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

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (7875)	8/3/2000 10:49:39 PM
From: Raymond Duray	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Cable VoIP\|Coming soon from a MSO near you..... Frank, Mike and All, Here's an interesting overview article on some of the recent vendor actions aimed at cable telephony: computertelephony.com The blurb: As cable modems reach more and more subscribers, the push to integrate voice onto newly upgraded cable networks is reaching fever pitch. Here’s how these networks are being prepared to bring VoIP — and next-gen voice apps — into homes and businesses Lot's of MSO developments discussed, equipment described.... yada di yada.... Note regarding prior discussion on digital/analog cable set top boxes. I installed mine about 4 months ago, believe me the old saw about "500 channels and nothing's on" is still so true. Unless you want to buy pay per view product, I don't recommend the digital/analog "package". I am strongly considering satTV because the basic programming seems much better. And it cost less per month as well. Best, Ray

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (7875)	8/4/2000 1:48:21 AM
From: elmatador	Respond to of 12823

The CDN is the next next generation network I keep talking about. It does away with the "central" and the "head" offices. I am not thinking anymore in the network, topology, parts and components. Now I am thinking how the business will evolve. The next next generation network will work like that -example for the afficionados of the TV distribution business- I will buy a franchise in, say, Curitiba, and operate my server farm to distribute content Made in USA. In the same way bottlers there produce and distribute soft drinks. The marketing and production of the the concentrate is made somewhere else. In my contract I would have some % of local content I can bundle with foreign content perhaps the regulator would like that. The package would come complete for me to distribute even with clauses concerning QoS, availability and so on. It would be along those lines.

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (7875)	8/4/2000 8:34:32 AM
From: MikeM54321	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 12823

"How long will it be before another model takes shape, like those of the application service provider (ASP) and the content distribution network (CDN) provider, who, for the sake of discussion, could come along and wrest a good part of the digital content distribution requirement that would normally be supported by the first component (MSOs'/ILECs' on-prem platforms) which I cited above, through aggregation of their cumulative requirements for digital serving via an ultra-broadband backbone emanating from a <perhaps number of> central libraries of diverse title types?" Frank- IMVHO, I think it will be a long ways off. Just too many entrenched interests in TV land today that would be disrupted if any new broadcast model is rolled out. Also, if the current analog/digtal STB rollouts remains as STRONG as seemingly being reported, then we just added another multi-billion dollar legacy level that would have to be dealt with too. And one practical reason against it-- The cost of a STB with a built-in DOCSIS cable modem is quite prohibitive at this point in time. I'm certain the MSO's don't want to be passing them out to subs who don't even want data service(or enhanced TV) over their TV AND then supply ANOTHER to those that want data delivered to their computer in the den/study. Of course a solution could be built into the NID mounted outside the home, but that is added another element of complication and uncertainty. Just seems like so many unknowns in the new broadcast model(s) you propose. No doubt, eventually it will happen and the Internet will disrupt the current broadcast TV model. But, as a here and now type investor, I'm just trying to figure out what is going to be generating revenues for the cableco equipment suppliers this year and into next. IMVHO, it's just a switch from analog to digital(all it's variations) for now. If you or anyone, comes across any tests being rolled out today, that involve any of the proposals you have commented on, please post. I always like to keep my eyes open for any new technologies that tend to disrupt my portfolio.<g> -MikeM(From Florida)