LUCENT OUTLINES FLEXENT SOFTSWITCH TOLL/TANDEM ARCHITECTURE FOR 3G
Lucent Technologies outlined an IP core architecture for 3G mobile networks that uses a softswitch, APX 8000 VoIP gateway and PacketStar PSAX Multiservice media gateways to connect circuit-based Mobile Switching Centers with IP or ATM backbones.  In a second phase, Lucent plans to evolve the softswitch toll/tandem architecture center toward all-IP services run by a network of servers.  Two key elements will include the Lucent Flexent Mobility Server, open computing platform for managing mobility for the wireless packet core, and Lucent's Flexent Wireless Router, a high-performance radio network controller based on cdma2000 and wideband CDMA.  The Flexent Mobility servers will incorporate Sun's recently introduced line of Netra Compact PCI servers.  Lucent's SpringTide 7000 IP Services Switch would be used for managing data traffic.  http://www.lucent.com/press/0301/010320.nsc.html
Lucent Technologies, March 20, 2001

• In January, Lucent Technologies outlined its plans to pursue a service-intelligent network architecture in which business quality IP services are dynamically established through directory-driven, policy-based provisioning of an IP services layer tied into MPLS signaling.  Using "service intelligence" in the network, all elements in Lucent's new IP network design would have the capability to dynamically recognize and understand the needs of individual users and applications.  Lucent intends to extend its service intelligent IP strategy throughout its entire product portfolio, including solutions from its wireless, data, optical, and software business units.  A key element in the strategy will be Lucent's SpringTide IP Service Switches.
  
• In December 1999, Sun Microsystems and Lucent Technologies announced a $500 million dollar alliance to develop an IP-based mobile network architecture based on Sun Netra servers and Bell Labs-developed software.  

OIF ADOPTS TWO VERY SHORT REACH (VSR) OC-192 SPECS
The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) adopted two more Very Short Reach (VSR) OC-192 interface specifications designed to reduce the cost of high-speed links between equipment in a single central office (CO).  Two other VSR specifications had been adopted in January.  The OIF's third VSR spec uses four 2.5 Gbps vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) in each direction on a single 12-fiber ribbon (with 4 unused fibers). It has a reach of up to 300 meters.  The solution maps the OC-192 frame onto the parallel optical link with no bandwidth expansion and no overwriting of the SONET overhead bytes.  The OIF's fourth VSR spec utilizes a single 850-nanometer vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) for the transmitter optical element, and a single PIN PD for the receiver.  It transmits a SONET/SDH OC-192 data stream over 50 micrometer multimode fiber at distances up to 85 meters, or up to 300 meters with 2000 MHz.km high bandwidth multimode fiber.  A similar 10Gbs serial 850nm optical interface is under consideration by IEEE 802.3ae for inclusion in the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard.   http://www.oiforum.com/public/technical.html
OIF, March 20, 2001

• In January, the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) adopted its first two Very Short Reach (VSR) OC-192 interface specifications.  The first uses parallel optics over 12 fibers at 1.25 Gbps each and supports links of up to 300 meters. The second specification uses 10 Gbps serial signaling with a 1310 nanometer laser over single mode fiber (SMF) and reaches up to 600 meters. 

NEC AMERICA INTRODUCES ITS NEXT GENERATION SONET/SDH NODE
NEC America introduced its next generation multi-function node for aggregation, grooming and transporting both SONET/SDH and IP traffic.  The SpectralWave U-Node, which could be used in access, edge or core applications, supports TDM switching architectures such as 1+1, 1:1, UPSR, 2F-BLSR, 4F-BLSR, 2F-UPSR and SNCp.  It performs cross-connection and path grooming for both intra- and inter-ring traffic, thus eliminating the need for collocated ADMs. The node operates in next-generation mesh networks, as well as in traditional OC-12/OC-48/OC-192 SONET/SDH topologies.  http://www.necpng.com/
NEC America, March 20, 2001

NORTEL NETWORKS RELEASES MEMS-BASED TUNABLE FILTERS
Nortel Networks released a tunable optical filter that uses two microscopic mirrors – one a curved mirror that is deposited on a tiny, precision membrane – to select a specific wavelength.  The device uses the same MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical System) technology as Nortel's tunable laser.  Applications could include DWDM channel monitoring, drop and pass-through channel requirements of a reconfigurable optical network, or transmission link enhancements.  The tunable filter is qualified to Telcordia GR1221 standards. http://www.nortelnetworks.com/corporate/news/newsreleases/2001a/03_20_0101156_mems_filter.html
Nortel Networks, March 20, 2001

LIGHT MANAGEMENT DEVELOPS ACOUSTO-OPTIC SWITCH
The Light Management Group announced a new type of optical switch based on acoustic technology that the company claims is roughly 1,000 times faster than micro-mirror MEMs technology.  The switch uses vibrating crystals and sound waves to control the direction of light. The 1xN Acousto-Optic Commutator is a single-to-multi-mode, high fiber count, all-optical switching device capable of scaling up to 1,024 output lines.   http://www.lmgr.net/nonflas032001.html
Light Management Group, March 20, 2001

• LMG was formed in 1999 after Triton Acquisition Corporation reorganized under the Light Management Group name and acquired 100 per cent of Laser Show Systems Ltd.

GIGABIT OPTICS ANNOUNCES 32-CHANNEL GIGABIT INTERFACE TRANSCEIVER
Gigabit Optics, a start-up based in Sunnyvale, California, introduced a 32-channel WDM Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) designed for Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel applications. The company said its device represents an eightfold increase in channel utilization for GBIC-compliant products.  http://www.gigabitoptics.com/
Gigabit Optics, March 20, 2001

TELIA RAISES ADSL RATES
Effective September 1, Telia will increase the price for individual access to the Telia ADSL Broadband service from SEK 250 (US$25) per month to SEK 325 (US$32 per month).  The connection fee of SEK 1,475 (US$146) will not be raised.  Telia said that despite strong demand for broadband access, its current revenues from advertising and content-based services could not compensate for costs. Telia believes access must be priced in line with prevailing market conditions.  http://www.telia.se
Telia, March 20, 2001

ALCATEL SUPPLIES 100K ADSL-LINES TO DEUTSCHE TELEKOM
Deutsche Telekom selected Alcatel to supply 100,000 ADSL lines for the expansion of its broadband network in Germany.  The deployment will be based on Alcatel's 7300 ASAM DSL access platform.  Financial terms were not disclosed.   http://www.alcatel.com
Alcatel, March 20, 2001

• As of February 15, Deutsche Telekom had sold 800,000 DSL lines.  About 300,000 customers now have broadband access.  Deutsche Telekom said it is currently working on integrating other suppliers in order to improve installations.  It targets 2.6 million T-DSL customers by the end of 2001.  Deutsche Telekom plans to invest around DM 2.2 billion to expand its T-DSL network over the next two years. 

NETSTREAM SELECTS CISCO FOR MPLS NET
NetStream, a start-up service provider based in Roseville, CA, activated a multi-tiered, MPLS network based on Cisco Systems' equipment.  NetStream plans to offer enterprise services such as secure virtual private networks (VPNs), high-performance video on-demand, remote data storage, disaster recovery, and carrier grade voice (VoIP).  At the core, the network consists of Cisco BPX 8650 IP+ATM Multiservice Switches with dual Cisco 7206 Label Switch Controllers and the Cisco GSR 12016 Gigabit Switch Router.  Cisco 7507 Label Switch Routers are used for the MPLS edge; dual Cisco 7206 Label Switch Routers are deployed for the Internet MPLS edge.  NetStream will also use Cisco 6160 IP DSL switches. The network will serve California and the Pacific Northwest.   Financial terms were not disclosed.  http://www.netstream.com.
NetStream, March 20, 2001

3COM ANNOUNCES NEW WIRELESS LAN SOLUTIONS
3Com introduced an 11 Mbps Wireless LAN solution that it claims can be set-up in 60 seconds.  The solution, which is designed specifically for networks of up to 100 users, consists of a PC Card for portable PCs and an Access Point for connection back to the wired network.  The set offers basic 40-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) as well as dynamic "username/password" security and 128-bit encryption.  The PC card is priced at $219 list.  Pricing for the Access Point will be announced with product release in Q2.  http://www.3com.com/news/releases/pr01/mar2001a.html

3Com also announced an 11 Mbps wireless public access solution that could provide secure wireless connectivity in public venues such as airports, hotel, convention centers, and retail chains.  The 3Com Ethernet Client Bridge (ECB) is a "zero-configuration" Wi-Fi-certified product that connects any Ethernet-enabled device to the public access wireless network.
http://www.3com.com/news/releases/pr01/mar2001b.html
3Com, March 20, 2001

INTEL ACQUIRES ICP VORTEX FOR NETWORK STORAGE TECHNOLOGY
Intel acquired ICP vortex Computersysteme, a developer of intelligent storage solutions, for an undisclosed amount of cash.  Intel said ICP vortex's storage solutions would complement its existing business of providing input/output (I/O) building blocks for the networked storage market.  These products include Intel I/O processors, Intel integrated RAID reference designs, software and controller cards.  http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20010320corp_c.htm?iid=update+010320a&
Intel, March 20, 2001

• ICP vortex Computersysteme offers a series of RAID controllers.  The company is based in Neckarsulm, Germany.  http://www.icp-vortex.com/

Intel's Networking Acquisitions VxTel Voice over Packet silicon designs Jan 01 $550 million in cash Xircom Small-form-factor PC Cards Jan 01 $748 million in cash DataKinetics Signaling System 7 (SS7) hardware and software Aug 00 not disclosed Trillium Data Systems communications source code Aug 00 $300 million Picazo Communications CT media server software Apr 00 not disclosed Basis Communications network processors including narrowband controllers and CardBus controllers Mar 00  $495 million in cash GIGA A/S OC-48 and OC-192 silicon solutions Mar 00  $1.25 billion in cash Voice Technologies Group IP PBX Integration communication boards Feb 00 undisclosed cash Ambient Technology DSL silicon Jan 00 $150 million in cash DSP Communications digital cellular communications products October 99 $1.6 billion in cash  IPivot network appliances for eCommerce sites October 99 $500 million in cash the Telecom Component Products (TCP) division of Stanford Telecommunications silicon components for cable modems and head-end equipment Sept 99 undisclosed cash Olicom A/S's development group in Denmark intellectual property and engineering team focused on LAN solutions Sept 99 price not disclosed NetBoost hardware/software accelerator for policy-based networking Sept 99 price not disclosed Softcom MicroSystems network access processor designed for full OC-12 cell rate performance for 64 byte packets Jul 99 price not disclosed  Dialogic Corp. computer telephony software, network interfaces and media processing boards that run on Intel-based servers Jun 99 approximately $780 million Level One Communications a developer of LAN/WAN silicon devices Mar 99 about $2.2 billion in stock Shiva remote access and VPN products Oct 98 $185 million in cash Dayna Communications Fast Ethernet hubs and switches, bridges, routers, network adapters Sept 97 price not disclosed Case Technology of Denmark Layer 3 switching and Fast Ethernet technologies Jan 1997 US$72 million