* UTStarcom reports jump in sales
By Brian Santo
UTStarcom reported $646 million in net sales in its third quarter, a leap of $108 million from the immediately preceding second quarter of 2007.
The increased sales narrowed the loss on a sequential basis, from $62 million in Q2 to $55 million in Q3; the company’s loss a year ago in Q3 2006 was $43 million.
“Our third quarter results do not yet reflect the benefits of changes we are in the process of implementing in UTStarcom,” however, said UTStarcom COO Peter Blackmore. “We have strong technology in IP communications and are building momentum in IPTV, NGN and optical infrastructure and access devices.”
* Softbank BB turns to CommuniGate for unified communications
By Brian Santo
Softbank BB (SBB) has launched BB Communicator, a unified communications service that allows subscribers to use IP phone, mail, calendar, and phone book regardless of their Internet service provider (ISP), as long as they are connected through a broadband environment.
BB Communicator is based on CommuniGate’s Pro Unified Communications platform.
The platform provides integration with Microsoft’s Outlook tools. SBB has over 4.8 million subscribers of IP Phone in Japan, making this one of the world’s largest IP phone services.
* Comcast On Demand channel helps fight crime
By CED staff
Comcast published a testimonial from the FBI attesting to the usefulness of Comcast’s Police Blotter On Demand channel, which was launched in Philadelphia last December. The free channel features video profiles of bank robbers, missing persons and individuals from the Philadelphia Police Department’s “Most Wanted” list.
According to Comcast, one of its customers recently contacted the FBI with a tip involving a bank robber after seeing his profile On Demand.
“This Comcast offering gives us a new and effective way to take advantage of technology to reach the public,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jody Weis. “Police Blotter allows the public to study the surveillance photos and learn important details about the criminals and crimes. We believe the ability to pause and rewind for closer review could help viewers make important connections and associations they might otherwise miss.”
* Microsoft signals intent to buy Musiwave
By Brian Santo
Microsoft has called first dibs on Musiwave SA, a company that helps operators and media companies provide music services to mobile devices. Microsoft has negotiated only for the right to be the sole suitor for Musiwave; the two now negotiate any possible buyout.
If acquired, Musiwave’s service would be combined with Microsoft’s Connected Entertainment technologies and services, including Windows Mobile, Zune, MSN and Windows Live.
* Adva Optical Networking hires marketing exec
By Mike Robuck
Adva Optical Networking announced today that Ron Martin has been hired as the company’s chief marketing and strategy officer, and president of all Adva North American subsidiaries effective Nov. 15. Martin is taking over those positions from Brian McCann, who will remain with the company and serve in the newly created position of senior vice president of corporate marketing and strategy. Prior to Adva, Martin spent five years with Cisco Systems in various roles.
* Conexant hires VP/GM for broadband group
By Mike Robuck
Conexant Systems Inc. announced that Craig J. Garen has joined the company as senior vice president and general manager of broadband access. Garen replaces Akram Atallah, who is leaving the company. Garen joined Conexant from LSI Corp., where he spent the past two years as senior vice president of the mobility division.
Conexant’s broadband access unit provides a range of products for ADSL, VDSL, and PON applications.
