The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) has become one of the first customers for MCI's Ethernet services. The CME turned to Ethernet to handle growth in its global electronic trading platform, CME Globex.  CME is using MCI's Private Line Ethernet Services to connect more than 600 customers. CME is also planning to use the services to keep up with growth in seven new European hubs and at its Asia-Pacific hub. (Read the story)

Internap Network Services announced enhancements to its line of route optimization gear with a new appliance, a network monitoring tool and an application specific module. Internap's FlowControl Platform (FCP) 5200 intelligently routes up to 6G bit/sec of traffic across multiple IP networks for the best performance available based on policies set by the customer. The device is equipped with a 1G bit/sec card and can be upgraded, 1G bit/sec at a time, up to its 6G bit/sec capacity. (Read the story)

AT&T, as expected, announced a suite of IP services that will include voice, conferencing, messaging and video. The first of its Dynamic Network Applications (DNA) is AT&T Voice DNA, a network-based hosted IP PBX service similar to traditional Centrex offerings that LECs have offered for years. Voice DNA will allow users to upgrade to an IP PBX environment without having to deploy or manage voice switches on site. The service offers an automated attendant, locate-me feature, the ability to have multiple phones ring for a single user, on-demand audio conferencing and integration with Microsoft Outlook. (Read the story)