11.   And communication equipment makers rose on expectations that a revived Japanese economy might increase Asian demand for their products.

12.   Analyst Susan Streeter of TD Dominion Securities Inc. increased her earnings and sales targets following discussions with management of the fiber-optic equipment maker.

13.   Analyst Rob Stern of Smith Barney said equipment makers feel the impact of falling prices after chipmakers.

14.   Analysts said delays in orders from cable operators and regional Bell operating companies are hurting equipment makers.

15.   And companies such as IBM, Lucent Technologies, Lexmark International and office equipment maker Okidata are stepping up to the plate.

16.   Analysts said the company that used the most tricks was Lucent, the biggest of the telecommunications equipment makers.

17.   Analysts speculate that Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications equipment maker, is one of the licensees.

18.   And equipment makers such as Atlanta-based Scientific-Atlanta say they have the technology ready for installation.

19.   And semiconductor equipment maker Silicon Valley Group also pointed to the Far East, announcing that delayed Asian orders could prompt a fiscal second-quarter profit slide.

20.   And the competition is getting nasty, with the pure consultants saying that equipment makers cannot be trusted to be objective advisers.