XO Acquires More of Global Crossing's Debt

Through the tender offer that expired on 27-June-2003, XO Communications acquired approximately $495 million principal amount of Global Crossing's Senior Secured Loans. With the tendered amount, XO will own approximately $790 million principal amount of the approximately $2.214 billion of such loans outstanding.
http://www.xo.com

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Juniper Networks Expands Edge Routing Capabilities

Juniper Networks introduced several enhancements to its Service-Built Edge portfolio aimed at supporting new service models for carriers. The rollout includes:

• the ERX-310 edge router featuring 3-slots and 10 Gbps backplane. The ERX-310 is the smallest edge router in Juniper's portfolio and positioned for deployment in smaller POPs supporting up to 16,000 subscribers. The ERX-310 is aimed at untapped markets, such as smaller DSL nodes and 802.11 hotspots
• 
  
  new Ethernet services PIC offered in 1-port and 2-port Gigabit Ethernet versions. It provides per-VLAN QoS and accounting. It complements Juniper's existing ATM services PIC. Both PICs could be deployed simultaneously in the same M-series router.
• 
  
  new BRAS enhancements for providing secure remote access for IPSec, IPv6 capabilities, and the ability to support 48,000 subscribers with full services. The secure remote access capabilities would enable carriers to terminate an IPSec client session at an E-series edge router for interconnection into a corporate VPN. Juniper is also adding support for Ethernet-connected DSLAMs.
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  new Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) support based on the Kompella draft. Juniper's VPLS Kompella delivers inter-metro Ethernet LAN services by leveraging BGP signaling. The solution supports autodiscovery and Inter-AS for large carrier-to-carrier partnerships
• 
  
  new J-Flow accounting capabilities for aligning billing with actual resource consumption. Juniper said its flow-based accounting is distinguished by being independent of the data path, thereby ensuring no performance hit for turning on the accounting capabilities.
  

http://www.juniper.net

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LSI Logic Offers ADSL, VoIP and Ethenet HomeBase Design

LSI Logic introduced a VoIP/ADSL gateway design that uses its ADSL modem chipset and its open architecture ZSP digital signal processor (DSP). In addition to the hardware, the gateway includes software such as router, NAT (Network Address Translation) and Firewall based on a royalty-free Linux operating system. A comprehensive VoIP software suite is also included with multiple voice codecs including G.711, G.723.1, G.726, G.728 and G.729 and supporting signaling protocols such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and MGCP (Media Gateway Control Protocol). In addition to VoIP, the design also supports VoATM services.
http://www.lsilogic.com

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Extreme Debuts Fixed Configuration Edge Switch

Extreme Networks unveiled two new Summit 200 fixed configuration switches featuring enhanced security capabilities, including Network Login, 802.1x, DOS, SSH2, Layer 2/3/4 ACLs and many other features. The switches also features Extreme's unique Ethernet Automatic Protection Switching (EAPS) and Ethernet Standby Routing Protocol (ESRP), as well as link aggregation, rapid spanning tree and OSPF. The Summit 200-24 has a list price of $1,850, and the Summit 200-48 has a list price of $3,350. Both switches will be available in early July.
http://www.extremenetworks.com

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Mindspeed Completes Spinoff as Independent Public Company

Shares in Mindspeed Technologies began trading on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "MND." The company develops semiconductors for enterprise, access, metropolitan and wide area networks. The company's three key product families include multiservice access solutions designed to support voice and data services across wireline and wireless networks, T/E carrier physical-layer and link-layer products, and ATM/MPLS network processors. Mindspeed employs more than 650 people and is based in Newport Beach, California.
http://www.mindspeed.com

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Conexant Focuses on "Driving the Digital Home"

Following last week's spin-off of Mindspeed Technologies into a separate company, the ongoing Conexant Systems company adopted the slogan "Driving the Digital Home" as its corporate positioning statement. The company will focus on silicon solutions for client-side connections, especially set-top boxes, residential gateways, PCs and game consoles using broadband connections. Conexant Systems now has 1,400 employees and remains headquartered in Newport Beach, California.
http://www.conexant.com

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SureWest Selects Occam for Video over DSL

SureWest Communications, an integrated communications provider based in Roseville, California, has selected Occam Networks' BLC 6000 System to deliver video service to telephone subscribers.
Occam's broadband loop carrier platform supports an IP-service delivery model in which Gigabit Ethernet is used to provide feeder bandwidth. It also provides IGMP multicast capabilities at every node and delivers IP integration with digital head-ends, middleware and set top boxes. The selection of Occam Networks follows extensive lab trials for video-over-copper service delivery. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.occamnetworks.com
http://www.surewest.com

• In May 2003, SureWest Communications said DSL is being used in 18% and is available to 100% of the homes in the its ILEC service area. The company reported approximately 17,500 DSL customers. SureWest has also deployed a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Sacramento that offers a 10 Mbps standard to residential customers. This Sacramento operation currently has nearly 6,000 high-speed data customers. SureWest serves in excess of 135,000 access lines in its 83-square mile territory near Sacramento, California.
• 
  
  SureWest is using Cisco Systems as a vendor for its FTTH project in Sacramento. The deployment includes the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series and the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series switches.
• 
  
  SureWest is also using Minerva Networks' video services management software to offer interactive television services to its subscribers.
• 
  
  In May 2003, Occam Networks introduced its new BLC 6000 Broadband Loop Carrier System for delivery of voice, data and video services using Gigabit Ethernet transport. Occam's BLC 6000 is a modular loop carrier system designed to eliminate the need for additional pieces of access equipment such as a DSLAM, Ethernet switch, Optical Add Drop multiplexor and VoIP gateway. The platform supports TDM services, such as lifeline POTS and T1s, as well as an IP Service Delivery model for the delivery of video and softswitch-controlled voice services. IP support includes Internet Group Multicast Protocol (IGMP) and Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP). The BLC 6000 System can scale from 24 to thousands of subscribers, sharing blades across a variety of chassis sizes.
  

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Intersil, ViXS Collaborate on 802.11g Video Streaming

ViXS Systems and Intersil are collaborating on tools for the transmission of video over 802.11g networks. ViXS offers a chipset that can adjust the bit-rates, resolutions and formats of multiple MPEG video streams in real time, adapting each stream to changing network bandwidth. Intersil offers 802.11g chipsets. The combination of the two chipsets would enable consumer electronics manufacturers to build appliances capable of delivering high-quality digital video over a wireless network. Potential applications include digital video recorders (DVRs), media gateways, set-top boxes, HDTVs, plasma and LCD TV monitors, PDAs, web tablets, personal computers and personal video recorders (PVRs).
http://www.vixs.com
http://www.intersil.com

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BT Awards Key Network Access Contract to Marconi

Marconi will supply its Access Hub multiservice access node (MSAN) equipment to support the ongoing rollout and development of BT's broadband access service in the UK. Marconi's Access Hub combines the functionality of a DSLAM with the ability to aggregate multiple traffic types. The platform offers up to 40 Gbps of bandwidth on the backplane. In addition to the Access Hub platforms, Marconi is expected to provide BT with network installation, commissioning and support, as well as its ServiceOn Access network management system. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.marconi.com

• As of 16-May-2003, BT had 936,000 broadband end users. The company was adding about 25,000 new DSL accounts per week . At the time, BT's footprint was covering about 69% of UK households.
  

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Cypress Samples High Performance Network Search Engine

Cypress Semiconductor began sampling a new high-performance network search engine (NSE) optimized for multi-protocol packet classification and forwarding at 266 million searches per second (MSPS). Cypress claims its new device effectively doubles the search performance of existing NSE solutions. The network search engine could be used in Internet routers and switches to offload search functions from the network processing ASIC or FPGA.
http://www.cypress.com

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AT&T Discounts Dial-up Service for Local/Long Distance Customers

Consumers who choose AT&T for residential local and long distance bundle will be able to add unlimited, dial-up Internet access for $11.95 per month. The bundling saves customers more than $140 a year on dial-up Internet service from AT&T. The package is initially offered in New Jersey.
http://www.att.com

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Sandia National Labs Builds 128 Node InfiniBand Supercomputer Cluster Node

Sandia National Labs selected Fabric Networks to supply a 128-node Linux cluster based on InfiniBand switched fabric networking technology. The project is described as the largest public, fully integrated cluster of this magnitude in the U.S. based on 10 Gbps InfiniBand technology.
http://www.fabricnetworks.com

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Cogent Supplies 100 Mbps Link for Distance Learning Network

C-SPAN has selected Cogent to provide a 100 Mbps connection to Pace University's midtown Manhattan campus. This is the second such connection that Cogent has provided to C-SPAN to use for its expanding distance learning program. Cogent offers either 100 Mbps or 1,000 Mbps dedicated, non-oversubscribed bandwidth at $1,000 and $10,000 per month respectively.
http://www.cogentco.com
http://www.C-SPAN.org.

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Vitesse Participates in Darpa Research into Indium Phosphide Chips

Vitesse Semiconductor, BAE SYSTEMS and the University of Illinois Urbana Champain (UIUC) are collaborating on a $6 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop next generation indium phosphide (InP) integrated circuits for military communications. The research program will leverage Vitesse's sub-micron VIP-2 Indium Phosphide Heterojunction Bipolar Transmitter (InP HBT) technology. The initial circuits are for direct digital frequency synthesis (DDFS) for electronic warfare and radar applications.
http://www.vitesse.com

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Level 3 Announces Offering of $250 Million of Convertible Senior Notes

Level 3 Communications announced a public offering of $250 million in Convertible Senior Notes due 2010. Level 3 said it will use the money for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes, including new product development, debt repurchases and acquisitions. The company will also grant to the underwriters an option to purchase an additional $37.5 million aggregate principal amount of its Convertible Senior Notes solely to cover over-allotments.


Separately, Level 3 reaffirmed its previously issued financial guidance for Q2 and the rest of 2003.
http://www.Level3.com

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UTStarcom Lands First European Contract

The Cyprus Telecommunications Authority selected UTStarcom's AN-2000 Broadband Multi-Service Access Network (MSAN) to support its rollout of a "Fiber-to-the-Cabinet" (FTTCab) network of voice, data, and ADSL services serving enterprise and residential subscribers. The selection marks UTStarcom's first contract in Europe. UTStarcom's AN-2000 access platform can be used to deliver traditional analog voice services; digital voice and data over ISDN; analog and digital leased-line services over IDSL or SHDSL; broadband data over SHDSL and ADSL; and Internet access. It connects to the PSTN on V5.2, V5.1, or two-wire interfaces and it supports ATM or IP backhaul for data services. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.utstar.com

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UTStarcom Signs Another $43 Million Contract with China Netcom

In just six months since China Netcom began offering a low-cost wireless local telephone service using UTStarcom's IP-based Personal Access System (iPAS) in China's northern HeiLongJiang province, over 800,000 subscribers have signed-up. Over half of these new subscribers are in the provincial capital of Harbin. China Netcom has signed a contract valued at approximately $43 million to deploy additional iPAS equipment. UTStarcom said the explosive PAS subscriber growth is indicative of what is happening in other metropolitan and suburban regions of China.
http://www.utstar.com

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TelstraClear Deploys Broadsoft/Cisco for Carrier Hosted Applications

TelstraClear, a competitive carrier in New Zealand, will begin deploying BroadSoft's BroadWorks platform and Cisco infrastructure to provide converged voice and data services. BroadSoft's BroadWorks supports a range of carrier applications, including IP Centrex, Hosted PBX, and Voice VPN. Financial terms were not disclosed. BroadSoft and Cisco now have over 20 joint customers worldwidehttp://www.broadsoft.com/

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Juniper and Alcatel to Build Telecom New Zealand's New IP Network

Telecom New Zealand is using Juniper Networks' M- and E-series platforms for its next generation IP network. The equipment was deployed in Telecom New Zealand's network by Alcatel. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.juniper.net

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Loral Space and Alcatel Settle Disputes

Loral Space & Communications and Alcatel settled all outstanding issues between them, including a contract dispute that has been in arbitration. Loral will pay Alcatel $5 million now and an additional $8 million within one year of closing. As part of the settlement, Alcatel will transfer its minority interest in CyberStar to Loral, and Loral will transfer to Alcatel its minority interests in two Alcatel affiliates (Europe*Star and SkyBridge) that Loral had previously written off.
http://www.loral.com

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Motorola Invests in Bitfone

Bitfone, a start-up based in Laguna Niguel, California, has secured additional funding from Motorola Ventures for its over-the-air (OTA) firmware update technology for mobile phones. Bitfone's technology enables the updating of a mobile phone's entire firmware over the air in a fault-tolerant manner. Total funding in Bitfone now stands at over $35 million. Previous investors include Nokia Venture Partners, St Paul Venture Capital, 3i, Nexit Ventures, Orange Ventures, KTB Ventures and CIR Ventures. Bitfone said it is the first company to receive funding from both Motorola Ventures and Nokia Venture Partners.
http://www.bitfone.com

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Orthogon Unveils Wireless Ethernet Bridge in Unlicensed 5.8 GHz

Orthogon Systems (formerly Pipinghot Networks), a start-up based in Waltham, Massachusetts and Ashburton, UK, announced commercial availability of a Wireless Ethernet bridge that operates in the license-exempt 5.8GHz spectrum band. Orthogon Systems uses intelligent orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) along with a special multi-beam space time coding technique to provide far greater radio coverage than has previously been possible with non-line-of-sight (nLoS) technology. Unlike conventional systems that use a single channel radio, Orthogon Systems transmits several data beams via multiple antennas. These beams are recombined by multiple receivers at the other end of the point-to-point connection. If any one radio path is faded, there is a high probability that other paths are not, so the signal still gets through. Orthogon's Wireless Ethernet Bridge also employs adaptive modulation from BPSK to 64QAM based on the received signal quality, as well as an intelligent dynamic frequency selection that switches to another clean radio channel when any interference is detected on the current channel. The company claims link availability approaching 99.9999% (six nines). The technology is also expected to deliver 8 times the nLoS range and much greater probability of installation than the best of current generations radios. The effective range depends heavily on terrain, foliage and the presence of buildings in the radio path. Orthogon's first product release supports data rates of 15 Mbps, although subsequent updates to the software defined radio will optimize the transmission for data rates or 23 Mbps and later 30 Mbps and above. A pair or radios in a weatherproof casing for creating a Wireless Ethernet bridge is expected to cost $11,995.


Separately, Orthogon Systems announced $7 million in new venture capital from Atlas Venture and The Carlyle Group, bringing total funds raised to $28 million. The funding will be used for the sales, marketing and ongoing development of its products.
http://www.orthogonsystems.com/

• The Orthogon Systems team includes Phil Bolt, Nigel King and Grant Grafton, each of whom previously served in Nortel Networks' Broadband Wireless business unit. Orthogon Systems was founded in January 2000 as Pipinghot Networks.

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