CDMA, Qualcomm, [Hong Kong, Korea, LA] THE MARKET TEST! Message Board

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : CDMA, Qualcomm, [Hong Kong, Korea, LA] THE MARKET TEST!

QCOM 172.94

+1.1%

3:59 PM EST

Public Reply Prvt Reply Mark as Last Read File

Previous 10 Next 10 Previous Next

To: Chris Reeder who wrote (722)	9/10/1996 4:16:00 AM
From: Jim Madsen	of 1819

The historic parallel you drew between DC vs. AC electrification is apt in comparing GSM/TDMA vs. CDMA for which may become the worldwide standard. It's interesting to consider what happened 100 years ago... "Thomas Edison's electrical generation system used DC as its standard even though AC was generally understood at the time. George Westinghouse recognized the potential technical superiority of alternating current and worked hard to overcome both the problem of its generation and transmission and the safety issues inherent in its high voltage. By 1886, Edison viewed AC as a dangerous rival and tried frantically to subvert inroads made by Westinghouse and his system on a number of fronts. In this "battle of the systems" Edison was not above throwing legal impediments and using a number of dirty tricks, including the macabre executions of stray dogs and cats by AC, all for the purpose of showing newspaper reporters the rival technology's dangers to the public. Edison and his West Orange NJ gang of assistants convinced the state of New York in 1888 to switch from hanging to electrocution by AC as its official form of execution; Edison himself testified to its lethal effectiveness before the legislature. Two years later, an ax murderer named William Kemmler became the first to die in an "electric chair" wired to one of Westinghouse's AC generators. Edison was afraid that AC would render his heavy investment in DC generating and distribution capacity and equipment obsolete. Edison correctly perceived the precarious, unstable nature of the AC competitive situation that was unfolding with unexpected speed and his actions were intended to buy time until he could extricate himself from the industry with the least financial damage." --excerpted from "Mastering the Dynamics of Innovation" by James Utterback The last paragraph neatly sums up the situation of vendors (and reporters) today who primarily support GSM/TDMA systems (aka DC generation). At least, the Wall Street Journal didn't suggest CDMA being used for macabre executions! As a side note, there are 2 operating CDMA networks in Korea (KMT-Korea Mobile Telecom and Shinsegi). As of 9/96, they have a combined 300,000 CDMA subscribers (approx. 200K KMT, 100K Shinsegi) and together are growing by 3,000 every day, or almost 100,000 additional CDMA subscribers monthly. Analog subscriber growth in the mean time has become static. Suppliers of CDMA handsets include Samsung, Lucky-Goldstar, and Sony/Qualcomm.

Report TOU Violation

Share This Post

Public Reply Prvt Reply Mark as Last Read File

Previous 10 Next 10 Previous Next