9:30 AM -- BERLIN -- Carrier Ethernet World Congress -- When one of the speakers due here in Berlin didn't show, we wondered why.

Umesh Kukreja, one of the best known names in the carrier Ethernet fraternity and the long time director of product marketing at Atrica, before he became head of marketing for IP Transport at Nokia Networks following Atrica's acquisition, was due to speak on the demand for Ethernet services from enterprise customers here in Berlin. (See Atrica Finds Its Lightpath and Metro Ethernet Stirs Debate.)

But he wasn't here because, Light Reading believes, he has just left Nokia Siemens and joined NSN rival Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) as a member of the marketing team at Basil Alwan's IP division.

This looks like a coup for AlcaLu and a loss for Nokia Siemens as both companies battle to win carrier Ethernet deals from fixed and mobile operators. (See AlcaLu Plugs Its Backhaul Hole and NSN Touts Backhaul.)

— Ray Le Maistre, International News Editor, Light Reading