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Legislators
Debate Digital Broadcast Content Protection Proposals
 "The
movie industry is suffering from a loss of some $3.5 billion
annually from hard-goods piracy (DVD, VCD, videotape),"
said Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture
Association of America (MPAA), and the problem of digital piracy
is far more menacing. Valenti estimates that some 400,000 to
600,000 films are being pirated over the Internet each day.
Speaking before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation
Committee, Valenti called on the FCC to develop technical
mandates to create a "safe environment" for digital
content. The MPAA is a pushing "Broadcast Flag"
mandate to stop digital over-the-air broadcasts from being
re-directed to the Internet.
The digital content protection scheme proposed by the MPAA won't
work, would hurt consumers, and would impede innovation by
consumer electronics makers, said Lawrence J. Blanford,
president and CEO of Philips Consumer Electronics. Blanford
said the MPAA proposal, which would require that all devices
recognize a data bit in their digital TV signal and encrypt
content using only industry authorized algorithms, would fail to
stop the unauthorized redistribution of digital broadcast
content over the Internet. The plan would also require consumers
to replace (and the FCC to regulate) "virtually every
single device in the home network." It would impinge on
"fair use" provisions of copyright law, and, Blanford
argued, it would give a small group companies the power to
restrain competition in new digital consumer electronics.
Philips is endorsing Digital Broadcast Content Protection
legistlation introduced by Senator Brownback (R-KS), which would
use "watermarks" rather than encryption to identify
and protect digital content.
By May 2003, over 230.3 million copies of the KaZaA file sharing
software had been downloaded worldwide, said Cary Sherman,
president and General Counsel of the Recording Industry
Association of America (RIAA). Sherman contends that music
downloading is driving the DSL business in the U.S., particulary
for Verizon and SBC In congressional testimony Sherman cited
estimates that 50% to 70% of the capacity on cable broadband
networks is being consumed by peer-to-peer traffic, up from 20%
to 30% a year ago. Sherman also accused Verizon of actively
encouraging its DSL subscribers to visit unauthorized P2P
services and said the major DSL providers lacked the
"economic incentives" to combat piracy.
Verizon recognizes the legitimate interests of copyright owners
and has strict policies about online piracy, but it does not
believe that the protection of intellectual property should be
the burden of Internet Service Providers, said William Barr,
Executive VP and General Counsel for Verizon Communications.
In particular, Verizon objects to the recent district court
ruling that grants copyright holders or their agents the right
to discover the name, address, and telephone number of any
Internet user they accuse of piracy without filing a lawsuit or
making any substantive showing at all to a federal judge.
Verizon said this subpoena power, which is currently being
applied to music recording, might later be extended to any other
type of digital file, including email, news group postings,
digital photographs, etc. Barr warned that a whole industry of
copyright “bounty hunters” is springing up, led by economic
incentives to intrude into private lives and threaten vigilante
justice whenever they suspect a copyright infringement. Verizon
aso commended Senator Brownback's proposed Digital Consumer
Internet Privacy Protection Act, especially for provisions to
ensure that subpoenas cannot be issued without sufficient
judicial safeguards in place.
SBC is being besieged by the music industry with thousands of
subpoenas to identify Internet users, agreed James D. Ellis,
Senior Executive VP and General Counsel for SBC Communications.
Ellis noted that peer-to-peer networks did not commonly exist in
1998 when Digital Millennium Copyright Act was passed. He argues
that the unsupervised private right of subpoena currently being
used by the recording industry strips Internet users of their
First Amendment rights to communicate and publish anonymously
– without due process of law.
http://commerce.senate.gov/hearings/witnesslist.cfm?id=919
17-Sep-03
- The MPAA's "Broadcast Flag," which was created
by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), is a
sequence of digital bits embedded in a television program
that signals that the program must be protected from
unauthorized redistribution.
U.S.
House Extends Ban on Internet Access Taxes
The
U.S. House of Representatives voted to permanently extend a ban
on Internet access and traffic taxes that was due to expire in
November. The Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act (HR-49)
prohibits a state and other political jurisdictions from
imposing taxes on electronic commerce including all forms of
Internet acess (dial-up, cable modem, DSL, satellite, wireless,
or other pathways yet to be invented). The legislation was
sponsored by Congressman Christopher Cox (R-CA).
The legislation must still be passed by the Senate and signed by
the President to become law.
http://www.house.gov
17-Sep-03
Level
3 Launches MPLS-based Ethernet WAN Service
Level
3 Communications introduced an enhanced wide area Ethernet
service for its U.S. and Europe networks. The new (3)Flex
Ethernet service is based on Level 3's MPLS backbone and
provides two classes of service (CoS) that can be managed per
virtual connection as applications require. The two classes of
service are: Optimized, which is a variable bit rate service
that combines a committed information rate with the ability to
burst up to twice that rate; and Enhanced, an unspecified bit
rate service that allows the customer to burst up to full port
speed. (3)Flex Ethernet provides scalability from DS-3 and
100BaseT to multiple Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. Customers can
access the service via cross-connects, fiber extensions, metro
Ethernet and SONET connections. Customers are billed on a usage
basis and pricing is distance insensitive.
Level 3 will market the new service to its service provider
customers through its direct sales force, and to enterprise
customers primarily through other service providers, system
integrators and value-added resellers. The (3)Flex Ethernet
service replaces the company's existing (3)Packet service.
Separately, Level 3 named NetCologne, one of the leading
regional carriers in Germany, as a new customer for its
(3)CrossRoads wholesale IP transit service. In addition,
NetCologne has also purchased (3)Link Private Line and (3)Flex
Ethernet services from Level 3.
http://www.level3.com
17-Sep-03
NTT
Develops Logical-topology Reconfigurable WDM
NTT
has developed a logical-topology reconfigurable WDM system that
would enable network managers to quickly change the topology of
a network, such as during traffic spikes following a disaster,
traffic changes due to corporate restructurings, or simply to
load-balance Internet traffic. The technology, which was
developed by NTT Photonics Laboratories, uses an Arrayed-Waveguide
Grating (AWG) router. Multiple logical topologies, including
mesh, star and ring, can be established on one AWG-STAR network
by selecting a suitable wavelength.
http://www.ntt.co.jp/news/news03e/0309/030917.html
17-Sep-03
NTT
Com Extends its Global IP VPN to 124 Countries
NTT
Com's Global IP-VPN service is now available to 124 countries
and regions using either MPLS-based connections or IPSec
Tunneling. NTT Com is offering "one-stop total network
management" including a backup solution and LAN device
maintenance.
http://www.ntt.com/release_e/news03/0009/0917.html
17-Sep-03
Teradiant
Introduces Traffic Manager Chips for Core, Edge, Metro
Teradiant
Networks, a start-up based in San Jose, California, introduced
its line-up of traffic manager chips for core, edge, metro and
enterprise networking equipment. Teradiant is offering two
versions of its super-pipelined traffic managers: TeraPacket TM
is designed for high-density linecards in systems that utilize
switch fabrics; and TeraPacket TMS is designed for high-density,
single-card systems that do not require separate switch fabrics.
The traffic manager chips could be used in a range of designs,
from low-cost fabric-less 40Gbps "pizza box" systems
to terabit chassis-based systems. The chips are
protocol-agnostic, enabling them to prioritize Ethernet, SONET,
ATM, Frame Relay, IPv4, IPv6, and MPLS traffic. Teradiant also
supports deep channelization capabilities enabling SONET
channelization down to STS-1 levels. Performance scales from 10
Gbps to 40 Gbps. Teradiant also noted that it is the first to
provide traffic manager chips (TeraPacket TMS) that incorporate
on-chip switching at 20Gbps and 40Gbps.
http://www.teradiant.com
17-Sep-03
Octasic
Introduces Integrated Media Gateway Modules for VoIP/VoATM
Octasic
introduced two new PTMC form factor modules for developing VoIP
and VoATM media gateways. The new modules are powered by
Octasic's echo cancellation and packetization/aggregation chips.
The first module (OCT9320) offers a low cost solution targeted
at G.711/ADPCM voice applications such as media gateway hardware
designs. This module also incorporates Octasic's advanced Packet
Loss Concealment (PLC) and Spectral Comfort Noise (SCN)
algorithms, further improving voice quality in packet networks.
The second module (OCT9360) provides additional processing
capacity for low- bit-rate codecs such as G.729/G.723.1 or fax
relay. Both modules support densities of 1008 channels without
compromising channel densities when features are enabled.
http://www.octasic.com
17-Sep-03
Guest
Column: Voice over Packet Protocols - VoIP and VoATM (VoAAL1,
VoAAL2)
Zarlink
Introduces Single-Chip TDM-to-IP/Ethernet Packet Processors
Zarlink
Semiconductor introduced a line of single-chip TDM-to-IP/Ethernet
packet processors. The devices are designed for transporting up
to 32 T1/E1 streams (or 1024 64-Kbps channels) using Circuit
Emulation Services over Packet (CESoP). Zarlink's product line
consists of three chips: 32 T1/E1 ports, eight T1/E1 ports, and
four T1/E1 ports. The device supports a broad array of TDM
traffic formats, including unstructured mode, structured mode,
and fractional N x 64 Kbps mode.
http://cesop.zarlink.com
17-Sep-03
ADVA
Unveils its Smallest-Footprint Optical Access Solution
ADVA
Optical Networking introduced a new optical access solution
based on Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) technology and designed
to serve as a network termination device for next-generation SDH
and metro WDM transport networks. The new FSP 1500, which is
part of ADVA's fifth generation of products, could be used at
the customer premises to aggregate up to eight LAN, storage, and
voice applications on a combined STM-16 interface. The system
has a rack-mountable, 1U (45 mm) shelf that uses hot-swappable,
Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) optical interfaces. It
supports a wide range of high bit-rate data services at native
speed: 10/100 Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and E1
voice services. The new platform is fully integrated with ADVA's
network management software. ADVA said the FSP 1500 would be
priced significantly lower than any competing next-generation
solution on the market today.
http://www.advaoptical.com
17-Sep-03
TI
Announces 802.11a/b/g Chip for Cell Phones and PDAs
Texas
Instruments introduced a new low power, compact 802.11a/b/g
solution designed for mobile, battery powered devices such as
cell phones and PDAs. The new device is a single-chip media
access controller (MAC) and baseband processor built in a 12mm x
12mm package. The chip is already designed into several cell
phones and PDAs, including Motorola's Wi-Fi/cellular dual-system
phone. Sampling has been underway since June.
http://www.ti.com/wlan
17-Sep-03
TANDBERG
TV Adds Scheduling Features to Telco System
TANDBERG
Television has added production and operations management
software to its "Cortex" telco system management
solution, which enables operators to schedule events over
contribution/distribution video networks. It is designed for use
over ATM networks that support Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs),
Switched Virtual Circuits (SVCs) or over IP-based networks. The
new scheduling capabilities, called "ScheduALL," is
used in more than 1,000 broadcast and production facilities to
optimize scheduling.
http://www.tandbergtv.com
http://www.scheduall.com
17-Sep-03
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| Taking
Cable’s Lunch Money
 by
Tom Conklin
Senior Product Marketing Manger
Broadband Access
ECI Telecom
Pity
the poor giant telephone service
provider.
After 100 years of investment
in the design, implementation and
stewardship of the world’s biggest
networks, some would have us believe
that phone companies must defend
themselves from turf encroachment by
the likes of the Cable MSO.
Another way of looking at the
situation is that network and service
convergence makes Cable revenues
vulnerable to exploitation by
traditional telephone carriers seeking
top line growth.
It
is clear that access line loss is
accelerating for most North American
telephone carriers.
This can be attributed to
surviving CLECs, wireless, second line
loss from DSL deployments, and, of
course, Cable’s nagging ventures in
voice.
The latter gets the most
attention because there is a
competitive network behind it.
Cable has physical connections
to 96% of U.S. homes.
They also have succeeded in
poaching several million residential
subscribers from incumbent telephone
carriers already.
But before panic sets in we
should look at the situation from the
Cable provider’s perspective, and
remember who’s the boss. more
See
the full article on our
Blueprint: Telco Triple Play Web
site
|
More
from the Blueprints: Telco Triple Play
series:
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presented by
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PCTEL's
Soft Access Point Software Matched to GlobespanVirata's Wi-Fi
Chips
PCTEL's
Segue SAM software, which creates "soft access points"
using client adapters, will be incorporated with
GlobespanVirata's PRISM GT (802.11g) and PRISM WorldRadio
(802.11a, b & g) WLAN chipsets. The software upgrade will
enable users to convert a PC with a PRISM-based client device
into a fully functional access point (AP) with router
capabilities.
http://www.pctel.com
17-Sep-03
OnFiber
to Deploy Terabeam's Wireless Fiber
OnFiber
Communications, which operates fiber networks in 14 major
metropolitan area across the U.S., will deploy Terabeam's
Gigalink gigabit Ethernet (GigE) wireless fiber system to extend
its fiber optic network to serve additional customers.
Terabeam's GigE Gigalink is a radio frequency (RF) product hat
transmits and receives signals at 1.25 Gbps. OnFiber will use
the technology to extend the reach of its fiber footprint.
http://www.terabeam.com
http://www.onfiber.com
17-Sep-03
 |
November
3–7, 2003 • Boston, MA • Marriott Copley Place
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NEXT
GENERATION NETWORKS (NGN) CONFERENCE
Now
in its 17th year, NGN
is the place to go to find out where the Net is
going next. This year at NGN, which is being held at the
Marriott Copley in Boston November 3 –7, 2003, elite
industry leaders and pioneering users come to speak,
listen to one another and debate the issues whose
outcome will determine the immediate future of the
Internet, as well as broadband, wireless, IP telephony,
network convergence, new first mile broadband
technologies, storage networking, new switching/routing
techniques, network security and many more timely and
key topics. NGN has proved to be THE place to go to
learn about the future of networking firsthand, from the
leaders who define it. No other event delivers the
quality of information, intensity of debate, or density
of contacts that NGN
The
NGN conference is co-chaired by two of the industry's
leading authorities on advanced networking: Dr. John M.
McQuillan and Dave Passmore. John and Dave, together
with a distinguished Program Advisory Board, contribute
a rich base of knowledge and contacts to the design of
the NGN conference program. They also author timely and
expert topical Newsletters that can be viewed at: http://www.ngn2003.com
REGISTER
NOW AND SAVE UP TO $600
You
have until Monday, September 22, 2003 to take advantage
of the $400 early registration discount off of the fee
for the entire event or conference-only registrations.
Additionally, if you register as part of at team
of three or more you can save an additional $200 for a
total savings of $600 per person! To ensure that you
receive your early payment discount please use VIP CODE:
D63X1EML when you register at: http://www.bcr.com/ngn/register.asp
|
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The
Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF) is a global
association of service providers and system suppliers
committed to developing and promoting open-architecture,
multiservice switching systems. Founded in 1998, the MSF
is an open-membership organization comprised of the
world's leading telecommunications companies.
The
MSF's activities include developing implementation
agreements, promoting worldwide compatibility and
interoperability, and encouraging input to appropriate
national and international standards bodies.
Learn
about membership
|
A
Daily Report For Broadband Networking
Copyright 2003 Converge! Media Ventures Inc.
All Rights Reserved. ISSN 1084-2438
News sources are listed for your reference.
Sunnyvale, California USA
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About
this Report
Converge!
Network Digest is a daily market
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the media.
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comments or to submit news for
consideration, please contact James
Carroll
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opportunities via our email service and
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Oeschger
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