Tom, ORTL makes linear optic lasers,the same ones tha about 15 companies make. These are very good for point to point transmission,especially between nodes of a wireless network. But these lasers are far inferior to the lasers produced by Synchronous,Hitachi and HLIT. These are the only companies making externally modulated,continous lasers,these are much more expensive than the plain linear laser,but they do not produce the chirp problem associated with the ORTL type. ORLT does not have a sales force,and does not sell direct,but sells through GIC and SFA. ORTL does not have the cleint list that HLIT does,Rer's in Canada,COX,TWX,UMG,TCI,Cable & Wireless in England. The reason ORTL is going to PCS is that they can't compete with Hitachi,HLIT and the other major players like NT. They have lost the battle I believe,and are switching to using their inferior linear lasers with wireless. They are not a bad company,but not a worldwide seller like HLIT is(38% of profits came from overseas). ORTL is attractive but it is no HLIT,they have had up and down quarters over the last year, HLIT has never missed a quarter. Would I buy ORTL? Maybe,but why not go with the better company.
Tim |
