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

To: American Spirit who wrote (7177)	6/4/2000 1:34:00 AM
From: JayPC	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Just wait 'till Frank speaks at your next meeting. <g> Regards Jay

To: American Spirit who wrote (7177)	6/4/2000 1:44:00 PM
From: lml	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Thanks for the report, Am-Spirit. As far as Mr. Gilder, I view his "predictions" with caution. Not that I necessarily dispute much what Gilder offers; I don't, but that I don't blindly agree with him as if what he has to say is gospel. For example, his prediction that "when wireless gets streaming video off the Internet, tv and all it's related advertising industry will be history" is bit far fetched. Advertising, IMHO, will find its way into our home via TV, via Internet web pages, via streaming wireless video, or whatever, but it will find a way into the lives of consumers. In contrast to Gilder's vision, I believe that ACCESS into consumers' homes, & even to mobile wireless phones/PDA's, will be the source of revenue which the carriers will look to & not necessarily subscription fees from the consumer. Competition is going to be fierce & subscription rates are going to drop. Already we see free dial-up access, & more recently free-DSL. Will this model last? I dunno, but IMHO subscription fees will nevertheless drop due to competition. So how will carriers make their money? IMHO by charging ACCESS fees to content providers, e-commerce retailers & advertisers who will know so much more about that particular customer's buying habits, etc. that they will be willing to be higher fee to gain access to that targeted consumer. Carriers will charge fees to online banking operations, online retailers, & perhaps take a commission on every commercial transaction that takes place online. Why? Because they are the purveyors of ACCESS to the customer. They own the virtual real estate; they will not only lease access to the consumer, but also take a percentage just as many mall developers do with respect to their retail tenants. In summary, the value of the business of these carriers will not necessarily be influenced by the fees paid by their subscribers, but the extent of their subscribership (quantity, market reach) and the particular demographics of those subscribers (quantity, targeting the most sought-after customers). IMHO, this will also influence the effort to drive down subscription fees, as it will be the driving force to lure content providers, advertisers & retailers alike. No, I don't agree with Gilder that advertising is history. JMO.