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Date: Thursday, June 29, 2000, 11:36 AM -0400
From: Faulkner Information Services <mailserver@faulknerinfo.com>
To: ???
Subject: Faulkner Com Flash 06/29/00 - (Part 3 of 3)


Network/Systems Management
BMC Software reported that International SEMATECH, Lucent Technologies, and
Motorola selected Web DBA for its long-term, distributed database
administration. Web DBA is BMC Software's first Web-based interactive
database service that requires only a standard Internet browser to address
routine database management tasks. 

Candle unveiled a new version of its CandleNet e-Business Assurance (eBA)
services, designed to monitor Web site response time. eBA ServiceMonitor
version 1.1 allows users monitor selected pages as well as track the
clickstream of an individual without using cookies. Candle also launched
eBusiness Assurance Network (eBAN), a Web-based managed service that
gathers and presents response-time data to the customer. 

Computer Associates reported that French management company Retraites Unies
(RU) selected CA's Unicenter TNG to integrate its heterogeneous IT
environment and enhance eBusiness initiatives. The Unicenter TNG will
support two IBM R25-OS/390 mainframes and a distributed environment of 27
Sun Solaris servers and 80 HP servers. 

Computer Associates also released the ARCserve 2000, a data protection
service that provides serverless backup for SANs and integrated virus
scanning. Data will be fully protected and have no impact on eBusiness
servers. In addition, the ARCserve 2000 is will provide comprehensive data
protection and management for the Windows NT/2000 environment. 

Sun Microsystems reported the availability of Sun Management Center 2.1.1,
which will deliver support for the Solaris 8 Operating Environment and
integrate with Computer Associates' Unicenter TNG. CA's software will be a
key component in minimizing unplanned downtime and monitoring all of the
data center's Sun hardware and software using a heterogeneous, Java-based
GUI. 

Hewlett-Packard launched E-VUE, an e-intelligence service that offers
businesses an integrated view of data across the enterprise. By linking
external and internal data sources, E-VUE converges complex B2B
transactions across diverse CRM and ERP applications. 

IBM reported the worldwide release of its Networked Interactive Content
Access (NICA) 4.0 service for publishers. NICA is a digital media archiving
management service that enables companies to digitize, store, and retrieve
text and graphics. Using NICA, publishers can integrate and manage all
types of digital media from diverse databases into a single Web platform. 



Security
Check Point Software Technologies released Secure Virtual Network Phase II.
This service enables companies with different software systems to work from
the same list of users. It will allow a system to determine what
information each identified user is permitted to access. 

Ernst &Young launched eSecurityOnline.com, a Web-based subscription portal
offering security services. Services offered through the site include virus
alerts, vulnerability assessments, and recovery services. The site features
a mixture of free and for-fee content. 

McAfee.com introduced its Wireless Security Center, designed to protect and
manage devices running on the Palm OS, Pocket PC (Windows CE), and EPOC
operating systems. The service includes VirusScan for handhelds and a virus
information broadcast feature. Other features include a Software and
Hardware MatchMaker, as well as FullView for Palm, which enables users to
view all of the individual files on their Palm devices simultaneously. 

myCIO.com, a division of Network Associates, unveiled VirusScreen ASaP, a
virus scanning application designed to detect Internet-borne viruses.
VirusScreen ASaP scans all e-mail before it enters a network. External
e-mail messages are first routed to myCIO.com for scanning and cleaning
before being either forwarded to the company's e-mail server or quarantined
for protection. 

Trend Micro shipped ScanMail 1.9 for Lotus Notes on S/390 and AS/400.
ScanMail 1.9, designed for use by large and mid-sized businesses, detects
and cleans viruses from Notes mail, shared databases, and during Notes
replication. The service can deliver customizable virus warnings to
senders, recipients, and administrators. It can also be remotely managed
from any Notes workstation or browser. 



Storage
EMC launched the EMC E-Infostructure Interoperability Program to deliver
open, interoperable SANs. Its purpose is to enable users to manage and
operate enterprise information more rapidly by performing stress tests on
all EMC ESN components. 

IBM launched a one gigabyte (GB) hard disk drive. The data storage capacity
will fit on a disk the size of an American quarter. IBM's newest Microdrive
will provide data storage for electronic products such as digital cameras,
handheld PCs, and PDAs. It can also serve as a data-exchange accessory for
notebooks, desktop PCs, and printers. 

ShowCase extended its services to include the IBM DB2 OLAP (On-Line
Analytical Processing) Server for the AS/400 market, a joint development
between IBM and ShowCase. The services provide a storage manager option
that utilizes ShowCase's Essbase/400 and stores data in a familiar format.
In addition, the ShowCase STRATEGY, along with the IBM DB2 OLAP server,
will provide interactive data analysis and report generation. 

Emulex reported a reseller agreement with StorageTek, whereby Emulex's
LightPulse family of fibre channel HBAs will be offered as part of
StorageTek's broad array of SAN products and services. The agreement will
specifically offer Emulex's LP7000E and LP8000 fibre channel adapters to
StorageTek's worldwide SAN customers. 



Regulatory News
Unlike the House of Representatives, which approved a three-year phasing
out of the 3 percent phone tax, the US Senate Finance Committee approved an
immediate repeal of the tax as of September 1. The Senate included a
provision that requires the General Accounting Office and the FCC to report
in one year on how the repeal of the tax has been passed to consumers. 

Italy announced that the minimum bidding for each of the five
third-generation wireless licenses being sold is $1.9 7billion. 

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overturned a June 1999 ruling
that required AT&T to open its high-speed cable lines to rivals. The 9th
Circuit found that the city of Portland overstepped its authoritative
boundaries; cable Internet access is considered a telecommunications
service, which is under the jurisdiction of the federal government. The
ruling essentially gives AT&T the right to deny rivals access to its
high-speed connections; however, because the cable technology is now being
classified as a telecommunications service, it is subject to the same
open-access regulations as DSL and long distance telephone service. So
although AT&T won the case, it is now required to provide the precise thing
that it was fighting against. 

Bell Atlantic satisfied federal requirements imposed after the company was
charged with mishandling orders from competitors seeking to provide local
phone services in New York. Earlier, Bell Atlantic paid $3 million to the
federal Treasury and $10 to competitors that had been seeking to lease Bell
Atlantic lines. Since March, Bell Atlantic has been filing monthly reports
with the FCC, which now states that the company has achieved "substantial
improvement" and that no further reports or obligations are required at
this time. 

Oftel, Britain's telecom watchdog, released its recommendation of service
standards for British Telecom's calls and access service. The standards
will ultimately allow rival telecom firms to market services over BT's
network. Oftel said that if the industry can not reach an agreement, the
agency will use its powers to set the standards. 

The Brazilian government seized control of regional fixed-line carrier
Companhia Riopgrandense de Telecomunicacoes (CRT) after Telefonica was
unable to work out a deal to divest its holding in the company. Brazilian
telecom regulators ordered the Spanish telco to divest CRT because it owns
a stake in Telecommunicacoes de Sao Paulo (Telesp), another Brazilian
fixed-line carrier. Telefonica was in negotiations with Brasil Telecom,
which is backed by Telecom Italia; but the two companies could not hammer
out a price before the government's deadline. The government said it will
now begin taking tenders for the company. 

The European Union gave approval to Callahan Associates' plan to acquire
the Deutsche Telekom cable television that services customers in the
Nordrhein-Westalen area. 

The FCC will soon approve the merger between Bell Atlantic and GTE. The two
companies will create the nation's largest local telephone company,
including Bell Atlantic's northeastern and mid-Atlantic assets and GTE's
nationwide assets, which include control of 63 million local US phone
lines. In addition, GTE will add its 4 million wireless customers to
Verizon Wireless. With the FCC's approval, the new giant, to be called
Verizon Communications, can move forward with its plan to offer long
distance, local, wireless, and high-speed Internet services. Conditions for
the approval include Bell Atlantic's opening its local phone markets to
competition, and GTE's spinning off 90.5 percent of Genuity. Rivals of Bell
Atlantic, including AT&T, challenged the approval, alleging that it
restricts competition. 

In order to open up channels 60 to 69 at 700MHz to wireless carriers,
Internet service providers, and other companies for an auction in
September, the FCC is asking that television stations using those airwaves
move voluntarily to lower channels. Negotiations between stations and
broadband providers to free the airwaves stalled because of uncertain FCC
rules, but now the FCC will accept almost any deal to move a television
station to a lower channel without the need of lengthy reviews. 

Officials from the European Commission raided the home offices of KPN
Telecom and Libertel, which is 70-percent owned by Vodafone AirTouch, in an
attempt to investigate possible collusion between the two Dutch firms. A
complaint was filed with the European Union by MCI WorldCom, saying that a
number of European wireless carriers were charging too much for traffic
termination. Other companies cited in MCI WorldCom's complaint include
Mannesmann Mobilfunk, Deutsche Telekom's DeTeMobil, and Comviq, a division
of NetCom. European regulations allow the Commission to fine companies
partaking in collusion as much as 10 percent of their annual sales. 

A report published by the Japanese Fair Trade Commission said the
restructuring of NTT that occurred in July 1999 is not producing the
competitive results that were expected, and it calls for the telco giant to
lower its stake in NTT DoCoMo. The report also said that the FTC will have
to "examine the structure of the holding company and its group
subsidiaries," if competition does not increase, suggesting that further
breakup of the company may loom in the distance. 

The US Department of Justice approved SBC Communications' application to be
allowed to offer its Texas customers long distance service. Apparently, SBC
addressed the anti-competitive concerns expressed by the DOJ when it denied
an earlier SBC petition. Final approval for SBC's long distance move is
expected in July and will boost its ability to offer customers a
comprehensive, bundled communications package. 

The Colombian government said that its plans to privatize its state-owned
telecom firm, ETB, may be scrapped because Telecom Italia, one of only two
firms that have even expressed interest in buying into ETB, is backing away
from making a bid. Telefonica is the other company still interested. The
government is pushing back its original June 30 deadline to privatize the
company. 

Minnesota regulators unanimously approved the US WEST/Qwest merger. Within
hours, regulators in Wyoming and Utah added their approvals. In all
instances, the US WEST/Qwest officials indicated the merged company's
commitment to the telco infrastructure within the states granting approval.
Only Arizona and Washington have yet to grant approval. 

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission unanimously approved
the merger of US WEST and Qwest. To secure approval, the companies agreed
to provisions to ensure continued investment in the state's
telecommunications infrastructure and continued service improvement.
Arizona is the only regulatory body left to approve the merger; federal
approval is pending certain long distance divestitures. 

Denny Strigl, CEO of VerizonWireless, addressing an industry conference,
noted the dilemma of the increasing crowded airwave and the need to open up
more spectrum. Noting that the 700-MHz spectrum was already heavily
encumbered, he noted that the FCC's push-back of spectrum auctions would
allow time for much-needed rules revisions. The 700-MHz band auction has
been delayed until September 6, 2000, and the re-auction of C-Block PCS
licenses is now slated for Nov. 29, 2000. Access to additional spectrum
would allow wireless providers to make long-range plans for the roll-out of
3G wireless devices. 



Financial News
3Com reported that it recently took an undisclosed equity stake in Parthus
Technologies, a provider of platform-level IP products targeted at
next-generation wireless standards such as 3G/W-CDMA and Bluetooth. As part
of the investment, Parthus will develop technologies for emerging wireless
standards as well as wireless networking. This investment is in line with
3Com's recently announced strategy to invest in companies that are leaders
in key high-growth technologies. 

Argentina's Communications Secretary said his government received
investment commitments of $4.05 billion over the next 18 months to expand
its telecommunications sector. BellSouth and AT&T are among those companies
who have announced their plans to enter the Argentine market when it is
deregulated on November 9, 2000. 

BellSouth will support a collaborative Internet2 research project being
carried out by Georgia Tech and North Carolina State. Internet2 is a
consortium of industry, government, and 170 universities. Specifically,
BellSouth's $150,000 grant will fund the universities collaborative
research on QoS sensitive multimedia applications using a wide area network
(WAN) and different data delivery service levels. 

Bouygues Telecom said it will increase its capital by $2.19 billion in
order to finance bidding for third-generation operator license in France. 

In a filing with the SEC, Global Crossing set the terms of the IPO for its
GlobalCenter unit. The company will offer 57.5 million common shares in a
range of $16 to $18 per shared to generate net proceeds of about $925
million. The funds will be used to finance the expansion of GlobalCenter's
domestic and international data center facilities. Global Crossing also
applied for a Nasdaq listing under the symbol "GCTR." 

Standard and Poor's will replace GTE with Broadcom when S&P component Bell
Atlantic finalizes its acquisition of GTE and becomes Verizon. The
replacement will take place at the close of trade on an as yet unspecified
date. Broadcom manufactures silicon solutions that enable broadband digital
transmissions. 

Venezuelan cellular telephone operator Telcel, a unit of BellSouth, plans
to acquire 10 percent of the nation's fixed-line market when the monopoly
of national telco CANTV expires in November 2000. Telcel has reportedly
earmarked $80 million dollars to reach the goal of acquiring 400,000
subscribers in the next three years. CANTV, the incumbent monopoly, is a
unit on US-based GTE. 

Telmex said it will float a 5.3 percent stake in itself through a global
stock offering. The shares are expected to bring in about $2.2 billion. 

US WEST Communications issued $1.0 billion in three-year notes, via co-lead
managers Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch. 

For the third quarter of fiscal 2000, ended April 30, VTEL's revenues
dropped to $31.1 million from $36.1 million for the same quarter in 1999.
Excluding two non-recurring events, consolidated net loss was $8.4 million,
or a per-share loss of $0.33, compared to a net loss of $574,000, or a loss
of $0.02 per share. Including the two events, net income was $35.1 million,
or $1.36 per fully diluted share. 



Legal News
Alcatel filed lawsuits against Cisco Systems for alleged patent
infringement over Internet products. Alcatel filed two suits in the U.S.
alleging that Cisco infringed patents relating to its routing and switching
technologies and violated its copyrights and trade secrets. Alcatel also
filed a suit in The Hague for patent infringement against Cisco and its
affiliate distributors in the Netherlands. 

Cablevision filed a lawsuit against @Home, AT&T, TCI Internet Holdings, Cox
Communications, Comcast, and five other companies, alleging that the
companies breached a stockholders agreement relating to governance of a
Delaware corporation. The suit also petitioned the Delaware Court of
Chancery to issue an emergency restraining order to prevent the defendants
from filing a certificate of amendment. 

Lebanon's Telecommunications Minister, Issam Naaman, said that his office
will seize the assets of Cellis and LibanCell, the country's two cellular
carriers, if they do not pay the $600 million they owe in fines and taxes.
The two companies were slapped with fines for providing going over their
subscriber caps of 250,000 customers. 

Members of the failed satellite venture Iridium are being sued by Chase
Manhattan Bank for $242.7 million. The bank claims that, in 1999, the 17
members defaulted on loan payment plan obligations, which included buying
units of Iridium in the case of a loan payment default. In May of this
year, the stay on lawsuits against Iridium was lifted, allowing Chase
Manhattan to go ahead with its suit. It seeks damages from Iridium's
international units as well as Sprint Iridium, Nippon Iridium, Motorola,
Verbacom, and others. Castle Harlan's $50 million rescue bid should not be
affected by the lawsuit. 

The federal government settled with Lockheed Martin concerning a case of
violating arms export laws committed by the company. Lockheed was charged
with violating the law when it exchanged information about "kick motors,"
which are used to lift satellites into final orbit, with China's AsiaSat.
The government believes that China can use this information to aid in the
development of missile technology. As a result of the settlement, Lockheed
is paying a $13 million fine, and its future international business
activities will be regulated under the Arms Export Control Act. 

Employees for Nextel Communications filed racial bias complaints against
the company, claiming that minorities were passed-over for promotions and
raises and that some experience racial abuse. Lawyers filed 25 complaints
and plan to file more until all 302 cases are filed. The employees are
seeking a $51 billion settlement. 

Spain's National Stock Market Commission began investigating reports that
Telefonica's Chairman, Juan Villalonga, may have been involved in insider
trading in 1998, when his company was nearing a deal with WorldCom. If
Villalonga is found to have engaged in such practices, he would be forced
out of office. 



Personnel and Organizational Changes
3Com announced the appointment of James R. Long to its board of directors.
Long, 57, retired from his position as executive vice president of Nortel
Networks and president of Enterprise Solutions in Richardson, Texas. In
addition to serving on the 3Com board of directors, Long is also a member
of the board of NCR Corporation and Symon Communications. 

AT&T named Michael Lamb the company's first CPO. Lamb will be responsible
for overseeing the company's international privacy policy and practices and
will work with government leaders on initiatives to preserve consumer
privacy. 

Cisco Systems reported plans to build a North Texas facility that will
employ up to 5,000 people. Cisco, which already employs about 1,000 people
in the Dallas suburb of Richardson, known as Telecom Corridor, believes the
expansion will accommodate its rapidly growing optical and wireless
operations. Groundbreaking for the 1.7 million square foot office space is
planned in August 2000 and construction is expected to complete by 2003. 

Covad Communications appointed John McDevitt executive vice president of
Sales and Marketing. 

EMC promoted Frank M. Hauck to the position of Executive Vice President,
Products and Offerings. Hauck, a 10-year EMC veteran, will be responsible
for leading EMC's Engineering, Manufacturing, Product Management, Strategic
Planning and Corporate Quality organizations. Hauck was most recently EMC's
Chief Information Officer, and will report to Joseph Tucci, EMC's President
and Chief Operating Officer. 

To help create new business ideas and to assist outside entrepreneurs,
Ericsson created its Ericsson Business Innovation company, which will
promote Ericsson as an innovator to other companies and partners, including
Wireless Car, Connect Things, and Terraplay Systems. The new company will
focus on high-speed Internet connection solutions, content aggregation, and
automotive communications. 

Arthur L. Fatum stepped down from his post of CFO at PictureTel to accept a
position with another company. The company appointed Ralph Takala, a
principal of Altman and Company, interim CFO, effective immediately.
PictureTel will search for a permanent CFO toward the end of the summer. 

PictureTel appointed Lewis Jaffe president and CEO. Jaffe was the former
head of the restructuring practice at Arthur Andersen LLP's Boston office.
He will focus on finalizing the company's financial negotiations and
launching new products. 

Andrew Sakataway is leaving Sprint PCS as its president and COO. He will be
replaced in the interim with Ronald LeMay, president and COO of Sprint. 

Integrated communications provider IJNT.net, soon to be known as Universal
Broadband (UB) Networks, named Stephen E. Pazian to its Board of Directors.
Pazian held CEO or COO positions with Edison International, Ameritech,
BellSouth, and Bell Atlantic. 

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