[Synopsis]
Or, what I'd say if commissioned to write an Amati-Westell synopsis:
Effects of merger
After announcing their intended merger on October 1, Westell and Amati went into a 5-week slide causing nervous investors to wonder if drowning solo could be any worse than going under together. Contract news with Bell Canada (WSTL) and Taiwan (Amati)had little impact and most agreed only a GTE deployment would turn sentiment around.
ADSL sector
While more interest in the ADSL sector is generated every day, without revenue-producing contracts, individual companies like Amati and Westell remain dormant. USWest announced DSL deployment and received 200% more interest than anticipated, Sheraton Hotels announced an ADSL partnership with 3Com, and Intel and Alcatel announced an ADSL-USB interface demo at Comdex --- all major endorsements of the technology --- while closer to home, Westell hinted a GTE announcement is close and Amati managers went about business as usual --- dividing their time between Canada, Singapore, Western Europe, and Texas, negotiating contracts and fine-tuning numbers.
Industry press
In the December issue of Internet Week (arriving in mailboxes today), Steve Case argues in favor of ADSL versus cable and with the author outlines the geneology of ISPs from AOL.net to WorldCom, UUnet, BBN and GTE.
Looking ahead to Bill Gates's keynote address at Comdex on November 16, some speculate he may focus on bandwidth and the Internet. Cisco's John Chambers has already indicated he'll discuss corporations and their use of intranets as the cutting edge to fiscal success.
When asked what she most looked forward to at Comdex, one investor said, "Besides seeing the big BG, the telecom programs are high on my list." She said from one end of the program to the other, it was clear the use of the Internet and the need for speed would be key issues. "Once Wall Street draws the connection between the problem and the cure, Amati and Westell -- my two favorite DSLs -- may just get the respect they deserve."
[For the list of Comdex courses in telecommunications:]
comdex.com
Not a true synopsis, but as close as I'll get tonight.
Good to see you again.
Pat |
