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Technology Stocks : COM21 (CMTO) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lml who wrote (530)	6/11/1999 2:02:00 PM
From: pat mudge	Respond to of 2347

Today its a different story. Satellite broadcasting is much more competitive, both in price & programming (which now can include local broadcasts) More importantly, what we're talking about here is Internet access. So some subscribers will also have available alternative broadband access via DSL technology & fixed wireless. The bottom line is that these "reluctant" cable companies will need to invest in fiber if they are to compete in the marketplace. This is becoming more true every day. With NN's ability, in conjunction with IMagic, to offer a viable way for telcos to offer high-speed Internet connections and digital TV, cable companies have more reason than ever to upgrade so they can do the same. Cable operators with old plant will be the first to lose their customers to telco/copper solutions. Consumers are discerning and if offered megabit Internet and full broadcast DTV, they'll make their decision based on cost and speed. If costs are comparable and their cable company doesn't offer high-speed Internet, it's not hard to guess what they'll do. Cable operators and carriers (whether RBOCs, ISPs, or long distance) will have to offer one-box-does-all service. And it goes without saying that'll have to include voice. As consumers, no one cares what technology lies behind the services --- fiber, copper, wireless --- just give us everything we want -- including reliability --- for one price on one bill. I know I'm preaching to the choir, here. :)) Incidentally, TERN's noise solution results in lower speeds and the lower your speeds, the fewer customers you can service. As for their claims on DOCSIS 1.2, the physical layer standards haven't been established and while they've submitted their technical paper, the outcome isn't certain. Now, if their technology is accepted and they go head-to-head with Broadcom as a chip vendor, will the competition, including CMTO, buy from a competitor? Some say they'll have to drop their modem business if they expect to challenge Broadcom. Investing in TERN involves some pretty big "ifs." Based on all I've said and their SEC filings, I'm not touching them. Pat

To: lml who wrote (530)	6/11/1999 2:13:00 PM
From: Robert Sheldon	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 2347

First, I would ask, if possible, that you provide some sources to support your statements. If you "read a lot," perhaps you could guide the thread to some of the sources of your knowledge. 1) SEC Documents sec.gov 2) NEWS - CNET news.com 3) NewsHub newshub.com 4) A whole bunch of news services that are fee only and cost lots of $$$ to subscribe to. whether the quick fix you assert the TERN solution delivers is the way to go. No "quick fix" - it is a long-term solution. I do not understand what it is you are asking. Line quality is the central issue. It can not be ignored. the lack of "a deep pocket," will choose the "budget" upgrade to which TERN appears to be the best modem provider. Whether this is the prudent course to take is another issue. Come on! Last time I checked we live in a capitalist society. People want to earn the highest margins possible. TERN allows that. And it's NOT JUST THE MODEM that make everything “ok”. TERN's headends are heads and shoulders (pun intended) above the competition. This is no short-term solution. Even when Internet II is finished, the TERN enabled cable will facilitate the demands of Internet II. IT'S THE TECHNOLOGY FELLA! PLEASE REREAD ALL MY POSTS BEFORE ASKING ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. You seem to dismiss the benefits of fiber quite quickly You can not get fiber to everyone's door – it is not cost effective! Remember the capitalist society? Robert, maybe you could explain how "TERN's equipment allows a way around" my concerns of the ability to deliver improved QoS going forward. I just don't see how the TERN solution is the panacea to the decision to forego a fiber upgrade. The benefits of fiber over copper are indisputable. If you want a more in-depth explanation go and read this site and THEN ask me a question. terayon.com * If in-fact the TERN solution is the way to go, then why is everyone laying fiber these days?* I am stunned. It appears that you do not understand that fiber can not be brought to the doorstep of every home in the country. We have been speaking about cable as a last mile solution – one of several. And how CMTO and TERN fit into this. Yes, fiber is used for a general loop around a city but the cable infrastructure in place delivers the last mile access.