Mike - Bingo! I had questions at the time of the Newbridge/Alcatel deal, particularly about the viability of buying (and paying a hefty price for) ATM switching technology.
My knowledge of the whole networking thing is minimal, and the buzz ("manias"), coupled with the pricey investments by NTL and others in optical switching, left me scratching my head.
I still don't have a real good feel for where the center of the mass is. However, your post helps to clarify things, and was almost prescient in answering some of my questions.
If I may, I'll state what first drew me into the whole subject of networking, and posts about same here.
Since last fall, I have had a strong suspicion that Telia will incorporate some fairly advanced features into its network when it establishes its American fiber backbone. My guess is that the network will include as a last mile solution WOFDM RF technology from Wi-LAN. Other tidbits suggest QoS from end-to-end, a graduated service level, and VOIP within the domain.
So, many of my forward-looking remarks were made from this viewpoint: what happens IF some newcomer enters the market, incorporating leading-edge, bleeding edge technology (within its domain of 120-140 American cities)?
How disruptive would such a scenario be? How much (if any) business would be lost by others? The advent of a new standard won't negate other models, but won't it cheapen them?
I'd better repeat that all of my questions are based on pure speculation, insufficient information, and general ignorance!
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