Leding Edge Telecom Solutions
Israel’s telecom sector has emerged as world leaders in developing innovative technologies, systems and solutions for telecom providers and integrators in an age when operators seek systems that can enhance the convergence process – their ability to provide fixed line, mobile, Internet and cable TV packages.
Among the veteran and larger Israeli players in this sector are ECI Telecom, which over 45 years has pioneered key technologies including voice comprehension, SDH, DSL, and the establishment of global networks. Today ECI is focused on specific sectors such as broadband access, optical networking and Next Generation Networks (Voice over IP solutions), where its technology makes a difference.
ECI’s solutions include triple play IPTV, mobile solutions including easy migration from TDM to 2G, 2.5G, 3G and 4G (end-to-end and IP). ECI also provides Converged Business Solutions based on the flexibility of the ST-series in combination with the XDM platform’s optical and transmission capabilities working together as a service edge router to provide seamlessly integrated services including video conferencing, multi-media messaging, IP telephony and collaboration software.
Subsidiaries include Veraz Networks, which grew out of ECI’s renowned DCME core competence and is a leading global provider of soft-switch based, toll-quality packet telephony solutions for traditional and Next Generation communications networks.
Motorola Israel, a subsidiary of Motorola Inc., has also been active in Israel for more than 40 years. The company is a 3G cellular technology leader and also develops and manufactures mobile data systems, command and control equipment, paging systems, automobile electronic systems, high-tech communications products, two way radio networks, government and military electronics and information systems.
Other major players in Israel’s telecom sector include Comverse Technologies, the leading provider of software and systems that enable multimedia value added services in wireless and wireline networks and Telrad Networks who provide optical networks and network solutions and has expertise in developing products in the areas of IP NGN, gateways, optical, metro, enterprise, wireless, and switching. Amdocs has developed innovative billing and CRM software solutions, while NICE Systems is a global provider of advanced solutions that help organizations extract meaningful insight from interactions. Ness Technologies provides IT services for the telecom sector and Orckit Communications is a leader in DSL, advanced high-speed digital modems.
Gilat Satellite Networks delivers data, Internet, voice and video via satellite. NDS is a leading supplier of open end-to-end digital pay-TV solutions for the secure delivery of entertainment and information to television set-top boxes and IP devices.
A relatively new player on the global telecom stage is Alvarion. Established in 1992, Alvarion is a worldwide leader in wireless broadband providing systems, to carriers, ISPs and private network operators, and in full GSM and CDMA specialized network solutions and cost efficient cellular mobile network extensions. With 2 million units deployed in 130 countries, the company is driving the broadband wireless market to the widespread adoption of standards-based, fixed and mobile solutions. VocalTec has pioneered VoIP technology, while Saifun Semiconductors has developed unique flash memory products.
Rad Data Communications is a leading manufacturer of network access equipment for data communications and telecommunications applications. The Rad Group includes Radware, which has developed Intelligent Application Switching solutions.
The Mer Group offers advanced turnkey solutions across the entire range of wireless, broadband and CC&B systems, while Metalink is a global provider and developer of high performance wireline and wireless broadband communication silicon solutions for telecommunication, networking and home broadband equipment makers. AudioCodes enables new voice infrastructure by providing innovative, reliable and cost-effective technology, products and system solutions and BATM excels in the design and manufacture of innovative high performance communications equipment with leading edge technologies that include fiber optic networking, multi-service transport, access solutions and integrated IP voice, video and data services. BATM also develops an extensive line of all layer routing IP switches and mixes.
TTI Telecom provides advanced, integrated Operations Support Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS) for telecom service providers and VCON Communications develops and manufactures networked video over IP solutions. Dekolink Wireless develops and manufactures repeaters and cell extenders while Orbit develops, markets and supports sophisticated automated microwave test and measurement systems. CableMatrix is a leading provider of advanced, policy management software platforms and tools and Extricom develops high performance 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN (WLAN) technologies for the enterprise market. SerVision is a manufacturer and developer of advanced and fully integrated video monitoring systems using highly sophisticated video processing with state-of-the-art cellular / wireless analog communication.
In the coming years Israeli high-tech can continue leveraging its competitive advantages in such areas as mobile and Internet applications, home networking, storage area networks, and wireless IP networking. In some sub-sectors such as transcoding, Israel has virtually 100% of the global market through three firms Emblaze Systems, MobiCell Networks and Philips MP4Net. Runcom Technologies develops superior technological standards and products that target the emerging Beyond 3G market, enabling the delivery of enhanced communications services to cellular phones and other mobile devices.
Philips is only one of dozens of major overseas corporations who have invested in Israeli telecom. Cisco Systems alone has acquired eight Israeli start-up companies for $945 million including three technology firms during 2004 for $340 million – P-Cube, Actona Technologies and Riverhead Networks.
The acquisition of Mirabilis by AOL for $407 million in 1998, after it had developed the then unique ICQ messenger, which created peer-to-peer architecture with a central server that provides users with other users’ Internet addresses, was a deal which inspired the country’s young generation of high tech entrepreneurs. Subsequent deals seemed to get larger and larger. Intel bought DSPC, which was developing chips for mobile phones for $1.6 billion, and then Marvell Technologies acquired Galileo Technologies, which develops advanced communications systems on silicon for $2.7 billion. And then the biggest deal of all came in 2000 when Lucent purchased Chromatis, which was developing optical networking technologies, for $4.8 billion.
Recent acquisitions include the purchase of Lipman, which develops, manufactures and markets electronic payment system, by VeriFone for $900 million, while Passave Technologies, a fabless system-on-chip company, developing core technology for broadband fiber access systems, which was recently sold to PMC Sierra for $300 million. M-Systems, which developed the revolutionary disk-on-key was acquired by Sandisk for $1.5 billion.
Israeli telecom firms also attract billions of dollars more in investments through IPOs, private placements and VC funds. Companies traded on overseas markets include Comverse, ECI (and Ectel), NDS, NICE Systems, Gilat, Alvarion, Radware, T.T.I., AudioCodes, BATM, VocalTec, Metalink, Electronics Line and VCON Communications. BigBand Networks, a leading provider of platforms for broadband multimedia services, which has announced a $350-$400 million IPO on NASDAQ.
Successful private placements have been achieved by Chiaro Networks, which has developed the Enstara™ router, the world’s first IP/MPLS Platform and Atrica, which provides carrier-class Optical Ethernet Systems. Other large private placements have involved: Actelis Networks, which has developed broadband-over-copper platforms; CeLight, which delivers a unique digital platform for coherent optical signal synthesis; XACCT Technologies, a provider of business infrastructure software solutions for IP networks; Lynx Photonic Networks provides photonic Protection Switches, OADM Reconfigurability Upgrades, and Optical Test Access Systems; WitCom Technologies offers LAN to LAN wireless bridge solutions.
Promising new technologies include: Allot Communications, which provides traffic management solutions; RFWaves, a fabless, wireless IC design house owned by Vishay Electronics; Celletra which has developed enhanced wireless coverage solutions for cellular networks; Provigent, formerly Turbotech, has developed System On Chip (SoC) products for the broadband wireless transmission industry; Millimetrix Broadband Networks delivers innovative broadband technology and carrier class systems. Cellmax Systems is pioneering a range of voice biometrics products.
Wintegra is a fabless semiconductor company that enables communications infrastructure equipment providers to migrate their product lines towards the next generation of access networks with a family of single chip solutions; CyOptics designs, develops and manufactures Active Components for Optical fiber networks, which provide broadband metro end access communications solutions; Cablematrix Technologies is a broadband software solutions company mainly for the cable industry, specifically focused on real time bandwidth management and providing DQoS (dynamic quality of service) for PacketCable Multimedia; Red Bend Software develops advanced technology for updating & installing complex software, enabling companies to deliver software over-the-air (OTA) or online; and IXI Mobile develops software for new mobile devices. Giant Steps provides cellular expertise including handset firmware and middleware development, cellular protocols, handset client applications, NMS integrations and Mobile security.
Among other most promising start-ups are Mango DSP, a leading manufacturer of multiprocessing video and imaging solutions, while Scopus Network Technologies provides intelligent video networks and ITRAN Communications develops no new wires modem chips for home networking and device control. SigValue Technologies provides next generation network-based convergent solutions, which leverage existing network infrastructure and TeraSync has developed T&S modules for broadband core network products. RIT Technologies pioneers intelligent physical layer solutions for the enterprise and carrier markets and Telematics Wireless develops wireless communication systems for short range two way messaging. Axerra Networks, the pseudo-wire company, provides circuit emulation and service emulation solutions over packet access networks, and Terayon Communications provides broadband systems for the delivery of broadband high-speed voice, data and video services over cable TV networks.
Teldor Wires and Cables designs and manufactures high quality LAN cables which conform to the latest international standards, while superior cables produces the finest quality copper and fiber optic cables. ISTELCOM provides a comprehensive range of transmission products, edge accesses, last mile wire line and wireless connectivity, subscriber networks, network monitoring systems, fraud control systems, voice over IP, computerized billing systems and message handling systems. Superior Cables manufactures products covering the entire range of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wires and cables for telecommunication, power and electronics. Israeli Industrial Batteries supplies the most advanced batteries to telecom operators, while Amit Industries, using the brand name Amicell produces over 1250 types of standard and custom battery packs in a wide range of technical formats such as NiCd, NiMH, Lithium, Lead Acid, and Alkaline, as well as various charging systems. Gamatronic Electronic Industries designs, develops and markets a range of power electronics products and solutions.
Hypermedia Systems provides professional Gateways, total connectivity and cost reduction by providing tailor made solutions for smb, enterprises, alternative carrier, calls termination and origination providers, while Voipli Community Connection Ltd is a developer and service provider of VoIP, VPN and advanced telephony technologies. M.P.A. Microstrip Planar Antennas designs and develops antennas for applications including WiMax, LMDS, BWA, DBS, PGC and more.
In the area of optical networks, Broadlight provides integrated component solutions for ITU-T passive optical networks (PONs and is driving the rapid deployment of fiber-based, high-speed broadband technologies for voice, data and video services. PacketLight Networks provides optical transport and access systems for storage and data, while Foxcom provides complete RF-2 fiber optic solutions for satellite and video distribution applications. RiT Technologies leverages its unique technology for the physical layer of communications networks to improve network performance and maximize the return on physical layer and AccuBeat designs, develops, and manufactures frequency and time synchronization products based on Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standards and GPS receivers. Imperative Networks develops and markets revolutionary, high-performance SAN technology for plug and play affordable fiber channel switch.
In home networking Redux Communications has developed a single-chip, generic and programmable content-aware traffic processor, while OnePath Networks is a provider of broadband optical access equipment and CopperGate has developed chipsets for communications gear targeted at PCs and PC peripherals. Commil delivers wireless communication infrastructure for Bluetooth wireless technology and Vbox has developed Professional PCI Card and Routers for Reception of Data in DVB-T Networks. Baran Raviv provides fast rollout turnkey packages and full EPCM services for the deployment of network infrastructures and other telecom related projects. StoreAge Networking Technologies is the leading provider of split-path storage management solutions. StoreAge network-based solutions provide a uniform, SAN-wide method for provisioning storage, ensuring business continuity, enabling cost-effective disaster recovery, and centrally managing cross-platforms, multi-vendor storage environments.
In the software sector T-Soft provides operational support systems, while Netbricks has validated solutions in software for the new emerging technologies in VoDSL, Voice Gateway, Next generation networks (NGN), Signal processing for modem and voice and Amodat Technologies is a software developer of mobile platforms and applications. cVidya Networks provides revenue assurance and profit maximization systems. Tescom provides Software Quality Assurance, Audit and Control and test solutions for businesses to ensure optimal performance.
Smart Link develops dial-up, broadband and fax soft modem solutions for the client side of the communications connections found in PCs, set-top boxes, multi-function printers, ADSL modems and other consumer products, while GMA communications designs interactive voice response applications and Voice Mail/ Auto Attendant Systems. Leadcom Integrated Solutions provides solutions for wireless and telecom networks, transmission and connectivity, value added platforms, civil infrastructure and enterprise solutions. Shiron Satellite Communications’ innovative solutions are ideally suited for the growing interactive multimedia broadband satellite market. The company’s InterSKY™ satellite communications system, economically delivers reliable high-quality broadband satellite services to the remotest locations. SURF Communication Solutions develops a suite of hardware and software products that drives a wide variety of applications whose common goal is high-capacity distribution of voice and video.
Israeli telecom companies are world leaders in such areas as telemedicine and distance learning. All these diverse and innovative telecom technologies have one important attribute in common – the Israeli brand of entrepreneurship, which has been highly successful in transforming ideas into marketable products.