NORTEL NETWORKS LAUNCHES FIRST 10GIGE WAN INTERFACES FOR DWDM
Nortel Networks announced immediate availability of 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces for its OPTera 1600 Long Haul DWDM systems.  The solution enables the use of native Ethernet through carrier backbones at 10 Gbps, yielding fewer layers and protocol conversions in the network, simpler network management and provisioning, and lower cost structures.  It could also be used for transparent LAN services.  Nortel Networks’ 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces are based on the IEEE 802.3ae December draft standard for 1310 and 1550 serial WAN physical interfaces.
http://www.nortelnetworks.com
Nortel Networks, December 18, 2000

NORTEL NETWORKS TEAMS WITH SIERRA WIRELESS AND XIRCOM ON 3G MODEMS
Nortel Networks will provide financial and marketing support to Sierra Wireless and to Xircom to develop 3G wireless modems based on the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) standards.   The 3G wireless modems are being targeted at future mobile IP-aware devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, in-vehicle information systems, MP3 players, and digital cameras.  http://www.nortelnetworks.com  http://www.sierrawireless.com  http://www.xircom.com
Nortel Networks, December 18, 2000

• Nortel Networks recently announced an estimated US$1.8 billion in European UMTS network awards, including a five-year contract with BT Wireless subsidiary BT Cellnet in the United Kingdom, a 12-month build out for Airtel in Spain, and a three-year deal with Xfera, also in Spain.

ERICSSON CHOSEN AS 3G SUPPLIER BY TELENOR
Norwegian telecom provider Telenor has selected Ericsson as its main 3G supplier.  The contract covers UMTS infrastructure, terminals and applications through the end of 2004.  Telenor plans to launch the 3G network by November 2001.  Financial details were not disclosed.  Ericsson reported that it has been named as a vendor in 22 third generation agreements announced to date.  http://www.ericsson.se/press/20001218-0031.html  http://press.telenor.com/PR/200012/802392_5.html 
Ericsson, December 18, 2000

• Telenor’s Telenor Mobil unit has approximately 5.3 million subscribers - 2.2 million in Norway (70% of the market)) and approximately 3.1 million abroad as of September 2000.

APPIAN OBTAINS $60 MILLION FOR ITS OPTICAL SERVICE PLATFORM
Appian Communications, a start-up based in Boxborough, MA, received $60 million in third-round funding.  The company’s Optical Services Activation Platform is designed to migrate legacy voice and private line services to Ethernet services over SONET/SDH optical network infrastructure.  Investors include Tudor Investment Corporation, Technology Venture Partners, Amerindo Investment Advisors Inc., Anschutz Investment Company, Essex Investment Management Co., Chase H&Q, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan & Co., Robertson Stephens, Thomas Weisel Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners, Matrix Partners and Venrock Associates.  Since it was formed in March 1999, the company has raised more than $80 million.  http://www.appiancom.com/press_releases/december_18_2000.htm
Appian Communications, December 18, 2000

• Appian’s Optical Service Activation Platform (OSAP) uses distributed packet switching to replace TDM structures with an "Etherband" architecture that lets service providers guarantee bandwidth from 64 Kbps to 10 Gbps per customer, as well as dynamically modify SLAs as needed on a customer-by-customer basis.  The Appian's system uses proprietary packet switching to provide software definable Guaranteed Bit Rates (GBR) and Maximum Burst Rates (MBR).  The platform also supports IP Class of Service (CoS) based on MPLS, IP TOS (including DiffServ) or 802.1p standards. 
• Appian was founded in March 1999 by 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).  The company's name refers to the ancient highway across the Roman Empire.

OPTILLION RECEIVES $53 MILLION FOR 10 GBPS OPTICAL TRANSCEIVERS
Optillion, a fiber optics transceiver company, secured $53 million in second round financing.  Optillion is targeting a 10 Gbps optical transceiver for its first product, and aims for higher speeds in subsequent products.  The company employs 62 people and is based in Kista, Sweden.  Investors included Crescendo Ventures, Cisco Systems, Investor AB, and ITACT.  http://www.optotronic.com/default2.4.asp
Optillion, December 12, 2000

2WIRE INTRODUCES A HOMEPNA RESIDENTIAL PBX
2Wire, a start-up developing residential gateway products, introduced a residential communication system that delivers the enhanced features and functionality of an office phone system using DSL and HomePNA networking standards.  The system works by plugging telephones into a 2Wire Phone Port and plugging the Phone Port into an existing phone jack. A 2Wire HomePortal residential gateway, which incorporates a DSL modem/router/firewall, supports VoIP and/or VoATM services.  Up to eight Phone Port adapters on the home phone network can be supported by the HomePortal residential gateway.  Capabilities of the home network include PBX-like functions, such as call forwarding to an answering machine or network-based voicemail, call blocking, and room-to-room dialing.  http://www.2wire.com
2Wire, December 18, 2000

BOOKHAM ANNOUNCES OPTICAL PROCESSOR DESIGN WIN WITH LUCENT
Bookham Technology announced a major contract to supply a single-chip silicon optical processor, incorporating a 40-channel AWG multiplexer and 40-channel variable optical attenuator, to Lucent Technologies for use in its optical networking systems.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  http://www.bookham.com
Bookham Technology, December 18, 2000

LUCENT OPENS FIVE NEW BELL LABS FACILITIES
Lucent Technologies has opened five new Bell Labs facilities -- in Australia, China, Greece, India and Italy -- within the past eight months in an effort to move research closer to customers and attract global talent.  http://www.bell-labs.com
Lucent Technologies, December 18, 2000

360NETWORKS COMPLETES FIBER OPTIC CABLE BETWEEN US AND VENEZUELA
360networks has landed its high capacity, undersea cable near Caracas, Venezuela.  This section of the 360americas network connects Venezuela with Boca Raton, Florida and Tuckerton, New Jersey via a 2,900 mile undersea fiber optic cable.  It is scheduled to enter commercial service by March 2001.  Upon scheduled completion in early 2002, the 360americas cable will directly connect major cities in the United States, Bermuda, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela.  The total capacity of the 18,000 mile network will be 1.28 Tbps.  http://www.360.net/News---Releases---Details.asp?ID=100
360networks, December 18, 2000