Globalcomm: Agere targets service providers

CHICAGO--Agere Systems, spun off from Lucent Technologies in 2002 to focus on the network subsystem, integrated circuits and enterprise computing components that carrier-focused Lucent wasn’t targeting, showed up at Globalcomm 2006 this week ready to grab the attention of carriers.

The company announced its new TrueONE portfolio, which includes Agere’s PayloadPlus network processors, but also new Gigabit Ethernet switching chip solutions that allow switching of triple-play services, such as high-definition IPTV, over Ethernet in the home. The solutions can be implemented in residential or business broadband gateways and other wireline or wireless access platforms. Mark Wilson, director of networking applications at Agere Systems, said the vendor is supplying Ericsson with its APP300 processors for Ericsson’s new VDSL2 platform, also announced at Globalcomm as part of Ericsson’s new IPTV push.

Agere continues to work with network equipment partners such as Ericsson and NEC, but Wilson said, “For us, TrueONE is all about communicating with the service providers. You don’t see semiconductor companies communicating with carriers everyday, but we feel we have the solutions to help carriers take control of IPTV management inside of the home.”

Wilson said the TrueONE platforms will help carriers to consistently meet low latency requirements for IP-based voice and video, allow flexibility to send larger-size packets more reliably, and reduce the need for truck rolls to end user locations.

“Network management can be the competitive edge for carriers delivering IPTV services,” he said.