10 GIGABIT ETHERNET STANDARD ON-TRACK FOR 2002 RATIFICATION
The IEEE P802.3ae Task Force approved the core content of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet Standard last week during meetings held in La Jolla, California.  The approval covers all of the major logic elements and media access for single mode fiber-based LAN and WAN PHYs (physical layer devices), including Media Access Control (MAC), the Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS), 10 Gigabit Media Independent (XGMII) and other optional interfaces, management and the various Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) interfaces.  The IEEE P802.3ae Task Force expects to select a multimode fiber PMD(s) at its next meeting in Boston in September 2000.  http://www.10gea.org
The 10 Gigabit Ethernet Alliance, July 17, 2000

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet is being positioned as a unifying technology for networking applications in LANs, MANs, and WANs.  The emerging standard is expected to permit the use of SONET/SDH as a Layer 1 transport.

ALTEON WEBSYSTEMS INTRODUCES WEBWORKING FRAMEWORK
Alteon WebSystems outlined a new model for enabling the next wave of Web-based applications:  combine its Web switches with the host-based processing capabilities of specialized appliances to deliver rich traffic management services optimized for processor-intensive, server driven applications.  Alteon will combine Web switching and appliance technologies in an Integrated ServiceDirector (iSD) delivery platform capable of offloading specific compute-intensive functions from servers. The new Alteon iSD products, which include an SSL accelerator that scales to gigabit speeds and an "Akamizer" content device, will perform the processing tasks with long duty-cycles that would otherwise bog down network performance. A stack of iSDs attached to an Alteon Web switch via 10, 100 or 1,000 Mbps links would function as a gigantic virtual application engine.  Alteon expects to introduce its iSD-SSL accelerator and the iSD-Akamaizer in September.  A whitepaper on the Webworking framework is online.  http://www.alteonwebsystems.com/press/071700.shtml
Alteon WebSystems, July 17, 2000

WORLDCOM OUTLINES EXPANSION OF ITS GLOBAL DATA NETWORK
WorldCom announced plans to extend its Frame Relay service to 45 countries, widen its ATM network's geographic footprint to 23 countries, and continue end-to-end private line penetration in Europe and Asia for seamless service delivery in 26 countries.  WorldCom will also make Frame to ATM internetworking service available across its network and offer Web-based network reporting and management to all its data customers. In addition, WorldCom is making higher bandwidth NxE1 services available to all global ATM customers. Later this year, WorldCom will also expand its disaster recovery options to include ISDN restoration services in all Frame Relay countries.  http://www.wcom.com
WorldCom, July 17, 2000

COGENT RAISES ADDITIONAL $90 MILLION FOR ITS IP/DWDM NETWORK
Cogent Communications, a start-up service provider planning to offer optical access services in multi-tenant office buildings in large US cities, raised $90 million in new funding.  The company also holds a $280 million Cisco vendor facility loan.  http://www.cogentco.com
Cogent Communications, July 17, 2000

• The Cogent network design will use OC-192 DWDM on the long-haul routes and OC-48 metro DWDM connections within each of 13 US cities.  The architecture will use IP/DWDM.
  
• In February, Cogent signed a 20-year, $100 million contract to acquire dark fiber for MFN in major US cities.  In April, Cogent sealed a $215 million agreement to lease long-haul fiber across the US from Williams Communications.
  
• Cogent Communications recently named Dr. R. Brad Kummer as its Chief Technology Officer of Optical Transport.  Kummer formerly was the Chief Technology Officer of the Optical Fiber Systems Engineering group at Lucent's Bell Labs.

COMCAST CABLE SELECTS CISCO FOR ITS BROADBAND CABLE NETWORK
Comcast Cable, the third largest us cable TV company, named Cisco Systems as its preferred vendor of Cable Modem Termination Shelf (CMTS) equipment, dial access servers, WAN switches and core routing equipment.  Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/146/pressroom/2000/jul00/sp_071700.htm
Cisco Systems, July 17, 2000

KOREA'S HANARO TELECOM INSTALLS REDBACK'S SUBSCRIBER MGT.
Korea's Hanaro Telecom will install multiple Redback SMS 10000 subscriber management systems in 10 key cities across Korea. The companies said Hanaro's broadband subscriber base is currently growing at 8,000 subscribers per day.  Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.redback.com/
Redback Networks, July 16, 2000

iSKY SECURES $137 MILLION FOR SATELLITE BROADBAND SERVICES
iSKY raised $137 million in new funding, giving it approximately half of the $750 million in debt and equity financing needed for its initial phase of broadband satellite operation.  The company hopes to begin offering broadband services via satellite direct to U.S. homes and small offices, regardless of their locations in late 2001.  Its major investors include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Liberty Media, TV Guide, TRW and EchoStar.   http://www.isky.net/
iSKY, July 17, 2000

• In January, 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.

AIRBAND RAISES $45 MILLION FOR 10 MBPS WIRELESS SERVICES
AirBand Communications, a start-up based in Dallas, Texas, raised $45 million in first round funding to build broadband wireless networks in major US cities.  AirBand will offer access services at guaranteed throughput rates from 1 Mbps to 10 Mbps.  Investors include Battery Ventures, Crescendo Ventures and Sevin Rosen Funds.  http://www.airband.com
airBand, July 16, 2000

ACCESSLINE BRINGS IN $55 MILLION FOR ITS OUTSOURCED ENTERPRISE VOICE
AccessLine Communications, a provider of outsourced phone and voicemail systems, raised $55 million for its mezzanine round of funding.  In addition to its outsourced corporate PBX and voicemail system, AccessLine is developing a suite of voice services that ISPs and CLECs could offer to their customers.  Sun Microsystems made a substantial strategic investment in the company.  Other investors include Goldman Sachs, Gabriel Venture Partners, Venrock Associates, Invesco, Chase H&Q, Moore Capital, Riverside Management Group and SunAmerica Ventures.  http://www.accessline.com
AccessLine Communications, July 17, 2000

ADC INVESTS IN NORTHSTAR PHOTONICS
ADC made an equity investment in NorthStar Photonics, a start-up developing laser-based optical devices.  NorthStar is working on technology that would provide greater wavelength stability, higher output power and reduced environmental control complexity compared to standard semi-conductor laser devices.  NorthStar is based in Plymouth, MN.  http://www.adc.com/newsroom/index.html
ADC, July 17, 2000

VIVACE NETWORKS NAMES FORMER LUCENT RESEARCHER AS ITS CHIEF TECHNOLOGIST
Vivace Networks, a start-up based in San Jose, California, named Andrew G. Malis as Chief Technologist.  Malis formerly served with Lucent Technologies / Ascend  / Cascade, where he helped shape MPLS, IP, Frame Relay and ATM technology.  He is the founding Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chair of the Technical Committee of the MPLS Forum, and chairs the IETF's IP over Optical and Frame Relay Network Management working Groups.  Vivace Networks is developing an Optical Service Creation Platform based on MPLS.  http://www.vivacenetworks.com
Vivace Networks, July 17, 2000

• Vivace is led by Ken Koenig (CEO) and Mitri Halabi  (VP Engineering), both formerly of OnStream Networks, a developer of ATM WAN access products that was acquired by 3Com.  The company has raised $35 million in funding from Redpoint Ventures, Sutter Hill Ventures, IVP, Foundation Capital and Brentwood Venture Capital.