CABLELABS RELEASES OPENCABLE SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS
Cable Television Laboratories (CableLabs) released for comment the OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP), a middleware software specification for interactive applications and services that operate over a broadband cable network. The specification has two major components: an Execution Engine (EE), which will provide a programmable environment, and a Presentation Engine (PE), similar to a Web browser.  Sun Microsystems was the lead contributor for the EE, while Liberate and Microsoft served as the lead contributors on the PE.   http://www.opencable.com/newsEvents.html
Cable Labs, March 5, 2001

• In November, CableLabs released several new PacketCable interim specifications for delivering advanced, real-time multimedia services over two-way cable plants.  The new PacketCable interdomain specifications describe call signaling, quality-of-service (QoS), and event messaging extensions over IP backbones. The interdomain capability will enable the establishment of end-to-end multimedia IP sessions between subscribers on different cable networks.  Future additions to the PacketCable specifications will define protocol support for enhanced capabilities, such as multimedia conferencing and interactive gaming. 

ONETTA INTRODUCES AMPLIFIERS FOR DYNAMIC OPTICAL TRANSMISSION
Onetta, a start-up based in San Jose, California, introduced L-Band, C-Band optical amplifiers designed to carry and intelligently manage signals over long-haul and ultra-long-haul networks.  Onetta's optical amplifiers are designed to intelligently control and manage the signal in response to changes in traffic patterns and provisioning needs.  The devices will also provide low-noise figure and gain flatness, significantly reducing the need to regenerate the signal.  http://www.onetta.com/
Onetta, March 5, 2001

• Onetta is headed by Dennis Barsema (CEO), who previously was the president and CEO for Redback Networks.

• Last week, Onetta announced $56 million in second round funding to expand production capacity of its high-end intelligent optical amplifiers. Investors include HarbourVest Partners, Sumitomo Corporation, J.P. Morgan H&Q, J&W & Seligman, Sequoia Capital and Matrix Partners. 

• The company was founded in February 2000 by Dr. Robert MacDonald (previously with New Focus) and Dr. Yan Sun (previously with Lucent's optical networking group). 

AGERE SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES L-BAND RAMAN PUMP MODULE
Agere Systems announced an L-band Raman pump module for high-speed optical transmission systems, combining passive optical components and multiple pump lasers in the same package.  Agere's Raman module uses 14xx nanometer (nm) pump lasers, which provide the high optical power needed to achieve signal amplification within the transmission fiber. It also includes a range of passive components -- including taps, isolators and combiners -- required for multiple functions within optical amplifiers. Critical to these passive components are thin-film filters, which enable wavelength management functions such as separation and combination.  Agere will also offer a C-band Raman pump module.  http://www.lucent.com/micro/NEWS/PRESS2001/030501a.html
Agere Systems, March 5, 2001

• Separately, Agere Systems announced a dynamic gain equalization filter (DGEF) module that can be used to enhance the performance of optical amplifiers in ultra-long-haul dense-wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems.

GEMFIRE UNVEILS PHOTONIC ICS, $63 MILLION IN STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS
Gemfire, a privately-held company creating array-based integrated active components for optical networks, raised over $63 million in third round funding from Cisco Systems, Corning, Finisar, Intel Capital and TriQuint Semiconductor, as well as venture capital firms.  Gemfire is developing Photonic Integrated Circuit (PhotonIC) devices that will use an integrated array approach to replace single channel devices.  The company expects is multiple port devices will cut the cost per function in half. The company's first products will include a 980nm pump source array for metro networks, which provides eight independently-controllable fiber outputs.  Gemfire also introduced a multi-port variable optical attenuator (VOA) array designed to provide gain equalization and dynamic saturation control of optical signals.  Gemfire's active waveguide-based products will use semiconductor laser, polymer and lithium niobate planar platforms.  http://www.gemfire.com
Gemfire, March 5, 2001

QUANTUM BRIDGE INTRODUCES OPTICAL ACCESS SWITCH SERVING BUILDINGS AND CAMPUSES
Quantum Bridge Communications introduced a carrier-class optical access switch for delivering data, voice and private line services to building tenants via passive optical links.  Quantum Bridge's new QB3000 Optical Access Switch (OAS), which is based on the company's existing QB5000 unit, features a 24-port 10/100 base TX Ethernet switch module and a 16 port T-1/E-1 card for delivering voice and private line services within a multi-tenant building.  The QB3000 also supports dedicated OC-3/OC-12 connections and converged voice and data services via an ATM/TDM gateway.  http://www.quantumbridge.com/pr030501.html
Quantum Bridge Communications, March 5, 2001

BRECIS DEBUTS MULTI-SERVICE PROCESSOR ARCHITECTURE FOR IADs
BRECIS Communications, a start-up based in San Jose, California, unveiled a "Multi-Service Processor" architecture for next generation customer premises equipment.  The BRECIS network processors will leverage distributed intelligent processing "engines" on the same chip to rapidly and simultaneously perform prioritized data transactions with an extremely efficient peer to peer communications mechanism. A typical processor built with the MSP architecture might simultaneously incorporate separate engines that enable functions such as communication with local or wide area networks, voice processing, security, management, and MPEG2 video decoding. Each of these engines could be dynamically managed, prioritized, or even reprogrammed to suit both the immediate needs of the data being processed and the particular design goals of the integrated access device. The company will announce specific network processor designs later this year.  http://www.brecis.com
BRECIS Communications, March 5, 2001

• BRECIS Communications is led by George Alexy, who previously was Senior Vice President of Marketing at Cirrus Logic.
  

• In January, BRECIS raised $23 million in third round venture financing, bringing total investment to $53.5 million.

ISHONI GAINS $25 MILLION FOR GATEWAY CHIPS
Ishoni Networks, a start-up developing a Gateway-on-a-Chip designed for customer premise broadband access devices, secured $35 million in new financing, bringing its total raised to date to $65 million.  Investors include Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Brad Peery Capital, Credit Suisse First Boston, Deutsche Banc Alex Brown, PacRim Venture Partners, SinoStar Capital and several other strategic investors. All of Ishoni’s previous investors – Bessemer Venture Partners, Information Technology Ventures, INVESCO Private Capital and Lucent Venture Partners – also participated in the venture-funding round.   http://www.ishoni.com
Ishoni Networks, March 5, 2001

• ishoni’s Broadband Engine chip integrates a separate processor for data and control, DSP for Voice processing and Encryption for VPN, along with commonly required interfaces to external physical chips such as xDSL, Cable and Wireless modem chips, Ethernet, USB, SLIC/SLAC, DRAM and Flash Memory.  The device allows the use of various real-time operating systems and open APIs. Sampling is underway.  The company is based in Santa Clara, California.

NTT DOCOMO'S "I-MODE" TOPS 20 MILLION
NTT DoCoMo's i-mode mobile information service topped 20 million on March 4, 2001.  The service was initially launched on February 22, 1999.  Currently, 828 companies are providing information services through i-mode and there are about 1,480 official i-mode Web sites.
http://www.nttdocomo.com/top.shtml
NTT DoCoMo, March 5, 2001

• In December, NTT DoCoMo agreed to invest approximately $9.8 billion in AT&T Wireless (for 406 million shares, a 16% stake).  Under the deal, AT&T Wireless will create a new, wholly owned subsidiary to develop multimedia applications for its current network and a new 3G network.  AT&T Wireless will license NTT DoCoMo's i-mode technology platform and both companies will share technical resources and support staffing of the new unit.  
  

• NTT DoCoMo will market its forthcoming WCDMA service under the "FOMA" ("Freedom Of Mobile multimedia Access") slogan.  The packet based service will deliver a maximum downlink speed of 384 kbps and maximum uplink speed of 64 kbps. 

TELE1 EUROPE SELECTS DYNARC'S OPTICAL IP ROUTERS
Tele1 Europe, a facilities-based pan-Nordic telecommunications operator headquartered in Stockholm, awarded an $18 million contract to Dynarc for its optical networking routers.  In the first phase of the rollout, Tele1 Europe will begin deploying 160 Dynarc 5116 auto-provisioning routers in the major Nordic cities.  The equipment will be used for delivering enhanced IP services for corporate customers, including VPN services with a guaranteed 100 Mbps or higher IP connection and Internet access.  The cities will be linked together, also using the Dynarc 5116 auto-provisioning routers.  Tele1 Europe is currently using Dynarc's earlier metro router model for backhauling DSL traffic in Stockholm.  http://www.dynarc.com/DWAT/DWAT?page_id=145
Dynarc, March 5, 2001

SPRINT ION EXPANDS CONSUMER BROADBAND OPTIONS
Sprint expanded its portfolio of consumer broadband services.  A new Sprint ION service level offers DSL Internet access with downstream rates up to 8 Mbps, unlimited local calling, 200 minutes of domestic long-distance, voice mail, Caller ID, Call Waiting and customer control panel for $99.99 per month.  Sprint also offers an enhanced service package with up to four phone/fax lines and 750 minutes of long distance for $149.99 per month.  The company's basic DSL service with downstream speeds up to 1.5 Mbps and upstream speeds of up to 384 Kbps costs $44.99 per month.  http://www3.sprint.com/PR/CDA/PR_CDA_Press_Releases_Detail/1,1694,2240,00.html
Sprint ION, March 5, 2001

ANALOG DEVICES AND AWARE EXTEND ADSL TO 11 MBPS
Analog Devices and Aware introduced a software enhancement for Analog Devices’ ADSL chipsets that extends data rates up to 11 Mbps, enough for a single telephone line to carry two channels of broadcast-quality (MPEG-2) video, high-speed Internet access and traditional voice services.  http://www.aware.com/company/press/2001/fastadsl.htm
Aware, March 5, 2001

FLAG TELECOM ACCELERATES CAPACITY UPGRADES FOR NEW ATLANTIC CABLE
FLAG Telecom ordered an accelerated upgrade program for the FLAG Atlantic-1 (FA-1) cable system, which is currently nearing completion.  Severe weather in the North Atlantic has delayed the commercial activation of the undersea cable from the end of March until some time later in Q2.  FA-1, which connects London, Paris and New York, is being built as a loop system with three self-healing, high-capacity loops. The full loop system is expected to be in place by early in the second half of 2001. FLAG Telecom has ordered a 120 Gbps capacity upgrade to be in service in the first quarter of 2002, effectively doubling its own initial capacity on the system. http://www.flagtelecom.com
FLAG Telecom, March 5, 2001

• FLAG Telecom's largest investors include Verizon Communications and Dallah Al Barakah Group (Saudi Arabia).
  
• The FLAG Pacific-1 cable is expected to enter service in the second half of 2002.

VERIZON ON TRACK FOR 2001 FINANCIAL GOALS
Verizon Communications is on track to meet its operational and financial targets for 2001, its first full year following the completion of the Bell Atlantic-GTE merger.  Verizon anticipates ending the first quarter with at least 700,000 DSL customers and aims to serve approximately 1.2-1.3 million DSL customers by the end of the year.  It also has 5.1 million long-distance customers, making it the fourth largest long distance company in the US.  http://newscenter.verizon.com/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=50408
Verizon Communications, March 5, 2001

PRINCETON LIGHTWAVE TARGETS OPTICAL COMPONENTS
Princeton Lightwave, a spin-off from Sarnoff Corporation, is pursuing a wafer-to-module approach for high power Raman and EDFA pump lasers, broadband GainChips and advanced source lasers.  The company's expertise is in advanced laser design, crystal growth, high-yield wafer processing, thermal management and optical packaging.  The company has a 90,000 sq. ft., highly automated manufacturing facility.  http://www.princetonlightwave.com/
Princeton Lightwave, March 5, 2001

• Last May, Princeton Lightwave secured $28 million in first-round financing from Morgenthaler Ventures, USVP and Venrock Associates.

NETWORK PHYSICS SECURES $25 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE EQUIPMENT
Network Physics, a start-up based in Palo Alto, California, secured $25 million in second round financing for its development of network infrastructure equipment targeting web site performance improvements.  The company said it would exploit a deep understanding of the non-linear dynamics of IP traffic.  Specific product plans have not been disclosed.  Investors include Lucent Venture Partners, Broadband Capital, Intel Communications Fund, Sofinnova Ventures, SMC, SunAmerica Ventures and VantagePoint Venture Partners.  http://www.networkphysics.com/
Network Physics, March 5, 2001