Tuesday, October 30, 2012

India looks into becoming a teleport hub

India’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry is focused on its goal of making the subcontinent one of the leading teleport hubs in the globe. Experts in the telecommunications industry has been consulted to help transform the industry to make India a robust center for satellite TV uplinks and downlinks, instead of solely relying on other hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong. 

The I&B is already working on a road map that will take into considerations the challenges India will face in its goal. According to the Ministry Secretary Uday Kumar Varma, if the country manages to become a teleport hub, foreign investments are expected to increase alongside the improvement of technology that could also positively impact content generation. Varma also stressed other benefits like a surge in employment opportunities in the broadcast sector.

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Monday, October 22, 2012

FCC approves AT&T, Sirius sharing underused satellite radio spectrum



The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a joint proposal for spectrum sharing by AT&T and Sirius XM. Starting October 12, 2012, the two companies can now share under-utilized spectrum in the Wireless Communication Services (WCS) satellite radio band. This will help speed up AT&T's ongoing rollout of out its 4G long-term evolution (LTE) network.

The FCC has given permission for AT&T to use 30 megahertz of barely-utilized spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band for its wireless broadband services. However, AT&T will only be able to use 20 MHz from this windfall of capacity.

10 MHz on either side of the approved frequency will be used for fixed broadband services. These interference buffers will prevent interference with satellite radio in adjacent bands. Sirius XM currently uses this particular satellite spectrum.

Back in June, Sirius and AT&T made a joint proposal to the FCC. The companies asked for permission to co-exist in their use of the same spectrum. The FCC has finally approved that plan this Monday.

Joan Marsh, vice president of federal regulatory issues for AT&T, issued a statement saying that the FCC's adoption of the new service rules is beneficial on two counts. First, it will allow LTE technologies to be deployed in in the WCS band. At the same time, it will protect satellite radio services from interference.

According to VP Marsh, AT&T took on significant risks when it chose to develop the under-utilized band has paid off. The Company continues to be commited in unlocking the band's full potential and using the additional spectrum capacity to enhance wireless broadband services and support increasing use of mobile Internet. AT&T predicts it can start deploying LTE infrastructure in the band in three years.

Back in August, AT&T spent $600 million to acquire NextWave Wireless and the latter company's spectrum licenses in the WCS and Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) bands. The acquisition boosted AT&T's own spectrum holdings and its developing 4G LTE network.


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Friday, October 19, 2012

Australian Teleports: Google Earth takes you to a virtual tour of a Sout...

Australian Teleports: Google Earth takes you to a virtual tour of a Sout...: The Adelaide Teleport is a satellite ground station in South Australia, operated by one of the leading independent satellite communication...

Cisco, Yahsat will deliver TelePresence VC Tactical HD video services in Middle East


On October 18, 2012, Cisco announced that it will be entering a partnership with Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat.) The two companies will deliver Cisco TelePresence VX Tactical high-definition (HD) video services to government entities, emergency response, and other fieldwork industries in the Middle East.

One of the first HD video services that will be made available in the Middle East, Cisco's VX Tactical will deliver a lifelike and natural video experience by leveraging Yahsat's communications satellite.

Cisco caters to a wide range of the industry sectors and vertical markets through technology solutions created during previous collaborations with other companies. Its TelePresence solution is a sterling product of such a team-up.

Cisco delivers IP communications to mobility, customer care, enterprise social software, interoperable TelePresence experiences, messaging, and Web conferencing. The Company will once more demonstrate the adaptability and versatility of its portfolio through its recent partnership with satellite communications company Yahsat for the delivery of satellite HD video services in the Middle East.


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Monday, October 15, 2012

Thuraya launches high-speed XT-Hotspot mobile Wi-Fi router

Taking advantage of its successful XT handheld device and its mobile satellite Internet service, Thuraya Telecommunications Company is now launching its Thuraya XT-Hotspot product.

The XT-Hotspot router creates a Wi-Fi zone 30 meters in diameter. The battery-powered device can support multiple users and mobile devices in diverse sectors not limited to Energy, Goverment, Media, and NGOs.

In addition, the Thuraya product is the only commercially available Wi-Fi router that offers a plug and play solution. This allows it to generate accessible and affordable conenctivity anywhere in the world thanks to Thuraya's Internet-on-satellite service.

The Thuraya XT-Hotspot product further offers one of the fastest satellite data speeds for any mobile device. By leveraging the same GmPRS connection used by the Thuraya XT handheld device, XT-Hotspot can support faster connection speeds of up to 60kbps even in the most remote of areas. In comparison, most competitors are limited to maximum speeds of 9.6 kbps.


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Thursday, October 11, 2012

DoD grants UC APL approval to 3eTI AirGuard secure wireless solution


According to an announcement by 3eTI, the U.S. Department of Defense approved the AirGuard wireless mesh devices and added the produce to its UC APL (Unified Capabilities Approved Products List.)

The AirGuard secure wireless mesh device has already received FIPS 140-2 validation and Common Criteria certification. The 3eTI product generates wireless hotspots and provide backhaul connectivity for applications on fixed, mobile, and portable platforms.

3eTI AirGuard wireless systems have been installed in corporate campuses, industrial environments, and in military bases and U.S. Navy vessels.

The U.S. military is a firm and extensive user of the 3eTI wireless mesh product, which is capable of withstanding harsh environments and ensures always-on availability of safe and secure wireless mesh connectivity.

3eTI recently began offering its AirGuard iMesh suite of products to customers in the industrial and military sectors. The iMesh solution uses minimal power, complies with ISA100 standards, and is perfect for industrial sensor networking.

AirGuard goes beyond ISASecure's basic security capabilities in ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and sensor and network data availability by leveraging some of the latest in encryption and authentication technology. Its security and reliability have been independently validated by the U.S. military.


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NetComm Wireless, Westbase Technology sign 4G distribution agreement for UK markets


NetComm Wireless announced on October 9 that it had entered its first supply agreement with Westbase Technology. A wireless technology distributer based in the United Kingdom, Westbase will distribute NetComm's 3G and 4G wireless broadband devices and machine-to-machine (M2M) products to telecommunications carriers in the U.K. and in Europe.

Earlier, U.K. communications industry regular Ofcom gave its approval to Everything Everywhere. The corporation was now free to use its existing 1800 MHz spectrum for 4G services.

With that in mind, NetComm plans to ensure that its Wireless 4G WiFi Router (4G100W) is one of the first 4G devices to hit the UK market. The tirst to come, after all, is the first to be served.

Westbase will offer NetComm's M2M products to UK vertical markets. NetComm products optimize wireless communications by using distant monitoring, control, and maintenance. They can deliver applications to energy, transport, banking, retail, and other areas.

According to a statement by Brett Stevens, the Chief Technology Officer of NetComm, the Company's partnership with Westbase Technology will allow NetComm to explore new business opportunities in the U.K. as the county gains access to 4G LTE broadband. The agreement also provides cutting-edge M2M technology to industrial and commercial customers across the U.K. and the European continent.


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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

XO Communications expands to neighboring Canada

Canada’s telecom industry is still growing, and US telecom company XO Communications is hoping to get a slice of the market as it expands to the neighbor from the north. 

Last Tuesday, XO Communications announced to plans to offer its business services in Canada. Some of these services include high-speed Internet connections, a range of telecom services, as well as the development of fibre network systems. The US telecom company is eying the science and technology industry in Canada alongside the provision of its solutions for the financial service industry. 

According to XO, the move to expand is a response to the growing demand for global connectivity solutions from wholesale customers and businesses alike. The Virginia-based XO, which focuses on business communications solutions, is also looking into tapping the small to medium-sized market in Canada which has been driving the robust growth in the telecom industry. 

Other foreign-based telcos have been attracted to Canada’s fertile business grounds for the industry. China Unicom has also been offering telecom service, and providing connectivity solutions between Canada and China.

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Alvarion aims for 300 Smart Cities with wireless broadband before 2016

In preparation for the 2016 Olympics, Alvarion will deploy wireless broadband solutions in 300 municipalities across 24 different states in Brazil to create “Smart Cities.”

Alvarion’s Smart City initiative aims to transform Brazilian municipalities into networked environments where both public and private organizations can enhance security, healthcare, enterprise, and other opportunities by leveraging carrier-grade wireless broadband technology.

Alvarion started its operations in Brazil in 2000. Six years later, the Company turned the city of Catanduva, in the Sao Paulo State, into the first ever Smart City.

Alvarion ensures the highest standards of security and quality of service when delivering multiple applications on the same network. In addition, its carrier-grade wireless broadband solutions were efficient and cost-effective, making them very attractive and useful for municipalities.

Developing countries have recognized the advantages brought by broadband technology. However, they are also aware of the prohibitive cost of constructing the infrastructure for fixed broadband service.

However, a wireless broadband network -such as the Smart City solutions offered by Alvarion- removes the need to build or lease expensive E1/T1 lines. Alvarion’s solution interconnect government offices, first responders, and other organizations through the use of point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless technology.

The Smart Cities use Alvarion’s BreezeNet B, BreezeACCESS VL, and WBS WiFi solutions. The wireless broadband solutions use multiple frequencies, allowing it to handle multiple applications from a single network. These applications not only generate business opportunities for service providers, but they also serve to deliver medical care, education, and entertainment to rural areas.

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Sunday, October 7, 2012

InterDigital, ASOCS solutions speed up wireless product development, introduction

A strategic alliance between InterDigital and ASOCS Ltd. will develop a fully-integrated 2G and 3G modem solution for wireless products and chipsets development.

The two partners will integrate InterDigital’s SlimChip WCDMA modem IP core into ASOCS’ ModemX platform and R4 GSM/GPRS/EDGE solution. The resulting service can be embedded into wireless product platforms to expedite the release and rollouts of wireless communications products. It will also open up an upgrade path to HSPA+, TD-SCDMA, LTE, and other 4G technologies.

In addition, InterDigital and ASOCS will design another joint solution that will decrease development risk and speed up deliveries of the finished product to the market. This joint solution will support HSPA Category 10 (14.4 Mbps DL) and Category 6 (5.76 Mbps UL,) as well as GPRS/EGPRS multi-slot class 12.

The two partner companies will also offer a complete 3GPP Release 6 compliant 3G physical layer (with direct upgrade path to Release 7), Release 4 compliant 2G physical layer, and dual mode protocol stack implementation.

The InterDigital-ASOCS services target companies who want to open up new market opportunities while spending less time and money on developing new technologies, and customers who are integrating GSM/WCDMA into multi-mode design with LTE or TD-SCDMA networks.

According to Bill Miller, executive vice president of IP Sales and Services at Interdigital, companies always run risks when introducing new wireless products. Any slowdown or accident may ruin a company’s chances to penetrate new markets.

To minimize such risks, ASOCS and InterDigital based their joint solutions on proven technologies that are already in the market. Their services will improve the speed and efficiency of product rollout while also giving customers the opportunity to upgrade to 4G technologies in the future.

According to Gilad Garon, chief executive officer of ASOCS, the strategic alliance with InterDigital will help spread the Company’s ModemX technology throughout the mobile market. ASOCS’s technology has been displacing the DSP approach, especially since current low power designs are able to take full advantage of ModemX’s flexible software-programmable architecture.



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