NEXTLINK ACQUIRES CONCENTRIC: BROADBAND WIRELESS + NATIONWIDE BACKBONE
NEXTLINK Communications will acquire Concentric Network for approximately $2.9 billion in stock.  NEXTLINK is the largest holder of broadband fixed wireless spectrum in the US, with licenses covering 95% of the population in the top 30 markets.  NEXTLINK's broadband wireless services are currently in trial phase.  NEXTLINK also has rights to 16,000 route miles of long-haul fiber across the US.  The company operates local fiber facilities in a number of markets, including a recently completed 432-strand fiber network through Silicon Valley and around San Francisco Bay.  The company also has launched 200+ strand local fiber networks in Houston and Detroit.   Concentric operates a nationwide ATM network supporting VPN, DSL access, Web hosting and e-commerce services. http://www.nextlink.com    http://www.concentric.com/press_center/2000/nextlink.html
NEXTLINK, January 10, 2000

Last September, NEXTLINK began its first point-to-multipoint wireless field tests using equipment from Ericsson, SpectraPoint Wireless, Wavtrace and Digital Microwave Corp. NEXTLINK's broadband wireless hub sites will have capabilities to carry data and voice at up to 155 Mbps in point-to-point configurations. In point-to-multipoint configuration, each hub would have the capacity for 672 T-1 (1.544 Mbps) connections. The trial network operates in the Los Angeles area and has several beta customers.

TRITON NETWORK SYSTEMS SIGNS BROADBAND WIRELESS SUPPLY DEAL WITH ART
Triton Network Systems won a three-year, multimillion-dollar deal to supply its point-to-point SONET OC-3/SDH STM-1 radios to Advanced Radio Telecom.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  The equipment delivers fiber-quality service, including Fast Ethernet, over RF frequencies in the 20 GHz - 40 GHz range.  ART is currently using the Triton radios for 100 Mbps metropolitan services in San Jose, California.  ART recently confirmed plans to launch broadband wireless networks in ten US cities this year. http://www.triton-network.com/
Triton Network Systems, January 10, 2000

Last month, Triton announced a similar contract to supply its OC-3 radios to CenturyTel Inc. of Orlando, Florida.  Triton has raised more than $45 million in venture funding from Oak Investment Partners, Worldview Technology Partners, Telesoft Partners, Advent International, Bessemer Ventures, Adams Capital Management and Chase Ventures.

COHERENT SHIPS DWDM COMPONENTS FOR TIGHTER FREQUENCY PACKING
Coherent Inc. announced its first optical components targeted at the DWDM market: a device designed to enhance the frequency stability of laser transmitters.  The ComEts component yields tighter frequency packing and increased network density. Coherent said the technology can be adapted to other DWDM applications including signal multiplexing and demultiplexing.   http://www.cohr.com/pr/pr_673.html
Coherent, January 10, 2000

NEWPORT RECEIVES NEW FUNDING FOR OPTICAL DEVICES IN CMOS
NewPort Communications, a start-up developing chips for optical networking, raised $23 million in a second round of venture funding with the participation of Bessemer, Lucent Venture Partners, Mayfield Fund, Vertex, Cisco Systems and Sumitomo.  The company is developing mixed-signal integrated circuits based on a proprietary design technology called Current-Controlled CMOS.  The first product is a 2.5 Gigabit/OC-48 transceiver in a "plain vanilla" Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) process.   NewPort is based in Irvine, California.  http://www.newportcom.com
NewPort Communications, January 10, 2000

APPIAN COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPS OPTICAL EDGE PRODUCTS
Appian Communications, a start-up based in Boxborough, Mass., announced its entry into the race for intelligent optical edge products.  Specific product plans have not yet been disclosed.  The company was founded in March 199 and so far has raised $22 million in venture financing from Matrix Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners, and Venrock Associates.  Founders include Mick Scully (formerly Wellfleet and Bay Networks), Harsh Kapoor (formerly NexLAN/3Com), Anand Parikh (former co-founder of Lightstream) and Gregg Savage (formerly New Oak Communications/Bay).  http://www.appiancom.com/
Appian Communications, January 10, 2000

CONVERGENT NETWORKS RAISES $40 MILLION IN A THIRD ROUND OF FUNDING
Convergent Networks raised $40 million in a third round of equity financing, led by VantagePoint Venture Partners and Worldview Technology Partners as well as original backers Battery Ventures, Matrix Partners and North Bridge Venture Partners.  Convergent Networks' Integrated Convergence Switches (ICSs) provide interworking and adaptation between traditional TDM and packet switched networks.  Total funding to date is now $57 million.  In November, the company announced its second customer for its next gen telco voice platform -- a $52 million deal with Massachusetts-based CLEC Global NAPs.  Its first customer is 2nd Century Communications
Convergent Networks, January 10, 2000

TWISTER COMMUNICATIONS EXPANDS DEPLOYMENT OF GDC'S PACKET VOICE GATEWAY
Twister Communications, a CLEC based in Houston, Texas, will expand its packet voice network nationwide using General DataComm's (GDC's) APEX ATM switches.  GDC'S Voice Service Module [VSM] offers both standard-based variable-bit-rate (VBR) and constant-bit-rate (CBR) voice over ATM.  The deal represents an additional order of 20,000 voice ports, providing Twister with access to Local Exchange Carriers in nearly 100% of US Local Access and Transport Areas (LATAs).  http://www.gdc.com/corporate_news/cni_pr/twister000110.html
GDC, January 10, 2000

INTERMEDIA SELECTS VINA'S BOX FOR TDM-TO-ATM ACCESS
Intermedia Communications will deploy VINA Technologies' Multiservice Xchange (MX), a TDM-to-ATM access device, to provide integrated services to small and mid-sized businesses.  http://www.vina-tech.com
VINA, January 10, 2000

ISKY SEEKS 2001 LAUNCH DATE FOR KA-BAND SATELLITE
iSky selected Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) to build an advanced Ka-band spot-beam satellite capable of delivering two-way Internet services across North America.  The launch date is expected in early 2001.  KaSTAR will feature on-board packet switching, cable modem earth terminal technology, and an operating strategy to partner with network and service providers
http://www.isky.net/    http://www.ssloral.com
Loral, January 10, 2000

iSky is led by Thomas E. Moore, formerly the Vice President of Integrated Services Architecture at Cable Television Laboratories (CableLabs).