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

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (6232)	1/12/2000 11:59:00 AM
From: LemurHouse	Respond to of 12823

Thread: I'm interested in your collective views regarding wireless technology's prospects with regard to being the "last mile" in terms of both fixed locations (home/office) and mobile applications. Specifically, I am becoming very interested in the "tower companies" position in the wireless sector, and their abilty (or inability?) to profit from the coming wave of broadband wireless (mobile or not) data traffic, as well as voice. The tower companies rent space to the likes of bell atlantic, sprint, and the like for them to hang their devices on the third-party towers. Revenues derived mostly from the leases, but also by technical/engineering consulting in transmission network area, tower build-to-suit jobs, etc. It seems to me (a non-technical guy) that whichever companies win in the wireless space, they will all have to use the tower infrastructure to transmit their signal, at least until a new (satellite?) technology becomes commercially feasible. My purpose for being here on this thread is to become more educated re the technical aspects of wireless voice & data transmission, and to pick your brains re how long the tower infrastructure is likely to remain a key factor in wireless mobile, and what are its prospects for "last mile" into the home. i.e., what are the likely technical challenges facing this technology? Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this subject, and thanks to the thread in general for having such an informative discussion with a minimum of hybe and mutual bashing! Andy

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (6232)	1/12/2000 1:38:00 PM
From: John Stichnoth	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Hi, Frank. Out of occasional lurk mode to update on DSL implementation by BEL. They finally introduced service to our central office in December. I signed up, and received a December 21 date for service start. Problem 1: Well, that date has come and gone. Finally, received my modem package on Friday. Installed it on Saturday, and tried to connect. Nothing. (Not surprised, since I hadn't received confirmation that BEL had me set up). Problem 2: Called the 800 number to see status of my order. He couldn't check, because of a backup in requests. Not great customer service. Problem 3: And, anyway, it wouldn't work anyway because the router was down! Had been down since the night before. Not great technical execution. I have now received an email advising that my new start date is January 14. Three weeks after the originally stated date, and a month after I ordered it. So much for Quality of Service! It's just one person's experience, but it doesn't say much for their ability to ramp up in this area. The door is certainly open for the cablecos, or someone else (Qualcomm's HDR?) to satisfy this space. Best, JS