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.

Non-Tech : The Critical Investing Workshop -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: she_x who wrote (15670)	4/21/2000 2:33:00 AM
From: Sully-	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 35685

NTT Docomo may curb i-mode sales By Yvonne Chang, Reuters 19 April 2000 Japanese cellular phone carrier NTT Docomo may limit sales of its popular i-mode Internet mobile phone service because the service is getting so popular its creating capacity problems, the company said on Wednesday. Yet any negative impact on the company's earnings and share price is likely to be shortlived as capacity restraints were expected and technology is being developed to overcome the problem, analysts said. Docomo has suffered 16 disruptions to its fast-growing Internet service since it was launched last year, casting doubt over its ability to accommodate the estimated 10 million i-mode subscribers expected by year-end. Docomo has seen spectacular sales of its i-mode telephones, surpassing a goal of five million subscribers by the end of March and making it Japan's biggest Internet access platform. I-mode users can exchange e-mail, do on-line banking and navigate more than 7,000 Internet sites that have been set up for the i-mode service. "We are considering various measures to address the service disruption problems we have been experiencing...and restraining sales of i-mode is one option," a spokesman for NTT Docomo said. The spokesman said one of several options was to not allow current NTT Docomo mobile phone users to switch to i-mode handsets as a temporary measure. About half of 170,000 Docomo customers who apply for the i-mode service every week are users who switch to i-mode from older phone models, according to Nihon Keizai newspaper. The newspaper, in its Wednesday evening edition, said Docomo will continue to accept first-time mobile phone users who wish to subscribe to i-mode but suspend advertising its i-mode service for an indefinite period of time. Docomo was also looking into ways to strengthen its infrastructure, such as building more servers and updating its software, the company spokesman said. The news came after the Tokyo stock market closed. Docomo shares closed up 90,000 yen or 2.49 percent at 3,700,000 yen ($35,360). Major telecom firms are preparing to offer in spring of 2001 next-generation, high-speed mobile phone service capable of transmitting video available through the Internet. Docomo had hoped to shift its subscribers to the new service but capacity problems hit Docomo earlier than anticipated because of the explosive demand for the i-mode service, said Yasumasa Goda, analyst at Merrill Lynch. "In a way, you can say it's a luxurious headache for Docomo," said Goda. The Japanese government plans to issue only three licences for the new service, which includes a global roaming function. Long-distance and cell phone carrier Japan Telecom Co Ltd said on Wednesday its nine mobile phone companies have applied for the licence. NTT Docomo also has applied. The remaining competitor, DDI Corp , which will merge with leading international telecom operator KDD Corp and IDO Corp, a cell phone unit of Toyota Motor Corp in October, is also expected to apply for the licence soon. totaltele.com

To: she_x who wrote (15670)	4/21/2000 3:15:00 AM
From: techguerrilla	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 35685

My greatest concert: Sarah McLachlan (story) I'll never forget seeing Sarah at the height of her rock-and-roll power in 1994. She had finally broken through in the United States with the song, Possession. She played one Saturday night at a beautiful little theatre of 1500 in Chicago. God, she lit the place on fire. There is nothing in theatre that rocks my world more than a woman leading a band and torching a building. Back in 1988, Natalie Merchant was entrancing the United States with 10,000 Maniacs. I'll never forget their rendition of "Like the Weather" that evening. Jesus, it's etched in my mind. The whole place dancing at their seats and in the aisles. And Sinead O'Connor live? Absolutely astonishing!! But the coolest concert I ever got to see was in 1976 when my law school roommate, a man of incredible vision, took me to the CBGB in New York City to see an up-and-coming band, Talking Heads. First row at a bar. Oh God. Tina Weymouth and her huge guitar. I wish I'd had a camera. I had no idea I was observing the birth of a legend. The concert halls and outdoor theatres of Chicago make this city the rock-and-roll capital of the world. Every great band has to prove itself here. And I see them all: U2, REM, Fleetwood Mac, Midnight Oil, INXS, The Pretenders. But a special place is reserved in my SOUL for those three female bandleaders: Sarah, Natalie, and Sinead. I wish they hadn't gone so soft on me. They've all gotten too spiritual, if you will. I prefer they just BURN DOWN THE HOUSE. At least Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders still have the fleeting desire to do so at times. It's late in the evening and there's no market tomorrow. So I thought I'd just ramble about my music philosophy. Thanks for reading. John