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

To: MikeM54321 who wrote (7154)	6/1/2000 10:21:00 PM
From: Frank A. Coluccio	Respond to of 12823

Thanks for that find, Mike. Don't know how I missed it back in April. I've hinted that I am somewhat dubious about the Telecrossing venture too, simply because of the previous history and the rapid fire announcements which seemed to come out with no cohesive theme behind it. They appear to be doing, claiming to do, too much too soon. 400 Hubs is not hamburger meat. Re PCDirect, I don't know. I tend to give better odds to a satellite to hub to wireless to end user scheme, making some use of some terrestrial fiber routes and intra-hub dissipation, instead of using down and uplinks exclusively to wevery home. There is more opportunity to dissipate traffic regionally, within hub areas, say, without exhausting precious satellite bandwidth, than if every home had to go up and down in order to link to a site next door. I'm sure there is a more elegant way of putting this, but you get what I mean. Tachyon is another satellite organization that is doing the same thing, incidentally. Their hub based operations, using spread spectrum in some of the unlicensed bands to residences, is not publicized yet for some reason, but they're doing it, just the same. I'll look up the specs on this tomorrow, please remind me if you are interested. I didn't favor wireless low speed ceilings in the past (I believe they top out at 2 Mb/s, but can go higher to 10 Mb/s Ethernet in time... these are between the residence and the hub, satellite uplinks are slower), but in boon dock regions where there is no way in hell to get dsl or cable modem, much less ftth, I think it's a great idea. The more I think of this, however, the more I happen to like it. I can envisage a hybridization of all media types in certain circumstances. I would be interested in reading the views of some of our wireless mavens on this. FAC

To: MikeM54321 who wrote (7154)	6/1/2000 10:39:00 PM
From: Raymond Duray	Respond to of 12823

Hi Mike, I used the Hughes DirectPC system for a while in 1999 with mixed results. The full duplex feature will certainly be an improvement over the current half duplex arrangement. The system will suffer from latency, of course, due to the geo-synchronous orbit of the bird. So forget about Internet telephony via DirectPC. Ain't gonna happen. But if anyone wants to try this at home on a landline, the new thing I found today is phonefree.com Ray

To: MikeM54321 who wrote (7154)	6/2/2000 9:38:00 AM
From: John Stichnoth	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Hi, Mike. I believe that this is the project that Norsat is preparing the ODU's (tranceivers and antenna dishes) for. Ka-band. They've announced contracts with Korea. So, yes it seems to be real. biz.yahoo.com begin snip----------------- Company Press Release LGIC Agrees To Purchase Norsat Ka-band Outdoor Units (ODU) For Koreasat Broadband Initiative BURNABY, B.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2000--Norsat International Inc. (TSE:NII. - news; Nasdaq:NSATF - news) today announced the signing of a multiyear purchase agreement with LG Information & Communications, LTD. (LGIC) for two-way Ka-band Outdoor Units (ODUs). For its first application-satellite interactive terminals for a high-speed broadband, interactive distance learning network-LGIC plans to purchase approximately 2000 Norsat ODUs. LGIC is implementing Korea Telecom's Koreasat broadband initiative. This is the world's first commercial order for two-way Ka-band end-user terminals, a significant milestone for high-speed broadband. ``Norsat is pleased to have been selected by LGIC to supply systems for this next-generation satellite network,'' said Robert H. Bucher, Norsat's President and CEO. ``The Koreasat distance learning network, designed to deliver basic and supplemental interactive education to schools regardless of their location, is an excellent first commercial application for two way Ka-band satellite technology. Norsat's leadership strategy in advanced interactive terminals is to be ready to supply fully featured, thoroughly tested products in commercial quantities when our customers networks are ready. LGIC's selection of Norsat's ODU's underscores both the value of that strategy and the potential for our terminal products.'' The ODU consists of a Norsat Ka-band transceiver, including satellite signal receiver and transmitter, as well as the dish antenna, and has been engineered to international open standards specifications. ``We are pleased to be moving from the test phase into practical applications,'' said Mr. Jae-Am Kim, Project Manager of the LGIC Satellite Business Team. ``Together with Norsat and our other partners, we are breaking ground that will give the people of Korea access to one of the world's most advanced IP over ATM networks.'' The Korea Telecom broadband initiative utilizes Koreasat 3, a multi-use satellite launched last year with three Ka-band transponders. Koreasat 3 is configured to provide a range of multimedia services including interactive distance-learning, HDTV, multichannel DBS (Direct Broadcast Services) and DTH (Direct To Home) services to any country in Southeast Asia. LG Information & Communications, Ltd.(LGIC) is an integrated information and communications company which provides advanced systems and components including transmission devices and terminals. Norsat International Inc. designs, engineers and distributes premium products for use in the satellite wireless communications industry. It has four principal operating units. Norsat Satellite Products is a supplier of satellite signal receivers, transmitters, and other ground station equipment. Norsat Broadband Networks develops components and systems to the satellite broadband IP market. Norsat Narrowband Networks specializes in voice and data products and services for the Globalstar satellite constellation. The Company's Norsat America Inc. subsidiary operates a network of 14 branch offices across the U.S. and is a distributor of DIRECTV© satellite service to the direct-to-home (DTH) market and a DIRECTV© Master System Operator (MSO) for the multiple dwelling unit (MDU) market. Norsat America also distributes DirecPC. This document may contain certain forward-looking information and statements concerning the Company's operations, performance and financial condition, including, in particular, the likelihood of the Company's success in developing and expanding its business. These statements are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. -------------end snip Best, JS

To: MikeM54321 who wrote (7154)	6/3/2000 11:19:00 AM
From: MikeM54321	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 12823

Re: 2-Way Satellite Wireless: Gilat-To-Home, Tachyon, iSKY, DirectPC, AlphaStar Frank, Ray, John, and Thread- Yet another player in the two-way satellite space<g>, "Gilat-To-Home." A joint venture between Microsoft and Gilat Satellite Networks(http://www.gilat.com/gilat/). And this one even does telephony? Plus Gilat(sym:GILTF) even makes money today. That's about all I know about them. Since MSFT and GM are investors in DirectPC and Gilat-To-Home, it certainly adds some credibility to this new 2-way technology as another last mile solution. Plus there are others that popped up in my quick DD. Tachyon(http://www.tachyon.net/) and iSKY. As you can see by this network diagram(http://www.isky.net/hot/face.html) iSKY is for real.<vbg> So in quick summary we have: -DirectPC direcpc.com -Tachyon tachyon.net -iSKY isky.net -Gilat-To-Home gilat2home.com -AlphaStar Message 13787447 Well wonder why this last mile access technology doesn't get much press? I'm guessing it's because something is inherently wrong with it. Most likely guess, on my part, is inability to scale. If anyone knows who may have already done the DD, please share your thoughts. -MikeM(From Florida) **************************** Satellite broadband, which beams the Net to anyone with a clear line of sight from their satellite dish to the sky, is getting the most buzz. I got a sneak peek at what will be the first consumer service to launch: Gilat-To-Home, a joint venture between Microsoft and Israeli company Gilat Satellite Networks. I was impressed with the setup: the dish isn't that big (about 2 ft. by 3 ft.) and can be planted on the roof or the side of a house. Two coaxial cables (one for sending, one for receiving) run from the dish to cards inserted inside your PC. During my test drive, I downloaded Web content at about 300K, half the speed of my DSL line at home but still pretty fast. Gilat says download speeds will be up to 400K, with a minimum of 150K. If you're willing to pay extra, the company will give you more bandwidth. But the basic package isn't bad, particularly if your only alternative is dial-up. And that will be the only other option in satellite's target market: thinly populated areas that the telcos and cable companies have ignored (why invest in costly infrastructure to serve a few customers?). Other companies, like Tachyon of San Diego, sell satellite broadband services to businesses and have a few residential customers, but they are likely to be hard-core users willing to pay hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of dollars a month for it. Gilat-To-Home represents the first two-way high-speed satellite service tailored specifically for the consumer market. It will have competitors: iSKY of Denver will be one, but the company doesn't expect to have its service up until late 2001. Why so far behind? Gilat-To-Home will use satellites that are already in orbit, while iSKY's partner, French company Arianespace, will be launching new ones. Hughes Electronics is also planning a two-way satellite service, but it too will need to get new birds up in the sky. The Gilat-To-Home service will undergo trials this summer, with Microsoft employees in Redmond, Wash., and Gilat employees in northern Virginia (Gilat's U.S. base) serving as the first testers and a national rollout planned for late 2000. Prices haven't been announced, but the company says it expects they will be competitive with those of DSL and cable-modem services**. The Microsoft Network (MSN) will market the service to its Internet-service subscribers and provide content through its portal, msn.com. Starter kits that include a dish, a PC equipped with transmitter and receiver cards and MSN service will be sold at Radio Shack. Later the service will be sold with a USB modem. time.com