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Technology Stocks : AUTOHOME, Inc -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: im a survivor who wrote (17541)	12/6/1999 10:39:00 AM
From: ALTERN8	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 29970

Todays' news is not new. T and Mindsprings' news was announced in August. 1 mil subs was last Wednesday. 2002 contract expiration was well known already, and did anyone really think that T would continue to use only ATHM after the contract expired? So why is ATHM down so much? It's either misunderstanding of the situation on investors part or the big boys seeing an opportunity to pickup ATHM below 50 one last time. T has done a good job putting AOL into a stale mate with this open access issue. AOL is now going to unsuccessfully push hard to open up T's pipes before 2002. It will be interesting to see what desperate measures AOL will take now to avoid getting into cable access too late.

To: im a survivor who wrote (17541)	12/6/1999 1:55:00 PM
From: matt gray	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 29970

my point is that a deal with MSPG constitutes sufficient open access. MSPG will pay for access it won't be given for free. AOL probably offered a ridiculous low amount early in the negotiation hoping for a free ride. They were rejected. Now another ISP comes with a sweeter deal. Open access now exists. The market hasn't realized that ATHM is now to free to open other relationships once the regulators get off Ts back. Included in this arrangement may be a hookup with Roadrunner [T has a stake via UMG] which would create a powerhouse.....my personal preference. Hearts have been broken, now its time for ATHM to get unleashed. The uncertainty of OPEN ACCESS was more damaging than the actual competition having slashed ATHMs stock value. ATHM will do just fine competing with these other ISPs. The technical realities are such that MSPG, PSIX, AOL et al will have a difficult time keeping ATHM from being the broadband powerhouse in 2 years.

To: im a survivor who wrote (17541)	12/6/1999 8:27:00 PM
From: Educator	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 29970

"T will work a deal with aol...they are not foolish." Perhaps....but you have to admit, T waltzed right by AOL standing by the punch bowl and asked MSPG to dance. If I were AOL, I would go home, get a new dress, and take off some of that make up. Maybe an attitude adjustment is needed, too. AOL might be the largest, but they aren't the only fish in the sea. "AOL will prosper....athm will if they work a deal with aol...if not, they will be road kill." Why would you be an ATHM investor if you thought they could only survive in the world with AOL? Did you buy on the AOL rumor? I am still waiting for this rumor to become fact. So far its been a lot of big talk by Kevin Prigel. I've not seen the pudding. ATHM continues the rollout without AOL. The one million mark was easily hit. They should have (an Ed projection) 2.5 to 3 million by the end of next year, again without AOL. Who knows, that may be conservative. By the time their exclusivity agreements end in 2005, they will be closer to veal than road kill. I like how everyone is assuming that new agreements won't take place. ATHM has their foot in the door and is building name recognition. A parent came into my classroom Thursday and said she dumped AOL for ATHM. She was sick of the recent email difficulties and disconnects during downloads. They operate a graphics business out of their home, and need reliable service and speed. The wait for an ATHM hookup was one week. When she talked to the AT&T@Home, the rep. said other AOL subscribers were switching because of this same complaint. Now, I know ATHM is not trouble free, especially when it comes to email. I can deal with that knowing I have the speed and "always on" connection. I agree the start page isn't much at the present time, but I could care less. I zoom right for my online brokerage site, SI, and others. I don't mind your comments at all. It helps to balance things. Good luck in your investing. I know that you are already doing well with AOL. Hopefully ATHM can get back on the upward climb. Ed