Huawei has announced that it has successfully developed the world's first 1588v2-compliant DSL prototype with nanosecond-level time synchronization accuracy, which is claimed to present a more cost-effective mobile backhaul choice for mobile operators to build out their 3G/4G networks worldwide.

According to Huawei, combining new DSL technologies with microcell and LTE base stations can extend the mobile network by using existing copper wire resources, protecting investments in the "last-mile" network and providing a cost-effective cellular backhaul. Leveraging Huawei's proprietary 'high-accuracy' time synchronization algorithm and complying with the IEEE 1588v2 standard, Huawei's time synchronization solution is said to make it possible to implement high-accuracy, nanosecond-level time synchronization over DSL lines. This offers an advantage over legacy DSL technologies, which can implement data backhaul of base stations, but do not offer high-accuracy time synchronization, thus falling short of cellular backhaul, it says.

Yang Zhirong, president of Huawei's Access Network Product Line said: "DSL remains the world's most widely used broadband access technology. Technical breakthroughs such as this one will enable operators to optimally utilize their abundant copper wire resources, as well as achieve quick provisioning of their 3G/4G services. The leading xDSL time synchronization prototype reflects Huawei's commitment to deliver a powerful and unique value proposition to customers."

1588v2, also known as Precision Time Protocol (PTP), is a packet-based time synchronization technology standardized by the IEEE. The technology is said to effectively address the issues facing GPS (Global Positioning System) clock synchronization, such as high investments and difficult installation, and is recognized as a crucial technology for network evolution from 2G to 3G/4G. The 1588v2 time synchronization algorithm is originally designed on the basis of symmetric models, and asymmetric transmission technologies such as ADSL cannot effectively support the 1588v2 protocol. Huawei says it has achieved high-accuracy DSL time synchronization, which is a breakthrough in this regard. 

Huawei says its IPTime mobile backhaul solution, the only one in the industry with 1588v2 high-accuracy time synchronization, can be implemented over any media, including optical fiber, microwave and copper wire. Tests are claimed to have proven that the time synchronization accuracy of Huawei's prototype has achieved GPS level and is capable of mobile backhaul transmission in the 3G/4G era. The solution has already been servicing leading operators such as China Mobile, Vodafone and Telefónica.

Danish and Swedish are preparing themselves four times faster mobile broadband as operator 3's network speeds is set to increase from 21Mbps to 84Mbps. And, to improve coverage, the upgrade will be complemented by a new 900MHz 3G network, the first in Sweden, supplied and supported by Ericsson.

Peder Ramel, CEO at 3 Scandinavia, said: "We were the first to launch turbo 3G in the Nordic region and now we are first signing up for the world's fastest 3G. Our Scandinavian customers are sophisticated users with high demands in terms of mobile broadband services. Ericsson is evolving our network so we can meet these demands and give our customers true connectivity, wherever they are – from city office to country cottage."

Mikael Bäckström, Head of Market Unit Nordic and Baltics at Ericsson, added: "This is an exciting opportunity to provide 3 and its users in Sweden and Denmark with our high quality technology and services. The confidence 3 is showing in us and our products is a result of our focus on being a long-term partner and contributing to 3's ambitions for high-speed mobile broadband services in Scandinavia."

The three-year contract between Ericsson and 3 includes the HSPA Evolution capacity upgrade of its existing 3G network, via 42Mbps, to 84Mbps plus a new WCDMA/HSPA radio access network on the 900MHz frequency band. In addition, Ericsson is providing IP-based optical and microwave backhaul, and support services. Rollout will start in the first quarter of 2010.

Opera Software today announced that it has acquired AdMarvel. According to Opera, the acquisition will enable it to expand its portfolio of products and services to include highly scalable ad monetization services for Opera branded mobile products and services offered by mobile operators and content partners.

AdMarvel, based in San Mateo, California, is said to work with a broad set of constituents in the advertising ecosystem to improve the performance of mobile advertising. The company was founded in 2006 by a team of mobile veterans led by Mahi de Silva and has a broad customer base across the globe.

"In our fast-growing industry, mobile advertising represents an interesting long-term revenue opportunity. Every month, nearly 50 million people access the Web using Opera on their mobile phones and together with AdMarvel, we think we can play an important role in the evolution of mobile advertising," says Lars Boilesen, Chief Executive Officer, Opera Software.

"We are very excited about joining forces with Opera.  What started as a commercial relationship has blossomed into a wonderful partnership to serve the global mobile marketplace. Combining our monetization and analytics platform with the Opera browser and widget platform will create a new intelligent platform, where local and global advertisers can interact with a highly instrumented mobile audience," says Mahi de Silva, Chief Executive Officer, AdMarvel.

Cambridge Broadband Networks today announced the availability of a new suite of Network Design and Support Services to complement its range of VectaStar Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) Microwave backhaul products. A new division of the company set up to deliver the services, the Network Design Service Group, will provide customers with full access to CBNL's  range of end-to-end service-based solutions for complete Hybrid or all-IP backhaul network design, planning, project management and installation. The Group will deliver consultancy, training and direct hands on involvement, said to enable network operators to quickly design and deploy PMP microwave backhaul networks, optimised for build and operational efficiency.

Mobile operators are increasingly facing challenges posed by the rapid growth of mobile data traffic on backhaul networks. While PMP microwave backhaul can make meeting these challenges more affordable in terms of CAPEX and OPEX, accurate planning is required to get the most out of the hardware and available spectrum. CBNL's Services Group is said to be tasked to enable operators to achieve this. One key feature of the new suite of services is the availability of advanced VectaStar-specific RF planning simulation software. Unlike generic network planning tools or those designed for legacy point-to-point networks, CBNL's network modelling solution is claimed to be capable of accurately predicting variables including RF propagation, link budgets, and capacity requirements. With the use of such tools, operators can reduce time and cost to network design and deployment and ensure that designs are optimum, says CBNL.

CBNL's Services Group is said to draw on extensive experience in PMP microwave product and network design. Since 2001 CBNL has been supplying and advising operators including Maxis, MTN Group, Vodacom, Gateway, NASK, Mac Telecom and Wana on the deployment of its 10.5, 26, and 28Ghz VectaStar variants. With the introduction of its Services Group, CBNL expands and formalises the service-based side to its business.

Graham Peel, Cambridge Broadband Networks CEO said: "Cambridge Broadband Networks has considerable experience in piecing together fully integrated mobile backhaul and enterprise access solutions. This extends to organising resources and supporting deployment using established local expertise complemented by our network of service centres. With the launch of our Network Design and Support Services including our RF modelling software, we aim to provide existing and new customers with the ability to make the very best of our VectaStar products, realising the significant cost and performance benefits the technology enables.

"The market for network planning software is sizable and growing rapidly, currently estimated to be worth around USD180m. Cambridge Broadband Networks' entry into this market represents a fantastic growth opportunity for the business and adds significantly to the value we deliver to our customers."

CBNL will be demonstrating its RF Planning Tools and presenting its new Services Group business unit at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona.

According to a new report from Juniper Research, the number of mobile connected M2M and embedded devices will rise to almost 412 million globally by 2014 with several distinct markets accounting for the increase in their number. 

The markets include: Utility metering, Mobile Connected Buildings, Consumer & Commercial Telematics and Retail & Banking Connections. According to Juniper, these areas will all show substantial growth in both device numbers and in the service revenues they represent, while Healthcare monitoring applications will begin to reach the commercial roll out stage from 2012.

"The most widespread category will be connections related to smart metering, driven partly by government initiatives to reduce carbon emissions," says Anthony Cox, Senior Analyst at Juniper Research.  Other areas, such as the healthcare sector, will ultimately see more potential in achieving service revenues he says.

Further findings from the Embedded Mobile and M2M research include:

• Saturation in operators' core businesses is leading mobile operators to re-evaluate and invest in the potential of M2M
• Operators and M2M specialists recognise that scale is key, since ARPU for M2M and embedded devices is lower than for standard mobile services
• Regulatory initiatives in different geographical areas will provide an important fillip for the M2M market such as European Directives on smart metering
• With the exception of certain consumer applications such as mobile gaming and eReaders, 3G's use for M2M applications will be limited for the immediate future as M2M usually does not require the high bandwidth 3G affords

The report is said to include major analysis of the current state of play in the Embedded Mobile and M2M market and contains six year forecasts for key mobile M2M parameters and attributable service revenues including; the number of connected buildings, mobile connected utility meters, new consumer vehicles, on-board M2M systems – mobile connected commercial vehicles, mobile telematics devices, mobile healthcare – number of monitored individuals.

Willtek Communications today introduced the new 2261 Autotest Option for the 2201 ProLock. As part of the ProLock-based 3G test system for Service, the new option eliminates the need for an external PC to control the system.

Until now, comprehensive tests were controlled through test scripts running on a PC with Willtek's remote control software from the 7310 Lector and Scriptor family. With the new option, the test scripts can now reside on the instrument itself, so a PC is no longer required. A comprehensive test system for service can  be reduced to Willtek's 2201 ProLock with the 4916 Antenna Coupler and the 4921 RF Shield.

Matthias Schuster, Product Manager at Willtek, said, "With the new Autotest option, users now have the choice between the Windows-based Lector software and a space-saving, self-contained test system. Whichever they select, users will benefit from vendor-specified test sequences, a frequently updated coupling factor database and the capability to store test reports on a server, and all that at a good price-performance ratio."

NEC Corporation (NEC) announced today that it will attend the Mobile World Congress 2010.
               
NEC will be showcasing its end-to-end portfolio of carrier-grade cloud solutions and services.  NEC's integrated IT and network technology enables carriers to remain competitive and offer a first-class service to their customers, while making cost savings and generating additional revenue.   In addition, NEC will outline its vision of mobile backhaul evolution.

"NEC is a leading provider of both network and IT infrastructure," said Toshiyuki Mineno, Senior Vice President at NEC Corporation.  "In the cloud era, mobile operators and carriers are looking to companies like NEC that offer both network and IT services to help tap fresh cloud-based IT revenues."

On its stand, NEC will demonstrate its service applications and platforms including:

– Managed Desktop Service, a new ICT service realized by NEC's IT and networks integration solution;
– NEC's Digital Signage solution, a leading-edge advertising service, that will help carriers to enrich their ICT service offering through networking;
– "XaaS" service solutions for mobile operators looking to capture the new IT service opportunity – from SaaS (Software as a Service) applications to a carrier-grade SaaS platform and marketplace;
– The leading solution in OSS fulfillment that provides and manages cloud services and connected devices;
– NEC's Home Gateway Solution which connects mobile operators' customers to their home media and devices from anywhere, maintaining the cloud as the connector between mobile and home domains.
                     
NEC will also show its network portfolio including femtocells and LTE:

– Mobile backhaul – mobile operators face the challenges of rapidly growing, revenue-squeezing data traffic as well as next-generation, bandwidth-hungry technology.  NEC will show its product portfolio of next-generation solutions, including a seamless integration of networks and computing with best-in-class customer experience and end-to-end SLAs, providing mobile operators with deep coverage in chosen market segments;  
– LTE (Long-Term Evolution) – NEC will demonstrate how SON (Self-Organising Networks) can remove complexity and cost in rolling out and operating LTE networks;  
– Femtocell – NEC will show the latest developments in femtocell technology including next-generation access points and new applications; 
– Programmable Flow Switch and Controller – OpenFlow-based switch enabling flow visualization and network virtualization by interworking with servers to realize IT and Network integrated management.

In addition, NEC spokespeople and subject matter experts will present papers at the conference, including:

                  ‘Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Evolution of Femtocells'
                   K. Jay Miyahara, Corporate Chief Engineer, NEC Corporation
                  1400 – 1530, Tuesday, February 16
                 
                 ‘Strategic Business Transformation towards SOA'
                  Ken Tanoue, Chief Manager, Carrier Network Business Unit, NEC Corporation
                  1350 – 1410, Monday, February 15

Masabi, a developer of mobile ticket purchase software for mass-market phones, says it has successfully collaborated with Access IS to produce optimised mobile barcode scanners for use in high volume, mass-transit situations. The new scanners are said to have overcome the issues of speed and reliability previously associated with mobile barcode scanning and are now claimed to deliver a similar level of experience to that offered by Oyster and Near Field Communications (NFC) systems, on the vast majority of mobile phone handsets with no hardware modifications.

Testing has shown that the new scanner can reliably scan, decode, decrypt and validate a mobile e-ticket in an average of just 240 milliseconds, it's claimed.

Previously, mobile barcode usage has been confined to small-scale pilot studies and for airport check-in where the process is far slower and scanners are handled by trained operators. The pilot studies are said to have shown hand-held mobile barcode scanners to be, at times, unreliable and slow, with regular problems scanning certain handsets. As a result, transport managers have viewed them as not ready for use in mass-transit applications such as bus and train ticketing.

This new product breakthrough is claimed to mark a watershed for mobile barcode technology by providing a service comparable to NFC or Oyster style systems using a technology that is already ubiquitous. Moreover, mobile barcode offers significant benefits over NFC for non-metropolitan transport systems because the mobile phone acts as both a delivery platform and a ticket sales platform. Mobile handsets provide a complete ticketing and timetable experience at passengers' convenience, signalling the end of station queues, says Masabi.

"This new scanner innovation removes the final barrier to the adoption of mobile eTickets, and marks the end of having to queue for your train ticket," said Ben Whitaker, CEO of Masabi, "Now that you can buy your ticket on your mobile and get through the barrier without breaking step, everyday travel can be more convenient, and stations more efficient. Most importantly, this technology is for everyone, not just the Smartphones and iPhones, but even seven-year-old standard mobile handsets."
 
Access IS managing director, Roger Wylie, commented, "Having been at the forefront of barcode reading in stadiums and airports, with thousands of turnstile, boarding gate and check-in desk installations, we've been delighted to adapt these proven technologies to meet the particular challenges of mass-transport. Together with Masabi, we're confident that we offer a fast and intuitive ticketing alternative for the travelling public."

At Mobile World Congress 2010 in Barcelona, RealVNC will be featuring the latest release of its VNC Mobile Solution that makes it possible to remotely control and manage any number of mobile devices or applications, anywhere in the world.

As well as live demonstrations on RealVNC's stand, there will also be a number of OEM partners showcasing VNC Mobile Solution integrated into their systems and discussing deployments with major mobile operators.  These include solutions for automated remote testing of mobile handsets, terminals and PDAs; a device management service that allows customer care agents to remotely access and control mobile devices to configure or troubleshoot problems and offer assistance and training for installed applications; and an innovative use of VNC Mobile Solution within the automotive industry.  VNC Mobile Solution supports multiple platforms including Windows Mobile, Symbian and Blackberry, with development versions for iPhone, Android and Linux Mobile available; Maemo and Palm Pre coming soon.
 
VNC Mobile Solution comprises a small, efficient and portable VNC Server application that runs on potentially any mobile platform, along with a specialized VNC Viewer that controls the mobile device remotely from a desktop. It is supplied as a Software Development Kit (SDK), allowing OEM partners to quickly and easily incorporate best-in-class VNC technology into their existing applications to deliver new capabilities and service offerings, whilst maintaining their own branding look-and-feel.

"Increasingly powerful mobile devices with faster connectivity are replacing laptops and desktop machines to perform core business functions and extend the virtual network environment," said Tom Blackie, Vice President Mobile at RealVNC. "VNC Mobile Solution provides developers, device management vendors and operators with the ability to remotely control, diagnose, test and manage this plethora of mobile devices, and the applications running on multiple operating systems from one common interface."

Companies such as Sicap and Qualisystems are enhancing and extending their offerings with VNC interactive remote control and support. "VNC Mobile Solution provides us with a market-leading solution that has been easily integrated into our existing systems." said Stéphane Jayet, Head of SIM and Device management at Sicap. "The combined device management solution creates significant savings, reduces customer care call handling times, improves service availability and delivers increased levels of customer satisfaction."
 
RealVNC will be on stand number 2J69 at Mobile World Congress.