous battery of compliance tests, and maintain a registry of certified products.
“SIEPON follows the collaborative focus of Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPON), supporting participation from vendors throughout the Passive Optical network (PON) ecosystem in parallel with telecom service providers,” commented Julie Kunstler, principal analyst, Communications Components, Ovum. “ICAP’s approach of partnering with multiple labs throughout the world extends the collaboration to testing and certification, the next stage in service interoperability.”
IEEE EPON is the market-leading fiber-access technology, with worldwide deployments supporting more than 60 million subscribers today and an anticipated subscriber base of more than 100 million by the end of 2013. EPON deployments support a diverse suite of business and residential services, including IPTV, VoIP, commercial-grade data services, and cellular backhaul. Given the large and accelerating global deployment, there is a strong demand from network operators for fully interoperable, “plug-and-play” solutions, available from a diverse community of suppliers.
Sponsored by the IEEE Communications Society, the foremost international forum for the exchange of ideas on communications and information networking, the IEEE P1904.1 SIEPON working group is developing a complete and testable standard that offers clear-cut guidance to component manufacturers, system manufacturers, network operators, and testing laboratories.
The IEEE P1904.1 draft standard describes the system-level requirements needed to ensure service-level, multi-vendor interoperability of Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) equipment. These specifications complement the existing IEEE 802.3 and IEEE 802.1 standards that together ensure interoperability at the Physical and Data-Link layers.
“The SIEPON community will reap significant benefits from this important new initiative. An IEEE Conformity Assessment Program will provide a reliable testing and conformance methodology, thus validating devices in the EPON ecosystem and accelerating its adoption. We are proud to be working with the IEEE P1904.1 community on this global program,” commented Peter Lefkin, MD of ICAP. “This collaboration will combine proven methods for testing equipment designed to meet the SIEPON specification with the brand recognition of IEEE certification for products that meet the criteria of an IEEE Conformity Assessment Program.”
Network operators who deploy Fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) technology will have the validation and assurance that products bearing the IEEE SIEPON certification mark have undergone thorough testing and evaluation prior to procurement. As part of this effort, ICAP has established relationships with experienced testing laboratories with a global presence.
The goals of the Program are to drive adoption, encourage industry collaboration, and provide a process for the equipment vendors to test and certify their products in ICAP Authorized Laboratories. ICAP, serving in the role of Certification Authority, will administer the Program. ICAP will coordinate the activities of the participating laboratories, issue certificates to vendors whose products have satisfied a rigorous battery of compliance tests, and maintain a registry of certified products.
“SIEPON follows the collaborative focus of Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPON), supporting participation from vendors throughout the Passive Optical network (PON) ecosystem in parallel with telecom service providers,” commented Julie Kunstler, principal analyst, Communications Components, Ovum. “ICAP’s approach of partnering with multiple labs throughout the world extends the collaboration to testing and certification, the next stage in service interoperability.”
IEEE EPON is the market-leading fiber-access technology, with worldwide deployments supporting more than 60 million subscribers today and an anticipated subscriber base of more than 100 million by the end of 2013. EPON deployments support a diverse suite of business and residential services, including IPTV, VoIP, commercial-grade data services, and cellular backhaul. Given the large and accelerating global deployment, there is a strong demand from network operators for fully interoperable, “plug-and-play” solutions, available from a diverse community of suppliers.
Sponsored by the IEEE Communications Society, the foremost international forum for the exchange of ideas on communications and information networking, the IEEE P1904.1 SIEPON working group is developing a complete and testable standard that offers clear-cut guidance to component manufacturers, system manufacturers, network operators, and testing laboratories.
The IEEE P1904.1 draft standard describes the system-level requirements needed to ensure service-level, multi-vendor interoperability of Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) equipment. These specifications complement the existing IEEE 802.3 and IEEE 802.1 standards that together ensure interoperability at the Physical and Data-Link layers.
“The SIEPON community will reap significant benefits from this important new initiative. An IEEE Conformity Assessment Program will provide a reliable testing and conformance methodology, thus validating devices in the EPON ecosystem and accelerating its adoption. We are proud to be working with the IEEE P1904.1 community on this global program,” commented Peter Lefkin, MD of ICAP. “This collaboration will combine proven methods for testing equipment designed to meet the SIEPON specification with the brand recognition of IEEE certification for products that meet the criteria of an IEEE Conformity Assessment Program.”
Network operators who deploy Fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) technology will have the validation and assurance that products bearing the IEEE SIEPON certification mark have undergone thorough testing and evaluation prior to procurement. As part of this effort, ICAP has established relationships with experienced testing laboratories with a global presence.
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