TOP STORY

Poland's P4 signs a $178 deal with Huawei
Huawei Technologies is the biggest company in China that provides telecom equipments. It undertakes business in 14 countries across America and Europe including France, Germany, Britain, US, Canada, Spain and Portugal. The company's global sales for 2005 scaled up by 40% to touch $5.6 billion. It has partnered with AT&T, Vodafone and 28 other companies across the globe.
It has acquired a contract from Poland's P4 to supply equipments for its 3G/UMTS network. The deal is for $178 million. P4 is the number-1 cellular operator in Poland. It obtained its fourth license for developing 3G UMTS.



"NEW" DARK FIBER LOCATION SERVICE
IGI consulting(IGIC) has announced a joint venture with Amesbury Consulting to provide a new service which locates "Dark fiber" facilities in any city in the U.S. Amesbury Consulting has extensive experience in dealing with real estate developers, building owners, systems integrators, and government agencies in identifying and documenting "Dark Fiber Facilities" in a number of cities in the U.S. As a result of these projects over the past several years, Amesbury has developed a methodology which allows it to quickly and efficiently determine the location of "Dark Fiber" facilities in any city in the U.S. The service saves clients time and money in identifying a reliable source of this type of data in a particular city. IGI Consulting has a long history of high quality market analysis and technology forecasting in the fiber optics field. By combining the capabilities of both companies, clients can obtain high quality and reliable data on "dark Fiber" facilities to meet their needs.
For further information or quotes on a particular location, contact Paul Polishuk at 6117 782-5033 or email at: ppolishuk@igigroup.com



HOT EVENT
Competitive Advantage in China Market for Network Communications Products
Date: February 16, 2006
Time: 7:30AM - 10:00AM
Location: Verizon Laboratories, 40 Sylvan Road, Waltham, MA
Organizer: Massachusetts Network Communications Council
For more information visit: http://www.massnetcomms.org
or contact: Amy Goggins, amy@massnetcomms.org, or call 781.684.0880.

Network communications companies in Massachusetts have recognized that China represents an enormous opportunity for market development, yet the market is heterogeneous and complex, and the most effective strategies for approaching the market are not clear. This seminar will examine the market topography in China, including key players and technology infrastructure, with particular attention to wireless, broadband, TDM, and VoIP networks. Experts will discuss their experiences with technology and distribution partnerships, including business development agents, and the protection of intellectual property in such relationships. This seminar will also examine where carriers, enterprises, and technology leaders are investing and disinvesting in China, and what that means for suppliers.
Cost for Individual Member: $45
Cost for Individual Non-Member: $65

NEW EVENTS

Second Annual FTTx Briefing
New FTTx Market Opportunities in 2006 and Beyond
February 15, 2006 Burlington Marriott, Burlington, MA

Topics to be Covered Include:
•Actual numbers of homes passed and the take rates to date and forecasted
•Experiences learned
•Status of IPTV
•Systems and component price trends
•Is it possible to make money in this market
•Summary of the status of RBOC RFP for GPON
•Recent Broadband Experiments in Hong Kong and Japan
For more information visit: http://www.telecombriefings.com/brief_T16.html

Smart Infrastructure
March 23 - 24, 2006
9:00am - 7:00pm, 9:00am - 12:15pm

The George Washington University
Washington, DC

Security, Interconnectivity and New ICT Services in the Design and Construction of Smart Cities, Airports and Buildings

This event is specifically focused on the need to engineer and implement new, more flexible and more secure urban infrastructure. Virtually all facilities need to be updated to meet Twenty-first Century needs. Everything from airports to universities, from hospitals to government centers need to be updated and re-engineered to be “smart”, secure, interactive and responsive to changing needs. The planning of new and retrofitted facilities needs to be carried out on an integrated basis that uses the latest ICT technology, security systems, “smart” sensors, and modularity.
For more information visit: www.telecombriefings.com



Internet vs PSTN

When: March 29, 2006
Where: Boston University School of Management
Chairman: Prof. Mark Gaynor

This Executive Telecom briefing is intended to address the evolution of the PSTN. How will we communicate in the future? Will the PSTN and Internet merge into a truly converged data/voice/video network infrastructure?  If so, will this infrastructure be more like the current Internet, or the PSTN?  Some believe the PSTN is an endangered entity, yet currently proposed regulations have a decidedly PSTN bias. A number of speakers will address these ideas from a wide range of viewpoints including Internet, Carriers, Equipment suppliers, publishers, Associations, academicians, and consultants. These speakers will address several visions of the future, and other topics including:

-The Role of VOIP
-The Impact of Internet content providers such as Google, Yahoo, e-Bay, and Microsoft
-Policy and Regulatory Issues
-The Future Internet
-How cellular and other wireless technology fit in
-Carriers position
-Industry consolidation
-MSOs position
-New killer applications
-Forecast of the Internet traffic

For more information, visit www.telecombriefings.com



2006 OFC Executive Forum
March 5 – 6, 2006 | Anaheim, California, USA
The Road to Profitability:
Strategies for the Optical Communications Industry

Together OFC/NFOEC spans the entire optical communications industry, from scientists and engineers to manufacturers and service providers.
The combined event offers the world's largest exposition in optical
communications plus the field's finest peer-reviewed technical programming, plenary session and networking opportunities.
http://www.ofcnfoec.org

POF DAY at OFC will be Held on March 7 2005
For more information visit: http://www.pofto.com

POFWORLD EAST
November 15-16, 2006
Providence Convention Center In conjuntion with IWCS- Nov. 12-15, 2006 For further information visit:
http://www.pofto.com



BUSINESS

UAE's SCSTS signs service agreement supervision deal with EITC
UAE Supreme Committee entered into complete telecom service agreement for Supervision of the Telecommunications Sector (SCSTS) with Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC). It will also get a license to set up, operate and control public telecom network that provides services across the country. The license will enable EITC to offer cellular and landline telecom services. On obtaining approval from SCSTS it would also offer Internet, international calls and other facilities. The license fees for the same are $33.90 million while it can be renewed for $0.27 million per annum.
Saeed Al Mansoori (Chairman: SCSTS) said that introducing EITC, as the second operator would facilitate competition in the country's growing telecom industry. The customers will also get an option to select the telecom company.


Nokia purchases Intellisync Corporation
Nokia has completed its $430 million all-cash purchase of Intellisync Corporation. Under the deal each share of wireless-messaging and mobile-software Intellisync's, common stock has been converted into the right to receive $5.25 in cash. Intellisync and Jupiter Acquisition Corporation will be merged with Intellisync. Nokia stated that the complete product range of Intellisync would be sold under the Intellisync name as part of Nokia's “business mobility solutions” software business line. The agreement combines Nokia software and Intellisync along with other wireless technologies. These technologies are used for managing creating and delivering content and services. Nokia intends to provide support for mobile connectivity and synchronization to wireless applications belonging to other platforms like Palm OS and Windows Mobile.

Blackberry's new competitor, Microsoft
Microsoft, the software giant has joined hands with major mobile carriers for a new generation of handsets that would allow all the employees of a company to access emails. Currently, only top echelon is able to access the mails through their cell phones. This creates doubt about the abilities of companies like Blackberry to compete in mobile email niche. Unlike Blackberry and other competing technologies, Microsoft's latest Windows Mobile operating system is capable of receiving e-mails directly from the company's server that handles the PCs. This removes the need for a 'separate mobile server' or 'royalty payments'.
The new operating system is expected to reduce the average cost of operation for the companies. Four handset makers, including Hewlett-Packard are hoping to introduce the first Windows smartphones, with the new e-mail platform. Major telecom carriers Vodafone Cingular Wireless, Orange and T-Mobile, are in the process of providing upgrades to their existing subscribers using Windows Mobile 5.0.



WIRELESS

Hutchison defers 3 Italia IPO, but privately places 10% of unit for $498m
Hutchison Whampoa of Hong Kong announced that it would defer the much-awaited IPO of its Italian 3G mobile unit, 3 Italia. 3 Italia is the fourth largest 3G cellular service provider in Italy. The parent has cited poor valuations for European telecom businesses. Canning Fok, 3 Italia's chairperson, opined the current valuation of $8.4 billion as “too low" and to pursue the listing would be against the interests of shareholders. Mr. Fok said the carrier now has opted for a private placement of 10% stake for an estimated $498 million with Goldman Sachs. Hutchison estimates the Italian arms value in the region of $10.7 billion; the valuation includes a debt of $5.7 billion.

Siemens sees brighter future in China with TD-SCDMA
According Dow Jones, Chinese government has declared TD-SCDMA as the country's official 3G wireless standard. Siemens hopes this as a go ahead for its business strategy in China. The German technology giant is a partner of Chinese technology firm in developing the 3G standard. TD-SCDMA has cleared various pre-launch tests. The technology is interacting smoothly with devices and networks. TD-Tech, a partnership of Huawei Technologies and Siemens, will provide TD-SCDMA equipment by June-2006. The new 3G standard uses the allotted frequency spectrum effectively and during the trails, able transfer huge amounts of data without hitches and making it useful for urban and rural areas. This will enable the mobile companies to cover wide areas of the country.



FINANCIAL

IdaCorp Inc records low earnings for Dec. 31
IdaCorp Inc registered low earnings for the financial year ending Dec. 31. This was attributed to the decision to shut down its broadband-over-powerline business of one of its subsidiaries. However operating income at its parent company Idaho Power rose 39.1% for the year. This was due to increase in rates last summer and the tremendous growth in the customer strength of the electric utility sector. Jan B. Packwood, IdaCorp president and chief executive officer stated that he is positive about the company's performance for the current year provided the sate regulations approve the firm' request for rate increase. The utility asked the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for a 7.8% base rate increase. Idaho Power had raised its base rate to about $4.33 per month for the average resident in the month of June.


INTERNET

Xtra introduces new high-speed broadband services for residential and corporate users
ISP Xtra of Telecom is planning to introduce new pricing patterns and faster plans for broadband services to residential and commercial users from April 2006. The services to existing residential broadband users will be automatically up graded at no charges. The uploading and downloading speed to residential users will be 512 Kilobits per second (Kbps) and 3.5 Megabits per second (Mbps) respectively.
Matt Crockett (GM: Telecom's Wired Division) said that small business houses and residential users would who need faster services would find the 3 Xtra Pro plans very useful and attractive. The company has introduced a basic $29.95 plan for entry-level broadband users. The corporate customers would find the services a lot cheaper since the company would not charge extra price for the new services.

Wataniya Telecom to deploy Nokia's HSDPA solution
Kuwait's Wataniya Telecom plans to give its users access to one of the world's most developed, broadband networks. It plans to deploy Nokia's HSDPA solution for this purpose. The company will introduce this service after it connects Kuwait by the W-Net card. Harri Koponen, GM & CEO, Wataniya Telecom, stated that Wataniya Telecom is the first operator in Africa and the Middle East and region to provide this revolutionary solution. Walid Moneimne, Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa region, Networks, Nokia mentioned that his company is looking forward to providing attractive services to its users.

ihug does not favour Telecom decision
Telecom recently announced faster, cheaper broadband Internet services. However competitor ihug provides Telecom and other ISPs with broadband lines. Mark Rishworth, Chief Executive of the company stated that the decision goes against its charter that claims that wholesale providers would know about changes in broadband speeds before the public. He is positive that the rival ihug will be able to convince the Government to permit the company to offer its own equipment to users in order to offer fast speed broadband access.

NTL to trial 100Mb broadband
UK cable company NTL is planning to start the trial of a new 100Mb broadband connection. This will be 2000 times faster than dial-up and 200 times faster than the current average broadband speed. This service is about to be launched in the UK. The trail will begin in the month of March 2006 in Ashford, Kent. The connection will help in web surfing, watching live HD television on the computer, audio applications, security and online gaming.



NEW REPORT

Next Generation Network Will the RBOCs be Googled Up?" Announced
Dr. Polishuk, President of Information gatekeepers, announced to a recent meetingof clints, " next generation Networks (NGN)' are magic words to many in the telecommunications industry. They invoke an image of a new network that will correct all of the problems of the existing network(s). However, a major question to be considered when thinking about the NGN is the impact of the coming network changes on the traditional carriers, particulary the RBOCs. Our latest report, "Next Generation Network- Will the RBCOs Be Googled Up?" addresses these issues as well as a forecast for the NGN." For more information visit us at: http://www.igigroup.com/st/pages/ngn.html

"The Dancing Bells and GoogleMan":
IGI Consulting has added another animated feature of the report on "Next Generation Networks - Will the RBOCs be Googled Up?" To see this, go to www.igigroup.com/st/pages/ngn.html

New Report from IGI - “The Market after the Mergers - The Telecom Economy Today - 2005.”

Dr. Polishuk, president of Information Gatekeepers, announced to a recent seminar, “The year 2004 saw the return of the telecom economy. Early 2005 saw one of the outcomes of the market's return - a spate of mergers! The telecom market is not what it was, but telecom is growing again, and new and innovative communications solutions are being deployed. In addition, we are seeing major changes taking place in the industry that are going to result in a new telecom economy. These changes are evidenced in the industry structure by titanic struggles (often for their very existence) among companies that not long ago where considered indestructible. The main manifestations of this contention, so far, are the RBOC takeover of the major IXCs in early 2005. These encounters are amongst the major classes of carriers (telcos, IXCs/CLECs, cable companies, and satellite companies) for 'their' place in this new telecom economy. The irony of this fight is that each of these major players seems to think that its 'place' is the current major market of one (or more) of the others.”

“The results of these events are going to be a re-structuring of the industry. Our latest report on the Telecom Economy (it is the ninth market report in the Lightwave Series) provides not only extensive forecasts - capital, program spending, market share, traffic, high-speed accesses, etc. - of the economy (all forecasts are 2004 through 2009) but it also defines the new nature of the industry. The winners and losers are identified and the rationale for their performance is detailed. In addition, this report deals extensively with the RBOC/IXC mergers - the causes, the results, and what the future will bring.”

Dr. Polishuk continued, “This report, “The Market after the Mergers - The Telecom Economy Today - 2005.” is now available on our web site. Also, as an introductory special, we are including this latest report in our 'Triple play' offering. You can select four reports and get them for the price of three!”

The report was prepared by Clifford Holliday, who has authored all of the Lightwave Reports. In further discussing the change in the basic structure of the industry Holliday said, “The other major change that constitutes this new telecom economy is a physical network change. The telecommunications network is dramatically changing to an IP (Internet Protocol) driven environment. It is changing from SONET to DWDM, and a sophisticated, later version of DWDM, at that. Control of the network is taking on a significant role at several different levels. Major networks are already in place that use MPLS (Multiprotocol Level Switching) and we are going to see R-OADMs (Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers) controlling networks in very short order. In fact, we postulate that the R-OADM will be the keystone in eventually merging the RBOCs and the newly acquired IXC networks. The class five central office has been the cornerstone of our network for many decades. It is now almost obsolete. Many of the concepts that have long driven almost every branch of telecommunication are becoming obsolete, and much of this has happened while the industry was in its worst recession.”

Dr. Polishuk concluded, “We look forward to serving a recovering telecom market in 2005 and in the years to come, and hope that all of our readers participate in the recovery!”

Details of the report are available on IGI's web site at: www.igigroup.com For more information, plesae contact Hui Pan at 617-782-5033 or Hpan@igigroup.com


NEW PRODUCT

Holliday's Holiday Horoscope - PowerPoint Version and “The Dancing Bells”
Dr. Polishuk, President of Information Gatekeepers, today announced the availability of two new, free downloads for IGI clients and friends. “We have had Holliday's Holiday Horoscope up on our web site for two weeks, and are getting much positive feedback. Now however, we have a special treat for you. We have posted a PowerPoint version of the forecasts! This is a lot more fun than just reading the forecast items, and we think everyone will enjoy it.”

“As many of you know, every year our Lightwave author, Clif Holliday, prepares his view of the most significant events likely to underpin telecommunications for the coming year. While Clif always likes to take a somewhat lighthearted approach to this forecast, this PowerPoint version is a real treat to the senses. The forecasts are based on material in our latest market forecast report, 'The Market after the Mergers - The Telecom Economy Today.') We invite your comments.”

Holliday commented, “In addition to the Horoscope, we are providing a PowerPoint presentation called 'The Dancing Bells.' This is an animated approach to expressing the idea that the New Network Competitors (particularly Google) will become significant telecommunications players. This forecast for a major change in the telecom competitive landscape comes from our latest report, 'The Next Generation Network - Will the RBOCs Get Googled Up?' The Dancing Bells are available free on the IGI web site (www.igigroup.com )

Dr. Polishuk concludes, “We hope that our clients and readers find these two PowerPoint presentations as much fun as we have had in putting them together and publishing them. We offer them with our wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year to all!”



It's Budget Closing Time Again!
This Year Use Some of those Excess Funds in Departmental Budgets Wisely - Buy Reports that pay Dividends all Next Year!
Information Gatekeepers, Inc. Is Offering Discounts on all Multiple Report Purchases for the Next Three Months!
Get the latest Information
Most Important Current Subject - FTTP, R-OADMs, IPTV, VoIP, The Telecom Market
Authoritative Material - All Part of the Highly Credible "LIghtwave Series" Best Price of the Year!
And - Just In Time for Budget Close-Out!
Contact Us at 617-782-5033
or E-mail to ppolishuk@igigroup.com
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FREE DOWNLOAD NORTH AMERICAN IPV6 TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

The first NAv6TF IPv6 Technology Conference provided attendees four days of IPv6 technology knowledge transfer to assist participants at the conference with the planning and systems analysis for IPv6 deployment. Now you can see what you missed. You can download the conference proceedings for free at www.ipv6conference.com