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.

Technology Stocks : Nokia (NOK) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: tero kuittinen who wrote (4636)	5/9/2000 9:09:00 AM
From: Wyätt Gwyön	Respond to of 34857

Is there any third-party source of network reliability data? Stuff like dropped calls in a particular area. I switched from ATT Wireless to Sprint about eight mos. ago (QCOM fan!), but recently switched back to ATT. Reason: I had tons of dropped calls w/Sprint (in Austin). This was with a vaunted Samsung SCH-3500. I did not want to believe this at first, since I expected my first experience with CDMA PCS to be, like, wonderful. But I have also learned of many others with lots of dropped calls locally on Sprint and GTE. I reactivated my 2-year-old NOK 6160 on ATT; no dropped calls. Voicestream recently started operating in Austin, and they have (surprise) very aggressive pricing plans. I was thinking of trying them, but was a bit uncertain as to the reliability of their brand-new network. My thinking was that if Sprint has been in Austin for over two years and still sucks, how good can VSTR be out of the chute? But I don't know if startup reliability is different for GSM. Any thoughts? It seems like consumers are flying blind.

To: tero kuittinen who wrote (4636)	5/9/2000 9:22:00 AM
From: Cooters	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 34857

Tero, <<"VoiceStream Wireless had 1.8 million customers at the end of the first quarter 2000, comprised of 1.3 million monthly subscribers and over 500 thousand prepaid customers. This represents an increase of 334% over total customers at the end of the first quarter of 1999." >> You need to be careful when wireless providers report YOY sub numbers and/or include acquisitions in their total customer numbers. The traditional gauge of growth is QOQ sub growth, which provides a clear picture of how many new customers were added. This number was not provided and I haven't been able to find it. SBC did this same thing in Q3 1999, hiding they only added 126,000 subs on about Page 18 of their quarterly report. FYI, Cooters

To: tero kuittinen who wrote (4636)	5/9/2000 9:28:00 AM
From: Ruffian	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 34857

Yes, we both have our own methods of madness.<gg> eom.

To: tero kuittinen who wrote (4636)	5/9/2000 11:12:00 AM
From: jackrabbit	Respond to of 34857

Re

To: tero kuittinen who wrote (4636)	5/9/2000 11:12:00 AM
From: jackrabbit	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 34857

Re: Couldn't Jesse Helms shut down Voicestream before it starts to threaten the American tradition of 30% subscriber growth? Tero, I believe you are looking on the wrong side of the aisle. As far as I know, Jesse Helms has not taken a position on this issue. Based on his political affiliation, I would suspect that he would be supportive of a free market approach to the wireless market. Do not forget that it is the Clinton administration that is trying to force Qualcomm and CDMA down all our trading partners' necks. Loral, 35% owner of Globalstar, is one of the biggest contributors to the Democrat party (Qualcomm has also made significant contributions). Now the Clinton administration is trying to force China to adopt CDMA as a quid pro quo for joining the WTO. It doesn't take a genius to see the connection. Regards, JR