SI
SI
discoversearch

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 : LAST MILE TECHNOLOGIES - Let's Discuss Them Here -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Jeff Hayden who wrote (6077)11/24/1999 2:46:00 PM
From: Jay Lowe  Read Replies (3) | Respond to of 12823
 
AT&T and "no strings attached"

This is a profoundly revealing move on T's part.

I see home wireless in T's cableboxes and mobile wireless on their towers.

I see my PDAphone connecting seamlessly to the web via the best available route, whether by cable in the home (or in any home), or via air when not in range of a cable or other wired endpoint. I think of T's and the MSO's infrastructure ... and I see new wireless technology beginning to populate that infrastructure.

I see my PDAphone, PCs, and other wireless widgets such as scanner, camera, MP3 player all participating in the same scenario.

I see T being very close to crystalizing this vision, as well as having major controlling leverage over implementation.

I see a whole lot of players lining up to play T's game ... the implications are far reaching.

For example, consider music distribution. Consider the impact MP3 via web has had on RIAA member directions. Imagine that music appliances talked to music providers via the above seamless wireless-cable-wireless infrastructure. T could define how this was done, if they wanted to.

Other examples left as an exercise for the reader. ;-)

T is in a unique position. They have the 'bone, towers, the last mile, even the last 30 feet ... all under the same logo.

Counter-examples?



To: Jeff Hayden who wrote (6077)11/24/1999 9:05:00 PM
From: Secret_Agent_Man  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 12823
 
washingtonpost.com
pni/print&articleid=A39716-1999Nov23
AT & T Plans Push Back Into Homes, Firms

By Peter S. Goodman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 24, 1999 ; E1

AT & T Corp., shut out of the local telephone business since the breakup of the old Bell system
15 years ago, plans a major push back into the nation's homes and businesses with
wireless technology offering both phone and high-speed Internet service, knowledgeable
sources close to the company said yesterday.

The strategy, which the sources said will cost $1.2 billion next year, is seen by analysts as a
way to hedge the company's huge bet on cable television lines as the conduit for bringing local
customers telephone and Internet service. Long the nation's largest long-distance telephone
company, AT & T also has quickly become the nation's largest owner of cable systems. But
the size of its investment-about $120 billion-and technical challenges have worried Wall Street,
and AT & T's stock has fallen by 20 percent since May.

Under the new plan, which sources said would be announced at a Wall Street analysts' meeting
Dec. 6 in New York, the company will string equipment from its existing cellular telephone
towers, then transmit voice and data traffic to antennas atop homes and businesses.

AT & T had no official comment on the matter last night.

AT & T will become a competitor in what is known as the fixed wireless business with
companies such as Teligent Inc., WinStar Inc. and NextLink Communications Inc.


AT+T will begin with three markets next year-Dallas, plus two undisclosed cities-then expand across the country, the sources said.

Fixed wireless competitors noted that AT & T has tried this before-three years ago, when the company announced Project Angel, which foundered as officials decided the technology was too costly.

"It's nice to see that AT & T is making a bet on the viability of fixed wireless again," said Jonathan Askin, chief legal counsel for the Association for Local Telecommunication Services.

"Teligent and WinStar and the other fixed wireless carriers have about a three-year head start.

AT & T has vast resources, but they don't have the facilities."

The sources said AT & T plans to finance its new project by issuing a tracking stock for its
wireless holdings, similar to the wildly successful offering from Sprint Corp. for its Sprint PCS
business. The capital from the tracking stock would also help AT & T expand its mobile phone
network, which already covers about 75 percent of the nation.