Agree with you/Steve/Andreas 100% - USB-only ADSL modems will be very limited for now. ADSL/USB modem development is more a mindshare/marketing BS. "Splitterless" ADSL is a great intermediate solution. Gets the show going and alleviates the early-adopter risks for those monopolistic ROBCs.
However, it's extremely crucial that AWARE does what US Robotics (now 3Com) did - struck a deal with AOL to be the first field tested 56kbs modem & sold 28.8 modems with free upgrades like crazy. Hopefully, Aware/3Com will be the first to strike an ADSL deal with AOL. Selling splitterless ADSL modems (with free upgrades) will be the easy part. And once you capture market share, upgrade cost will be negligible - just ask US Robotics/3Com. Actually, if you don't have market share, upgrade will also be negligible!
With splitterless ADSL, Aware doesn't have to count on RBOCs' responsiveness. Although, eventually (sooner than they think) RBOCs have to respond to cable, 29 GHz pizza dishes, Bill Gate, my mother (she is a very nice lady but she can get mad, too!), etc...
My guess is that 3Com shared their success story with Aware, told them to come up with a splitterless design and to leave the rest to 3Com. 3Com has a great distribution network & perhaps other motives - like gunning for Cisco!
Now, AWRE/Coms/ADI just need to wine & dine Steve Case and CLOSE THE DEAL!
Gggg... where did the weekend go?
Tan
PS. Thx for your PS! Will heed your advice! |
