Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : America On-Line (AOL) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ed Forrest who wrote (24344)	6/28/1999 2:06:00 PM
From: Rascal	Respond to of 41369

Good article, Ed. Thanks for posting Mr. Rascal

To: Ed Forrest who wrote (24344)	6/28/1999 4:53:00 PM
From: David E. Taylor	Respond to of 41369

Ed: Interesting article. I've been trying to reconcile AT&T/ATHM's open access "can't be done" claims with the info I've been given by Cablevision (CV) here on LI/NY. Before CV rolled out their cable modem internet access, they upgraded their network to all fiber, so we have "fiber-on-the-pole" across the street. The link to my home is presently a dedicated conventional co-axial cable (splitter on the pole breaks out the higher frequency data signal from the TV signal), and CV says they can upgrade the fiber-to-home link in the future at minimal cost. But for now there's no restriction caused by adding more users, since I'm fed by a local "fiber node" which feeds a couple of hundred residences. Moreover, I can access an AOL account through CV's system with ease (just like I can access any web site) once I've set up the PCP/IP protocol on the AOL sign-on/set-up screen. So I'm left wondering what is AT&T/ATHM's problem with allowing access to AOL and other ISP's? Maybe AT&T/ATHM's reluctance to offer "open-access" is partly their desire for a monopoly (understandable), but also partly because a significant portion of their cable network is still a distribution based on co-axial cable and not fiber and in need of some $$ to upgrade to fiber? Wolfrom's (ATHM) comments at the end of your linked article would seem to support both conclusions. David T.