Yahoo execs apologize for China role
Company revealed dissident's Web work
By Richard Wolf and Jim Hopkins Nov 7, 2007 374 words, 0 images
WASHINGTON -- Top Yahoo executives apologized Tuesday for misleading Congress about the Internet giant's role in a case built by Chinese authorities against a dissident journalist jailed for 10 years.
As Shi Tao's mother sat behind him at a congressional hearing, Yahoo's general counsel Michael Callahan acknowledged giving incomplete testimony to Congress last year about the Chinese probe into Shi's dissemination of "state secrets." Yahoo China provided information about Shi's online activities at the behest of the Chinese government.
Last year, Callahan testified that Yahoo didn't know the facts of the case when it gave the information. But the House Foreign Affairs Committee staff found that Yahoo employees did know the nature of the case, even if Callahan did not.
The apology was a major concession for the 12-year-old company, which CEO Jerry Yang noted was "founded on openness, the exchange of information and user trust." Yang's family emigrated from Taiwan when he was a boy.
Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., committee chairman and a Nazi work camp survivor, was unsympathetic. He called Yahoo "spineless," saying because of its actions Shi "has been tossed into a Chinese prison."
Shi was imprisoned in 2004 for disclosing state secrets, a charge often used against political dissidents.
Yang's testimony comes as Yahoo, Google, Cisco and others race to get a toehold in China, one of the world's fastest-growing economies. In expanding there, they are colliding with the government's restrictive policies on Internet access.
The companies have said it is better for them to do business in China, even under restrictions they dislike, because their presence could lead to greater freedoms. Lantos and others in Congress are seeking legislation that would limit the companies' activities there.
Underscoring the stakes for Yahoo, which has been struggling against rival Google, its shares fell 4.6% Tuesday on nearly twice its average daily sales volume.
John Palfrey of the Berkman Center for the Internet & Society at Harvard Law School said the case represents "a big hit" to Yahoo. "There's no avoiding the ethical consequences of doing business as a technology company in regimes like China, where human rights are not held so dear as they are in the United States," he said.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Google opens battle for mobile Internet
Nov 6, 2007 580 words, 1 images
Click image to magnify
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Google has opened a battle for dominance of the mobile Internet with a broad alliance of companies backing its "open source" software for mobile devices, analysts say.
The announcement Monday of the "Android" platform aiming to bring the full power of desktop computing to mobile devices represents a challenge to Microsoft and Apple, and also firms like mobile phone maker Nokia, which is not part of the "Open Handset Alliance."
The announcement surprised analysts who had expected Google to announce the launch of its own gPhone to compete against Apple's popular iPhone.
"This is not about a Google phone," said telecom analyst Jeff Kagan. "This is about the growing and changing software experience for mobile phones. Cellphones are becoming the third screen in our lives. Television, computer and next is the mobile handset."
Greg Sterling, analyst at Search Engine Land, said Google is taking on companies like Microsoft, which has its own Windows Mobile platform for smartphones.
"Android is clearly competitive with proprietary mobile operating systems such as Windows Mobile, in the same way that the open source movement competes with many of Microsoft's core products," Sterling said.
But he said prospects for the alliance remain unclear, especially with key holdouts like AT&T, the largest US mobile operator, which has an exclusive deal with Apple's iPhone.
"Will Android-phones -- or an actual future gPhone -- be an iPhone killer? Expect in the wake of today's news a range of headlines declaring this to be the case. But until phones come on the market, no one can tell," Sterling said.
Analysts say Google is eager to become the key search engine for mobile phones and to get the advertising revenues that are starting to become available for the platform.
Michael Gartenberg of Jupiter Research said Google's plan may be attractive by sharing some ad revenue with mobile phone operators looking for new sources of cash to subsidize costly smartphones.
"If Google can deliver, the impact could be huge," he said. "At a time when both carriers and handset vendors are looking to cut costs and at the same time consumers are embracing more functionality in their mobile devices, Google could be coming to market with the right product at the right time."
But he added that other competitors may fight the Google effort to control the mobile phone.
"There are going to be challenges," Gartenberg said. "Neither Microsoft, (mobile maker) Research in Motion or Nokia are going to roll over and play dead with this announcement."
Google said the new initiative, which should be available next year, offers first comprehensive mobile operating platform that software developers are free to adapt in any ways they wish for video, audio, social networking and other features.
The 34-member alliance includes China Mobile, HTC, Intel, Motorola, Qualcomm, T-Mobile, Telefonica, LG and eBay.
Google chief executive Eric Schmidt declined to reveal whether the US-based Internet search colossus will release its own phone based on Android, which will allow for services and features supported by online ads.
"If you were to build a gPhone you would build it out of this platform," Schmidt said.
"Imagine not just a single Google phone, or gPhone, but thousands of gPhones made by a variety of manufacture
Nov 6, 2007 580 words, 1 images
Click image to magnify
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Google has opened a battle for dominance of the mobile Internet with a broad alliance of companies backing its "open source" software for mobile devices, analysts say.
The announcement Monday of the "Android" platform aiming to bring the full power of desktop computing to mobile devices represents a challenge to Microsoft and Apple, and also firms like mobile phone maker Nokia, which is not part of the "Open Handset Alliance."
The announcement surprised analysts who had expected Google to announce the launch of its own gPhone to compete against Apple's popular iPhone.
"This is not about a Google phone," said telecom analyst Jeff Kagan. "This is about the growing and changing software experience for mobile phones. Cellphones are becoming the third screen in our lives. Television, computer and next is the mobile handset."
Greg Sterling, analyst at Search Engine Land, said Google is taking on companies like Microsoft, which has its own Windows Mobile platform for smartphones.
"Android is clearly competitive with proprietary mobile operating systems such as Windows Mobile, in the same way that the open source movement competes with many of Microsoft's core products," Sterling said.
But he said prospects for the alliance remain unclear, especially with key holdouts like AT&T, the largest US mobile operator, which has an exclusive deal with Apple's iPhone.
"Will Android-phones -- or an actual future gPhone -- be an iPhone killer? Expect in the wake of today's news a range of headlines declaring this to be the case. But until phones come on the market, no one can tell," Sterling said.
Analysts say Google is eager to become the key search engine for mobile phones and to get the advertising revenues that are starting to become available for the platform.
Michael Gartenberg of Jupiter Research said Google's plan may be attractive by sharing some ad revenue with mobile phone operators looking for new sources of cash to subsidize costly smartphones.
"If Google can deliver, the impact could be huge," he said. "At a time when both carriers and handset vendors are looking to cut costs and at the same time consumers are embracing more functionality in their mobile devices, Google could be coming to market with the right product at the right time."
But he added that other competitors may fight the Google effort to control the mobile phone.
"There are going to be challenges," Gartenberg said. "Neither Microsoft, (mobile maker) Research in Motion or Nokia are going to roll over and play dead with this announcement."
Google said the new initiative, which should be available next year, offers first comprehensive mobile operating platform that software developers are free to adapt in any ways they wish for video, audio, social networking and other features.
The 34-member alliance includes China Mobile, HTC, Intel, Motorola, Qualcomm, T-Mobile, Telefonica, LG and eBay.
Google chief executive Eric Schmidt declined to reveal whether the US-based Internet search colossus will release its own phone based on Android, which will allow for services and features supported by online ads.
"If you were to build a gPhone you would build it out of this platform," Schmidt said.
"Imagine not just a single Google phone, or gPhone, but thousands of gPhones made by a variety of manufacture
mobile
Motorola confirmed investors' worst fears today when it revealed a 40 per cent fall in mobile phone sales over the second quarter, putting Ed Zander, its chief executive, under renewed pressure to step down..../continued on The Times (of London)/
China's mobile online game market will develop rapidly from 2007 to 2010 with sales revenue growing 150 percent annually on average, according to a report by ChinaVenture, a professional venture capital investment consulting company in China..../continued on China Daily
IXI Mobile Secures Funding to Support Sales Growth
Funds to be used largely to support working capital needs
Jun 21, 2006 1080 words, 0 images
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 21 -- IXI Mobile, Inc., developer of the Ogo(TM) family of mobile messaging solutions for the mass market, today announced that it secured financing from Southpoint Master Fund LP, an affiliate of Southpoint Capital Advisors LP, a US-based investment fund, to meet its working capital needs and to refinance existing debt. The gross proceeds of the financing, prior to deducting the transaction expenses, were $20 million. Roughly $1 million of the net proceeds will be used to refinance debt, with the balance to be used to fund IXI Mobile's working capital needs.
On February 28 2006, IXI Mobile entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which IXI Mobile would merge with a wholly owned subsidiary of Israel Technology Acquisition Corporation (ITAC) (OTCBB = ISLT.OB) . The merger is subject to certain conditions, including approval by ITAC stockholders. At closing, IXI would have access to approximately $34 million currently held in a trust account. Within 60 business days of the closing of the merger, the loan arising from the financing will be repaid or, at the election of the investor, converted in whole or in part into ITAC shares at a conversion price of $6.50 per share. The loan bears interest at 10% per annum.
IXI sought this interim financing to support repeat orders from existing customers and orders from new customers that need to be met before the closing of the merger with ITAC. As of December 31, 2005, IXI had a backlog of approximately $1 million, and as of March 31, 2006 and May 31, 2006, the company had backlogs of approximately $8 million and $14 million, respectively.
Separately, existing venture investors in IXI have guaranteed an $8 million loan previously extended to IXI from an Israeli bank with the right to acquire this loan from the bank. If the investors acquire this loan, it will be repaid within 60 business days of closing of the merger or converted, in whole or in part, into ITAC shares at a price of $6.50 per share.
As part of these transactions, if the merger with ITAC closes, the lender and existing investors will be issued an aggregate of 840,000 ITAC shares, and, if 50% or more of the total loan amount is converted, will receive warrants to purchase ITAC shares. The warrants will have an exercise price of $5.00 per share and will be issued at the rate of 0.0357 warrants for every $1 converted. The warrants will be identical to ITAC's currently outstanding warrants. Per the distribution formula, if the loans are fully converted, warrants to purchase 1,000,000 ITAC shares will be issued.
IXI sells Ogo in several countries worldwide. The working capital raised will be used to finance the manufacturing and delivery of Ogo products as well as to pursue future global sales opportunities. Amit Haller, Co-Founder, President and CEO of IXI Mobile said, "As a result of growing demand for our Ogo solution, and in order to support in-hand customer orders and Ogo's global expansion, we needed additional funding." He continued, "With these added resources we will be able to finance our current sales commitments and actively pursue Ogo sales prospects worldwide."
IXI's customer base includes leading mobile operators and Internet service providers. IXI's Ogo was launched in the United States by AT&T Wireless (now Cingular Wireless), in Switzerland by Swisscom Mobile, the leading mobile operator in Switzerland, in Turkey by e-kolay.net, a leading ISP in Turkey and part of Turkey's leading media-entertainment conglomerate, and in Germany by 1&1, the leading Internet provider in Europe, in cooperation with Vodafone Germany. IXI recently brought Ogo to Latin America, with the first launch via new customer, ANCEL, the leading operator in Uruguay.
About IXI Mobile
China's mobile online game market will develop rapidly from 2007 to 2010 with sales revenue growing 150 percent annually on average, according to a report by ChinaVenture, a professional venture capital investment consulting company in China..../continued on China Daily
IXI Mobile Secures Funding to Support Sales Growth
Funds to be used largely to support working capital needs
Jun 21, 2006 1080 words, 0 images
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 21 -- IXI Mobile, Inc., developer of the Ogo(TM) family of mobile messaging solutions for the mass market, today announced that it secured financing from Southpoint Master Fund LP, an affiliate of Southpoint Capital Advisors LP, a US-based investment fund, to meet its working capital needs and to refinance existing debt. The gross proceeds of the financing, prior to deducting the transaction expenses, were $20 million. Roughly $1 million of the net proceeds will be used to refinance debt, with the balance to be used to fund IXI Mobile's working capital needs.
On February 28 2006, IXI Mobile entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which IXI Mobile would merge with a wholly owned subsidiary of Israel Technology Acquisition Corporation (ITAC) (OTCBB = ISLT.OB) . The merger is subject to certain conditions, including approval by ITAC stockholders. At closing, IXI would have access to approximately $34 million currently held in a trust account. Within 60 business days of the closing of the merger, the loan arising from the financing will be repaid or, at the election of the investor, converted in whole or in part into ITAC shares at a conversion price of $6.50 per share. The loan bears interest at 10% per annum.
IXI sought this interim financing to support repeat orders from existing customers and orders from new customers that need to be met before the closing of the merger with ITAC. As of December 31, 2005, IXI had a backlog of approximately $1 million, and as of March 31, 2006 and May 31, 2006, the company had backlogs of approximately $8 million and $14 million, respectively.
Separately, existing venture investors in IXI have guaranteed an $8 million loan previously extended to IXI from an Israeli bank with the right to acquire this loan from the bank. If the investors acquire this loan, it will be repaid within 60 business days of closing of the merger or converted, in whole or in part, into ITAC shares at a price of $6.50 per share.
As part of these transactions, if the merger with ITAC closes, the lender and existing investors will be issued an aggregate of 840,000 ITAC shares, and, if 50% or more of the total loan amount is converted, will receive warrants to purchase ITAC shares. The warrants will have an exercise price of $5.00 per share and will be issued at the rate of 0.0357 warrants for every $1 converted. The warrants will be identical to ITAC's currently outstanding warrants. Per the distribution formula, if the loans are fully converted, warrants to purchase 1,000,000 ITAC shares will be issued.
IXI sells Ogo in several countries worldwide. The working capital raised will be used to finance the manufacturing and delivery of Ogo products as well as to pursue future global sales opportunities. Amit Haller, Co-Founder, President and CEO of IXI Mobile said, "As a result of growing demand for our Ogo solution, and in order to support in-hand customer orders and Ogo's global expansion, we needed additional funding." He continued, "With these added resources we will be able to finance our current sales commitments and actively pursue Ogo sales prospects worldwide."
IXI's customer base includes leading mobile operators and Internet service providers. IXI's Ogo was launched in the United States by AT&T Wireless (now Cingular Wireless), in Switzerland by Swisscom Mobile, the leading mobile operator in Switzerland, in Turkey by e-kolay.net, a leading ISP in Turkey and part of Turkey's leading media-entertainment conglomerate, and in Germany by 1&1, the leading Internet provider in Europe, in cooperation with Vodafone Germany. IXI recently brought Ogo to Latin America, with the first launch via new customer, ANCEL, the leading operator in Uruguay.
About IXI Mobile
Airlink Mobile Prepaid
Airlink Mobile Prepaid Wireless Phones Ramp Up Sales for Independent Wireless Dealers
Feb 28, 2007 497 words, 0 images
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Feb. 28 -- With more and more consumers being turned down for postpaid wireless contracts due to credit challenges, independent wireless dealers are looking for additional profitable products to serve all customers who walk through the door.
By aggressively capturing the vast majority of the population that does not need nor want inhibiting cell phone contracts and by creating a method for the easy and efficient distribution of phones and minutes directly to the consumer, prepaid cell phones are changing the shape of the wireless market -- fast and permanently.
"Cell phones aren't Ferraris, and consumers and dealers alike are fed up with being treated like they aren't good enough to get one," said David Stanek, President and CEO of Airlink Mobile, a company which has seen its growth rate climb nearly 800% since March 2006. "A tremendous portion of the population does not qualify for cell phone post paid contracts. So we offer an alternative that will work for them and provide incredible value to the independent dealer."
Nearly 35 percent of the U.S. population is not bankable. In addition, nearly forty percent of those who apply for post paid contracts are denied credit by the major carriers. With these statistics in mind, it is easy to understand why Americans would turn to alternative options for their cell phone needs.
With Airlink Mobile's nationwide coverage, unlimited free nights & weekends, exciting brand new handset offerings, 1-yr manufacturer warranty, and daytime per minute charges as low as 10 cents, prepaid wireless appeals to a broad range of customers -- such as the credit-challenged, youth, students, immigrants, and fixed income seniors or simply anyone who wants full control of their wireless expenses. Airlink Mobile's wireless handsets have many of the same cutting edge features as postpaid contract providers like ultra-thin color flip phones, two-way text messaging, downloadable ring-tones and wallpaper, voice dialing, polyphonic ring-tones, PC sync, alarm, calculator, speaker phone, and more.
The prepaid wireless market will grow by over 600% in the next 3 years, to 31 million subscribers by the end of 2008. Prepaid wireless handsets, airtime and accessories can currently be purchased at thousands of convenience and independent wireless dealer stores nationwide.
Nearly 80% of mobile users in Europe and Asia already prefer using prepaid over postpaid calling plans; causing many analysts to see prepaid as the inevitable future of consumer's cell phone habits.
"We have found and implemented a creative solution for everyone to afford a wireless cell phone and get a great value in the process," said Stanek.
"You're turning away customers who want go wireless and use airtime if you can't get a phone in their hands. We make sure people get both, affordably and easily."
Airlink Mobile is a leading provider of nationwide prepaid wireless products and services. See us on the web at www.airlinkmobile.com or call (319) 294-8800.
Feb 28, 2007 497 words, 0 images
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Feb. 28 -- With more and more consumers being turned down for postpaid wireless contracts due to credit challenges, independent wireless dealers are looking for additional profitable products to serve all customers who walk through the door.
By aggressively capturing the vast majority of the population that does not need nor want inhibiting cell phone contracts and by creating a method for the easy and efficient distribution of phones and minutes directly to the consumer, prepaid cell phones are changing the shape of the wireless market -- fast and permanently.
"Cell phones aren't Ferraris, and consumers and dealers alike are fed up with being treated like they aren't good enough to get one," said David Stanek, President and CEO of Airlink Mobile, a company which has seen its growth rate climb nearly 800% since March 2006. "A tremendous portion of the population does not qualify for cell phone post paid contracts. So we offer an alternative that will work for them and provide incredible value to the independent dealer."
Nearly 35 percent of the U.S. population is not bankable. In addition, nearly forty percent of those who apply for post paid contracts are denied credit by the major carriers. With these statistics in mind, it is easy to understand why Americans would turn to alternative options for their cell phone needs.
With Airlink Mobile's nationwide coverage, unlimited free nights & weekends, exciting brand new handset offerings, 1-yr manufacturer warranty, and daytime per minute charges as low as 10 cents, prepaid wireless appeals to a broad range of customers -- such as the credit-challenged, youth, students, immigrants, and fixed income seniors or simply anyone who wants full control of their wireless expenses. Airlink Mobile's wireless handsets have many of the same cutting edge features as postpaid contract providers like ultra-thin color flip phones, two-way text messaging, downloadable ring-tones and wallpaper, voice dialing, polyphonic ring-tones, PC sync, alarm, calculator, speaker phone, and more.
The prepaid wireless market will grow by over 600% in the next 3 years, to 31 million subscribers by the end of 2008. Prepaid wireless handsets, airtime and accessories can currently be purchased at thousands of convenience and independent wireless dealer stores nationwide.
Nearly 80% of mobile users in Europe and Asia already prefer using prepaid over postpaid calling plans; causing many analysts to see prepaid as the inevitable future of consumer's cell phone habits.
"We have found and implemented a creative solution for everyone to afford a wireless cell phone and get a great value in the process," said Stanek.
"You're turning away customers who want go wireless and use airtime if you can't get a phone in their hands. We make sure people get both, affordably and easily."
Airlink Mobile is a leading provider of nationwide prepaid wireless products and services. See us on the web at www.airlinkmobile.com or call (319) 294-8800.
First IPTV Service in Latin America Goes Wireless in the Home
First IPTV Service in Latin America Goes Wireless in the Home
Telefonica del Sur Selects Ruckus Wireless as Primary In-Home Distribution Solution for Its New WiTV IPTV Service
Oct 8, 2007 1283 words, 0 images
BERLIN, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- BROADBAND WORLD FORUM -- Ruckus Wireless today announced that it has been selected by Telefonica del Sur (TelSur), a leading provider of Internet-based multimedia and communication services in Chile, to supply its MediaFlex(TM) to support Latin America's first commercial IPTV service.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071008/CLM029 )
The Ruckus MediaFlex system is a unique multimedia Wi-Fi solution designed to extend the range and increase the reliability of Wi-Fi signals while automatically avoiding interference as it occurs. This allows flawless streaming of multimedia, such as IPTV channels, over standard 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi.
With the Ruckus Wireless MediaFlex system, TelSur IPTV customers can extend the benefits of location freedom to their TV viewing pleasure. Televisions can now be placed virtually anywhere in their home without cumbersome and costly cabling while ensuring flicker-free TV. Additionally, the Ruckus MediaFlex system allows TelSur to install its IPTV service in less than half the time required to wire a home with coaxial cable or Ethernet wiring, allowing three times as many installations per day.
"With Ruckus Wireless, Telefonica del Sur is moving forward the state of broadband communications and in-home multimedia distribution in Latin America," said Jorge Atton, CEO of Telefonica del Sur. "Together with Ruckus, we are able to maintain a high level of reliability and predictable performance over Wi-Fi that, until now, just hasn't been possible."
Yankee Group forecasts broadband and TV revenue in Latin America will experience solid growth: 110% for broadband by 2010 from more than $3 billion in 2005 to nearly $7 billion. Chile has been at the forefront in terms of convergence.
"TelSur has aggressively overcome many barriers that have delayed the arrival of IPTV within Latin America, such as insufficient network capacity and the high cost of service delivery to and within the home," said Selina Lo, president and CEO of Ruckus Wireless.
Lo continued: "Around the globe, Wi-Fi is taking on a much more strategic role as the defacto connection technology to edge networks. Whether users are at home watching TV, on a park bench accessing metro Wi-Fi networks, at a hot spot watching YouTube videos on their iPhone, or at work streaming news and information over the wireless LAN, they expect a reliable connection and predictable performance. TelSur recognizes the importance of Ruckus technology to transform Wi-Fi into a reliable utility in the home. It's one of the first broadband providers in the world to aggressively use Smart Wi-Fi to provide unique, differentiated and reliable services."
Named the best IPTV distribution delivery solution at the 2007 IPTV World Series Awards, the Ruckus MediaFlex system has been selected by more than 75 broadband providers around the world including: Belgacom (Belgium), PCCW (Hong Kong), Portugal Telecom and Sonaecom (Portugal), Telefonica O2 (Czech Republic), FASTWEB (Italy), Magnet Networks (Ireland), Maxisat (Finland), SingTel (Singapore), Slovenian Telekom "Siol" and T-2 (Slovenia), Pioneer Telephone (Oklahoma), MTA Communications (Alaska) and more than 50 independent telephone operating companies throughout North America.
Introducing WiTV from TelSur
Launched in July of this year, TelSur's "WiTV" IPTV service is being offered on its broadband network between the southern Chilean cities of Concepcion and Puerto Montt. TelSur has invested heavily in upgrading and expanding its broadband network and currently has more than 270, 000 clients.
The Ruckus MediaFlex system is being bundled with TelSur's WiTV IPTV service to subscribers as the primary wireless technology to reliably transmit multicast IPTV streams to televisions around the home.
TelSur's basic IPTV service includes 32 IPTV channels, a Ruckus Wireless MediaFlex router and receiver, a broadband gateway and a set top box for US$20 a month. More televisions can be easily added for $5/month, which includes another Ruckus Wireless MediaFlex adapter and Amino set top box.
Over an NGN infrastructure, TelSur is delivering 20 Mbps of broadband capacity to subscribers. This will support three simultaneous MPEG-2 IPTV streams. TelSur will initially provide installation of the Ruckus Wireless MediaFlex system for its subscribers but is moving to a self-installation model. It also plans to make the Ruckus MediaFlex available in its retail outlets, thereby giving subscribers the ability to install IPTV when and where they desire.
What is IPTV?
IPTV is a new way of streaming real-time television programs, movies and other video content over a broadband IP network. Unlike conventional TV, IPTV requires connecting multimedia receivers (known as IP set-top-boxes) to a computer network to receive video transmissions from the broadband modem or home gateway.
The proliferation of wireless and IP services has lowered traditional barriers to entry to wireline communications markets, giving new, competitive service providers ever-increasing line losses and margin erosion. To counteract this, traditional communications service providers face two strategic imperatives: 1) increase their services portfolio to include new broadband services like IPTV, and 2) decrease their operational expenditures to remain cost-competitive.
Since most home computer networks do not extend to areas where the televisions are located, consumers have to put up with expensive and/or unsightly Ethernet cable installations. While technologies exist today to make Ethernet work over existing coaxial or electrical wiring in a home, their applicability is location-dependent.
Furthermore, consumers everywhere have selected Wi-Fi as the home networking technology of choice. The Ruckus MediaFlex system is the first and only Wi-Fi system purposely designed to deliver picture-perfect video to all corners of a home by automatically steering Wi-Fi signals around interference and physical barriers. Once installed, the system can connect multiple TVs and set-top-boxes, as well as portable video receivers such as multimedia laptops and handheld multimedia players, without the hassles of new wiring or re- wiring.
About Telefonica del Sur S.A.
Based in Valdivia, Telefonica del Sur, the leading telecommunications company in the south of Chile, is a 74%-owned subsidiary of Quinenco Holdings (NYSE = LQ) , one of Chile's largest business conglomerates with consolidated assets of over USD2.6 billion. With more than 270,000 customers, it covers both residential and business clients in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th regions of the country. Over the past several years, Telefonica del Sur has been undergoing an important transition from a traditional fixed telephony provider to a multi-product telecommunications operator offering Internet, security services (tele-vigilance), portable telephony under PHS technology, IPTV services and specialized telecom services for businesses.
About Ruckus Wireless, Inc.
Based in Sunnyvale, California, Ruckus Wireless is a next-generation Wi-Fi company credited with pioneering "Smart Wi-Fi" technology. Named a 2007 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, Ruckus Wireless was formed in 2004 at Sequoia Capital. The company designs, develops and markets industrial- strength Wi-Fi systems that provide reliable distribution of delay-sensitive multimedia content and services over standard 802.11 technology. Its flagship product, ZoneFlex, is the first wireless LAN system to combine the best in centralized wireless LAN principles with state-of-the-art Wi-Fi advances such as smart antenna arrays and wireless meshing. Its MediaFlex line of multimedia wireless routers is used by more than 125 broadband operators around the world to extend digital services such as IPTV throughout the home without wires. The company's patented hardware and software technologies deliver predictable performance, extended range and real-time adaptability to changing Wi-Fi environments. The company has raised approximately $32 million in financing from premier venture capital investors, consumer electronics companies and broadband operators such a Motorola, T-Ventures, Telus, Sutter Hill Ventures, Mitsui, Sequoia and others. Ruckus Wireless is led by President and CEO Selina Lo. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ruckuswireless.com.
Telefonica del Sur Selects Ruckus Wireless as Primary In-Home Distribution Solution for Its New WiTV IPTV Service
Oct 8, 2007 1283 words, 0 images
BERLIN, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- BROADBAND WORLD FORUM -- Ruckus Wireless today announced that it has been selected by Telefonica del Sur (TelSur), a leading provider of Internet-based multimedia and communication services in Chile, to supply its MediaFlex(TM) to support Latin America's first commercial IPTV service.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071008/CLM029 )
The Ruckus MediaFlex system is a unique multimedia Wi-Fi solution designed to extend the range and increase the reliability of Wi-Fi signals while automatically avoiding interference as it occurs. This allows flawless streaming of multimedia, such as IPTV channels, over standard 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi.
With the Ruckus Wireless MediaFlex system, TelSur IPTV customers can extend the benefits of location freedom to their TV viewing pleasure. Televisions can now be placed virtually anywhere in their home without cumbersome and costly cabling while ensuring flicker-free TV. Additionally, the Ruckus MediaFlex system allows TelSur to install its IPTV service in less than half the time required to wire a home with coaxial cable or Ethernet wiring, allowing three times as many installations per day.
"With Ruckus Wireless, Telefonica del Sur is moving forward the state of broadband communications and in-home multimedia distribution in Latin America," said Jorge Atton, CEO of Telefonica del Sur. "Together with Ruckus, we are able to maintain a high level of reliability and predictable performance over Wi-Fi that, until now, just hasn't been possible."
Yankee Group forecasts broadband and TV revenue in Latin America will experience solid growth: 110% for broadband by 2010 from more than $3 billion in 2005 to nearly $7 billion. Chile has been at the forefront in terms of convergence.
"TelSur has aggressively overcome many barriers that have delayed the arrival of IPTV within Latin America, such as insufficient network capacity and the high cost of service delivery to and within the home," said Selina Lo, president and CEO of Ruckus Wireless.
Lo continued: "Around the globe, Wi-Fi is taking on a much more strategic role as the defacto connection technology to edge networks. Whether users are at home watching TV, on a park bench accessing metro Wi-Fi networks, at a hot spot watching YouTube videos on their iPhone, or at work streaming news and information over the wireless LAN, they expect a reliable connection and predictable performance. TelSur recognizes the importance of Ruckus technology to transform Wi-Fi into a reliable utility in the home. It's one of the first broadband providers in the world to aggressively use Smart Wi-Fi to provide unique, differentiated and reliable services."
Named the best IPTV distribution delivery solution at the 2007 IPTV World Series Awards, the Ruckus MediaFlex system has been selected by more than 75 broadband providers around the world including: Belgacom (Belgium), PCCW (Hong Kong), Portugal Telecom and Sonaecom (Portugal), Telefonica O2 (Czech Republic), FASTWEB (Italy), Magnet Networks (Ireland), Maxisat (Finland), SingTel (Singapore), Slovenian Telekom "Siol" and T-2 (Slovenia), Pioneer Telephone (Oklahoma), MTA Communications (Alaska) and more than 50 independent telephone operating companies throughout North America.
Introducing WiTV from TelSur
Launched in July of this year, TelSur's "WiTV" IPTV service is being offered on its broadband network between the southern Chilean cities of Concepcion and Puerto Montt. TelSur has invested heavily in upgrading and expanding its broadband network and currently has more than 270, 000 clients.
The Ruckus MediaFlex system is being bundled with TelSur's WiTV IPTV service to subscribers as the primary wireless technology to reliably transmit multicast IPTV streams to televisions around the home.
TelSur's basic IPTV service includes 32 IPTV channels, a Ruckus Wireless MediaFlex router and receiver, a broadband gateway and a set top box for US$20 a month. More televisions can be easily added for $5/month, which includes another Ruckus Wireless MediaFlex adapter and Amino set top box.
Over an NGN infrastructure, TelSur is delivering 20 Mbps of broadband capacity to subscribers. This will support three simultaneous MPEG-2 IPTV streams. TelSur will initially provide installation of the Ruckus Wireless MediaFlex system for its subscribers but is moving to a self-installation model. It also plans to make the Ruckus MediaFlex available in its retail outlets, thereby giving subscribers the ability to install IPTV when and where they desire.
What is IPTV?
IPTV is a new way of streaming real-time television programs, movies and other video content over a broadband IP network. Unlike conventional TV, IPTV requires connecting multimedia receivers (known as IP set-top-boxes) to a computer network to receive video transmissions from the broadband modem or home gateway.
The proliferation of wireless and IP services has lowered traditional barriers to entry to wireline communications markets, giving new, competitive service providers ever-increasing line losses and margin erosion. To counteract this, traditional communications service providers face two strategic imperatives: 1) increase their services portfolio to include new broadband services like IPTV, and 2) decrease their operational expenditures to remain cost-competitive.
Since most home computer networks do not extend to areas where the televisions are located, consumers have to put up with expensive and/or unsightly Ethernet cable installations. While technologies exist today to make Ethernet work over existing coaxial or electrical wiring in a home, their applicability is location-dependent.
Furthermore, consumers everywhere have selected Wi-Fi as the home networking technology of choice. The Ruckus MediaFlex system is the first and only Wi-Fi system purposely designed to deliver picture-perfect video to all corners of a home by automatically steering Wi-Fi signals around interference and physical barriers. Once installed, the system can connect multiple TVs and set-top-boxes, as well as portable video receivers such as multimedia laptops and handheld multimedia players, without the hassles of new wiring or re- wiring.
About Telefonica del Sur S.A.
Based in Valdivia, Telefonica del Sur, the leading telecommunications company in the south of Chile, is a 74%-owned subsidiary of Quinenco Holdings (NYSE = LQ) , one of Chile's largest business conglomerates with consolidated assets of over USD2.6 billion. With more than 270,000 customers, it covers both residential and business clients in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th regions of the country. Over the past several years, Telefonica del Sur has been undergoing an important transition from a traditional fixed telephony provider to a multi-product telecommunications operator offering Internet, security services (tele-vigilance), portable telephony under PHS technology, IPTV services and specialized telecom services for businesses.
About Ruckus Wireless, Inc.
Based in Sunnyvale, California, Ruckus Wireless is a next-generation Wi-Fi company credited with pioneering "Smart Wi-Fi" technology. Named a 2007 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, Ruckus Wireless was formed in 2004 at Sequoia Capital. The company designs, develops and markets industrial- strength Wi-Fi systems that provide reliable distribution of delay-sensitive multimedia content and services over standard 802.11 technology. Its flagship product, ZoneFlex, is the first wireless LAN system to combine the best in centralized wireless LAN principles with state-of-the-art Wi-Fi advances such as smart antenna arrays and wireless meshing. Its MediaFlex line of multimedia wireless routers is used by more than 125 broadband operators around the world to extend digital services such as IPTV throughout the home without wires. The company's patented hardware and software technologies deliver predictable performance, extended range and real-time adaptability to changing Wi-Fi environments. The company has raised approximately $32 million in financing from premier venture capital investors, consumer electronics companies and broadband operators such a Motorola, T-Ventures, Telus, Sutter Hill Ventures, Mitsui, Sequoia and others. Ruckus Wireless is led by President and CEO Selina Lo. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ruckuswireless.com.
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