CISCO'S GLOBAL DSL STRATEGY INCLUDES IP DSL SWITCHING
Cisco Systems will leverage IP DSL Switching as the foundation for a Global DSL strategy, rather than ATM-based "smart" DSLAMs and ATM- or frame-based "dumb" DSLAMs.   The addition of the IP DSL switching capabilities across the Cisco 6000 DSL family is aimed at providing scalability and enhanced services without the need of dedicated subscriber management systems.  When running the MPLS VPN protocol, Cisco IP DSL Switches would function as edge label switch routers and could be directly connected to core label switch routers. The architecture offers “high-touch IP packet processing” and the prospect of distributing the processing and aggregation of IP-to-ATM mapping across all the IP DSL switches in the network, rather than at a potential single point of failure.  Cisco said these capabilities would enable MPLS-based virtual private networks (VPNs) over DSL, secure firewalls, multicast video, webcaching, and voice services. MPLS VPNs for the Cisco IP DSL Switch family are expected in the second half of 2000.

• Cisco Systems also introduced a new IP DSL Switch designed for multi-tenant units (MTUs) and outside-plant remote terminals.  The Cisco 6015 unit scales from 4 to 48 subscribers and supports multi-DSL technologies including ADSL, SDSL, G.shdsl and IDSL.  
  
• A third element of Cisco’s GlobalDSL strategy focuses on “DSL Mobility,” including follow-me services; web-based on-demand service selection; end-user self-installable customer premise equipment (CPE); retail distribution; retail-grade interoperability; and automated end-to-end mass-market provisioning.  Timelines for DSL Mobility capabilities were not specified, but Cisco said it is working with third-party companies and service providers to deliver these requirements.

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/146/pressroom/2000/apr00/sp_041800c.htm
Cisco Systems, April 18, 2000

JUNIPER UPGRADES TO INTERNET PROCESSOR II ASIC WITH 2.5 MILLION GATES, UPDATES OS
Juniper Networks released second generation Internet Processor ASICs for its family of routers (M20/M40/M160).  The ASICs are built with over 2.5 million gates, double the density of its original design.  Juniper’s new silicon, which was manufactured by IBM Microelectronics, supports enhanced security functions and new service creation capabilities.  The new capabilities enabled by the JUNOS 4.0 release include IP packet filtering, sampling, counting, and load balancing.  Juniper claims its hardware-based Internet Processor II can filter at over 20,000,000 pps on an OC-192c/STM-64 circuit, representing a 100,000 folds improvement on current software based filtering methods.  The ASIC release coincides with the introduction of Juniper’s latest operating system software (JUNOS 4.0).  JUNOS 4.0 adds support for the Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) signaling standard and offers improved capabilities for managing complex router configurations.  http://www.juniper.net/
Juniper Networks, April 18, 2000

QUANTUM BRIDGE SECURES $102 MILLION FOR ITS OPTICAL ACCESS
Quantum Bridge Communications, a start-up developing access solutions based on Passive Optical Network (PON) technology, secured $102 million in a third round of financing.   Comcast has been testing the Quantum Bridge Optical Access System in its labs since January.  Several other service providers are testing the system as well.  Commercial availability is expected in June 2000.  Investors in Quantum Bridge include Texas Pacific Group, BCI Partners, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Private Equity, Comcast Interactive Capital, KMC Investment Partners, Pequot Capital Management Inc., J. P. Morgan Capital, First Union Capital Partners, Dain Rauscher Wessels, FleetBoston Financial, New Enterprise Associates, Lazard Technology Partners and Atlas Venture.
http://www.quantumbridge.com/pr041800.html
Quantum Bridge, April 18, 2000

• Quantum Bridge’s system consists of a central office Optical Access Switch and a customer premise Intelligent Optical Terminal (IOT).  The architecture uses a Dynamic Wavelength Slicing (DWS) protocol to share a single wavelength delivering broadband services among multiple end-points.  Quantum Bridge’s IOT initially supports 10/100BaseTx Ethernet and TDM, ATM and Frame Relay DS1 (T1) service interfaces.  Its Optical Access Switch, which is located in a central office, service node or head-end, can aggregate services from hundreds of downstream IOTs. The switch is equipped with a standard OC-12c WAN interface and a redundant 5 Gbps (upgradeable to 20 Gbps) IP and ATM switching fabric.  By eliminating electrical components in the outside plant with PON technology, Quantum Bridge expects to significantly lower the cost of first mile fiber access.  The company is based in North Andover, MA.  

FUJITSU REPORTS GROWING SALES FOR SONET
Fujitsu Network Communications reported $2.18 billion in sales of optical transmission systems for fiscal 1999, which ended March 31, 2000.  The figure represents a 65% growth over the fiscal 1998 revenue of $1.32 billion.  The company noted the continued strength in SONET sales to local exchange carriers, as well as growing sales of its DWDM equipment.  http://www.fnc.fujitsu.com
Fujitsu Network Communications, April 18, 2000

SIEMENS TO INVEST $500 MILLION IN US WIRELESS EFFORTS
Siemens announced plans to spend $500 million over the next two years on its mobile communication efforts in the US.  Plans include the formation of an Information and Communication Mobile Group to consolidate existing operations in cordless phones, wireless networks and mobile telephony, and the establishment of an R&D center in San Diego, California.
http://www.siemens.com/ic/mobile
Siemens, April 18, 2000

COM21 TO ACQUIRE GADLINE FOR CABLE TELEPHONY
Com21 will acquire privately held GADline Ltd., an Israeli developer of cable telephony solutions, for 2.8 million shares of Com21 stock (worth about $94 million).  GADline's cable telephony expertise includes solutions for circuit switched POTS and ISDN over HFC networks.  Its product line includes a DOCSIS cable modem, a PSTN and ISDN gateway, and a VoIP gateway with multi-vendor NMS for headend and cable modem management.  Com21 said the products complement its own recently introduced voice/data product for its ComUNITY Access cable modem system.  http://www.com21.com/news/nr_04-18-00.htm
http://www.gadline.com/
Com21, April 18, 2000

CABLE & WIRELESS ACQUIRES IPERGY, AN ISP BASED IN BRUSSELS
Cable & Wireless will acquire IPERGY, a Brussels based company providing a pan European fiber optic Internet backbone supporting a range of IP and co-location services.  IPERGY was founded in 1999 by the same team that established isdnet, a French ISP that was acquired by Cable and Wireless in December.  Financial terms were not disclosed.
Cable & Wireless, April 18, 2000

EXCESS BANDWIDTH RAISES $20.5 MILLION FOR DSL SILICON DESIGNS
Excess Bandwidth, a start-up based in Cupertino, California secured $20.5 million in venture financing from The Sprout Group and Mayfield Fund.  The company is developing DSL integrated circuits (ICs) that exceed the proposed HDSL2 and G.shdsl standards. Excess Bandwidth said its has demonstrated the ability to support a bi-directional transmission rate of 1.5 Mbps at distances of up to 18,000 feet over a single pair of 26 AWG wires, which is twice the distance called for by the draft standards.  http://www.exbc.com
Excess Bandwidth, April 18, 2000

• Excess Bandwidth is led by Steven Dines, formerly with Cirrus Logic.  The company was founded by Dr. Debajyoti Pal, previously with Amati Communications.

DIALPAD.COM SECURES $16.5 MILLION FOR ITS FREE INTERNET TELEPHONY SERVICE
DialPad.com, a website that offers free PC-to-phone telephone service to US phone numbers, secured a $16.75 million initial round of venture funding by CMGI @Ventures, Sterling Payot, and Serome Technology (a Korean software company from which DialPad spun-off from last year).  Dialpad.com gives Web members the ability to call any US phone number, including residential, business and cell phones, and talk for as long as they like for free.  Revenue is generated by advertising banners on the Web site and licensing fees to other Web sites.  http://www.dialpad.com
DialPad.com, April 18, 2000

COVAD REACHES 93,000 DSL CUSTOMERS
As of March 31, 2000 Covad Communications had 93,000 DSL circuits in service, up from 57,000 lines at December 31, 1999.  Service ready central offices increased during the first quarter to 1,350 from 1,100 at December 31, 1999.  http://www.covad.com
Covad Communications, April 18, 2000

AOL ADDS 1.7 MILLION MEMBERS FOR TOTAL OF 22.2 MILLION
America Online added 1.7 million new members in its most recent fiscal quarter to reach 22.2 million subscribers for AOL.  CompuServe now has an additional 2.7 million subscribers and Gateway.net (another America Online brand) has 850,000.  Overall the company now has 25.8 million subscribers worldwide.  AOL Europe's AOL and CompuServe services reached nearly 3.5 million members.  http://www.corp.aol.com/earningspress.html?
AOL, April 18, 2000

CANADA’S SHAW COMMUNICATIONS SELECTS EXTREME NETWORKS
Shaw Communications, the second largest cable operator in Canada, selected Extreme Networks’ BlackDiamond 6808 chassis switches for use in a dozen metro networks.  Shaw plans to rollout scalable Ethernet services, near video-on-demand and other new services over the next year.  The order was for 70 BlackDiamond 6808 chassis switches.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  http://www.extremenetworks.com/corporate/pressroom/news/pr04_18_00.asp
Extreme Networks, April 18, 2000