AURA NETWORKS INTRODUCES OPTICAL ETHERNET WITH "STEALTH IP "
Aura Networks announced a metropolitan optical Ethernet system with a unique “IP Stealth” protocol for providing carrier-class monitoring and management capabilities.  Aura leverages an Ethernet inter-frame coding technique that takes advantage of the 12-byte Inter-Packet Gap to create a quasi-inband management channel.  The Stealth IP protocol is a fixed length packet of 6 bytes, which is used to issue commands or gather statistics. It is a stateless protocol, with all command/control contained in a single packet.  The Stealth IP packet remains invisible to OSI Layers 2 and above, and because of its 6 byte size it has a higher tolerance to signal noise than traditional SNMP packets.  Stealth IP could be used for dynamic bandwidth allocation, bandwidth usage statistics, loopback testing, power and bit error rate monitoring.  Aura Networks describes its Ethernet Stealth IP as providing a similar function to the SONET DCC channel.  The company’s Radiance Optical Ethernet System will consist of a Central Service Platform capable of provisioning Ethernet in one Mbps increments up to a gigabit, a customer premise service switch, and an element and service provisioning management system.  Beta testing is underway. http://www.auranetinc.com
Aura Networks, January 15, 2001

• In October, Aura Networks received $16 million in funding from Sierra Ventures.  The company is based in Nashua, NH.

CABLE & WIRELESS PLANS 3.2 TBPS TRANSATLANTIC CABLE
Cable & Wireless announced plans for a new “Apollo” transatlantic cable system with a capacity of 3.2 Tbps.  The 13,000 km network, which is scheduled for service commissioning in the summer of 2002, will be the first 80 wavelength transatlantic system. The cable will link Long Island and New Jersey in the United States with Cornwall in the UK, and Brittany in France.  The cable will use four fiber pairs per leg. Marine operations are already underway.  Alcatel was selected to build and maintain the network.  http://www.cwusa.com/press_01-12-01.htm
Cable & Wireless, January 12, 2001

DOMINION TELECOM ACQUIRES DARK FIBERS FROM LEVEL 3
Dominion Telecom acquired the right to use multiple optical fibers on Level 3's network between Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Pittsburgh and Northern Virginia.  Colocation space is included in the 20-year deal.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  http://www.dominiontel.com
Dominion Telecom, January 12, 2001

• Dominion Telecom (previously known as VPS Communications) is a subsidiary of Dominion, one of the largest producers of energy in the US with extensive assets in oil, natural gas and electricity.  The company has 7,600 miles of inter-state natural gas pipeline.  Dominion Telecom expects to have more than 900,000 fiber miles and 9,000 route miles within the next 24 months.
  
• Dominion Telecom has previously announced fiber leases with Williams and Metromedia Fiber Network (MFN) for extending its facilities from Washington, D.C., to New York City and within the metropolitan areas of Washington, Northern Virginia, Newark and New York City.
  
• Dominion Telecom is deploying Alcatel's 80-channel DWDM platform.

AT&T INCREASES SHARE OF EXCITE@HOME TO 38%
In a swap valued at $2.9 billion, Comcast and Cox Communications will each exchange their ownerships stakes in Excite@Home for shares in AT&T.  The deal gives AT&T about 38% of the economic interest in Excite@Home, as compared to about 23% previously.  Comcast and Cox are each committed to use Excite@Home to provide platform/connectivity services, and to feature the Excite portal, in delivering their high-speed Internet services to residential customers through June 2006.  Excite@Home is their exclusive provider through June 2002.  http://www.att.com/press/item/0,1354,3599,00.html
AT&T, January 12, 2001

DIAMONDBACK RAISES $7.5 MILLION FOR MPEG4 ENCODING TECHNOLOGY
DiamondBack Vision, a start-up based in Reston, Virginia, received $7.5 million in second roud financing to support its development of MPEG4 video encoding technology.  The company is targeting streaming video encoding over narrowband channels, such as dial-up connections.  Investors include Updata Venture Partners,. Novak Biddle Venture Partners, CMGI @Ventures, ABS Ventures, Draper Richards, the e-Media Club, and the Washington Dinner Club.  http://www.objectvideo.com/
DiamondBack Vision, January 12, 2001