Agilent Technologies Signs Acquisition Agreement with Accelicon Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. has signed a definitive acquisition agreement with Accelicon Technologies, which provides device-level modeling and validation software for the electronics industry.

The acquisition will further enhance Agilent's position in semiconductor device modeling. Accurate, verified device models are critical to reduce R&D design cycles such as higher frequencies, smaller technology nodes, new materials and device layouts call for more accurate process design kits. As a result, device modeling continues to be one of the most critical parts of the electronics design flow. The majority of Accelicon's employees are located in Beijing, China. As a result, Agilent's device modeling and R&D services will expand in Asia.

Zoho Rolls Out Updates to Zoho CRM

Zoho has launched a major update to Zoho CRM. The Zoho CRM update includes a redesigned user interface and four new features i.e. Pulse module, LinkedIn integration, Zoho Creator integration, and WebHooks, improving the social aspects and extensibility of Zoho CRM.

Virgin Media Selects Amdocs to Consolidate Network Inventory

Virgin Media has selected Amdocs to evolve its network inventory management systems. Amdocs will be responsible for the projects - overall system integration, end-to-end implementation, and program management. The Amdocs OSS inventory solution, delivered with Amdocs' consulting and implementation services, will enable Virgin Media to improve network design, planning, and assurance, giving increased customer service levels.

By using Amdocs CES inventory management products and by re-engineering several key business processes such as data reconciliation, Virgin Media will be able to centralize and integrate logical network assets (such as VPNs) and physical assets (such as switches and ports) in its inventory management systems to provide accurate, real-time inventory data in a single location. In addition, the new system that includes network capacity management will provide detailed capacity reporting. As a result, the company will be able to further improve customer order processing, fault management, change control auditing, and choose and plan right uplifts in overall capacity more efficiently.

AT&T Completes Purchase of Wireless Spectrum from Qualcomm

AT&T has completed acquisition of spectrum from Qualcomm. AT&T has purchased 700 MHz spectrum licenses, which was previously used for Qualcomm's FLO TV product, covering more than 300 million United States residents for approximately Rs. 9120 crore (US$ 1.9 billion).

In another event, AT&T Inc. and China Telecom have expanded their relationship in China and the United States regions and will look into supporting each other in other regions. AT&Ts will expand the existing IP-VPN service in China to allow broader national reach, greater technology choice, enhanced performance, and reduced total cost of ownership, as MNCs continue to expand their business in China.  They also intend to explore jointly deploying an expanded suite of VPN-based services, as well as advanced services like telepresence, managed hosting, cloud-based services, network integration services, and enterprise mobility solutions. Connecting the China Telecom and AT&T MPLS-based IP networks in the United States gives the same global experience for Chinese multinationals as they grow outside China.

Alcatel-Lucent and HP Offer Data Center Technology and Communications Networks Solution

HP and Alcatel-Lucent have announced a jointly developed solution to help organizations move, store, and access vast amount of information by integrating data center infrastructure technology and high-performance communication networks. The new HP and Alcatel-Lucent Data Center Network Connect (DCNC) is an integrated architecture that brings together the data center technology with high-performance communication networks to offer enterprises the same levels of reliability, speed, and capacity that are available on telecommunication service provider networks, now at substantially lower cost.

Arkadin to Acquire ConferencePlus

Arkadin has signed a definitive agreement to acquire ConferencePlus Inc., a conferencing service provider and a subsidiary of Westell Technologies Inc. The acquisition enables Arkadin to significantly increase its market share by becoming the third-largest independent collaboration service provider in North America and by consolidating its number two position in Europe and Asia. ConferencePlus provides Arkadin with a complementary set of services and an expanded presence in North America and Europe.

Adtran to Buy NSN Broadband Access Unit

Adtran, a next-generation networking solutions provider, will acquire, through an asset sale and purchase agreement, the Nokia Siemens Networks fixed line broadband access business (BBA), and associated professional services and network management solutions. The planned acquisition will include broadband access intellectual properties, technologies, and the established customer base. As part of this planned transaction, up to approximately 400 people, including engineering, R&D, sales and professional services employees, are expected to transfer to Adtran globally. The agreement also includes provisions that would allow Adtran solutions to be incorporated by Nokia Siemens Networks into its customer propositions, broadening Adtran's business opportunities. The deal is expected to close by the end of April 2012.

ZTE Wins 50 Percent of China Telecom's Metro Aggregation and Access Network Project

ZTE Corporation has won 50 percent of the contract business for China Telecom's 2011 comprehensive metro aggregation and access network project. The contract is issued in response to an urgent need by China Telecom for a comprehensive bearer network in multiple Chinese cities capable of carrying CDMA base stations and providing large customer services and soft-switching. As part of the China Telecom metro network project, ZTE will build six local networks in six core cities Guangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shanghai, Quanzhou, and Wenzhou. The networks will be built with ZTE's IP RAN (IP/MPLS) solutions, which are based on the company's ZXCTN 9000/6000 series products.

Swisscom Users to Benefit from LTE and Mobile-Network Modernization

With mobile-data usage expected to double during the year, Swisscom has entered into a five-year contract with Ericsson for mobile-network modernization and upgrade to LTE. The deal will ensure that Swisscom can continue to offer its users the best possible network in the most efficient way.

Ericsson will modernize 6,000 mobile sites with its RBS 6000 multi-standard radio base stations and optimize all of Swisscom's networks. The operator's mobile-data users all over the country - and especially those living in areas where traffic is dense, such as in inner cities will benefit from faster speeds as a result. By making Ericsson the sole supplier for the modernization of its existing mobile-core and radio network, and the introduction of LTE, Swisscom extends its existing partnership, in which Ericsson has been the sole 2G, 3G radio, and main mobile core supplier.

TE Connectivity Wins Contract for Australian NBN Premise Installation Equipment

TE Connectivity has been selected by Australia's NBN Co to supply optical connectivity systems for installation in homes and businesses as part of the national broadband network. The companies have signed a five-year, Rs. 504 crore (US$ 105 million). The contract follows NBN Co's Rs. 1920 crore (US$ 400 million) award to TE Connectivity in March for related network equipment. TE Connectivity employs over 350 staff, located in 14 offices and factories, in Australia.

NBN Co will be working with TE Connectivity again to ramp up the network rollout. As only recently the company announced its 12-month rollout schedule with construction to start in areas covering over half a million premises. It is an important part of the development of NBN's supply chain.

The national broadband network has already passed more than 18,000 homes and the NBN Co has announced plans to offer broadband network services to every one of Australia's 13 million premises.