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

To: JayPC who wrote (7796)	7/28/2000 2:00:35 PM
From: lml	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 12823

Jay: Vous êtes Canadien, n'est-ce pas? Many of the issues confronting open access are policy driven, and policy dictates laws & regulations. So what may work or not work in Canada, would not necessarily hold true in them here States. I say this merely as a frame of reference in any discussion on these issues. BTW, before dozing off last night, I caught the AOL-TWX merger hearings before the FCC on C-Span last night. (Enough to put anybody to sleep in the wee morning hours). There was some discussion about open access, but nothing convincing that told me that things would be any different from what T is promising. That is will provide open access, but when we're good & ready, when we have our architecture in place, can control the network, and DICTATE how we wish to operate the open access model. In short, a cause for concern for any ISP seeking access on the cable platform. What else I found interesting were comments by the representative from BLS and his concern over any shared arrangements b/w AOL-TWX and T. Understandable as it may seem, perhaps "MikeM From BLS Territory" might be able to shed some focused light on why BLS is particularly sensitive to this issue. Some thoughts. Unlike the other RBOCs, it appears that BLS intends to compete head-to-head with the MSOs early on with their present foray into DBS service in combo with their FTTH strategy. Obviously, the ability of AOL-TWX, the paramount force to deal with on the cable platform, hooking up with T for local carrier and LD phone service carries a powerful bunch that BLS would prefer not to go up against. I figure BLS believes it can offer customers better telephonic services than most MSOs, if not based on true customer service realities, then upon lack of brand recognition that the MSOs lack in this area. The obvious exception would be to team up with T, which at least creates a brand name to the would-be customer. A strong selling point, IMHO, for any MSO. Am I ready to transfer my phone service to Adelphia? I'll leave that question unanswered. But if the AT&T name is out there instead, many a customer are going to be much less reluctant to switch their phone service over to the MSO. JMO.

To: JayPC who wrote (7796)	7/28/2000 5:53:20 PM
From: JayPC	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Shaw Cable building Fiber Optic network in Canada. Canada-based Shaw Communications Inc. Friday formed a new firm tasked with building a national fiber backbone for broadband Internet services. Operating as Big Pipe Inc., the backbone buildout is set to become the primary means of big bandwidth transport for Shaw's high-speed services. Jim Shaw, Shaw Communcations (NYSE:SJR) president and chief executive officer, said it needs to be capable of proving broadband access to a half million users by the end of next year. "With over 250,000 high-speed Internet customers and anticipated doubling of this customer base in 2001, we are one of the largest consumers of Internet Backbone bandwidth in Canada," Shaw said. "As we continue to grow our high-speed Internet customer base and as demand for broadband applications and content grows with streaming video, audio and other multimedia rich content the demand for bandwidth will grow exponentially." In March, Shaw Communications set aside $30 million to construct a fiber optic network connecting British Columbia and other regions, as part of company's $100 million fiber network buildout. Shaw said the Big Pipe initiative completes a series of initiatives designed to expand its end-to-end broadband services. "When completed, Big Pipe's fiber network will extend connectivity to all the major Internet peering points in Canada and the U.S. and provide our customers with fast, reliable access to the Internet and the Worldwide Web," Shaw said. "Big Pipe will also be open for business to other Internet service providers and organizations that need end-to-end broadband connectivity to the Internet," he added. Shaw has been in the television entertainment industry for more than 35 years. It partnered with Excite@Home (NASDAQ:ATHM) in 1997 to deliver cable broadband services throughout Canada during its 1998 launch. Shaw@Home added almost 85,000 new cable modem clients in 1999 and currently provided broadband access more than 250,000 customers. Its cable footprint is capable of providing access to 1.5 million potential subscribers. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Big Pipe will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Shaw Ventures Inc. A separate executive team will manage the backbone services. internetnews.com Shaw owns 50% of Excite@Home Canada. Should be interesting to see how its Big Pipe interacts with @HOME's network. Regards Jay