London BBG Communications…

I was recently in London to take a peak at some research work.  London’s research team undertakes a very comprehensive amount of investigative and analytical work with its resources. Most major projects are commissioned from internal resources.  While the larger part of this work develops from the team’s own research agenda, London is always interested in hearing from researchers who feel they can make a contribution to the research programme or from other agencies seeking support for research falling within its broad remit.

 

HIGH SPEED BROADBAND COVERAGE FOR ALL AMERICANS

Two major telecom business groups have urged that CWA’s proposition for increasing high-speed broadband coverage to reach all Americans be a chief ingredient of any economic plan being designed by the succeeding Obama government to rekindle economic growth and overhaul America’s communications systems.

The Fiber-to-Home Council and the Telecommunications Industry Association suggested that Congress adopt CWA’s proposition as a “baseline for the economic recovery package.” The groups are comprised of more than 24 firms as well a non-profit organizations. President-elect Obama has long supported CWA’s campaign to make high-speed Internet accessible to every American.

TheWashington Post published an article on growing advocacies by corporate and public interest groups to establish high-speed networks and improve Internet services in underserviced rural and urban areas.  The article delved into companies’ call for tax break incentives to stimulate Internet infrastructure building which it regards as “the global economic engine for the 21st century”, a significant element of CWA’s proposition.

The CWA’s proposition also include government financing of national broadband mapping required by current legislation, grants for venturing in expensive but underserviced rural areas, and financial assistance for low-wage homes to acquire computers and community-based digital literacy programs.

“We need to aim high with this and public policy needs to catch up with the realities of the global economy,” the Post quoted CWA leader Larry Cohen as saying. Every $5 billion put in broadband expansion would directly translate to 97,500 additional jobs and indirectly produce some 2.5 million more jobs throughout the country, according to estimates by the CWA.

The Post also said that the United States has slid down to 15th place worldwide in terms of broadband connectivity, citing CWA’s research contained in two important reports on the state of America’s Internet infrastructure entitled “Speed Matters”.

The Fiber-to-the-Home Council, which gives public instruction on the prospects and advantages of fiber-to-the-home products, speak for diverse sectors of the broadband industry, including telecommunications, computing, networking, system integration, engineering, and content-provider companies, besides traditional telecommunications service providers. The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is the business association of the communications and IT industry.

Broadband Infrastructure and BBG Communications

The financial crisis has badly hit telecom, wireless and cable companies as families spend less on Internet services.  But the government plan to funnel money into rebuilding Internet infrastructure in rural areas as well as cities which are underserved is expected not only to make jobs available to hundreds of thousands Americans but to provide a windfall to phone, cable and Internet companies.

Aggressive telecom lobbyists, often in contention are united in praising Obama’s plans to increase nationwide network coverage, saying this would enhance economic performance by providing labor-intensive jobs needed to lay down fiber lines as well as engineering jobs required for designing complicated systems. However, the different lobby groups disagree on how that goal should be reached, fomenting what one lobbyist christened a “telecom takefest.”

The Telecommunications Industry Association calls for tax breaks and grants for those companies which will build broadband infrastructure in far-flung areas. The trade association wrote House Speaker  Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week saying tax breaks as well as a $25 billion grants package should be prioritized.

An ultra-fast fiber-optic technology supplier Corning wants grants to companies to depend on whether these companies will provide higher speed and better quality services. This means companies will have to employ faster fiber optics.

A public interest group called Free Press advocates supervision of the plan committed to an agency with experience in technology policy such as the Federal Communications Commission or the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the White House’s telecom office. Free Press also wants Internet service to be cheap.  The group urges government to give financial assistance to low-wage families with school-age children so they can acquire laptop computers and have the cost of home Internet access deducted from their taxes.

Ben Scott, Free Press’ policy director cautioned against a corporate bias in crafting the plan.  “The worst-case scenario would be to write a billion-dollar check in tax breaks and funnel money directly to prop up a stock price,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Communications Workers of America supports tax breaks in the form of tax deductions, which they claim will permit companies to spend budgets for broadband deployment more quickly, resulting in more jobs sooner. The CWA estimates that for every $5 billion spent on improving the broadband systems, close to 100,000 jobs are generated.

BBG Communications: Internet Providers Move to Shape Broadband Push

Cable and phone company lobbyists are scrambling to have the biggest say on the plan to upgrade America’s broadband infrastructure that President-elect Barack Obama called for recently.

The plan is envisioned by lawmakers in Congress not only to generate jobs over the short term but also to improve the availability and quality of high-speed internet access in the country in the long term.  In a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United States is ranked 15^th in broadband penetration, sliding down from 4^th place since 2001. Proponents of the plan say broadband connectivity critically affects the economic competitiveness of the U.S.

Congress will discuss, among many issues, what speed should be defined as broadband, and whether government should spend only on areas in the country that have no broadband access, or if it should also give subsidies to improve networks that are already in place.

Legislative aides and lobbyists in the know say proposals being seriously considered are the granting of tax credits to corporations which will build new wireless or landline infrastructure, and the issuance of government-backed broadband “bonds” and grants to companies or local governments. Many legislators also agree on the need to encourage low-income consumers to get broadband connection through such means as giving them vouchers to buy computers or discounts on service charges.

Members of the Senate’s Committees on Finance and Commerce are preparing a handful of alternatives, as are House members such as California Rep. Anna Eshoo and Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey, chairman of the telecommunications subcommittee. On the part of the administration, the point person for the Obama transition team is former Federal Communications Commission chief of staff Blair Levin.

Rep. Eschoo says “there aren’t any quarrels about the need for more broadband,” adding that “It’s a matter of how we’re going to do it and the actual language.” She submitted a memo to the House leadership in October wherein she sketched a series of options for the broadband improvement plan.

BBG Communications – Mobile VOIP in Europe

During the early 2000s, Hewlett-Packard, Symbol Technologies, to name a few, are the acknowledged innovators in Wi-Fi-based handheld devices, such as personal digital assistants or handheld computers used for warehousing and other applications.

With successive generations of these devices gaining in processing power and battery life, their potential use as a platform for mobile VoIP became practical. So much so that in the summer of 2005 companies delivered practical client software to run on these class of Wi-Fi only, Windows-based PDAs using Microsoft Windows CE operating systems.

Exactly the next summer, in 2006, a SIP stack and a VoIP client in Nokia E-series dual-mode Wi-Fi handsets were launched in the market. The SIP stack and client have since been introduced in many more E and N-series dual-mode Wi-Fi handsets, most notably the Nokia N95 which gained popular following particularly in Europe. Various services use these handsets, including WiFiMobile and Truphone. Of late, Nokia introduced a built in VoIP client to the mass market device (Nokia 6300i) running Series 40 operating system.

But both Nokia N96 and Nokia N78 which were introduced in September 2008 as replacements for the N95 were not designed with built-in VoIP. Some quarters suggest that this was due to the pressures that Nokia has to deal with from Mobile Network Operators. But a plausible explanation is that VoIP has never been a major selling feature on the N-series, perhaps because software maintenance in this area is not commercially attractive or profitable. It is expected, though, that mobile VoIP operators will launch proprietary VoIP applications for the N96, as Fring has already done.

From a Wi-Fi network point of view, there are several innovations embedded in the most current vendor Wi-Fi networking equipment that makes them particularly powerful in a mobile VoIP context. Strong encryption making the conversation in a Wi-Fi context quite private, support for Quality of Service for real-time services such as mobile VoIP and in some cases support for wireless access point to access point call handoff, are some of these innovations.

VoIP server vendors who make it possible for VoIP service providers to create the service, have announced support for integrating mobile handsets into VoIP infrastructures, either natively using SS7 interfaces into the mobile network, or via software based clients running on the mobile handset. One such vendor is BroadSoft who is known for its Broadworks platform which enables mobile integration using either strategy. Meanwhile, enterprise IP PBX vendors have developed, tested and announced capabilities for mobile VoIP users interacting with their business IP-based phone systems.

One implementation of fixed mobile convergence allows for seamless roaming between WIFI and GSM or CDMA networks. As early as December 2005, standards and alliances have started being developed and technologies being demonstrated. For instance, Cisco and FirstHand Technologies demonstrated a Wi-Fi to GSM handoff in San Jose, December 5, 2005.

To date, there are some issues, if not resistance, on this WIFI-GSM/CDMA handoff. For example, in 2007 T-Mobile blocked their subscribers’ access to purely mobile VoIP numbers, issued by Truphone. The issue was widely discussed in the press and although Truphone won an injunction, the case is still in the courts while T-Mobile pays only a nominal termination fee. In another example, Aircell continues to battle with some companies allowing VoIP calls on flights which shows a growing conflict of interest between incumbent operators and new VoIP operators.

Chinese Telecommunications – Ministry of Radio and Television

In 1982, the Ministry of Radio and Television was formed by carving out of the Ministry as a separate entity, and mandated to administer and upgrade the status of television and radio broadcasting. Subordinate to this ministry were the Central People’s Broadcasting Station, China Central Television and Radio Beijing. Organizations that were in charge with broadcasting training, talent-search, research, publishing, and manufacturing organizations were also brought under the umbrella of the Ministry of Radio and Television. Renamed Ministry of Radio, Cinema, and Television, it also took over in 1986 the responsibility for the movie industry, from the Ministry of Culture.

By 1987 the quality of communications services in mainland China had seen considerable improvements than in earlier years. Also, foreign technology entered in droves in the country while domestic production capacity jumped.

Primarily, the form of telecommunications in the 1980s was local and long-distance telephone service administered by six regional bureaus: Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, Wuhan , and Shenyang. These regional offices also functioned as switching centers for provincial-level subsystems. By 1986 China had nearly 3 million telephone exchange lines, including 34,000 long-distance exchange lines with direct, automatic service to 24 cities. As the end of 1986 was approaching, fiber optic communications technology gradually replaced existing telephone circuits.

Beijing and Shanghai served as overseas exchanges for international services. While Guangdong Province also served as an important gateway with its coaxial cable and microwave lines linking it to Hong Kong and Macau.

The large satellite ground stations originally installed in 1972 to provide live coverage of the visits to China by U.S. president Richard M. Richard Nixon and Japanese PM Kakuei Tanaka was upgraded continuously and acted as the base for China’s international satellite communications network until the mid-80s. By 1977 China had joined Intelsat and, using ground stations in Beijing and Shanghai the country linked to satellites over the Indian and Pacific oceans.

According to BBG Communications, in April 1984, an experimental communications satellite for trial transmission of broadcasts, telegrams, telephone calls, and facsimile, to remote areas of the country was launched. Following this, China launched in February 1986 its first fully operational telecommunications and broadcast satellite. The quality and communications capacity of the second satellite was praised as much better than the first. In the mid-1987 both satellites were still functioning. Taking advantage of these satellite systems in place, China’s domestic satellite communication network went into operation, facilitating television and radio transmissions and providing direct-dial long distance telephone, telegraph, and facsimile service. The network boasts of ground stations in Beijing, Urumqi, Hohhot, Lhasa, and Guangzhou, which were all tapped to an Intelsat satellite over the Indian Ocean.

While the telephone network surged, telegraph development was of second priority mainly due to the difficulties involved in transmitting the written Chinese language. But this technical difficulty of how to put in writing the Chinese language properly, was improved dramatically by computer technology. By 1983 China had nearly 10,000 telegraph cables and telex lines transmitting over 170 million messages annually. Most telegrams were transmitted by cables or by shortwave radio.

BBG Communications – SV Communication Systems

The European Commission has reserved part of the radio spectrum for smart vehicle communication systems. The new systems will allow cars to communication with each other wirelessly. Within the next six months, the 300MHz of the spectrum in the 5.9GHz frequency band will be allocated by the national authorities.

The intent of the new plan is to curb road accidents and alleviate traffic jams. Smart vehicle communication systems have the potential to make safer and ease the lives of Europe’s drivers. In 2006, more than 42,000 people died in road accidents in the European Union and more than 1.6 million people were injured. The European Commission also has plans to encourage investment in smart vehicle communication systems by the private sector.

Another great article on this topic can be found at http://thefutureofthings.com/news/1280/cars-that-talk.html.  The article appears to be quite old, but very informative.

BBG Communications – Gramjyoti Rural Broadbrand Project

The Gramjyoti Rural Broadbrand Project is an initiative that aims to introduce mobile broadband applications to 18 villages and 15 towns in rural India. The project will be the first to provide communities with access to meaningful broadband services. Building an efficient and affordable broadband network will help serve as a blueprint for the widespread introduction in the future. According to Ericsson, among the people who will benefit from the technology are more than 3,000 high school students, who will be able to take e-learning courses. The goal of the project is to provide high-speed internet using special tehnology that will allow the local people to access important services. Some of these service include:

A Telemedicine
B E-education
C E-governance
D Online local information
E Voice and video call services
F Live TV and entertainment.

BBG Communications

BBG Communications Inc.

Communications Industry

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 forced local telephone companies to share their lines with the competition. The Act was a major shift in policy change throughout the United States. BBG Communications notes that the Act is divided into seven different Titles.

Title 1 – Telecommunications Service

Title 2 – Broadcast Services

Title 3 – Cable Services

Title 4 – Regulatory Reform

Title 5 – Obscenity and Violence

Title 6 – Effect on Other Laws

Title 7 – Miscellaneous Provisions

If you would like more information on the Act, BBG Communications suggests visiting the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) website.

BBG Communications recommendation letter from Club Med

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

For the last year BBG Communications Inc. has offered Operator Assisted Services to Club Med. During this time, BBG has fulfilled all of its promises and responsibilities in a timely and efficient manner.

As promised, BBG’s services have helped our individual hotels to increase their revenue. This incremental revenue has come at no cost to the hotels. Since the beginning of our relationship with BBG, their value for transparency and professionalism has dictated the manner in which they have dealt with our chain.

It is great confidence that I extend a recommendation of BBG Communications Inc. as a company that delivers on its promises, increases the revenue of its clients, and has a steadfast understanding of the importance of properly servicing its clients.

Should you have any question or require andy additional information, please contact me.

Sincerely,

A.I.
Regional Engineering Manager