• AT&T claims 100G network bandwidth record
By Brian Santo
AT&T, NEC and Corning said they had used 100 Gbps technologies to transmit data at 114 Gigabits per second over each of 161 separate optical channels on a single, 622-kilometer optically amplified link. The combined bandwidth capacity, the partners said, was 17 Tbps.
Communications firms are all on a path to upgrade their networks from 40 Gbps networks to 100 Gbps and have been one-upping each other with new speed and capacity benchmarks as they prepare for their respective upgrades.
AT&T said its laboratory link was composed of eight spans, each containing a single-stage, C-band erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) and a section of Corning SMF-28 ULL fiber. AT&T claimed that the demonstration sets a new record for bandwidth capacity delivered over a single optical wavelength band.
• Verizon Biz asserts its success
By Brian Santo
Concerned its success was buried in its parent corporation’s Q3 earnings, Verizon Business issued a reminder that it grew total revenues 1.2 percent over last year, to $5.4 billion.
During the quarter, Verizon Business introduced a set of professional services to help businesses make the most of virtualization – the ability to support businesses as they consolidate multiple IT resources, such as operating systems and software applications, on a single server.
The company announced during the quarter that the first phase of the Trans-Pacific Express submarine cable system – which directly connects mainland China, the U.S., South Korea and Taiwan – is ready for service. Verizon Business also began an expansion of its operations in India.
• Verizon intros IMG in southeastern Penn., Del.
By Traci Patterson
Verizon has introduced new interactive features for its FiOS TV customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware via the telco’s Interactive Media Guide (IMG).
“FiOS TV gives customers an experience they can’t get from cable,” said Mary Yarbrough, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Verizon’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “The immense two-way capacity of our fiber network allows us to continually introduce interactive capabilities that give our customers richer, more robust and personalized entertainment.”
New FiOS TV IMG features include: streaming of recorded high-definition (HD) video with Verizon’s Home Media DVR; new channel sorting options; return to paused programming; new, free widgets, which offer on-demand access to local weather, traffic reports and other information; instant upgrades, such as to premium channel packages; free casual games; VOD performance enhancement; fantasy football; My Videos, which allows customers to access personal video stored on their personal computers; and remote DVR programming from a Verizon Wireless handset or via online.
• SCTE Foundation announces Q3 grant recipients
By Traci Patterson
The SCTE Foundation approved grants for the following members of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) during the third quarter of 2008:
- Chris Gutel, Cox Communications
- Dana Kring, Comcast Cable Communications
- Mark Anaya, Cox Communications
- Saul Colon, Time Warner Cable
- William Hufnagel, Armstrong Group of Companies
- Brent Sager, Broadband Solutions
- Chris Waite, Comcast Cable Communications
These SCTE Foundation grants were awarded for a variety of professional development opportunities, including courses toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration and Jones/NCTI distance learning courses in broadband technical management, the Foundation said.
More Broadband Direct:
• NCTA: FCC’s white space approval “inexplicable”
• TWC to use Biap’s ETV User Agent to enable EBIF apps
• Harmonic posts third-quarter profit of $12M
• Juniper Networks’ router garners energy efficiency rating
• Latens inks global reseller agreement with Motorola
• Charge drops Convergys into the red
• Microsoft, Akamai beef up video quality on PCs
• Sprint’s board member moves on
