MULTISERVICE SWITCHING FORUM (MSF) APPROVES MEGACO/H.248 PROFILES
The Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF) approved two Implementation Agreements for open, non-proprietary MEGACO/H.248 profiles.  The first implementation agreement enhances the MEGACO protocol by addressing the compatibility of subscriber trunks such as PBX or local exchanges coming into access gateways.  An access gateway is defined as an interface between aggregate subscriber trunks, typically connected to subscriber owned PBXs and an ATM network. The subscriber-side trunks are T1/E1, and the links from the gateway to the network are ATM links. The agreement allows 10 digit North American dialing and EU 16 digit dialing and supports commonly needed services such as local number portability, Caller ID and 911 and 999 emergency calls.  The second implementation agreement enhances the interoperability between MGCs and trunking gateways, essentially serving as a gateway between the PSTN and a packet network.  Copies of both implementation agreements are available online.  http://www.msforum.org/techinfo/approved.html 
The Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF), October 4, 2001

GLOBAL CROSSING CITES SHARP DROP IN IRU SALES, PROPOSES MERGER WITH ASIA GLOBAL CROSSING
Global Crossing expects its financial performance to be substantially below current analyst expectations for Q3 due to a sharp falloff in wholesale sales of indefeasible rights of use (IRUs) to carrier customers.  Revenue for enterprise services will be close to expectations at levels slightly below the prior quarter.  Citing continuing consolidation in the telecommunications industry and potential cost savings, Global Crossing entered preliminary discussions to merge with Asia Global Crossing, a subsidiary in which it holds a 59% stake.  Global Crossing also intends to divest its Global Marine Systems unit, which builds undersea cable systems, and IPC, which is a provider of desktop trading systems to the financial community. http://www.globalcrossing.com/pressreleases/pr_100401.htm 
Global Crossing, October 4, 2001

• Asia Global Crossing is a public company whose largest shareholders include Global Crossing, Softbank, and Microsoft.

NORTEL NETWORKS TO PROVIDE OSS FOR GLOBAL CROSSING’S NEXT GEN SERVICES
Nortel Networks announced a contract to supply IP service management software for Global Crossing’s worldwide deployment of next generation IP and ATM services.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  The OSS platform will support a range of services, including MPLS, CPE-based IPSec and Network-based IPSec VPNs, as well as future dedicated Internet access services.  Capabilities will encompass configuring and provisioning the service, policy and service level management as well as IP billing mediation.  http://www.nortelnetworks.com 
Nortel Networks, October 4, 2001

MICROSOFT’S MSN EXPANDS HOSTING WITH MFN
Microsoft has expanded its relationship with Metromedia Fiber Network and as a result the MSN network is now occupying 30% of the co-location space in MFN's Internet Service Exchange (ISX) facility in Seattle.  MSN also has co-location space in MFN's San Jose ISX, uses MFN's Global IP Network, leases MFN's metropolitan dark fiber and participates in MFN’s PAIX.Net exchange.  http://www.mmfn.com 
MFN, October 4, 2001

NEXTEL TO UPGRADE EXISTING IDEN NETWORK USING DATA COMPRESSION
Nextel Communications has decided to go forward with enhancements to its existing iDEN wireless network to double the capacity and provide a two-fold to five-fold improvement in data applications.  Motorola expects to move the iDEN platform forward to provide next-generation capacity enhancements, including apparent data speeds up to 60-70 kbps with general office applications.  Nextel expects to begin rollout of data compression throughout its network early in 2002 and said that it was choosing to upgrade its existing infrastructure rather than deploying 3G technology.  http://www.motorola.com/LMPS/iDEN/home.html  http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=NXTL&script=410&layout=7&item_id=212206
Nextel, October 4, 2001

FRANCE TELECOM R&D TO TEST CORVIS OPTICAL TRANSMISSION
France Telecom R&D will field test Corvis’ optical transmission beginning later this year.  The tests will use Corvis’ CorWave LR along an 800 km terrestrial link using fiber installed in France Telecom's network.  The platform offers up to 1.6 Tbps capacity in both the C-band and the L-band, for a total of up to 3.2 Tbps capacity.  http://www.corvis.com/displayRelease/0,1416,273,00.html
Corvis, October 4, 2001

INTERSIL AND SHARP LEVERAGE WLAN LINKS FOR WIRELESS LCD TV SETS
Sharp will use Intersil's PRISM WLAN chip sets for an audio/visual digital transmission system for LCD-panel TV sets distributed in a home.  Sharp's system uses an MPEG2 encoder/decoder to transmit compressed audio/video from a VCR, DVD player or satellite tuner to the LCD TV.  A wireless remote control enables the user to operate the transmitter and typical audio-visual equipment attached to the transmitter.  http://www.intersil.com 
Intersil, October 4, 2001

• Sharp’s newly introduced LCD TVs will use a low-reflection coating for improved wide viewing angles (160 degrees) compared with conventional LCD panels and a 300:1 contrast ratio.  The company says its LCD TVs, which will be available in 13, 15, and 20-inch models, use 60% less electricity compared with similarly sized CRT TVs.

LIGHTCROSS AND UMC PRODUCE PHOTONIC COMPONENTS USING SILICON PROCESS
LightCross, a start-up based in Monterey Park, California, and Taiwan’s United Microelectronics Corporation  (UMC) have successfully produced working Arrayed Waveguide Gratings (AWGs) devices in silicon.  The companies said the production of optical devices using standard silicon fabrication techniques marks a significant business and technical milestone in the development of low-cost, high-volume optical components.  http://www.lightcross.com/
LightCross, October 4, 2001

• In August, LightCross closed $30 million in second round venture financing to support its development of integrated optical components.  The company is developing high-performance and monolithically integrated passive and tunable optical networking components and subsystems using standard IC equipment and facilities.  The funding was led by UMC Capital, the venture capital arm of United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) of Taiwan.  Additional investors include ComVentures, ARCH Venture Partners, JP Morgan Partners, Asia Optical Technology Co., RiTEK Corporation, and a number of prominent individuals from the telecom and semiconductor industries.
• LightCross was founded by Dr. Chi Wu, who was previously a researcher with the Jet Propulsion Laboratories and the California Institute of Technology, and Dr. Wenhua Lin, who previously was in the Optical Networking group at Bell Labs.

VOCERA NAMES CEO, TARGETS ENTERPRISE WIRELESS PLATFORM
Vocera Communications, a start-up developing an enterprise wireless communications platform, named Julie Shimer as CEO.  Shimer most recently was vice president and general manager of 3Com's Residential Connectivity Group.  Vocera is based in Cupertino, California.  http://www.vocera.com
Vocera Communications, October 4, 2001

• Vocera received initial funding from a group of investors led by RRE Ventures and closed its second round of funding in December of 2000, led by Vanguard Ventures.

Daily Journal For Broadband Networking
Copyright 2001 Converge! Media Ventures Inc.
All Rights Reserved. ISSN 1084-2438
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