Nokia Siemens Networks

Nokia Siemens Networks Israel is the subsidiary company of Nokia Siemens Networks OY. This new company, owned by Nokia and Siemens, holds a top three position in the industry (based on 2006 pro-forma revenues of EUR 17.1 billion) and is ideally positioned to tap growth opportunities in both the wireless and fixed communications markets. Nokia Siemens Networks has approximately 600 customers and operates in about 150 countries, combining deep local presence and know-how with the global reach and international support of an industry leader. Nokia Siemens Networks has five product business units Radio Access, Broadband Access, Service Core and Applications, IP/Transport, and Operations Support Systems - that provide a full range of products and applications for fixed, mobile and converged networks. Additionally, NSN addresses the growing demand for services through its Services Business Unit, which has some 20,000 professionals worldwide. The Research, Technology and Platforms (RTP) group is Nokia Siemens Networks' research center and engine of innovations. Its main tasks are to develop the company's network vision, architecture design, platform strategy and company-wide IPR strategy. With approximately 3,000 employees, RTP is present in all the technology hotspots of the world. Major sites are in Munich, Helsinki, Beijing, Israel and the Silicon Valley.

Nokia Siemens Networks Technologies will play a key role in the ETNA project as a project coordinator and technical leader. As a leading world Network equipment vendor, NSN has huge experience and knowledge in network architectures, network service implementations, equipment development and integrations. NSN will lead 3 work packages, including the definition of Network and Service architectures, Node integration and Dissemination and exploitation.


BT

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; higher-value broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale. In the year ended 31 March 2007, BT Group plc’s revenue was £20,223 million with profit before taxation of £2,484 million. British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

Role in the project BT will play a key role in the ETNA project. As a leading European Service Provider, BT is uniquely positioned to understand the demands and requirements of the emerging Ethernet Transport network. BT will lead 2 of the ETNA work packages, including the definition of the Network Requirements as well as the Proof of Concept demonstrator, which aims to bring together the key technology components into a coherent end-to-end demonstration of new networking concepts.


Ethos Networks

Ethos is a technology leader in the connection oriented metro Ethernet, developing the industry leading Metro transport system comprises Layer 2 switches and a network management system. Ethos system creates a congestion free metro packet network coupled with employing Ethernet as a single transport technology. This results in unprecedented service provider benefits:

  • Service providers can virtually fully utilize their packet networks, delivering at least three times more VOD, IPTV and other CIR oriented services then using existing systems.
  • Guarantying any QoS scheme including multipoint topologies.
  • Introduce "Controlled EIR" a new type of service proposition additional to CIR and EIR services, guaranteeing fairness and precedence to available EIR resources.
  • Thanks to a congestion free Metro, no complex packet possessing is required in the Core, enabling providers to deploy fast and simple Core devices such as Ethernet switches or SDH/SONET ADMs.


Role in the project: Ethos will participate in the definition of Network Requirements; contribute to Network and Service architecture; take part in the Proof-of-Concept, Field-Testing, Dissemination and exploitation of results.


Ben Gurion University of the Negev

Ben-Gurion University (BGU) is a major center for teaching and research in Israel, with over 17,000 students enrolled in the faculties of Engineering Sciences, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, the School of Management, The Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research and the Kreitman School of Advanced Graduate Studies. The Department of Communication Systems Engineering has many research and teaching laboratories. Those laboratories that belong to the data and telecommunication networks track (one of three major teaching and researching tracks) are:

  • Communication Networks laboratory: communication protocols at the data link and network layers, programming at the application layer, advanced IP routing, Firewalls, frame relay and ATM networks. VoIP and IPTV are topics that are covered with the Multimedia Communications Laboratory.
  • High Speed Networks Laboratory: gigabit Ethernet and IP networks, MPLS protocol, routing and quality of service in high speed networks.
  • Network Processors Laboratory: gigabit networks, packet processing and equipment design using NPs.
    • Most faculties conduct research with worldwide leading corporations in the industry, such as Motorola and Intel, and Israeli communications companies, such as EZchip, a leading network processor company. Most faculties also take part in the framework of consortiums, including NMS, LSRT, STRIMM and 3G Communication.


Role in the project: BGU will participate in defining the requirements and architecting the network, writing the simulations and prototyping the network nodes.


Helsinki University of Technology, Networking Laboratory

The Helsinki University of Technology, TKK was founded in 1849 and it received university status in 1908. Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) is the largest, oldest and most diversified university of technology and architecture in Finland. TKK internal structure was reorganized at the beginning of 2008. Currently, it has four Faculties consisting of some 25 Departments with 250 professors and 15,000 under- and postgraduate students. In 2004, TKK produced 961 M.Sc.(Tech.) degrees and 130 doctorates. The Department of Communications and Networking (ComNet) was formed at the beginning of 2008 and includes the former Networking laboratory that was founded in 1940. ComNet gives the highest level teaching in communications technology and theory, in networking technology, traffic theory and network business. ComNet produces 70-80 M.Sc.(Tech.) and half a douzen doctorates annually. The research in the network technology area is focused on autonomic networks, network measurements, traffic engineering, future network architectures in particular the Future Internet, application frameworks and mobile operator business and its regulation.

Role in the project The role of the TKK Networking Laboratory in ETNA will be to define, design and implement functions required to support identity/address registration mechanisms and to derive a mobility support model by using these functions.


Ernst & Young Israel

Ernst & Young is a global organization offering a broad array of professional services from traditional audit and tax services through to transaction advisory services, human capital management and Incentives Advisory services (GIA). Globally, Ernst and Young offices employ over 103,000 people in more than 140 countries. Ernst & Young Israel is the largest audit and tax service provider in Israel. The Global Incentives Advisor practice (GIA) manifests a commitment to knowledge - sharing between the different GIA teams in the individual countries. Ernst and Young GIA Israel has extensive experience with a broad array of incentive programs, including investment, research and development, tax, training and environmental incentives, provided by entities ranging from local and national governments to the European Commission. Specifically, Ernst & Young Israel has been extensively involved with European Framework projects from initial conception to final completion.

Role in the project: Ernst & Young Israel will lead ETNA administrative management activities. The management activities will include coordination and administrative tasks including:

  • Consolidation of contribution from all partners for the internal and periodic management reporting of the project.
  • Implementation and maintenance of the project intranet/website.
  • Organization of the project workshops and meetings.
  • Documentation of the project meeting minutes, organization of the governing bodies meetings. Communications between the partners to be ensured at all levels.
  • Coordination of the preparation of dissemination materials (flyers, project factsheets, leaflets...), and maintenance of the project public website.