AT&T expands IP/MPLS backbone; deploys Cisco routers
AT&T said its IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) backbone, which it has been building and upgrading for several years, is now operating coast-to-coast. The most recent upgrading activity includes 18,000 miles of enhanced optical ultra-long-haul routes.
AT&T said it has deployed 40 Gbps (or OC-768) technology on more than 50,000 wavelength miles of its U.S. IP/MPLS backbone network to date. The company claimed that by year's end, more than 40 percent of the IP traffic carried over its backbone will be on IP/MPLS. AT&T has IP/MPLS hubs in 25 U.S. metro areas and is continuing the process of building IP/MPLS backbone routes to interconnect them all.
In a separate but related announcement, AT&T said it selected Cisco's Carrier Routing System (CRS-1) as the core platform of its IP/MPLS backbone network.
It is designed for continuous system operation while scaling system capacity up to 92 Terabits per second (Tbps).
comScore:
Charter's high-speed Internet faster, more reliable than telcos'
Charter Communications said that comScore has deemed Charter's high-speed Internet offerings as faster, and with more reliable speeds, than the combined Internet offerings provided by telcos in areas where Charter provides services.
Charter offers high-speed Internet tiers with speeds of up to 5 Mbps and 10 Mbps. In select markets, Charter offers speeds of up to 16 Mbps, and the MSO has plans to expand this offering to more markets next year.
XO bases network expansion on Cisco routers
XO Communications expects to more than double the capacity of its nationwide IP/MPLS network with the deployment of Cisco's CRS-1 Carrier Routing System in its network core.
XO's network is based on Cisco's IP Next Generation Network (IP NGN) architecture, so relying on Cisco equipment for a capacity expansion was to be expected. The move is preparatory to another doubling, for a four-fold increase in capacity. The deployment will also pave the way for an eventual upgrade to a multi-terabit capable router complex.
XO will deploy the CRS-1 – including high-speed Dedicated Internet access, IP Transit, IP-VPN and VoIP services – for XO's customer base of businesses, large enterprises and service providers.
TWC enhances Road Runner Turbo e-mail service
 Time Warner Cableis making enhancements to its Road Runner e-mail service for its customers.
Road Runner Turbo – which will include additional mailboxes, increased storage, enhanced security and parental controls, an integrated address book and calendar, and sophisticated spam filters – will allow customers to better organize and protect their e-mail and enjoy access from any computer. TWC began to introduce the enhancements to all of its divisions earlier this year.
Cisco reorganizes; little impact on service provider group
Cisco has adopted a new organizational structure that the company explained is intended to optimize its ability to drive development of the next phase of communications technologies, largely Internet-related.
The changes within the Cisco Development Organization (CDO) reflect a tactical shift in the way Cisco will focus its development efforts. It appears the reorganization will have minimal effect on the Service Provider Technology Group, which includes the Scientific Atlanta and Linksys operations.
The shuffle of executive responsibilities will affect the Service Provider Technology Group, however. Most of the changes are more tightly associated with Cisco's networking operations.
"Cisco is entering what we believe will be the next phase of Internet growth and productivity centered on the demands of tremendous video growth, the revolution in the data center, and collaboration and networked Web 2.0 technologies, where the network becomes a platform for all communications and IT," said Cisco chairman and CEO John Chambers. "The evolution of our development organization reflects our continued commitment to customer success and to successfully executing on new market opportunities."
Vecima adds VistaMAX Starter Kit to WiMAX platform
Vecima Networks has launched its VistaMAX Starter Kit, the latest addition to the company's VistaMAX suite of WiMAX products.
The new launch enables operators to access the performance and capabilities of Vecima's VistaMAX product line. The company said it supports operators through the installation, configuration and evaluation of the kit.
The kit operates in the 1.9 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands and is based on the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard. It's an all-inclusive WiMAX solution and can be deployed by any operator. Included in the basic VistaMAX Starter Kit is a one sector base station, five outdoor subscriber stations and three days of training for four people at Vecima's Saskatoon facilities.
Optimum Lightpath sees 90 percent growth in Ethernet revenue
Optimum Lightpath, a division of Cablevision Systems Corp., announced that its business unit has experienced a 90 percent year-over-year increase in Ethernet revenue in the third quarter. The company transitioned to a pure Metro Ethernet strategy in January 2005.
According to the Insight Research Corp., the U.S. Ethernet services market is expected to grow from $940 million in 2006 to more than $5 billion in 2012.
Clearwire launches Internet, phone services in Charlotte
Clearwire Corp. has launched its wireless high-speed Internet access and phone service in the Charlotte, N.C., area.
Clearwire's next-gen wireless broadband solution allows customers to connect virtually anywhere in the Clearwire service area. The operator's phone service works with a customer's existing high-speed Internet access and provides unlimited local and long-distance calling.
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Yes, it encourages broadband usage, and the video/broadband double play is the most common service package. But that just puts more strain on broadband infrastructure that already requires close management. And why wouldn't any MSO, DBS or IPTV company be apprehensive about subscribers migrating to 
It's only getting easier to get content via the Internet. 
AT&T
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