🚀 go-pugleaf

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
Date: Tuesday, March 07, 2000, 1:50 PM -0500
From: Faulkner Mail Server <mailserver@faulknerinfo.com>
To: ???
Subject: Faulkner's Comm Flash 03/07/2000 - (Part 3 of 3)

Regulatory News (Cont'd)

          The California Public Utilities Commission approved the
          acquisition of GTE by Bell Atlantic leaving the FCC as the only
regulatory hurdles left to clear before the deal can be closed. The US
Department of Justice and the shareholders of both companies have already
given the deal the thumbs up. All 27 states that conducted proceedings on
the merger approved it. The remaining 23 states declined to assert
jurisdiction on the merger. INTELSAT may expel the US from among its 143
	 member nations if US legislation is found by an arbitration tribunal to
violate US obligations to INTELSAT. INTELSAT believes that the US
legislation goes against privatization. INTELSAT's board also purchased the
NI-Alpha satellite and may purchase the NI-Alpha-2 satellite. INTELSAT now
has nine satellites in service.
	 The FCC granted Liberty Media and Ascent Entertainment's request for
Special Temporary Authorization, which would allow Liberty Media to commence
its tender offer and to operate licensed facilities while waiting for FCC
approval.
	 The Communications Workers of America (CWA) urged the FCC to either block
MCI WorldCom's proposed acquisition of Sprint or impose strict conditions.
The union asserts that the resulting company will control 80 percent of the
long distance market, giving it the power to raise prices or degrade
services at anti-competitive levels. In addition, the CWA argues that the
merger will disrupt the competition that is driving Internet growth.
	 The European Commission extended its deadline to rule on Microsoft's
purchase of MediaOne's stake in Telewest Communications to March 23. The
Commission must decide on whether enough concessions were made before
approving the sale.
	 A number of satellite companies joined forces to complain about Northpoint
Communications' proposal to share the DBS spectrum. The companies argued
through a letter to the FCC that this plan will lead to interference of 11
million customers, and they called for the regulator to step in and kill the
plan. The companies involved in the protest are the Satellite Broadcasting
and Communications Association (SBCA), SkyBridge Communications, The Boeing
Company, DIRECTV, EchoStar Communications, Galaxy Latin America, GE
Americom, Loral Space and Communications, PanAmSat Corporation, and Pegasus
Communications.
	 Telecom Italia announced that its plan to merge its Internet operations,
Tin.it, with Seat Pagine Gialle has been delayed by an Italian takeover law
that forces companies acquiring more than 30 percent of a company to bid on
all outstanding shares in the company being acquired. To avoid this, Telecom
Italia wants to boost its stake in Seat to 29.9 percent. But based on Seat's
market capitalization, the merger between Tin.it and Seat could land the
telco a 66-percent stake in the new company, forcing it to bid on those
outstanding shares. Tel Italia is arguing to Consob that the takeover law
does not apply to this case.
	 The Supreme Court upheld a decision by the Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia barring US WEST from offering the long distance
services provided by other carriers. In June 1998, US WEST and Ameritech
agreed to sell long distance service on behalf of Qwest, the RBOC with which
US WEST is merging. The ruling upholds an FCC decision that determined that
the Qwest deals were illegal since the Baby Bells themselves are not allowed
to provide long distance services.
	 The European Commission pushed back its deadline to rule on Vodafone
AirTouch's acquisition of Mannesmann because submitted forms were
incomplete. The agency requested that the companies provide information on
certain markets that will be affected by the merger. The EU previously
extended the deadline to allow the companies to deal with potential
competition problems, including what to do with wireless operator Orange,
recently bought by Mannesmann. The new one-month deadline will be set once
the companies submit the amended file.
	 The Hungary Competition Office gave its approval for Magyar Takozlesi
Vallalat to move forward and increase its stake in both Westel 900 and
Westel Radiotelfon from 51 percent to 100 percent.

Security 
	 Lucent Technologies enhanced its Lucent VPN Gateway and remote access VPN
services. The latest version of Lucent VPN Gateway includes the company's
Security Management Server. The service also provides a feature called IPSec
Client connection redundancy, which enables the client to search for a
secondary Lucent VPN Gateway if the primary gateway is not available.
	 Network Associates' McAfee subsidiary released VIPER (Virus Interface for
Protective Early Response), a service that allows SPs to embed the McAfee
VirusScan into either Sun Solaris or Linux-based e-business applications and
Internet appliances McAfee claims that VIPER for Solaris and Linux provides
support for HTTP, SMTP, and FTP protocol scanning.
	 WatchGuard Technologies reported that it will soon offer DSL and cable
modem security, in the form of two devices that offer network firewall and
encrypting VPN services. Firebox Telecommuter, for home use, comes with four
ports that users can connect to their computers and thus gain secure access
to the Internet. Firebox SOHO, designed for small to mid-sized businesses,
supports up to 50 users. Five of these users can access an encrypted VPN
tunnel simultaneously.

Network Switching 
	 Cisco Systems introduced WAN and MAN capabilities for the Catalyst 6000
family of high-performance multilayer switches with the introduction of the
FlexWAN module, providing enterprise customers a link toward optical
networking.		Madge.connect introduced the Smart GigIntegrator, a high
performance Gigabit backbone-class switch. Madge.connect also released the
Smart WorkStream 100M bps workgroup switch and introduced connectivity for
Madge switches.
	 SpectraSwitch reported the availability of the first products in its
	 liquid crystal-based WaveWalker all-optical portfolio. The first product
available for customer evaluation is an N-1x2 Multi-Module Switch for dual
ring protection, add/drop network reconfiguration, and field test equipment
multiplexing. First samples are expected to be shipped to selected customers
during second quarter 2000 with qualified production products shipping by
third quarter 2000.

Network/Systems Management 
	 The Agilent Technologies division of Hewlett-Packard unveiled the LAN
Analyzer 3.0 for testing Gigabit Ethernet networks. This version includes a
VoIP plug-in software module, which enables users to analyze voice traffic
over Ethernet-based IP networks. It also allows them to confirm QoS levels
for PSTN/IP Gateways, IP switches, and IPBX systems.

Wireless Communications 
	 Artisoft joined in Microsoft's Windows Telecommunications Alliance which
	 is designed to support programs currently providing telecommunication
products for all markets. Artisoft and Microsoft will share information and
resources for the development, marketing, sales and support of TeleVantage,
Artisoft's software-PBX.
	 The Dutch Transport ministry delayed the planned auction of wireless Local
Loop licenses, due to a court action by telecom firm Telfort. Telfort, a
50-50 joint venture between British Telecom and Nederlandse Spoorwegen/Dutch
Railways that has a license for cable telecom infrastructure, contends that
it should have priority status for certain fixed line frequencies, which are
in the range being offered with the WLL licenses. The WLL licenses allow
telecoms to set up a radio link to bypass the "last mile" controlled by
incumbent providers. The auction is postponed until the middle of May,
pending the court's verdict.
	 British Telecom's Cellnet division and AT&T Wireless Services are teaming
up with SmarTone and FarEasTone to test roaming services for high-speed
Internet phones in the second quarter of this year. BT and AT&T are pursuing
the trials to ensure that people can use mobile Internet phones outside of
their home country. The trials will be based on GPRS technology that is 10
times faster than current Internet phones.
	 Cabletron Systems introduced a High Rate wireless product for outdoor
environments, based on the 802.11b industry standard. The outdoor High Rate
RoamAbout combines 11M bps performance and advanced security features for
connectivity between buildings without installing cable or leased T1 lines,
extending wired LANs or building entirely wireless LANs.
	 FCC Chairman William Kennard said that regulators will help television
stations move out of channels 60 to 69 as soon as possible after an April
auction to allow other carriers access to the airwaves. The FCC is
interested in bids from wireless carriers and high-tech companies that want
to offer high-speed Internet access over the airwaves that could generate
billions of dollars. The airwaves will be of no use to the winning bidders
though until the TV stations operating in the band switch to digital
broadcasting technology. The FCC already gave all of the stations a second
broadcast license at a lower channel to use for digital programming,
however, the transition from analogue to digital could drag-out through
2006. Companies including IBM, Lotus, Motorola, and Nokia have founded The
	 SyncML Initiative to develop and promote an open industry specification
for universal data synchronization of remote data and personal information
across multiple networks, platforms, and devices, by supporting enhanced
data synchronization, including e-mail, calendar, contact management
information, Web-based documents, and new forms of content from systems
available in the future.
	 IBM and AT&T plan to provide wireless Internet access for large business
customers by combining IBM software with AT&T's wireless IP. The companies
expect to develop a system that will enable business customers to access the
Web, as well as corporate networks and databases over cell phones, laptop
computers, and hand-held devices.
	 Lucent Technologies released the ORINOCO Home Networking System, an
11M-bps, wireless networking system for SOHO users. The ORINOCO System
enables users to set up a high-speed data network that allows them to share
resources like files, scanners, and printers, and allows multiple users to
share the same Internet connection to connect anywhere in a home or small
office.
	 Nokia and Japan Telecom agreed to develop third generation mobile
	 networks. Nokia will provide its WCDMA technology to Japan Telecom.
	 China indefinitely postponed its plans to deploy a CDMA mobile network
using QUALCOMM technology. Some of the companies involved in the roll-out
project believe that China may be freezing the plans to help gain entry into
the World Trade Organization. Congress is about to begin debating whether or
not to support China's entry.
	 SBC Communications is considering forming a joint venture with BellSouth
that would combine the company's wireless operations in the Southwest,
Midwest, and California with BellSouth's 5 million customers in the
Southeast. The deal will potentially allow customers to travel and use their
phones without incurring additional roaming charges. SBC reported that it
has no current plans to create a tracking stock for its wireless telephone
operations.
	 SBC Communications is teaming up with Koc Holding, a Turkish financial and
industrial conglomerate, to place a $2.5 billion bid on a Turkish mobile
telephone license. The two licenses, each with a base price of $650 million,
will operate on the 1800 MHz frequency. The government is also granting a
license to Turk Telecom ahead of the company's planned 20 percent block sale
this year. The auction closes on April 3.
	 Nancy Weiner
======================================================================

COMPANY WEB SITES

SBC Communications	http://www.sbc.com/
Madge.connect	http://www.madge.com/
3Com	http://www.3com.com/
ABC	http://www.abc.com/
ADC Telecommunications	http://www.adc.com/
Adelphia Business Solutions	http://www.htoh.com/
Aditya V. Birla Group	http://www.birlagroup.com/
Agilent Technologies	http://www.agilent.com/
Alcatel	http://www.alcatel.com/
Ameritech Communications	http://www.ameritech.com/
ANTEC	http://www.antec.com/
AOL	http://www.aol.com/
Apple Computer	http://www.apple.com/
Artisoft	http://www.artisoft.com/
AT&T	http://www.att.com/
AT&T Broadband and Internet Services	http://www.attbis.com/
AT&T Wireless Services	http://www.attws.com/
Austar United	http://www.austarunited.com.au/
BCE	http://www.bce.com/
Bell Atlantic	http://www.bellatlantic.com/
BellSouth	http://www.bellsouthcorp.com/
Bouygues	http://www.bouygues.fr/
British Telecom	http://www.bt.com/
BT Cellnet	http://www.cellnet.co.uk/
C&W Hong Kong Telecom (HKT)	http://www.hkt.com/
Cable & Wireless	http://www.cwplc.com/
Cabletron Systems	http://www.cabletron.com/
California Public Utilities Commission	http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/
Callahan Associates International	http://www.callahanassoc.com/
Cellnet	http://www.btcellnet.com/
Cellular One	http://www.cellularone.com/
Centigram	http://www.centigram.com/
CIENA Corporation	http://www.ciena.com/
Cisco Systems	http://www.cisco.com/
Comcast	http://www.comcast.com/
Compaq Computer	http://www.compaq.com/
COMSAT	http://www.comsat.com/
Copper Mountain Networks	http://www.coppermountain.com/
CTV	http://www.ctv.ca/
Deutsche Telekom	http://www.dtag.de/
DiCon Fiberoptics	http://www.diconfiberoptics.com/
E-Plus	http://www.eplus.de/
EarthLink Network	http://www.earthlink.com/
ECI Telecom	http://www.ecitele.com/
Efficient Networks	http://www.efficientnetworks.com/
Ericsson	http://www.ericsson.com/
F5 Networks	http://www..com/
FCC	http://www.fcc.com/
France Telecom	http://www.francetelecom.fr/
General DataComm	http://www.gdc.com/
Global Crossing	http://www.globalcrossing.com/
Global One	http://www.global-one.net/
Globe Telecom	http://www.globe.com.ph/
GST Telecommunications	http://www.gst.com/
GTE	http://www.gte.com/
Hewlett-Packard	http://www.hp.com/
HKT	http://www.hkt.com/
Hughes Electronics	http://www.hughes.com/
IBM	http://www.ibm.com/
ICG Communications	http://www.icgcomm.com/
Intel	http://www.intel.com/
INTELSAT	http://www.intelsat.com/
Intershop	http://www.intershop.com/
IPC Communications	http://www.ipc.com/
IXnet	http://www.ixnet.com/
Japan Satellite Systems	http://www.jsat.co.jp/
Japan Telecom	http://www.japan-telecom.co.jp/
Jones Intercable	http://www.jic.com/
KPN	http://www.kpn-telecom.nl/
Level 3 Communications	http://www.level3.com/
Liberty Media	http://www.libertymedia.com/
Lockheed Martin	http://www.lhco.com/
Lotus	http://www.lotus.com/
Lucent Technologies	http://www.lucent.com/
Mannesmann	http://www.mannesmann.com/
Marconi Plc	http://www.marconi.com/
McAfee	http://www.mcafee.com/
MCI WorldCom	http://www.wcom.com/
MediaOne	http://www.mediaone.com/
Metromedia Fiber Network	http://www.mmfn.com/
Microsoft	http://www.microsoft.com/
Motorola	http://www.motorola.com/
Network Associates	http://www.nai.com/
Newbridge Networks	http://www.newbridge.com/
News Corp	http://www.newscorp.com/
Nokia	http://www.nokia.com/
Nortel Networks	http://www.nortelnetworks.com/
Northpoint Communications	http://www.northpoint.com/
Novell	http://www.novell.com/
NTT	http://www.ntt.co.jp/
Olivetti	http://www.olivetti.it/
Orange	http://www.orange.co.uk/
PairGain Technologies	http://www.pairgain.com/
Pathway	http://www.pathway.com/
PGSoft	http://www.pgsoft.com/
QUALCOMM	http://www.qualcomm.com/
Qwest Communications	http://www.qwest.com/
Radiofone	http://www.radiofone.com/
Rhythms NetConnections	http://www.rhythms.net/
SBC Communications	http://www.sbc.com/
Seat Pagine Gialle	http://www.seatpaginegialle.com/
SingTel	http://www.singtel.com/
SKYPerfecTV	http://www.skyperfectv.co.jp/
SmarTone	http://www.smartone.uk/
SnapTrack	http://www.snaptrack.com/
Sony	http://www.sony.com/
SpectraSwitch	http://www.spectraswitch.com/
Sprint	http://www.sprint.com/
T-Mobil	http://www.t-mobil.de/
T-Online	http://www.t-online.de/
Tata Industries	http://www.tata.com/
TCI TKI	http://www.tci.com/
Tele Centro Sul	http://www.telecentrosul.com.br/
Telecom Italia	http://www.telecomitalia.it/
Telecom New Zealand	http://www.telecom.com.nz/
Telefonica	http://www.telefonica.es/
Telewest Communications	http://www.telewest.co/uk/
Telfort	http://www.telfort.nl/
Telia	http://www.telia.se/
Telstra	http://www.telstra.com/
Time Warner	http://www.timewarner.com/corp/
Tin.it	http://www.tin.it/
Toshiba	http://www.toshiba.com/
Twister Communications Network	http://www.twistercom.com/
US Department of Justice	http://www.usdoj.gov/
US WEST	http://www.uswest.com/
Vivendi	http://www.vivendi.com/
Vodafone AirTouch	http://www.vodafone-airtouch-plc.com/
Volvo	http://www.volvo.com/
WatchGuard Technologies	http://www.watchguard.com/
Westel 900	http://www.westel900.hu/
Williams Communications	http://www.williams.com/
Yahoo!	http://www.yahoo.com/

To receive your flash via E-mail, contact us at flash@faulkner.com 
with your name, company name, phone number, and recipient e-mail address.

New! FACCTs on the Web Now Available.
Faulkner's Advisory on Computer and Communications Technologies is now
available over the web! For information about subscribing to the web-based
version of FACCTs, just send an email message to sales@faulkner.com or call
(800) 843-0460 or (856) 662-2070.

com-flash is a biweekly news summary for subscribers to
Faulkner's Networking and Telecommunications services,
The Internet As A Business Resource, Electronic Commerce Solutions, 
and Wireless Communications

For information about your subscription
call Faulkner at (800) 843-0460 or (856) 662-2070
fax: (856) 662-0905
e-mail: faulkner@faulkner.com

Visit FaulknerWeb at http://www.faulkner.com/

Faulkner Information Services
114 Cooper Center 7905 Browning Road
Pennsauken, New Jersey 08109

Copyright 2000. Faulkner Information Services.
Faulkner Information Service
Faulkner Mail Server
mailserver@faulknerinfo.com
114 Cooper Center
Pennsauken, N.J. 08109
(856) 662 2070
http://www.faulkner.com



---------- End Forwarded Message ----------



Missy Harvey
Computer Science Librarian
Engineering & Science Library
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA  15213

http://www.library.cmu.edu/usr/missy/

                   .--~~,__
     :-....,-------`~~'._.'
      `-,,,  ,_      ;'~'
       _,-' ,'`-__; '--.
      (_/'~~      ''''(;

"Golden retrievers are the best alarm clock 
 around.  They're gentle as a lamb and they  
 always wake you up with a smile!"