The severe economic recession and maturity of the Japanese telecom market have compelled Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. (NTT) to look at other geographies. Industry sources say the company has started negotiations with Patni Computer Systems, the sixth largest software services exporter of India , to acquire 66% stake in the latter. Entry into India will unlock the $60 billion IT and ITES (IT enabled services) market to Nippon. In the last reported quarter, Patni generated approximately $166.75 million in revenue and around $33.7 million of net profit.  Nippon, the largest telecom operator in Japan is facing strong competition in the Japanese wireless market and from the potential impact of low-cost, fixed-line services, such as “voice-over-Internet protocol" (VoIP). In order to maintain its leadership position, the company has taken various measures in the domestic telecom market and also decided to capture selected international opportunities to drive long-term ...

Newport Digital Technologies Inc. has positioned itself to profit from a number of high-growth technologies, including RFID and Wi-Fi. But none has more immediate potential than Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), a set of technologies that allow people to use the Internet like a phone network.

Besides greatly reducing basic voice communication costs, VoIP systems also make common features, such as call-forwarding, conference calling, and automatic redial, easier to implement and less expensive. In addition, it opens the door for more advanced features, such as the use of Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol, video calling, and even web browsing.

There are three methods of connecting to a VoIP network:

1) Using a VoIP telephone 2) Using a normal telephone with a VoIP adapter 3) Using a computer with speakers and a microphone

NDT focuses on the first method, VoIP telephones, and provides various solutions, from consumer-oriented Skype phones

...

Omnicity Corp., known for bringing wireless broadband services to rural America, is on top of one of the biggest waves in telecommunications, the rapid expansion of broadband services outside of the traditional urban and suburban base areas.

It goes without saying that the communications industry is the nervous system of today’s economy, generating global annual revenues of nearly $2 trillion. North America remains the largest telecommunications market, with revenues of over $½ trillion. Much of this, of course, is due to the continued growth of the Internet. Worldwide, there are now nearly 1½ billion Internet users. Data-intensive Internet applications such as Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) and video are key drivers in the telecommunication industry’s growth, providing increased demand for high-speed broadband capabilities.

The number of broadband connections is increasing rapidly as vendors and consumers require the ability to share large files, download

...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 12, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Southern Copper Corporation (PCU), Logitech International (LOGI), Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV (PHG).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Southern Copper’s Earnings Jump

Southern Copper Corporation (PCU), one of the leading copper producers in the world, posted net earnings of 37 cents in the third quarter of 2009, better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 31 cents. Earnings jumped 78.6% from 21

...

Logitech International (LOGI) announced that it has agreed to acquire privately held LifeSize Communications of Austin, Texas for $405 million in cash. LifeSize is a global leader in high definition (HD) video communication solutions, with more than 9,000 video conferencing customers across 80 countries in large enterprises, small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) and public healthcare, education and government organizations.   The acquisition will enable Logitech to extend its leadership in video communication beyond the desktop.

Logitech and LifeSize plan to pursue existing and new relationships with unified communications, collaboration and VoIP industry partners and competitors to drive the development of an open eco-system for interoperable video communication.

LifeSize expects approximately $90 million in revenues in CY 2009, with CY 2010 revenues expected to grow between 40% and 60%. Logitech expects the acquisition to be neutral to slightly positive to its operating income (excluding acquisition-related charges) in FY 2011, ending March 31, 2011, and

...

CenturyLink (CTL), formerly CenturyTel Inc, announced third-quarter 2009 results with adjusted (excluding non-recurring items or non-GAAP) earnings per share of 90 cents beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 81 cents. Non-recurring items includes integration costs associated with the Embarq acquisition (completed on Jul 1, 2009).  Adjusted net income surged to $269.1 million from $82.8 million registered in the year-ago quarter, driven by the contributions from Embarq. Reported net income (GAAP) of $280.8 million or 94 cents per share, reflects an increase from $84.7 million or 83 cents per share registered a year ago.  Revenue: The company reported operating revenue of $1.87 billion, a significant increase compared to $650 million reported a year ago, fuelled by the Embarq acquisition which contributed $1.3 billion in the quarter. Revenues for voice, network access and data services increased compared to the year-ago quarter.  Subscriber Total access lines at the ...

South Korea’s largest fixed-line carrier, KT Corp. (KTC), announced third quarter results with reported net income increasing 80% year over year to KRW351.4 billion (US$285 million) or KRW1,497 per share (70 cents per ADS). The annualized growth was driven by gains from wireless and a stronger Korean won versus the US dollar, which helped reduce the cost for foreign currency debt.   Revenues for the quarter increased 3.9% year over year to KRW4.82 triillion (US$1.97 billion), driven by growth in wireless data and subscriber base. However, operating profit declined 11.7% year over year to KRW413.1 billion (US$335 million) due to increase in depreciation and amortisation costs and higher marketing expenses resulting from intense competiion.   KT is battling with its Korean peers SK Telecom (SKM) and LG Dacom to win new customers in a highly matured domestic wireless market, represented by approximately 96% mobile penetration.   ...

Cincinnati Bell (CBB) announced third quarter results with adjusted earnings per share of 11 cents, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. However, this was above the year-ago EPS of 10 cents.   Adjusted EPS excludes special items such as restructuring charges, loss on disposal of assets and gain on extinguishment of debt. Net income increased 4% year over year to $28 million while revenue fell 3% from the prior-year quarter to $338 million as a result of the declines across wireline and wireless segments.   Wireline Segment   The company reported wireline revenues of $191 million down 5% from the year-ago quarter. Lower voice revenues (down 14% year over year to $83 million) and long-distance revenues (down 3% to $24 million) were partially offset by an increase in revenues from data services (up 2% to $70 million).   At the end of the quarter, ...

Frontier Communications (FTR) announced third quarter results with adjusted (excluding acquisition and integration costs) earnings per share of 18 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 16 cents. Net income increased 11% year over year to $52.2 million, primarily due to gain on debt repurchases and higher operating income that increased 5% year over year to $172.5 million.   Revenues Remains under Pressure    The company reported revenues of $526.8 million, reflecting a 6% decrease over the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year decline is attributable to lower local, long-distance and switched access revenues coupled with decline in basic access lines. However, this was partially offset by increases in data and Internet service revenues.   Revenues for local services declined 8% year over year to $193.6 million while data and Internet services revenue increased 4% to $160 million. Switched access service revenues declined 8% year over year to $91.2 million

...

Viper Networks, Inc. is focused on providing VoIP products and services through distributors and resellers around the world. Serving over 350 countries and regions, the company offers both network services and equipment to its customers. Viper Networks provides high quality and cost effective VoIP solutions for domestic and international long distance consumers in both the consumer and business markets.

Secure global communications is growing in demand. Although distance is not an obstacle, communications cost are. Both individuals and enterprises are continually required to place more and more international calls to get in touch with their friends, relatives, business associates, and clients. Viper Networks offers the solution for simple, low-cost one-to-one conversation.

As more and more businesses go global, it’s not uncommon to have company-wide conference calls that connect people in different parts of the world. Low rates, reliable, high quality connection are the three factors that fuel the efficiency of the

...