TENOR NETWORKS UNVEILS ITS OPTICAL SERVICE SWITCH
Tenor Networks, a start-up based in Acton, Mass., announced an Optical Service Switch (OSX) designed to combine IP routing, the QoS of an ATM switch, and the TDM functionality of a digital cross-connect.  Tenor's vision is comprised of two distinct layers: an optical transport layer and an optical service layer.  The company's Optical Service Switch will convert wavelengths into the electrical domain, where the payload can be examined on a packet-by-packet basis.  The OSXs will then apply value added processing and switching intelligence.  Tenor proposes to use Multi-Protocol Lambda Switching, a form of Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), as the glue between the optical transport and its optical service layer.  The company's first central office TN250G Optical Service Switch will connect to DWDM access, metro, or long-haul transport elements, as well as SONET equipment.  The product's chassis features 240 Gbps of switching capacity and port density of up to 576 DS3 or OC3c ports, 192 OC-12c ports, 48 OC-48c ports, or 12 OC-192c ports.  Beta testing is expected in Q2.  Tenor Networks received funding from North Bridge Venture Partners, Matrix Partners, Greylock and Worldview Technology Partners.  Founders of the company formerly worked for 3Com's Switching Division.  http://www.tenornetworks.com
Tenor Networks, January 18, 2000

DIGITAL LIGHTWAVE ANNOUNCES PORTABLE OC-192 TESTER
Digital Lightwave announced an OC-192 version of its Network Information Computer, a portable unit for performing functional real-time testing on DWDM systems, line regenerators and synchronous-line multiplexers.  The product allows technicians to observe and even modify the SONET overhead, and offers an internal optical power meter function.  The NIC 10-G is expected to begin shipping late in the first quarter 2000.  Pricing starts at $175,000.
http://www.lightwave.com/newspress/011800rls.htm
Digital Lightwave, January 18, 2000

CABLE & WIRELESS CHOSEN FOR STAR TAP NEXT GENERATION INTERNET EXCHANGE
Cable & Wireless was chosen as the preferred provider of network connectivity for STAR TAP (Science, Technology, and Research Transit Access Point), the hub which provides the global Next Generation Internet Exchange (NGIX) point for US federal agency networks, including the National Science Foundation's vBNS, the Department of Energy's ESnet, the Department of Defense's DREN, and NASA's NREN, as well as the Internet2's Abilene network, and their counterparts worldwide.  International networks connected to STAR TAP include Canada's CA-net3, France's RENATER2, The Netherlands' SURFnet, Nordic countries' NORDUnet, Israel's IUCC, the CERN European Laboratory for Particle Physics, Russia's MIRnet, the Asia-Pacific Rim (APAN), Singapore's SingAREN and Taiwan's TANet.  Cable & Wireless will connect STAR TAP's Chicago location to its global ATM network.  http://www.startap.net    http://www.cwusa.com/press_01-18-00.htm
Cable & Wireless, January 18, 2000

CONVERGYS AND LEVEL 3 TO MARKET SERVICES TO ISPS
Convergys will integrate its IP Billing and Customer Service application with Level 3's service offerings, creating a turnkey solution for ISPs to efficiently bill, manage, and deliver advanced services such as streaming media, remote data storage, web-site hosting, pay-per-use software, and unified messaging.  The Convergys technology will be seamlessly integrated into Level 3's Operational Support Systems (OSS) infrastructure.  Early collaborative offerings resulting from the alliance will include Nationwide DSL Aggregation and IP Voice Services using Level 3's Softswitch technology.  http://www.convergys.com/
Convergys, January 18, 2000

VINA AND CONVERGENT NETWORKS EXTEND ATM FROM CORE TO CUSTOMER PREM
VINA Technologies and Convergent Networks announced interoperability between VINA's Multiservice Xchange integrated access device (IAD) and Convergent Networks' Integrated Convergence Switch (ICS2000).  The interoperability enables the extension of ATM-based local exchange carrier services to small and mid-sized businesses.  Communication between the switch and the IAD is based on the Q.2931 standard signaling protocol for setting up and maintaining broadband connections over ATM networks.
http://www.convergentnet.com/   http://www.vina-tech.com.
VINA Technologies, January 18, 2000

VPS COMMUNICATIONS SELECTS ALCATEL'S DWDM
VPS Communications, a regional carrier based in Richmond, Virginia, selected Alcatel's long-haul DWDM optical networking solution, the Optinex 1640 OADM.  The solution supports up to 400 Gbps over a fiber and offers a migration path for future expansions to OC-192.  VPS is a subsidiary of Virginia Power and operates a 3,200-mile fiber optic network throughout Virginia and throughout the Southeast.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  http://www.alcatel.com
Alcatel, January 18, 2000

US WEST REPORTS 110,000 DSL CUSTOMERS
U S WEST said in its annual service data report that it now has more than 110,000 DSL customers.  In 1999, U S WEST deployed more than 65,000 miles of fiber, bringing its total fiber-optic network to more than 2.0 million miles. In 1999, the company replaced 19 analog switches with state-of-the-art digital switches, and plans to replace 50 more in 2000.
US West, January 18, 2000

PANGEA RAISES $436 MILLION FOR NORTHERN EUROPE CABLE
Pangea closed a $436 million debt and equity financing package, clearing the way to construct the 7,000 km (4,350 mile) Pangea 1 fiber optic cable system serving Northern Europe and Scandinavia.  The cable will serve the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Norway.  Construction contracts have been awarded to Alcatel, Nortel Networks and Bechtel Telecommunications.  http://www.pangea.bm/
Pangea, January 18, 2000

ISKY GAINS $50 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR KA-BAND SATELLITE
iSKY (formerly KaSTAR Satellite Communications) received $50 million in second-round funding from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, TV Guide and Liberty Media.  The company hopes to provide two-way, broadband satellite service supporting 1.5 Mbps Internet services beginning in 2001 using a Ka-band satellite serving North America and Latin America.  The company said it now has raised nearly one-third of money needed for the project.  Space Systems/Loral is the prime satellite contractor for construction of its first satellite.   http://www.isky.net/
iSky, January 18, 2000

JUNIPER NETWORKS ACQUIRES HONG KONG-BASED SALES/SUPPORT GROUP
Juniper Networks acquired Pacific Advantage, a Hong Kong-based regional sales and marketing organization, for approximately $4 million in stock.  Separately, Juniper Networks reported Q4 net revenues of $45.4 million, up from $29.6 million in Q3.  http://www.juniper.net
Juniper Networks, January 18, 2000

EXODUS OFFERS GIGABIT ETHERNET CONNECTIONS IN ITS INTERNET DATA CENTERS
Exodus Communications will offer Gigabit Ethernet connections in its Internet Data Centers.  The company will use Foundry Networks' switching equipment for the service.  http://www.exodus.net
Exodus Communications, January 18, 2000

ADAPTIVE BROADBAND AWARDED $225 MILLION FIXED WIRELESS CONTRACT
Adaptive Broadband was awarded a five year, $225 million contract to provide its fixed wireless broadband equipment to Colorado-based Telecom Wireless Corporation.  Adaptive's AB-Access product uses  5 GHz U-NII (Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure) and 2.5 GHz MMDS (Multi-channel, Multi-point Distribution Service) frequency bands.  It supports rates up to 25 Mbps, with a planned upgrade to 100 Mbps.  http://www.shareholder.com/adap/news.cfm
Adaptive Broadband, January 18, 2000

CATENA NETWORKS TARGETS CONVERGED ACCESS ARCHITECTURE
Catena Networks, a start-up based in Redwood Shores, California, secured $30.2 million in second round funding to support its development of access equipment for converged public networks.  Product specifics have not been disclosed.  Catena is led by Bob Machlin, former Vice President of Marketing for Cascade Communications.  Other founders came from Cadence Design Systems.  The new funding was led by Menlo Ventures, with the participation of Chase Capital Partners, Worldview Technology Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, BCE (Bell Canada Enterprises) Capital and Stanford University. 
http://www.catenanet.com
Catena Networks, January 18, 2000

WHITEPAPER ON “VIRTUAL VOICE SERVICES: THE 21ST CENTURY PARADIGM”
DTI Networks published a whitepaper entitled “Virtual Voice Services: The 21st Century Paradigm.”  The eleven-page document outlines a Virtual Voice Service Architecture that is independent of specific switching and transport technology.  Key to this approach is an XML-based call service and feature definition language, which provides both a means of defining key elements of the Virtual Voice Services model and a method for customizing and extending that model.   The paper is available on the company’s Web site.
http://www.dtinetworks.com/
DTI Networks, January 18, 2000