"Our diverse network backbone truly makes CEC a 'smart alternative' to incumbent carriers in New York," Chief Executive Peter Rust said in a release. CEC already offers T1 and T3 services (private connections for high-speed Internet access) over its conduits and said it has 100 buildings on its network. This isn't the first time a utility company has gotten in on the Internet business. Railroad companies used their land rights to an advantage as companies laid out fiber for broadband networks in 2000.

But getting into the metro Ethernet business may prove more of a challenge, Most small companies that went into the business--such as Yipes Communications, which has filed for bankruptcy protection--have struggled to mandala - rose gold and white marble 3 iphone case survive, leaving the business to inter-exchange carriers and regional Bell operating companies, Analysts had predicted that the tough competition would keep new players out of the market, "It will be three or more years, if ever, before another start-up provider attempts to build a national, next-generation network to compete directly with the established players," Nicholas Maynard, an analyst with research firm The Yankee Group, said in a recent report..

But CEC said its business is unique. The company's services are built on a set of network routes through the electrical conduit system in Manhattan. All other services use the Empire City Subway conduits, leaving the city vulnerable in the event of a fiber cut or disruption. CEC emphasized that it operates its own network, while many start-ups have relied on leasing the connection that links larger networks to office buildings. It also said the trusted Con Edison name helps it gain access to businesses' networks.

"Digging a trench and laying cable is no different from digging a trench and laying electric lines, The synergy here is, once you get access to an end user customer, you get many other options," said Paul Fremont, an analyst with equity research firm Jefferies & Co, mandala - rose gold and white marble 3 iphone case CEC's services are compliant with the commonly used IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard and feature variable speeds of between 10 megabits per second and 1 gigabit per second, as well as traffic prioritization capabilities, Energy company Con Edison is diversifying its networks, making Ethernet services available through the city's electrical conduits, But analysts say the market may be tough to crack..

CNET también está disponible en español. Don't show this again. Envara said Tuesday that it has raised $15.5 million in a third round of funding. Previous investors Gemini, Giza, Evergreen, Koor, STI Ventures and Challenge Funds pitched in to the recent round along with new investments from Asia-based VC firms NIF Ventures, Hontung Ventures, Triton Ventures, Paralink Ventures and Vincera Ventures. Envara is developing chips for gear that helps power wireless LANs (local area networks). The chips can run on Wi-Fi networking protocols 802.11a and 802.11b as well as the 802.11g standard. Envara's customers will include PC and PC-peripherals manufacturers, wireless networking gear makers, and consumer electronics manufacturers. The company said it has received commitments from other investors and expects more funding for the round.