Jozef, let's cut to the chase: Answer these questions:
Does Bell Atlantic have the following features, all of which are part of the NXTL national digital wireless network:
1. Direct connect (true two-way radio at the push of a button - no phoney-baloney number dialing)?
2. Group calling features on two-way radio?
3. Nationwide footprint with no roaming?
4. To the second billing after the first minute?
5. Local calling areas encompassing huge areas? (In San Diego I can make a local call from the Mexican border to Santa Barbara in the north and Las Vegas in the east. Ditto Direct Connect)
6. 140 character messaging capability?
7. Instant locating features when out of local area?
The answer to all the above is "NO, NO, NO, NO, PROBABLY NOT (I'M NOT SURE), NO AND, FINALLY, NO. So what's all the fuss today except for a chance for traders to make a few bucks running the stock back and forth?
While I'm not willing to concede that Bell Atlantic's pricing is cheaper than NXTL's, even if it is, so what? It doesn't have the same features. That's why they have to sell price. The reason Bell Atlantic lowered prices is that they weren't competing successfully at their old prices. I say today's move is a sign of Bell's weakness in the business market and their answer is a weak one indeed. When you've got the goods, as NXTL does, you can watch the regionals wiggle and squirm but at the end of the day the folks at Bell Atlantic are lemons compared to NXTL's apples.
Arnie |
