CISCO AND PARTNERS PUSH FOR RF WIRELESS INTERNET STANDARDS
Cisco Systems and ten other technology companies formed a wireless standards coalition to standardize a Media Access
Control (MAC) and a Vector Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (VOFDM) Physical Layer specification for broadband
wireless services. The wireless solutions will use new radio frequency (RF) technologies powered by ASICs and DSPs. The
companies expect VOFDM technology will lower the cost of provisioning a wireless network while increasing the overall
subscriber coverage for high-speed, high-reliability Internet, Frame Relay access, packet local and long distance business
telephony services and VPNs. VOFDM will provide line-of-sight links even with ground and vegetation clutter. Members of the
coalition include Bechtel Telecommunications, Broadcom, EDS, KPMG, LCC International, Motorola, Pace Micro Technology,
Samsung, Texas Instruments and Toshiba. http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/146/october99/26.html
Cisco Systems, October 26, 1999
Earlier this year, the FCC approved a request by Clarity Wireless (Cisco Systems) for the regular use of Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiplexing Modulation ("OFDM") at stations operating in the Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) and the
Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) bands. OFDM is generated by the creation of multiple signals (carriers) within
an authorized MDS or ITFS channel. Each of the signals is modulated using a form of
QAM, e.g. QPSK, 16-QAM or 64-QAM.
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Orders/1999/da990554.txt
Cisco Systems acquired Clarity Wireless, a developer of microwave
technology for last mile access, for $157 million in stock in September 1998.
MMC NETWORKS AND
PMC-SIERRA COLLABORATE ON OPTICAL NETWORKING
MMC Networks will couple its packet processors to PMC-Sierra's family of SONET/SDH physical layer components, creating
integrated solutions for optical infrastructure. MMC Networks plans to develop multi-port channelized solutions with refined
POS and ATM interfaces for next-generation Internet access switches, routers and access multiplexers.
http://www.mmcnet.com/Company/pr_corp_102699.htm
MMC Networks, October 26, 1999
CISCO ACQUIRE TASMANIA NETWORK SYSTEMS FOR CACHING TECHNOLOGY
Cisco Systems will acquire Tasmania Network Systems, a start-up developing network caching software for $25 million in stock.
Cisco said the Tasmania technologies would be integrated into Cisco's current Cache Engine 500 series products. Tasmania was
founded in 1999 and has 16 employees. The company is based in San Jose, California.
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/146/october99/23.html
Cisco Systems, October 26, 1999
IXC AND CONXION ANNOUNCE THE FIRST IP NETWORK BACKUP AGREEMENT
IXC Communications and Conxion will provide each other with full IP network backup over the entire route structure of each
company's network. The companies will implement a fully redundant, diverse network interconnect system that includes
different fibers and switches along completely separate rights of way. http://www.conxion.com/
IXC Communications, October 26, 1999
Conxion, which provides high-volume, consumer software download services for Microsoft and other large customers, has developed
an OC-192 backbone linking its nationwide data centers using a Packet over SONET (PoS) mesh architecture. Conxion's network
uses Cisco Systems' 12000 gigabit switch routers (GSRs) with multiple OC-3, OC-12 and OC-48 interfaces. In April, Conxion
selected Williams to provide OC-192 long-haul capacity within the US. Conxion's primary data centers are located in Herndon (VA),
Chicago, Seattle and Silicon Valley. New facilities are planned for ten additional cities in the US.
IXC Communications is an interexchange carrier with its own coast-to-coast fiber network. IXC currently has 13,800 fiber
route miles in operation using Nortel Networks' SONET transport infrastructure with OC-192 capacity. IXC's Gemini2000 backbone
uses Cisco 12000 GSRs with packet-over-SONET interfaces in a meshed core. ATM and Frame Relay are supported at the edge as
aggregation technologies. In July, Cincinnati Bell announced plans to acquire IXC Communications.
PAIX TO EXPAND ITS INTERNET PEERING NATIONWIDE, MOVES TO GIG
ETHERNET FABRIC
PAIX, the original Palo Alto Internet Exchange operated by Digital Equipment Corporation and which was recently acquired by
AboveNet/Metromedia Fiber Network, will open similar public ISP peering facilities in Tyson's Corner (VA), Atlanta, Dallas, Los
Angeles and New York City. PAIX will also open a second Palo Alto facility with four times the capacity of its flagship
center, which is fully occupied and has a waiting list. Dark fiber will connect the two Palo Alto facilities. The new
facilities will use Gigabit Ethernet as their public switching fabric. Private peering among ISPs is also supported. PAIX said
it would maintain its commitment to neutral business policies, quality, stable infrastructure and pro-active facility
management. The company vows not to compete with its customers at any level.
http://www.paix.net/
PAIX, October 26, 1999
NETWORK PLUS ACTIVATES FIBER RINGS IN NYC
Network Plus activated three metro fiber rings around New York City using dark fiber from Metromedia Fiber Network. The fiber
rings provide access to 13 more co-locations facilities from which Network Plus will launch its Voice over DSL services.
http://www.nwp.com
Network Plus, October 26, 1999
Last week, Network Plus acquired 9,000 fiber miles in the southeastern US from Florida East Coast Telecom to augment its
facilities in the northeastern US. Network Plus is deploying Lucent Technologies' WaveStar SONET/DWDM optical networking
system and 5ESS AnyMedia switching platform, AccessLan's PacketLoop PL-2000 DSLAMs for voice enabled SDSL and IDSL
services, and JetStream's GR-3-3 Gateways and Integrated Access Devices.
NEWBRIDGE ANNOUNCES LMDS CONTRACT IN COLOMBIA
REY MORENO S.A., a Colombian telecommunications service provider associated with Telefonica Data, will deploy a 38 GHz local
multipoint distribution service (LMDS) network using Newbridge Networks' broadband wireless solution. The deployment includes
base stations consisting of the MainStreetXpress 36170 switches and point-to-multipoint transmitters and receivers, as well as
customer premise transceivers and network interface units (NIUs). The LMDS network initially will be deployed in Bogotá, followed
by Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and Bucaramanga. REY MORENO will deliver IP, voice over Frame Relay, videoconferencing and premium
quality IP-VPNs. http://www.newbridge.com/news/
Newbridge Networks, October 26, 1999
CABLETRON ADDS LOAD BALANCING TO ITS SMARTSWITCH ROUTER
Cabletron Systems added Layer 4 load balancing technology to its SmartSwitch Router
(SSR) family. The Cabletron Smart Load
Balancer will be offered in two configurations: 24 10/100 Ethernet ports and two 1000BASE-SX multi-mode fiber ports for
$17,995, or eight 1000BASE-SX multi-mode fiber ports for $18,995. http://www.cabletron.com/ournews/1999/oct/10-26.html
Cabletron Systems, October 26, 1999
LUCENT REPORTS REVENUE OF $10.575 BILLION, UP 23%
Lucent Technologies reported quarterly revenue of $10.575 billion, up 23% over the same period last year. Net income was
$972 million, or $.31 a share, excluding one-time charges. For its full fiscal year 1999, Lucent exceeded $38 billion in
revenue. The company said its hottest growth areas are optical networking, wireless networking, data networking and professional
services. http://www.lucent.com/press/1099/991026.coa.html
Lucent Technologies, October 26, 1999
NORTEL NETWORKS REPORTS REVENUE OF US$5.39, UP 30%
Nortel Networks reported quarterly revenue of US$5.39 billion, up 30% over the same period last year. Net earnings were US$380
million, or US$0.28 per share, prior to one-time gains and charges. The company noted strong increases in both optical
networks and high-speed access solutions in the US and Europe, as well as significant sales growth for mobility systems in Europe,
the US and Asia Pacific.http://www.nortelnetworks.com/corporate/news/newsreleases/1999d/10_26_9999672_q3earnings.html
Nortel Networks, October 26, 1999
ALTEON WEBSYSTEMS ISSUES FIRST QUARTERLY REPORT
In its first quarterly report as a public company, Alteon WebSystems reported revenue of $12.7 million, up 62% over the
preceding quarter and up 149% over the same period last year. Net loss was $4.5 million, or a loss of $0.45 per share. The
company noted 135 new customers for the quarter, including Buy.com, CMP Media and DLJdirect.
http://www.alteon.com/index.html
Alteon WebSystems, October 26, 1999
