• BroadJump, a start-up based in Austin, Texas, specializes in broadband service installation and management software tools.  Its announced customers include Adelphia Communications, AT&T Broadband, BellSouth Communications, Road Runner, SBC Communications, Sprint (DSL and fixed wireless), and Time Warner.

NETSCREEN RELEASES NEW HIGH-CAPACITY SECURITY SYSTEM FOR ENTERPRISES OR DATA CENTERS
NetScreen Technologies, a developer of ASIC-based Internet security systems and appliances, introduced a high-capacity security system featuring more than 700 Mbps of firewall and 250 Mbps of VPN throughput.  The NetScreen-500, which is targeted at enterprises or data centers, meets the needs of large-scale VPN deployments by supporting up to 10,000 site-to-site or remote access VPN tunnels.  The box supports combinations of 10/100 and gigabit physical interfaces.  NetScreen also features a unique Virtual Systems capability that enables the platform to enforce different security policies for up to 25 separate domains. NetScreen is based in Sunnyvale, California.  http://www.netscreen.com/aboutus/articles/news043001.html
NetScreen Technologies, May 1, 2001

CISCO ENHANCES ITS IP SERVICE AGGREGATION PLATFORM FOR IPSEC VPNs
Cisco Systems introduced an enhanced IP service aggregation platform featuring IPsec and MPLS Virtual Private Network (VPN) functionality.  The Cisco 10000 Series IP edge router will use a new IPsec VPN Service Module that scales up to 25,000 IPsec tunnels with 3DES throughput of 250 Mbps. Cisco said the platform incorporates completely redundant hardware architecture for 99.999% uptime.  http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/pd/rt/10000/prodlit/index.shtml
Cisco Systems, May 1, 2001

ZUMA RELEASES LAYER 3 IP SERVICE SWITCHING PLATFORM
Zuma Networks, a partner start-up of MRV Communications, announced general availability of its LightReef Z16 layer 2/3/4 switching and IP services platform.  Zuma’s layer 2/3/4 switch-router features a distributed parallel hardware architecture that leverages purpose built ASICs and multi-processing on IBM PPC CPUs.  The design offers 16 blade slots, 256 Gbps of switching capacity and up to 32 Linux application processors.  Each blade is a complete router with four connectors for 10/100 Ethernet and Fast Ethernet (EFE), Gigabit Ethernet (GBE), CPU and other function modules.  Zuma’s open software support allows for Linux IP services, like firewall, VPN, HTTP, NAT and others.  In addition to its 16-slot chassis, Zuma will also offer a four-slot chassis with 128 Gbps of switching capacity and a one-slot chassis with 16 Gbps of switching capacity.  Beta testing of two of Zuma’s LightReef Switch Routers is being conducted at the University of Southern California's Johnny Carson Television Center and the newly opened Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts.  Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) Network Innovation Labs (NIL) is also testing the system.  http://www.zumanetworks.com
Zuma Networks, May 1, 2001

• Zuma Networks was co-founded by Todd Rope, formerly with NBase Communications (an MRV company), and Reuben Sivan, previously President of MultiPort (acquired by MRV Communications).

AT&T WIRELESS SELECTS CONVERGYS FOR 3G BILLING AND PROVISIONING
Convergys Corporation will provide provisioning and billing software and services in a service bureau environment to support AT&T Wireless' roll-out of 3G services.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  Convergys' Atlys billing and customer care solution features general packet radio service (GPRS) support, IP mediation and provisioning gateway, event-based rating, global roaming (TAP3), "pre-call" prepaid support, enhanced Web-based self-care, and Internationalization enhancements. http://www.convergys.com
Convergys, May 1, 2001

• Last month, Convergys completed its acquisition of Geneva Technology Ltd., a UK developer of convergent billing software for the telecommunications, e-commerce, utilities, and on-line services marketplaces.  
   
• In January, AT&T Broadband awarded a seven-year contract to Convergys Corporation for outsourced billing for residential phone customers.  Convergys provides telephony billing and customer care for AT&T Broadband's commercial business customers under a separate five-year contract. 

JEDAI DEVELOPS IP OPTICAL ACCESS PLATFORM FOR CABLE OPERATORS
Jedai Broadband Networks, a start-up based in Redbank, New Jersey, is developing an IP optical access platform to upgrade existing HFC infrastructure for higher bandwidth business and residential services.  The platform will distribute IP intelligence to the edges of the network, thereby offering a way to deliver VPNs, DS1 telephony services and other high-value services.  http://www.jedai.com
Jedai, May 1, 2001

• Jedai is led by Dr. Chinlon Lin, previously Director of Broadband Lightwave Systems Research with Bellcore (now Telcordia) and a researcher with AT&T Bell Labs.

EARTHLINK OFFERS DIRECPC SATELLITE ACCESS
EarthLink began offering two-way high-speed satellite Internet access service in the eastern US in partnership with DirecPC.  The service costs $69.95 per month for downstream speeds of up to 400 Kbps and upstream speeds of up to 128 Kbps.  The service will be expanded nationwide by the end of the month.  Earthlink is also pursuing DSL and cable access options for its Internet service.  http://www.earthlink.com/about/pr/satellite_service.html
Earthlink, May 1, 2001

• Earthlink claims 4.3 million narrowband (dial-up) subscribers and 288,000 broadband subscribers.  The company added more than 73,000 broadband subscribers in Q1, a 34% sequential increase. 

MOTOROLA TO SUPPLY MODEMS FOR ASTROLINK’S SATELLITE ACCESS SERVICE
Motorola will supply two-way business customer-premises terminals for Astrolink's forthcoming Ka-band global satellite telecommunications system.  Motorola has agreed to design, develop, and manufacture the terminals for delivery in 2003.  http://www.astrolink.com/
Astrolink, May 1, 2001

• Astrolink is backed by Liberty Media, Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications, Telespazio, and TRW.
   
• Astrolink initially plans to launch four geostationary satellites located 23,000 miles (37,000 kilometers) above the earth's equator.  Each satellite will feature 44 "spot beams" as well as an on-board packet switch.  Astrolink expects its satellites will have a life span of 12 years, nearly double that of low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites.  An additional five satellites are planned for a complete network deployment that would cover 92% of telecom markets.
   
• The estimated total cost of Astrolink system, with the first four geostationary satellites, is approximately US$3.6 billion.  So far the company has raised $1.33 billion in equity from four strategic partners: Liberty Media - $425 million; Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications - $400 million; TRW - $255 million; and Telespazio - $250 million.

SYLANTRO AND POLYCOM TEST IP PHONES WITH MANAGED TELEPHONY SYSTEM
Sylantro Systems and Polycom launched today live market trials of Polycom's voice over IP (VoIP) desktop phone and Sylantro's managed telephony applications.  The beta trial matches Polycom’s business-class SoundPoint IP 500 phone with Sylantro-based features such as missed-call, in-bound and out-bound call logs, as well as company and personal access directories.  Individual telephone preferences and company call-policies are set using Sylantro's browser-based interface.  http://www.sylantro.com/news/releases.html
Sylantro, May 1, 2001

AMBER NETWORKS TRIMS ITS STAFF
Amber Networks, a start-up developing multiservice IP/MPLS edge aggregation routers, reduced its workforce by 12% in response to the softening economy and lowered industry estimates of short-term service provider spending.  The company said it would continue with product deliveries and customer trials as planned. Amber is based in Fremont, California.  http://www.ambernetworks.com
Amber Networks, May 1, 2001