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To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (12847)	7/22/1999 12:49:00 PM
From: lml	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 29970

Very interesting & important issue you raise, Frank. With all the debate of open or forced access about, why has T permitted ATHM to lead the charge here? Important to note that although T is a majority shareholder, it is no longer a super-majority (2/3) shareholder since it was required to relinquish some shares to TWX & COX for failure of the TCI to upgrade its system to a pre-agreed benchmark. The other MSOs now hold veto power. Bottom line is that T does not hold absolute control over ATHM ; the interests of the other MSO shareholders must be recognized. Arguably, other MSOs, whose interests are also impacted by potential agreements T may negotiate with other ISP or content providers, may more appropriately be handled by ATHM's management, & then submitted to controlling shareholders for consideration. I agree with you, it doesn't look like it is the best foot to put forward with all this media attention. Additionally, discussions may be occurring at the more technical levels, requiring my intimate familiarity with the ATHM network & how these other providers may be able to tie-in without sucking up bandwidth on the shared pipes. Just a guess. Comments, Frank?

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (12847)	7/22/1999 1:33:00 PM
From: yihsuen	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 29970

While I don't question the possibility of the deal which has been flooded the media channels during past few days, I doubt that the openNET Coalition will be dissolved after the deal. If openNET wouldn't go away, then what's the point of achieving those deals? Let's look at the founding members of the openNET Coalition... America Online Inc. US West MCI-WorldCom Inc. MindSpring Enterprises Inc. Prodigy Communications Corp. Netscape Communications Corp. Cable and Wireless USA Inc. Washington Association of Internet Service Providers CyberRamp Internet Services Bertelsmann Internet Services ConnectNet Texas Internet Service Providers Association. US West and AOL have been primary opponents of the transfer of local TCI franchises to AT&T in Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, and Portland, Ore. US West has a funny position now for it has been acquired by Qwest. Qwest is the perfect candidate for openNET's next target of the open access nonsense. I think ATHM is more than willing to make deals, but how and what will be involved is beyond my wildest imagination.

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (12847)	7/22/1999 4:33:00 PM
From: E. Davies	Respond to of 29970

What justifies ATHM's agency role in this matter, when it's the use of the MSOs facilities that are in question, and not that of the intranet which is known as ATHM? I think there might be a whole range of things that keep ATHM in the loop between its potential competitors and the MSO's. Comments welcome because I am not sure of these: a) Its just not as simple as MSO facilities/ATHM facilites. The two appear to me to be intertwined at various physical and virtual levels. ATHM controls the network down to the user modem and apparently also has a great deal of influence over the MSO facilites. b) ATHM has the infrastructure. Most of the potential "deals" I could imagine are with people who dont want to be building thier own "intranet" anyway. They will need to start by using the ATHM network. c) ATHM has the technical knowledge. Sure AT&T has plenty too but I get the feeling that the other MSO's (and remnant TCI) would be lost without ATHM guiding them through the process. d) ATHM is the coordinator. The ATHM boardroom is where the MSO's meet to work through how things get done in a coordinated way. e) The MSO's own ATHM. Why bypass ATHM if you can funnel some profits into it? You get the idea. Bottom line is that AOL hasn't a clue about cable modems. Eric