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Connect-World EMEA 2008     Magazine introduction The growth of data transmission, driven by a host of bandwidth intensive applications and video content, as well as the tendency to funnel more through fewer, converged, networks are, together, largely fuelling the growth of both fixed and wireless broadband networks. Next generation mobile networks also generate many times the traffic - and generally need more base stations - than today’s 2G networks. Although the access networks can handle the traffic, the traffic backhauled to the core network calls for more, substantially upgraded, links to cope with the river of data generated by next generation networks. How can we best manage the glut of data in a converged environment? What are the implications for the economy and for everyone involved in the data/Internet ecosystem - the policy makers, regulators, service providers, equipment manufacturers, marketers, e-businesses, security system providers, content and applications developers among others?     Theme: Convergence and data – pushing the limits of the network Articles Contributors Feature articles     Article no.: 1 Topic: Convergence - policy and regulation for Africa Author: Mrs Mary Uduma Title: Director, Licensing Organisation: Nigerian Communications Commission PDF size: 223KB   About author: Mary Uduma is the Director of Licensing at the Nigerian Communications Commission. Prior to her current post, she headed other departments of the authority including Corporate Planning and Research, Tariff & Charges, and Finance. Before joining the Commission, Ms Uduma worked with Deloitte and Touché a public accounting firm, for the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation, and at an investment bank, all in Nigeria. Ms Uduma is a member of the National Committee on the implementation of the outcome of WSIS, was a member of an interim Board of Trustee for the Organisation (NiRA) responsible for the country code domain name. Ms Uduma is now the Vice President of NiRA’s Management Committee Board. Mary Uduma coordinated the Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting 2005 for the ITU’s World Telecoms Development Conference. Ms Uduma, a trained and certificated teacher, worked with the Ministry of Education as a teacher and currently teaches the teenagers in the Sunday school of her church. Mary Uduma qualified as a Chartered Accountant and a holds B.Sc (Hons) in Accounting from the University of Lagos.   Article abstract: Africa needs to build up its telecommunications infrastructure, especially to handle international broadband connectivity and backhaul for mobile traffic. Since there is little legacy infrastructure in much of Africa, and mobile networks handle the bulk of both voice and data traffic, building the infrastructure to handle the growth of data based services is challenging local operators. Policy makers and regulatory agencies need to stimulate - including via tax incentives - the rollout of fibre networks for both international connectivity and backhaul.   buy     Article no.: 2 Topic: Networks - a way forward for Africa Author: Yvon Le Roux Title: Vice President, Africa Levant, Emerging Markets Organisation: Cisco Systems PDF size: 330KB   About author: Yvon Le Roux is Vice President of Cisco’s Africa Levant and Emerging Markets (emerging Africa countries, North Africa and the Levant, and South Africa). Mr Le Roux is responsible for the market and strategies to help these countries improve the lives of their citizens through better healthcare, education, public safety, national security, and economic development through the use of technology. Previously, Mr Le Roux was Vice President, Public Sector for Cisco’s European Markets. In addition, he has launched a number of research projects exploring the effects of IT on the public sector, such as Net Impact: From Connectivity to Productivity, and most recently, Shared Services in Government: Building a Platform for Better Public Services at Lower Cost, by A.T. Kearney. Mr Le Roux joined Cisco as Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa South. Prior to joining Cisco, he held a number of senior positions at IT companies, spanning several territories. Mr Le Roux’s career began at Sperry Computer Systems; he then moved from there to Matra Informatique as President.   Article abstract: A strong ICT infrastructure is one of the most important pre-requisites of social and economic growth in today’s world. The Global Information Technology Report and its NRI, Networked Readiness Index, make it possible to map the progress of ICT usage on the African continent compared to the rest of the world. These maps of the relevant indices make it easier to see what is needed to prepare the road maps, the targeted programmes that will drive the continent into the future.   buy     Article no.: 3 Topic: NGN voice migration Author: Dr Ing. Ziaedin Chahabadi Title: CEO Organisation: KEYMILE PDF size: 175KB   About author: Dr Ing. Ziaedin Chahabadi is the CEO of Keymile. Dr Chahabadi is also the Chairman and CEO of the Executive Board of Keymile International GmbH., Dr Chahabadi served previously as a member of the of the Quante group’s Executive Board. Prior to Quante, Dr Chahabadi was one of the founding members of Kommunikations-Elektronik GmbH, where he was the Head of the Technology section and Deputy Managing Director. Upon earning his doctorate, Dr Chahabadi joined Kabelmetal Electro GmbH in Hanover, a subsidiary of the Alcatel group, as Head of the Department of Transmission Technology. Dr Ing. Ziaedin Chahabadi earned his doctorate at the University of Hanover in high-frequency engineering.   Article abstract: IP networks lets operators provide a great many advanced services using a single network. This reduces both capital expenditures and operational expenditures since single, converged, IP networks’ architectures are much cheaper to run than the separate networks traditionally used for voice, data and video services. Operators with heavy investments in traditional networks can use IP-based Multi-Service Access Platforms to convert from traditional voice to VoIP and use IP-based Multi-Service Access Node (IP-MSAN) to integrate fixed line networks within an IP framework.   buy     Article no.: 4 Topic: Personal broadband - bridging the digital divide Author: Peter Allen Title: President and CEO Organisation: DragonWave Inc. PDF size: 239KB   About author: Peter Allen is the President and CEO of DragonWave Inc. Prior to joining DragonWave, Mr Allen was the Founder, President and CEO of Innovance Networks; he has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and business partnerships in North America, Europe and Japan. Mr Allen has also held executive positions with Optoelectronics and Nortel Networks’ Optical Networks division where he was responsible for the system and component businesses.   Article abstract: In much of the world, bringing broadband to the people means, first and foremost, building economically viable broadband networks. To be viable, the network architecture utilised is critically important. Wireless networks are generally cheaper and quicker to roll out, but the business model must contend with more than capital expense to work. Without careful network design, the higher cost of broadband backhaul will sink the best model. A workable business model brings more than profit; it brings economic and social development.   buy     Article no.: 5 Topic: Reaching where others cannot reach Author: Peter Gbedemah Title: CEO Organisation: Gateway Communications PDF size: 153KB   About author: Peter Gbedemah is the CEO of Gateway Communications; he has more than 20 years’ experience in the communications and technology markets, and a broad knowledge of Africa’s regulatory, economic and business environment. Mr Gbedemah has worked extensively in Africa in management, systems engineering and business development. Before establishing Gateway Communications, he held a number of senior executive roles with Citigroup, BT, BT North America and Net Source Communications. Peter Gbedemah earned a BSc. degree in Engineering from Birmingham University.   Article abstract: Satellites are a mainstay of mobile connectivity - including for Internet access - in Africa. Much of Africa’s population lives in often sparsely populated and geographically difficult to reach rural regions. Traditional wired or even wireless networks are prohibitively costly to rollout, operate and maintain, but satellite communications reach everywhere without the need to rollout a network. Although computers are too expensive for most Africans, mobile phone usage is growing rapidly and satellites can connect mobile users to the Internet.   buy     Article no.: 6 Topic: Satellites and development in Africa Author: Mark Gazit Title: President & CEO Organisation: SkyVision Global Networks PDF size: 151KB   About author: Mark Gazit is the President and CEO of SkyVision Global Networks a global telecom service provider. Prior to SkyVision, Mr Gazit held an Executive Position at deltathree, a global provider of VoIP and Web-based communication services to businesses and individuals. Previously, Mr Gazit was Executive Vice President for Technology & Infrastructure and Regulation at NetVision LTD, an Internet service and solutions provider in Israel. Before joining NetVision, Mr Gazit co-founded NetMedia International LTD, where he served as Vice President of Technology and Research & Development. Mr Gazit began his career in high-tech communications with WideCom Ltd. Mark Gazit also served in an engineering unit of the Israeli Air Force as a Senior Project Manager.   Article abstract: Much of Africa’s recent progress has been due to the availability of mobile telephones and broadband Internet access. Cellphone use has grown explosively throughout the continent and the Internet has grown at six times the rate in North America. Maintaining this growth calls for backhaul connectivity in regions where there is little fixed infrastructure due to the high cost of rolling out the networks. Satellites can provide the cost-effective, anywhere on the continent, connectivity that ISPs and mobile operators need.   buy     Article no.: 7 Topic: Femtocells - making the most of 3G networks Author: David Payette Title: President & CEO Organisation: NEC UK PDF size: 294KB   About author: David Payette is CEO and President for NEC UK, heading up the company’s business units, which include IT, fixed and mobile communications, security solutions and display technologies. Prior to joining NEC, Mr Payette was Marketing Director at Avaya, a provider of business communications applications and services. David Payette holds a bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies with Economics graduating from the University of Michigan; he is fluent in Japanese.   Article abstract: Mobile, 3G, broadband has been a long time coming, but now that it has started to grow rapidly, it threatens to overload the backhaul networks connecting users to the core network. Especially distressing to business users are 3G’s low signal levels inside of buildings, which cause reliability problems. Femtocells, small, low power, mobile access points provide localised 3G coverage and dedicated capacity while using the subscriber’s broadband connection for backhaul, thereby resolving both the backhaul capacity and indoor reliability issues.   buy     Article no.: 8 Topic: Fibre networks - buy or build? Author: Matthew Finnie Title: Chief Technology Officer Organisation: Interoute PDF size: 208KB   About author: Matthew Finnie, is the Chief Technology Officer at Interoute; he is responsible for the company’s advanced services strategy and product development. As head of the Enterprise Service Development Group at Vocaltec, Mr Finnie worked with European/US carriers and multi-national corporations to launch converged communication services. Mr Finnie was also the co-founder of US-based Internet start-up Insitu, which developed real-time IP collaboration tools. Mr Finnie has a BSc degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the University of Lancaster, and a marketing degree from South Bank University.   Article abstract: Europe is the world’s largest and fastest growing user of the Internet and broadband. Consumers downloading their own photos and videos to sites such as YouTube are driving growth. Internet service providers need more capacity, but the best way to guarantee their future needs is fibre, which is costly and risky to build. Wholesalers have little choice; install fibre or lose the market. Few service providers, however, will risk building fibre networks, so most will have to buy capacity from others.   buy     Article no.: 9 Topic: Next generation network management Author: Nedzad Residbegovic Title: General Manager Organisation: BH Telecom PDF size: 219KB   About author: Nedzad Residbegovic is the General Manager BH Telecom; BH operates fixed, GSM and ISP licences in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He served previously as the Executive Manager of BH’s mobile network operation. Prior to BH Telecom he was an Expert for relations with the Communication Regulatory Agency and the International Organization for Standardisation, and worked with the Council of Ministries of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding strategies for the informatization of the country. He had worked earlier as Acting General Manager of the Public Enterprise PTT Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mr Residbegovic holds a Bachelor Degree of Electrical Engineering from the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has a Diploma - Master of Science of Electrical Engineering from the Electrical and Computing Faculty, University of Zagreb, Croatia.   Article abstract: Telecom operators are facing the challenge of re-engineering the structure of their own systems. This is a concern for all operators. Nevertheless, middle-sized and smaller operators will face greater challenges, in part because of the complexity of problems they are facing to integrate both fixed and mobile networks and because they have less cash and fewer internal resources to manage the transition. IP networks simplify both the network and the systems needed to manage a flexible, cost efficient converged operation.   buy     Article no.: 10 Topic: Mobile broadband traffic jam Author: Lance Hiley Title: rVP Market Strategy Organisation: Cambridge Boadband Networks PDF size: 243KB   About author: Lance Hiley is Vice President of Market Strategy at Cambridge Broadband Networks where he is responsible for all outbound marketing, market and channel development and manages the corporate brand. Before joining Cambridge Broadband Networks, Mr Hiley worked for Anite Telecoms as Marketing Director and led its entry into the WiMAX protocol testing marketplace. Mr Hiley has worked for other wireless companies including Lucent Technologies Microelectronics, and Parthus plc. Lance Hiley holds a DEC Electrical Engineering degree from Dawson College in Montreal.   Article abstract: Operators hope that revenues from 3G and 4G data services will replace declining voice revenues. Backhaul, connecting mobile access networks to the core network, was never a major expense for mobile operators, but high data rate 3G and 4G networks multiply backhaul costs two to three times as much and reduce profitability. Wireless, microwave, backhaul promises to cut backhaul costs considerably. The adoptions of point-multipoint (PMP) wireless, which offers the greatest reductions, can reduce backhaul costs even more and help preserve operator profitability.   buy     Article no.: 11 Topic: Convergence of threats Author: Jamie de Guerre Title: Chief Technology Officer Organisation: Cloudmark PDF size: 219KB   About author: Jamie de Guerre is the Chief Technology Officer at Cloudmark; he is responsible for Cloudmark’s technical strategy, technology services, sales engineering and ISP support teams. Mr de Guerre started as a core member of Cloudmark’s design team. Mr de Guerre often speaks at industry events on email security, mobile technologies and future security threat vectors related to new types of messaging. Jamie de Guerre holds a Bachelor degree with honours in Computer Science from the University of Western Ontario.   Article abstract: Convergence is everywhere; the attackers that create viruses, phishing and other forms of malware attacks are even using it. Today’s threats target multiple mediums and take advantage of ‘holes’ in traditional medium-specific security solutions for mobile, email, Web and social networks. To combat this, service providers need security platforms that can work across multiple mediums and handle multiple converged attacks via email, mobile messaging and social networks. Service providers must deploy converged protection in parallel with new converged services.   buy     Article no.: 12 Topic: The great flat-rate debate Author: Louis Hall and Dominic Smith Title: CEO , Marketing Director Organisation: Cerillion Technologies PDF size: 222KB   About author: Louis Hall is the CEO of Cerillion Technologies. Mr Hall is a co-founder of Cerillion Technologies and led the management buyout of the original business from Logica PLC. Mr Hall has been in the telecoms BSS industry for the last 18 years and has held a variety of positions in management, sales, product management, design, development and business analysis. Prior to joining Cerillion Technologies, Mr Hall was the business unit manager for Logica’s in-house customer care and billing product line. Dominic Smith is the Marketing Director of Cerillion Technologies, a provider of carrier grade CRM & Billing, Interconnect and Mediation solutions for fixed, mobile, IP and convergent operators worldwide. He has twelve years’ experience in the customer care and billing industries, previously as Marketing Director at LHS and in a variety of roles in Schlumberger and Sema. Mr Smith has spoken on billing topics at various industry conferences. Dominic Smith holds a BSc (Hons) in Industrial Mathematics from Loughborough University, UK.   Article abstract: Competition has forced operators to offer flat-rate broadband service bundles. This has turned many services into commodities and squeezed profit margins at a time when the operators need cash to spend on beefing up their networks to handle the surge in broadband traffic. The services are complex and costly to offer, but all the customer sees is a price - the lower the better. Complex plans that include usage-based billing will help operator profitability, but make it harder to retain customers.   buy     Article no.: 13 Topic: Platform development Author: Norbert Hauser and Wolfgang Huether Title: Vice President Marketing EMEA, Business Development, Organisation: Kontron PDF size: 190KB   About author: Norbert Hauser is Kontron’s Vice President for Marketing in the EMEA region. Mr Hauser has held a variety of management positions in international sales and marketing at Kontron Modular Computers (formerly PEP Modular Computers) in Kaufbeuren. He began his career as a Marketing Engineer at HP in the EMEA region. Dipl. Ing. (FH) Norbert Hauser studied technical computer science at the University of Ulm in Germany. Wolfgang Huether heads Business Development at Kontron Modular Computers; he is responsible for telecom market business development in Europe and Japan. Prior to Kontron he worked as a Field Application Engineer for Central Europe at Force Computers in Neubiberg. He began his career at Lippert Automationstechnik in Mannheim where he worked in R&D as an engineer and as a sales engineer. Dipl. Ing. (BA) Wolfgang Hüther studied Electrical Engineering at the Berufsakademie Mannheim in Germany.   Article abstract: IPTV, video applications, and a wide variety of other bandwidth intensive uses, are driving operators to constantly upgrade their networks to meet the demand for bandwidth. Traditional proprietary network platforms are not only costly, they are difficult to implement and difficult to expand. There is a growing tendency to adopt the use of standardised equipment architectures, such as AdvancedTCA (Advanced Telecommunication Architecture), that make it possible to use standardised, off-the-shelf components to build and expand, as needed, their basic network platforms.   buy     Article no.: 14 Topic: Meeting the demand Author: Paolo Susnik Title: CEO Organisation: Tiscali International Network PDF size: 185KB   About author: Paolo Susnik is the CEO of Tiscali International Network BV, (TINet) a Tiscali subsidiary focused on delivering IP Transit and MPLS services to wholesale carriers and service providers worldwide. Prior to TINet, Mr Susnik worked directly with Tiscali founder Renato Soru on the start-up and development of Video OnLine in Prague, Czech Republic. Mr Susnik also worked for IBM at the Digital Audio Video Council - the International Committee for the standardisation of interactive television. Paolo Susnik earned a degree in Electrical Engineering.   Article abstract: The growth of Internet traffic driven by demand for bandwidth intensive applications and content is a worldwide trend. User generated video content is surpassing even business generated traffic. The number of users has also grown and the addresses available in the current version of the Internet, IPv4, will run out within two or three years. Although service providers are working to increase broadband quality and availability, little has been done so far to move to IPv6, the next generation Internet.   buy Confirmed authors (Order by article no.)   Mrs Mary Uduma Director, Licensing, Nigerian Communications Commission   Yvon Le Roux Vice President, Africa Levant, Emerging Markets , Cisco Systems   Dr Ing. Ziaedin Chahabadi CEO, KEYMILE   Peter Allen President and CEO, DragonWave Inc.   Peter Gbedemah CEO, Gateway Communications   Mark Gazit President & CEO, SkyVision Global Networks   David Payette President & CEO, NEC UK   Matthew Finnie Chief Technology Officer, Interoute   Nedzad Residbegovic General Manager, BH Telecom   Lance Hiley rVP Market Strategy, Cambridge Boadband Networks   Jamie de Guerre Chief Technology Officer, Cloudmark   Louis Hall and Dominic Smith CEO , Marketing Director, Cerillion Technologies   Norbert Hauser and Wolfgang Huether Vice President Marketing EMEA, Business Development,, Kontron   Paolo Susnik CEO, Tiscali International Network