Brocade aims to improve network visibility

Brocade has launched a new series of data center switches let organizations embed network visibility on every router and switch. Brocade said the feature allows organizations to achieve pervasive visibility throughout the network to quickly identify problems, accelerate mean-time-to-remediation and improve overall service levels. New automation suite also provide automated network provisioning, validation, troubleshooting and …

IMDA to ban 2G-only device sales from Jan 1

Singapore’s Infocomm and Media development Authority (IMDA) has announced it will ban the sale of 2G-only mobile devices from January 1. After this time, retailers and equipment suppliers will not be allowed to sell 2G handsets for use in Singapore, the regulator said. Suppliers with a dealer’s individual license will be able to continue selling …

Philippines Senate plans major telco sector reform

A Philippines Senate committee plans next year to draw up legislation that would reform the nation’s telecommunications industry. The Senate committee on economic affairs is considering reforms including granting more powers to regulator the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Rappler reported. Another proposed change involves removing the 40% owner restriction on overseas investments in telecommunications ventures …

Ciena reports steady growth for fiscal Q4

Ciena reported its fiscal fourth quarter earnings this morning, offering its usual extra month of insight into the state of the market. Revenues of $716.2 million were in the right range, and were up 3.5% over the same period last year. The company saw steady improvement in its packet and converged packet-optical equipment revenues, a …

Holiday price cuts boost smart home product sales

In the run-up to Christmas season, several vendors in the smart home market took advantage of the US Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping frenzy to promote their products with price reductions and exclusive deals. This initiative to boost sales has helped the smart home industry to consolidate and gain ground in the mass market, …

Starbucks, Tencent debut social gifting on WeChat

Starbucks Coffee Company and Tencent Holdings have entered an alliance to co-create a new social gifting feature on WeChat. The new service, which will be rolled out early next year, will make it easy for Starbucks China customers to gift items to a friend or a family member. Customers will be able to select from …