* Huawei, Qualcomm complete test of VoIP over HSPA
By Brian Santo
Huawei Technologies and Qualcomm have completed commercial testing in Shanghai of a technology they’re calling VoIP over HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access). The two claim that VoIP over HSPA can increase traffic capability by 50 percent in comparison with traditional voice communications technologies.
Huawei said VoIP over HSPA allows operators to replace circuit-switched calls, as well as deliver services with new business models, such as offering free Internet-quality calls. The company said the technology ensures high voice quality and quality of service (QoS), while the billing and security can be completely controlled by the carrier.
* Former Cox employee pleads guilty to turning off 911 system
By Mike Robuck
A Norcross, Ga. man pleaded guilty earlier this week to charges of tampering with a telecommunications system owned by Cox Communications, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The tampering temporarily affected Cox’s 911 emergency service system for customers in Dallas, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La., the paper reported. William Bryant, 38, admitted to remotely shutting down parts of Cox’s computer and telecommunications system on May 6 after Cox asked him to resign. The shutdown lasted for almost two hours and Cox customers could not make emergency phone calls during that time frame.
Bryant will be sentenced Dec. 13. He could be fined up to $250,000 and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
* Alloptic inks distribution agreement with Challenger Cable Sales
By Mike Robuck
Alloptic, a developer of fiber access network products, said it has signed a strategic distribution agreement with Challenger Cable Sales. Challenger will distribute Alloptic’s MicroNode and RF technology to MSOs in the western United States.
“MSO and CATV operators have the opportunity to move into the delivery of voice and data services to business, enterprise, and MDU customers. These are customers that have historically been in the domain of the traditional telco operator,” said Glenn Duval, president and CEO of Challenger Cable Sales, in a statement. “To leverage this opportunity, MSOs need to expand their bandwidth and lower costs, and with this agreement, Challenger can now offer MSOs a range of deep fiber solutions that expand bandwidth, add TDM backhaul, deploy FTTH, and deliver business-class Ethernet services.”
* Quartics releases Blink beta
By Traci Patterson
Quartics has launched Blink beta, a new software solution that provides an interface to browse unlimited video sources on a PC or, when used with Quartics PC2TV technology, on a TV.
Blink beta allows users to wirelessly stream Web content to their TV, and it allows them to organize photos and music from their PCs or from the Internet. The software is compatible with any Wi-Fi-enabled PC. The product is expected to be commercially available at the beginning of Q4.
* Cablevision adds TBS HD channel
By Traci Patterson
Cablevision Systems Corp. will add TBS HD to its HD lineup next week, just before the Major League Baseball divisional playoffs begin. This marks the 41st HD programming service made available to Cablevision’s iO TV customers. Cablevision requires no extra fees or charges for the service.
* Panasonic, HomePlug team on BPL technical submission
By Traci Patterson
Panasonic has merged its technical submissions for the IEEE P1901 Work Group for Broadband over Powerline (BPL) with The HomePlug Powerline Alliance’s submissions, and the two companies have presented a joint proposal.
The merged submission offers the efficiency of a single MAC and the support of both Panasonic’s HD-PLC and HomePlug’s AV PHYs. The IEEE P1901 project is developing a communications standard for high-speed powerline devices and is expected to approve a proposal later this year.
