2008-02-28

[News] 일본 IIJ, MVNO사업 전개

일본 IIJ(Internet Initiative)의 법인용 데이타 통신 서비스인 IIJ Mobile은 MVNO(가상이동통신 사업자)로서 NTT도코모로부터 무선설비를 임대하여 실현되었다. 유저는 HSDPA를 이용하여 하향 최대 3.6Mbps로 인터넷을 접속할 수 있다. NTT도코모의 Packet정액플랜과 달리 이용할 수 있는 Protocol에 제한이 없는 것이 특징이다.

インターネットイニシアティブ(IIJ)の法人向けデータ通信サービス「IIJモバイル」MVNO(仮想移動体通信事業者)としてNTTドコモから無線設備を借りることで実現した。ユーザーはHSDPAを利用して下り最大3.6Mビット/秒でインターネットに接続できる。NTTドコモが提供するパケット定額プランと異なり,利用できるプロトコルに制限はない。

2008-02-27

[News] Global Consortium to Construct New Cable System Linking US and Japan

Global Consortium to Construct New Cable System Linking US and Japan to Meet Increasing Bandwidth Demands

Construction underway to build 10,000 km linear cable system with a capacity of up to 7.68 Tbps to enhance Trans-Pacific connectivity

TOKYO, Japan (February 26, 2008) - A consortium of six international companies announced they have executed agreements to build a high-bandwidth subsea fiber optic cable linking the United States and Japan. The construction of the new Trans-Pacific infrastructure will cost an estimated US$300 million.
The new cable system -- named Unity -- will address broadband demand by providing much needed capacity to sustain the unprecedented growth in data and Internet traffic between Asia and the United States. Unity is expected to initially increase Trans-Pacific lit cable capacity by about 20 percent, with the potential to add up to 7.68 Terabits per second (Tbps) of bandwidth across the Pacific.
According to the TeleGeography Global Bandwidth Report, 2007, Trans-Pacific bandwidth demand has grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 63.7 percent between 2002 and 2007. It is expected to continue to grow strongly from 2008 to 2013, with total demand for capacity doubling roughly every two years.
"The Unity cable system allows the members of the consortium to provide the increased capacity needed as more applications and services migrate online, giving users faster and more reliable connectivity,” said Unity spokesperson Jayne Stowell.
The Unity consortium is a joint effort by Bharti Airtel, Global Transit, Google, KDDI Corporation, Pacnet and SingTel. The name Unity was chosen to signify a new type of consortium, born out of potentially competing systems, to emerge as a system within a system, offering ownership and management of individual fiber pairs.
This new 10,000 kilometer (km) Trans-Pacific cable will provide connectivity between Chikura, located off the coast near Tokyo, to Los Angeles and other West Coast network points of presence. At Chikura, Unity will be seamlessly connected to other cable systems, further enhancing connectivity into Asia.The Unity consortium selected NEC Corporation and Tyco Telecommunications to construct and install the system during a signing ceremony held in Tokyo on February 23, 2008. Construction will begin immediately, with initial capacity targeted to be available in the first quarter of 2010.
The new five fiber pair cable system can be expanded up to eight fiber pairs, with each fiber pair capable of carrying up to 960 Gigabits per second (Gbps). By having a high fiber count, Unity is able to offer more capacity at lower unit costs.

About Unity - Unity is an international consortium that is developing a 10,000 km undersea cable system connecting Japan and the United States. The system will provide much needed capacity to sustain the increased growth in data and Internet traffic between Asia and the United States. Members of the consortium include Bharti Airtel, Global Transit, Google, KDDI, Pacnet and SingTel. NEC Corporation and Tyco Telecommunications are the suppliers for the Unity project, which is scheduled to go live in the first quarter of 2010.

[Mobile] 스마트 폰을 통한 기업 솔루션 (Blackberry)

스마트 폰을 통한 기업 솔루션에 있어, 세계에서 가장 실적을 쌓고 있는 것은 1050만 유저가 사용하는 BlackBerry의 솔루션이다. BlackBerry 단말은 비공개의 독자 OS를 이용하고 있어 단말에서는 통화하는 것과 SMS정도만이 사용가능하지만, 회사내 BlackBerry Enterprise Server 설치와 네트워크 서비스를 전제로 한 기업용 패키지 솔루션으로서 높은 이용가치를 가지고 있다.


그림) 안전한 통신 경로로 사내 어플리케이션이 이용 가능(BlackBerry Enterprise Solution의 예)
 BlackBerry의 독특한 점은 가장 먼저 SMS 이외의 데이터 통신(메일·스케쥴러나 Web 액세스등)이 End-to-End로 3DES 또는 AES로 완전하게 암호화되고 있는 것을 들 수 있다(유저는 의식할 필요가 없어 그림에서는 생략).
회사내에 구축하는 전용 서버(BlackBerry Enterprise Server)는 인터넷을 경유해 단말과 통신하지만, 사내 네트워크의 방화벽(firewall)에는 Inbound의 Port를 Open할 필요가 없고, Outbound port를 1개만 열면 된다. 또한 암호화와 복호화는 사내 서버 및 BlackBerry 단말에서 실행되어 BlackBerry의 Infra를 포함해 외부로 통신이 누설될 걱정이 전혀 없다.
두번째로 사내의 Groupware(Exchange, Lotus Notes/Domino, GroupWise)와의 제휴가 패키지화되어 쉽게 시스템을 구축할 수 있는 점이다. 다른 사내 어플리케이션과의 제휴도 개별 구축에 의해 가능해져 확장성도 높다.
세번째로는 단말의 운용 정책을 매우 세밀하게 (약 270항목) 설정할 수 있다는 것이다. 특정 어플리케이션의 이용 제한이나 통화 기능의 정지 등의 설정 변경은 관리툴에 의해, 관리자가 원격으로 간단하게 실행가능하며 변경사항은 Push방식으로 단말에 즉석에서 반영된다.
 BlackBerry Enterprise Solution은 기본적으로는 리얼타임성을 중시하는 업무와 커뮤니케이션에 특화된 안전성이 높은 솔루션으로, 해외에서는 특히 경영진이 온 세상 어디에 있어도 사내와 긴밀하게 연락을 취해, 신속한 결재를 하기 위해서 이용되는 케이스가 많다고 한다.

2008-02-25

[News] 일본의 초고속인터넷 위성 발사

일본 우주항공연구개발 기구(JAXA)는 2008년 2월 23일, H-IIA로켓 14호기를 이용하여 초고속 인터넷 위성 '기즈나'를 발사했다고 발표했다.
기즈나는 위성으로서는 최고속인 직경 5m의 안테나로 1.2Gbps의 통신이 가능한 실험위성이다. 향후 5년간에 걸쳐 통신기능 검증과 재해대책, 정보격차 해소의 유효성을 확인할 예정이다.


2008-02-19

[Network] 2008년 LAN 기술 4가지 요소

2007年には,認証や信頼性を高める機能を搭載する製品の裾野が拡大したが,2008年はさらに下位機への搭載が進む。2008年2月に登場する新サーバーOS「Windows Server 2008」の「ネットワークアクセス保護」(NAP)機能と連携させることで,セキュリティ・アプライアンスなどを追加しなくてもLANセキュリティの司令塔が手に入る。既に実装が進んでいる認証機能と組み合わせ,手軽に検疫システムを構築できるようになる。

 もう一つ,LANスイッチでの目玉は,PoE Plusとも呼ばれるイーサネット給電の新仕様「IEEE 802.3at」。カメラや高速な無線LANなど消費電力が高い機器にUTPケーブル1本で給電でき,さまざまな場所・場面で利用できるようになる。2008年後半に仕様が固まる見込みだ。

 無線LANの牽引役は,企業向け製品の出荷が本格化する「IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0」準拠の無線LAN機器である。物理速度は300Mビット/秒,実効速度でも100Mビット/秒を超える。2.4GHz帯と5GHz帯を同時に使えば,クライアントではまだ主流と言える100BASE-TXの有線LAN二つ分の帯域が手に入る。いよいよ有線LANとの差が縮まってきた。

 配線の自由度を上げる助っ人もある。企業向けの高速電力線通信(PLC)と,その技術を転用した同軸ケーブルLANである。数台のモデムをピンポイントに配置する用途のPLCモデムに加え,1棟まるごとPLCまたは同軸ケーブルで構築するための大規模向け製品が2007年秋に充実。2008年はLANの穴を埋める準主役としての地位が固まる年になりそうだ。

2008-02-15

[Mobile] 소프트뱅크 사양의 Femtocell 기지국 Reference Model

영국의 Pico Chip이  MWC2008에서 선보인 소프트뱅크 사양의 Femtocell 기지국 Reference Model  


2008-02-12

[Mobile] Vodafone, O2 Test Femtocells

Vodafone, O2 Test Femtocells
FEBRUARY 11, 2008


BARCELONA -- Mobile World Congress -- Vodafone Group plc and Telefónica O2 Europe plc officially announced today that they have begun trials of femtocells in Spain and the U.K., respectively.

The news from the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona today follows reports that T-Mobile is also testing the tiny home base stations.

In the U.K, Telefonica O2 this month started testing equipment from NEC Corp. and the ZoneGate femtocell from UbiquiSys Ltd. Unstrung understands that Telefonica O2 will also test a femtocell solution from ZTE Corp.

For the U.K. trials, Telefonica O2 is concentrating on what services can be delivered and how they will be provisioned.

"We're checking out the feature set and seeing if the 'zero touch' is really all that," says Chris Fenton, director of convergence policy at Telefonica O2. "We're really focused on whether we can make the customer experience."

NEC is integrating the Ubiquisys femtocell into its solution, which includes the femtocell gateway and "all the access point management and provisioning system, which makes it all 'zero touch,'" explains Anil Kohli, director for global femtocell competence at NEC Europe.

Telefonica O2 says it plans to expand the U.K. trial in the summer and aims for commercial services in early 2009, if all goes to plan.

If the "zero touch" promise cannot be fulfilled, then that greatly affects an operator's business case. If customers struggle with plugging in, setting up, and getting services on the home base stations, then increased calls to customer support centers will jack up an operator's costs.

Vivek Dev, chief operating officer of Telefónica O2 Europe, said in a statement, “Our Apple iPhone is already driving unheard-of levels of mobile internet usage, and the introduction of flat rate data tariffs is expected to increase this further. Both of these place huge capacity demands on our networks, and because so much of that usage is at home, femtocells coupled with DSL could provide an alternative capacity resource.”

Telefonica O2's trials are limited to the U.K. But Fenton says the trial complements what parent company Telefónica SA is doing in Spain. There, the Spanish operator is testing femtocell kits from Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and Alcatel-Lucent.

These vendors will be busy with femtocells in Spain because Vodafone is also testing femtocell equipment from Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei in the country.

Andy MacLeod, global networks director of Vodafone, said in a statement, “Femtocells have the potential to enhance customers’ 3G broadband experience, and the trials are critical to investigate whether the technology can deliver on its promise.”

— Michelle Donegan, European Editor, Unstrung

2008-02-11

[Mobile] 700MHz Auction, C block입찰가격 47억불 초과

The 700 MHz Auction Bids Continue Climbing and Far Exceeding Expectations

Even the FCC underestimated the demand for 700 MHz. Originally expected to raise between $10 billion and $15 billion, total current bids exceed $18.9 billion. Bidding on the sought-after C block also surpasses the FCC requirements ($4.6 billion) and now has a PWB (Provisional Winning Bid) of $4.7 billion. ABI Research notes that demand for 700 MHz is so great, not even the pending recession impacts the bidding process.


This auction may be the last opportunity for new participants to gain ground in the wireless realm, which is dominated by incumbent carriers. New participants include Google, Vulcan Spectrum LLC, Tower Stream, and Cox, while traditional participants include Verizon and AT&T.


700 MHz provides better propagation characteristics than 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2100 MHz, and higher-frequency spectrums,” says ABI Research senior analyst Nadine Manjaro. “For instance, cable companies can utilize this spectrum by launching their own mobile broadband networks – thereby alleviating the need to rely on wireless operators. But Google draws the most speculation, since the company’s entrance into the wireless market could significantly change the wireless industry.”


Moreover, incumbent operators absolutely want to strengthen 4G deployments; and 700 MHz will improve rural and in-building coverage at a lower cost than existing frequencies.


One surprise is the nationwide D block, set aside by the FCC for public safety. Frontline Wireless – the expected front-runner – was disqualified due to its inability to pay the minimum bid. And there has been only one bid, which failed to meet the reserve bid price of $519 million. The D block price is set at $1.3 billion.


“Beginning in 2009,” concludes Manjaro, “the 700 MHz auction could alter wireless broadband services in the United States and abroad. Google’s interest in the C block influenced Verizon’s decision to open up access to its network, just as Apple’s introduction of the iPhone stirred up the cellphone market. If Google or another disruptive player secures the C block spectrum, it could change the whole industry.”


ABI Research’s recent report, Global Wireless Spectrum Issues: Market Opportunities and Implications, explores all major spectrum initiatives, highlighting implications for vendors, regulators, and operators. It addresses spectrum trading, mobile liberalization, technology neutrality, and the latest developments in the satellite bands, and covers globally harmonized bands for WiMAX as well.


It forms part of two ABI Research Services: Mobile Operators, and Wireless Infrastructure.


ABI Research is a leading market research firm focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets. Utilizing a unique blend of market intelligence, primary research, and expert assessment from its worldwide team of industry analysts, ABI Research assists hundreds of clients each year with their strategic growth initiatives. For information, visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

[Mobile] 라이벌은 구글, Softbank 손정의사장

「휴대 인터넷머신화」「라이벌은 구글」, Softbank의 손사장이 중장기 비전

 「2008년은 휴대인터넷머신화의 원년」――。Softbank의 손정의 사장은 2008년 2월 7일에 열린 3사분기 결산회견에서 반복하며 말했다. '이제부터는 Mobile을 점령하는 것이 인터넷을 점령하는 것이다. 우리는 이에 아시아 No.1 인터넷기업이 될것이다.'라고 말하며 중장기 비젼을 내세웠다.

 손사장이 말하는 휴대전화머신이라는 것은 휴대폰에서 기다림없이 인터넷의 다양한 컨텐트에 억세스할 수 있는 환경이다.  지금까지는 통신속도가 느리고 화면이 작고, CPU성능이 안 좋았기 때문에 충분한 환경을 갖추지 못했었다. 이것이 2008년에 들어 Downstream 3.6Mbps를 지원하는 HSDPA대응 단말이 늘고, 대화면에서 고속 CPU를 갖춘 기종도 늘고 있다. 진정한 휴대인터넷머신화의 원년이다. SBM이 금년봄모델로 발표한 인터넷머신 Softbank 922SH를 염두에 둔 발언이라고 할 수 있다.

 '미국의 구글과 마이크로소프트, 애플등 지금까지 PC와 Network의 세계에 있던 기업들이 Mobile Internet화를 지향하고 있다. 이것을 봐도 인터넷의 주역은 PC에서 휴대폰으로 바뀌고 휴대전화는 음성에서 데이터 중심으로 이용법이 바뀐다. 휴대전화 세계는 지금까지의 전화중심에서 인터넷 회사 중심으로 변화할 것이다.' (손사장)

 그리고 손사장은 '중장기적으로 보면 구글이 큰 라이벌이 될 것이다. 우리는 아시아를 지킬것이다. 그것이 세계 제일의 Network기업으로의 지름길이다.'라고 말한다. 또한 소프트뱅크가 종합적인 파워에서는 유리하다는 생각을 비췄다. '소프트뱅크는 컨텐츠도 포탈도 인프라도 가지고 있다. 구글은 검색과 유튜브 등의 컨텐츠는 가지고 있지만, 인프라를 갖고 있지 않다. NTT그룹은 인프라를 가지고 있지만, 검색과 포탈이 약하다. 종합적으로는 소프트뱅크가 유리하다.'

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이하 생략