If you look at the stock markets, you would never know that things have not improved that much in the Telecomland. In past week alone two companies have shut operations, and more are likely to follow. Light Reading reports that Appian Communications, a metro optical networking equipment maker is closing its doors. The company was close to secure a sales with France Telecom, and as a result a new round of funding. However, the deal fell through, and so did the funding. Appian raised $80 million from the likes of Matrix Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners, and Venrock Associates. Coriolis Networks, another metro equipment vendor has shut its doors as well. The metro markets are going through a shakeout at present, and only a handful survive. They will all have to contend with the likes of Cisco.