PMC-SIERRA ENTERS WIRELESS INFRASTRUCTURE MARKET WITH DSP-CONTROLLED POWER AMPLIFIER
PMC-Sierra introduced its first Digital Signal Processor (DSP) based solutions for 3G wireless infrastructure equipment, including W-CDMA, cdma2000 and EDGE.  PMC-Sierra’s PALADIN-10 chip is designed to eliminate transmitter distortions and improves spectral efficiency in Base Transceiver Stations (BTS).  The 1.4 watt CMOS device and its control software overcome the need for manual amplifier calibration by automatically adapting to, and compensating for, each amplifier’s unique distortion pattern. This eliminates the need for tuning and alignment during manufacturing and in the field. The company plans further products aimed at wireless infrastructure equipment. 
http://www.pmc-sierra.com
PMC-Sierra, November 27, 2000

AT&T BROADBAND SLOWS DEPLOYMENTS, CITES EXCESS INVENTORY
Several vendors, including Antec, Scientific-Atlanta, C-COR.net and CommScope, reported that AT&T Broadband would limit its receipt of product shipments for the remainder of the quarter.  The slowdown was attributed to excess inventories.  Antec said the delay would impact is fourth quarter revenue and earnings results because AT&T Broadband represents a significant portion of its total sales.  Scientific-Atlanta, C-COR.net and CommScope said any slowdown in shipments to AT&T would not have an adverse impact on earnings.
November 24, 2000

iBASIS REAFFIRMS INTERNET TELEPHONY POTENTIAL, HOLDS BACK ON FURTHER NETWORK EXPANSION
iBasis issued an open letter to its shareholders acknowledging its recent share price decline and reassuring investors that it has sufficient cash on its balance sheet ($340 million) for it to reach profitability.  Its recent quarterly cash burn rate was approximately $14 million.  iBasis is currently building Internet Central Office switching facilities worldwide.  However, the company said it would defer additional ICO deployments until it has achieved higher utilization rates on its network infrastructure.  iBasis further highlighted the enormous potential of the market for IP-based voice services.  It believes VoIP accounted for just 1.6% of global cross-border voice traffic in 1999.    http://www.ibasis.net/news/pr11222000.htm
iBasis, November 26, 2000

• During Q3, iBasis carried 168.0 million minutes of Internet telephony traffic, an increase of 40.7% over Q2’s 119.4 million minutes.  At the end of the quarter, the iBasis Network comprised 7,800 overseas lines, a 41.8% increase over the 5,500 lines at the end of Q2.  Overseas lines are the phone lines that connect iBasis to local PSTNs and are one measure of the total capacity of its network.  The company plans to have 20 carrier-class Internet Central Office (ICO) facilities online by year’s end.  The network has traffic termination and/or origination in 41 countries.
  
• iBasis operates the largest Cisco-powered IP telephony network.

ZENASTRA PHOTONICS INVESTS $40 MILLION IN MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
Zenastra Photonics, a start-up based in Ottawa, Canada, announced an investment totaling $40 million in new manufacturing facilities for its line of integrated optical components.  The company hopes to cut in half the cost of manufacturing its optical components by combining techniques from the semiconductor industry with its own process technologies.  Completion is scheduled for the end of 2001.  http://www.zenastra.com/mediacenter/newsreleases/00nov22pr.html
Zenastra Photonics, November 23, 2000

• In August, Zenastra introduced four integrated passive optical components based on silica-on-silicon technology.  The devices include a 16-Channel Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) mux/demux, a 2x2 Thermo-Optic Switch (TOS) for use in network reconfiguration and protection switching, an 8-Channel Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) array, and a 100 GHz Single and 4-Channel Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer/Demultiplexer (OADM).
  
• Zenastra is headed Dr. Peter D. Scovell, who formerly served as vice-president of Nortel's Semiconductor Components Group and was a former managing director of Nortel's Optoelectronics Group. 

LENSLET LABS RAISES $26 MILLION FOR ITS OPTICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING
Lenslet Labs, a start-up based in Ramat-Gan, Israel, raised $26 million in 3rd round financing.  The company is developing electro-optic transforming technologies suited for insertion as a chip or chipset that could be used for optical signal processing.  Investors include JK&B Capital, The Goldman Sachs Group, eXseed Technology Investments, Walden VC and Star Ventures.  http://www.lenslet.com/
Lenslet Labs, November 21, 2000

TELESAT CANADA LAUNCHES WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE
Telesat Canada successfully launched into orbit a Boeing 702 satellite described as the world's most powerful commercial communications satellite.  The Anik F1 spacecraft is equipped with 48 Ku-band transponders and 36 in C-band. In addition to providing enhanced Canadian coverage, Telesat's Anik F1 will offer services throughout the US and South America.  The satellite was launched on an Ariane rocket from the Guiana Space Centre. http://www.telesat.ca/news/releases/00-14.html
Telesat, November 21, 2000

• Anik F2, Telesat’s next satellite scheduled for launch in late 2002, will be equipped with three communications bands consisting of 24 transponders in C-band, 32 transponders in Ku-band and an advanced Ka-band payload with 45 spot beams allowing digital communications between small terminals and one of six Internet-connected gateway stations. Coverage in all bands will be North America-wide.

ERICSSON FORMS NEW COMPANY FOCUSED ON BLUETOOTH
Ericsson has formed a new company that will license its Bluetooth intellectual property to chip-and module manufacturers as well as large OEM manufacturers specialized in mobile consumer devices.  A name for the new company has not yet been announced.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20001122-0051.html
Ericsson, November 22, 2000

• Separately, Ericsson announced plans to introduce a Global Stock Incentive Program for its employees.  The company has more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries.
  
• In June, Ericsson introduced its first phones to feature a built-in Bluetooth interface for connecting to a hands-free headset or to a PC, laptop or other Bluetooth enable device.  Limited volumes are expected this year, but commercial volumes should begin in Q1 2001. Ericsson will also introduce a Bluetooth PCMCIA card for synchronizing phones and laptops later this year.  
  
• The Bluetooth Special Interest Group: http://www.bluetooth.com