Ken,
>>He indicated that this was a bridge technology but nonetheless important to the business plan to tap into cash flow sooner rather than later and this provided L3 with a real advantage.<<
This oft' used term "bridge technology" by L3 is, in my opinion, a means that L3 uses repeatedly (for effect) to reaffirm that they themselves are an IP company, and that XCOM will allow for a means of transitioning between legacy POTS/non-IP data, to the network of the future, i.e., the Promise Land of IP. They make a big deal out of this, but this is the essence of how moving forward in telecomm has always been. 'Backwards compatibility' is what it's called, and everyone must do this, no matter what the "new direction" happens to be, unless a scortched-Earth mentality is used, but that approach is often very costly, usually prohibitive.
XCOM was the first indication that non-IP protocols and services would be supported by L3. The second indication came two weeks ago, when L3 announced that they would also be using Fore Systems' ATM product line for some backbone and access purposes, up to the OC-48 (~2.5 Gbps) levels.
I had examined XCOM's infrastructure from a distance, prior to their acquisition by L3, because of some qualities that I thought I would be interested in, but turned out not to, i.c.w their handling of back office functions in th data realm. They were featured in a trade publication, X-Change Mag, I believe it was, last year.
Rather rudimentary data services, as far as I was concerned, consisting of the run-of-the-mill v.34, ISDN, etc., but considerable focus on Operations Support Systems. At the time of L3's announced intentions to acquire them, I had to stop and wonder what their motivation was. From my perspective, that motivation could have stemmed from just about anything.
For L3 to suggest that this regional data carrier could provide the bridging of two worlds, i.e., the older legacy data world and POTS, to the newer model consisting of IP, is just so much convenient rationalization, tantamount to providing loaves of bread without the fishes for the masses. L3 could have done this themselves, without the extra baggage.
That's only my take, and like I said, it is an opinion formed from a considerable distance. I'd like to hear some opposing and perhaps, more-informed, views.
To sum it up from my end, however, 'that's show biz!'
Regards, Frank Coluccio |
