Tamares Telecom deploys Xtera 100-Gbps SLTE

Israeli communications services provider Tamares Telecom has begun operations on a new network that combines undersea and terrestrial links. The network, which connects Israel to hubs in Europe, uses the Nu-Wave Optima platform from Xtera Communications Inc. in a submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE) configuration. The Nu-Wave Optima platform offers 70x100-Gbps capacity per fiber pair on the network, which includes a new submarine cable that connects Israel to Marseille. From Marseille, the network continues to Frankfurt and London. Xtera partnered with IT International Telecom (IT), a subsea network integrator, to provide Tamares Telecom with a turnkey package including supply and installation of both transmission equipment and cable. "This region has experienced explosive growth in traffic from the local high-tech boom as well as R&D centers of global giants including IBM, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Intel, and Motorola," said Amir Goldstein, executive vice chairman of Tamares Telecom. "We are happy to work with Xtera and IT's cutting-edge technology that enables our network to provide carriers and enterprises with confidence in the quality and security of their international connections."

Vecima to explore strategic alternatives

Vecima Networks Inc., which offers products for hybrid fiber/coax and wireless broadband applications, has hired Stifel Nicolaus & Co. as its financial advisor as it explores strategic alternatives that will boost its value to the company shareholders.

The company says that, despite what it asserts is a strong balance sheet, its current share price is lower than it should be. Potential moves that will be explored include partnerships, alternative strategic business models, a sale of assets, or other transactions.

"During this process, we will remain focused on managing our growth in revenue and profitability which is driven by our investment in research and development and introduction of new products," stated Dr. Surinder Kumar, chairman and CEO.

The company declined to predict how long this review will take. It also said it will not comment on the effort’s progress until it either ends or there is an action to announce.

Nagra, Samsung Team on Video Security

CHESEAUX, Switzerland -- SmarDTV and NAGRA, both Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S) companies and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, today announced that they have successfully combined CI Plus and HbbTV with DRM to enable video-on-demand for over-the-top (OTT) networks directly to iDTVs without the use of a STB. The system integrates the popular NAGRA Gravity User Interface running in HbbTV on Samsung 2012 TV models allowing NAGRA PRM protected content be streamed over IP to the TV using adaptive bitrate streaming and then descrambled by the CI Plus SmarCAM module from SmarDTV. The solution is fully compliant with CI Plus v1.3 and uses open standard interfaces including the Open IPTV forum (OIPF) DRM interface. “We believe that the addition of OTT IP based video-on-demand using DRM to our CI Plus SmarCAM portfolio is providing operators, service providers, and consumers with a real option for ensuring the security, renewability and interoperability of their OTT video services” said Conor Ryan, Vice President of Marketing at SmarDTV. “By adding DRM to the successful CI Plus specification we have the ideal solution for operators wishing to securely deploy VOD using IP networks. The use of a CAM for DRM allows the security provider to ensure maintenance and upgrades of the security system separately from the host device and provides an operator-controlled hardware based root of trust solution to the operator.” “Using CI Plus modules to secure OTT services with DRM enhances the value to consumers of Samsung connected TV sets” commented John Adam, Head of Business Development and Industrial Affairs at Samsung Electronic Research Institute (UK). “It allows the DRM solution providers the ability to customize their solutions independently from the TV host and it provides operators greater reach to products in the consumer home through use of the CI Plus industry standard.”