Transmode, a provider of optical networking solutions, today announced the launch of its Multi-Service Mobile Backhaul Solution. The WDM over fiber solution provides "hybrid" native support of both TDM and Ethernet traffic and supports multiple synchronization streams per wavelength, and is claimed to enable a smooth migration to Ethernet or all-IP backhaul networks and cost effective support of 3G and LTE multimedia service roll outs.  

According to Transmode, the new Multi-Service Mobile Backhaul Solution provides a fiber-based backhaul that offers a 'unique' form of differentiation that will help carriers overcome synchronization and bandwidth problems so that they can more quickly and confidently roll out new 3G, LTE-based and 4G services. The ability to maintain multiple synchronization signals to the cell sites in a mobile network allows operators to simultaneously support a mix of 2G (TDM), 3G (ATM/Ethernet) and LTE/4G (Ethernet) radio base station equipment and legacy E1/T1, FE/GE and STM-1/OC-3 for one or more mobile operators. The multi-service characteristic enables a gradual migration and the possibility to do selected capacity upgrades in dense areas without affecting the core network architecture.

The Multi-Service Mobile Backhaul Solution is part of Transmode's  Intelligent WDM (iWDM) based TM-Series. The solution comprises of three main components:

1)  Access
     a.  Collects E1/T1 and Ethernet signals in up to 8 synchronization groups, on a single wavelength from Mobile cell sites and co-located DSLAMs
     b.  Consists of different 1u Access nodes that can support varying capacity demands
     c.  Supports up to 16x E1/T1 + 4x Fast Ethernet/Gigabit Ethernet (linerate) per 1u unit, with cascade facility for very high capacity nodes

2)  Hub
     a.  Aggregates E1/T1 traffic from Access nodes into STM-1/OC-3 signals
     b.  Hand-off of collected Fast Ethernet and GbE signals for further transport

3)  Backhaul
     WDM-based Layer 1 and Layer 2 transport solution for SDH/SONET and Ethernet traffic to appropriate control points and switching centers

"Transmode is helping mobile operators achieve an effective LTE migration strategy by offering both the deterministic performance required for effective synchronization and the ability to support multiple synchronization streams on a single wavelength," said David Dunphy, Managing Partner of Telecom Strategy Partners. "This solution lets operators migrate to the Ethernet and IP fiber-based backhaul networks cost effectively in support of 3G and 4G mobile broadband services while eliminating the need to keep costly E1/T1 circuits in place for reliable synchronization." 

Comarch has announced a new solution for mobile operators – Comarch Next Generation Network Planning – which is said to provide support for activities related to the planning and management of mobile networks. It enables simplification and automation of network operation, delivering Self-Organizing Network (SON) capabilities, says Comarch.

Comarch Next Generation Network Planning is a multi-vendor and multi-technology solution for planning and managing a mobile network including radio, transport and the core network. The heart of the NGNP solution is said to be the Comarch Process-Driven Inventory with flexible process management and the automation engine, which enables automation of network operation. Comarch Next Generation Network Planning also includes such functionalities as network auto-discovery & reconciliation, network provisioning, geographical visualization and reporting.

"As the number of technologies, vendors and elements in a network increases, so does the cost and effort involved with network planning and management. Network complexity combined with strong OPEX reduction forces operators to change the way they operate their networks. The manual work that is required needs to be significantly reduced while network planning and optimization should become as automated as possible. Automation and self-organization will become even more important when LTE is introduced to current 2G/3G/HSPA networks," said Piotr Machnik, EVP, Product Management & Marketing, Telecommunications Business Unit, Comarch SA.

Comarch Next Generation Network Planning enables simplification and automation of network operation through the integration of planning and optimization, configuration management and network provisioning functionalities. This allows for quickly integrating new network elements and implementing configuration changes to the network. By means of task automation many manual activities can be avoided and operational efficiency can be increased. As a result, mobile operators will be able to speed up network rollouts and upgrades and shorten service introduction time. This will allow them to keep pace with technology and market dynamics and to stay ahead of the competition.

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XConnect, a specialist in neutral Voice over IP (VoIP) and Next Generation Network (NGN) interconnection and registry services, today announced it has entered into an agreement with the GSM Association (GSMA) to enable interoperability between XConnect's ENUM Registry Services and the GSMA's PathFinder number translation service operated by Neustar.

Claimed to be an industry first, the agreement allows XConnect customers to query PathFinder for call routing information and also to allow their numbers to be published to the GSMA Carrier ENUM community. XConnect's new SuperQuery feature is said to be completely transparent and seamless for end users.

"Our agreement with the GSMA regarding its PathFinder service initiative reflects our strategy and the widely anticipated trend toward registry interoperability – and through that, universal routing of IP-based services," said Eli Katz, CEO and founder of XConnect. "With one query to the XConnect registry, service providers now have the opportunity to launch and provision rich voice and data services between fixed and mobile networks."

"The GSMA is delighted to be working with XConnect to provide customers with the ability to enable PathFinder queries via XConnect's Carrier ENUM registry," said Adrian Dodd, chief engineer at the GSMA. "This is another step forward in unlocking the revenue potential of IP-based networks by enabling them to deliver new rich and convergent services to businesses and consumers quickly and efficiently, regardless of their network or device type."

By enabling PathFinder queries via XConnect, service providers will simplify the querying, routing and interoperability process and eliminate the need for separate, complex commercial and technical agreements.

XConnect's SuperQuery feature is available as an option to XConnect customers through existing federation-based interconnection services – Global Alliance and National Federations, including the market-leading federations in the Netherlands and South Korea.

XConnect enables service providers to simplify the interconnect process and enable the deployment of revenue-generating, IP-based multimedia services across networks by more efficiently routing calls to their subscribers via ENUM registry queries. This allows service providers to leverage their number assets as they migrate away from expensive legacy SS7/C7 routing. The agreement with the GSMA extends the number of IP endpoints that can be reached by customers of both partners.

Launched in November 2008 by the GSMA and operated by Neustar, the GSMA's PathFinder service initiative is based on Carrier ENUM technology and acts as a central directory where operators can share mobile and fixed-line addresses to enable accurate and cost-effective routing of packet voice, instant messaging, multimedia services, email and video. The PathFinder service is available to mobile and fixed service providers as well as the full value chain including carriers, IPXs, hubs, ISPs, content providers and application providers. In addition, the GSMA's PathFinder initiative also encompasses an Industry Partner Programme, which is designed to ensure that next-generation infrastructure vendors around the globe have an industry vehicle with which to verify interoperability with ENUM-based routing.

A new analysis from Juniper Research of the NFC opportunity forecasts that the application of NFC as a mobile retail marketing tool via coupons and smart posters will support the growth of NFC mobile payment transaction values from $8bn in 2009 to $30bn within three years. 

Such is the excitement about the potential of NFC, says Juniper, vendors are developing and launching a variety of interim solutions such as stickers and SD cards to get NFC to market faster on existing phones rather than new NFC enabled phones.

NFC report author Howard Wilcox stated: "Many people focus on the use of NFC for payments but in fact it is poised to revolutionise the way many people shop too. The ability to tap smart posters and receive coupons and product information also presents new channels to market for merchants. Whilst vendors see widespread availability of NFC phones in future, the jury is out as whether interim solutions will attract users or actually have a detrimental effect."

Further findings from the NFC research include:
      

       • First NFC devices will be shipped commercially later in 2009 and the market will ramp up from 2011. 

       * NFC/Felica payments are already established in Japan but by 2014 North America and Western Europe will be experiencing high growth.

       • By 2012, NFC global gross transaction value will exceed $30bn.

The Juniper Research report examines the opportunities available in both the mobile payments market and the mobile retail market (smart posters and coupons), as well as newly emerging interim solutions such as stickers & SD cards. This report features detailed six year forecasts across eight regions of the world, for shipments of NFC enabled devices and interim NFC solutions, NFC devices in use for payments, transactions traffic, NFC transaction value and coupons and smart poster ARPU until 2014.

Juniper Research conducted primary research interviews with CxO level management from key industry players.

Rajeev Suri named as successor
 
Nokia Siemens Networks has appointed Rajeev Suri (pictured) as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2009. Suri succeeds Simon Beresford-Wylie, who will support Suri during a transition period through November 1, 2009 before leaving the company. Beresford-Wylie will leave the Nokia Group Executive Board as of September 30, 2009. Suri will be based at Nokia Siemens Networks' headquarters in Espoo, Finland.
 
"I am extremely pleased to announce Rajeev's appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Nokia Siemens Networks," said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, Nokia CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nokia Siemens Networks. "We began a comprehensive succession process when Simon shared his desire to depart at the appropriate time. That process has made it clear that Rajeev brings the right values, experience and industry expertise to take Nokia Siemens Networks forward."
 
Suri, who currently leads the Services business of Nokia Siemens Networks, brings 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Previous positions have included leading the Asia-Pacific region during a time of significant growth in both product and service sales; overseeing teams for important customers such as Hutchison; and managing products, such as the early cellular transmission portfolio of Nokia. In previous roles, he has been based in various locations including India, Finland, the United Kingdom, West Africa and Singapore. Suri, 41, is an Indian citizen and is married with two children.
 
"I would also like to thank Simon for his many contributions to Nokia Siemens Networks and to Nokia before that," said Kallasvuo. "I respect his decision to pursue opportunities in a new industry after 27 years in the telecommunications infrastructure sector. He leaves a remarkable legacy as the architect of Nokia Siemens Networks and as a close friend."
 
Beresford-Wylie joined Nokia in 1998 and held several positions in Asia and Europe before his appointment to head Nokia's infrastructure business group in February 2005. He was one of the leading drivers behind the creation of Nokia Siemens Networks and assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer of the company when it commenced operations on April 1, 2007. He has been a member of the Nokia Group Executive Board since 2005.
 
"Simon leaves with our deep appreciation for completing the successful integration of Nokia Siemens Networks," said Rudi Lamprecht, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nokia Siemens Networks. "Rajeev takes on the role of CEO as a proven leader who has most recently demonstrated his abilities with the transformation of Nokia Siemens Networks' Services business. His deep experience in customer-facing and product-related roles makes him an ideal leader for the company."