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Technology Stocks : Nortel Networks (NT) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: RetiredNow who wrote (6523)	8/13/2000 5:33:59 PM
From: telecomguy	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 14638

Hmmm...couple of comments. NT is going to have a big edge in making their equipment in the Core AND the edge INTEROPERABLE because there is no set standard. Typically in the history of high-tech world, the dominant vendors SET the standard (MSFT with MS-DOS/Windows, CSCO with IOS, etc.) so this implies that NT's OC-192 core dominance will likely make it difficult for CSCO to "pick" their spots in the overall network architecure as NT will be able to offer a seamless, one vendor, one integrated end-to-end OPTICAL network solution. This is where the depth/breath of NT's product portfolio will put them in good position to win the General Contractor deals that the large carriers will be awarding. And unlike the established protocols & technology that drove the legacy circuit-switched network where the Carriers can mix & match different switches to get the best out of each Vendors, the optics space is a brand new game, brand new technology, and it won't be so easy for the Carriers to understand how to integrate CSCO platforms even if we assume that their Monterey products will somehow be more advanced than what NT has to offer in that space. Carriers are going to be more reluctant to try to picemeal their optical technology from different vendors because we are talking about truely cutting-edge stuff here. Secondly, Russo's response as to why nothing is coming out Monterey and Pirelli "bad communication" and "wrong expectation" just doesn't cut it and sounds like rationalization to me. Mindmeld, this kind of interview is all fluff and just talk. Contracts are what's important not future strategy. Optical buildouts are happening NOW and NT is working feverishly to take control. Once they are entrenched, it will be difficult for CSCO to get in.

To: RetiredNow who wrote (6523)	8/14/2000 1:42:02 PM
From: Hagar	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 14638

Just an observation about the Interview with Russo. I seem to be reading here and other places that Cisco is either not articulating properly or not making itself clear with respect to its Optical investments and strategies. It seems to be me that they actually back-pedalling here. A couple of years ago they were going to revolutionize data networking with their optics strategy now they are "picking entry points" which is their true approach but we didn't know that because they didn't make it clear. While I agree that picking entry points is probably the correct approach I find the rhetoric disconcerting.