The following is provided for a well-known, long-time campaigner of this thread whose name is synonymous with a single alphabet.
Tut Systems' "last mile" technology and equipment is primarily for home networking (they do provide a few DSL products, but this is not their core business). This is gear that will connect your "smart" appliances to the central computer in future homes. The company is part of the Home Phone Networking Alliance (HPNA) whose members include AMD, T, Compaq, Blue, Intel, Lucent, Conexant (formerly Rockwell Semiconductor), and 3Com. The vision of the HPNA is to enable one to remotely control appliances via the Net. (e.g., you can turn on your microwave at 6 PM rather than the pre-programmed 5 PM because of an unexpected meeting; or, turn off their automatic sprinklers while basking in Fiji after checking the weather channel and discovering three consecutive storms are expected in your hometown.)
For the most part, Tut will provide connectors for the appliances. These devices are Ethernet-like "routers" but they do not require the 5-wire plug. Instead, they opt for the twisted wire pair for the home telephone. Note that Cisco - the Mac-Daddy of routers - is conspicuously missing in the Alliance. They are developing similar "routers" based on their protocols. And, as with most emerging technologies, developing and agreeing on uniform, interoperable standards will be their biggest hurdle since each company would rather provide proprietary products to maximize margins. Regardless, these connectors will be for the home consumer (read mass market) and we can expect this to be a commodity item like all home appliances with time.
IMO, PAIR and Tut do not compete head-to-head, except for the possible home use of PAIR's Falcon chip-based ADSL modem. In general, PAIR provides equipment to the exchanges (RBOCs, ILEC, et. al.) while Tut will provide connection devices for the home which connects to the phone line.
One last note, disregard Lehman Brothers' analyst reports on PAIR. They have consistently provided extremely negative coverage. This is due to them taking Tut public.
Good luck to all PAIR investors!
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