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Technology Stocks : Wi-LAN Inc. (T.WIN) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SurfForWealth who wrote (5064)	10/20/2000 6:48:59 PM
From: yeow	Respond to of 16863

Hi Surf,......Regarding the IP........ I would say it is a virtual certainty that members of the OFDM forum would pay licensing fees to Wi-LAN. I see their involvement in the forum as tacit recognition of Wi-LAN's IP claim. I share your outlook completely and have come to exactly the same conclusions. It's why the Philip's deal was the big one and why their continued association is so valuable. Philips chose to recognize the IP, not that there is really any other legal option. One has to look at deals closely because often we only examine what's in them for the company we have interest in. But we may be able to learn even more by examining what was in the deal for Philips. I've given this a lot of thought and it's why, whenever I become concerned about my Wi-LAN investment, I continue to hold strong. I have concluded that Philips recognized, in W-OFDM, the opportunity to get a significant head start on it's competitors but, more importantly, to establish itself in a leadership role in determining how wireless technology is going to unfold in the early 21st century. Companies like Philips and Motorola don't simply look at new opportunities for profit of course. Their perspective is naturally much broader. They look at how they can influence and control the marketplace in their favour, now and for as far into the future as they can reasonably look. And it is these heady matters which are debated in the boardrooms of megacorps like these. In many ways, they are more like nations than businesses, forgetting for a moment the political implications of that reality. So.......Philips, recognizing the tremendous potential of W-OFDM maps out it's strategy with Wi-LAN. How does Philip's best capitalize on it's investment and assure a marketplace for it's cutting edge products in the years to come? The OFDM forum, of course. The FACT that this forum has managed to attract such an impressive list of members strongly suggests that these players also see the future and are going to make sure they stay well connected to those who are making it happen. At the moment, it is the OFDM forum which enjoys solid support, structure and legitimacy. By comparison, Cisco's BWIF seems increasingly feeble and sleazy. The momentum is certainly strongly in the Wi-LAN/Philips court at this time, IMO. The coming year promises to be very exciting for Wi-LAN for these reasons; (I'm sure there's more) 1) Mass production of the ASICs makes Wi-LAN's products much more attractive and easier to market and sell. 2) Production of the 90 and 155 MBPS chips will create a lot of excitement in the industry. Look out. 3) Let's not forget, despite all the hoopla up here in the Great White North, Wi-LAN and WIN are STILL relative unknowns in the USA. At some point, that will change, the Nasdaq listing will happen and the sky's the limit..... Regards. PS: I know this is a very rosy outlook. In the short term, I think our patience may be tried. But long term, I think things look better than ever.

To: SurfForWealth who wrote (5064)	10/21/2000 9:51:30 AM
From: SurfForWealth	Respond to of 16863

Hello again, As promised, here is my third message. I would think that anyone who is serious about their investment in WIN, has taken the time to review the PowerPoint presentation by 4GNT that is available on the MSFT website. (At least those who have the capabilities on their computer) microsoft.com It is also important to review the list of attendees and think about what each player would have to gain in this consortium. They are not there for the free coffee and muffins. I spent a lot of time reviewing the drawings of the proposed 4GNT networks. While the wireless modems, supplied by Wi-LAN, make up the largest portion of the equipment requirement, there are also many other components, which will need to be supplied. While many here have speculated about who the 4GNT backers might be, it is important to look at what each possible backer could bring to the table. I think it also helps in that it may give us a clue as to future possible business relationships which may develop that involve WIN and Forum (& non Forum) members. It was stated by 4GNT CEO, Philip Barber, that there was one major player and at least two other large companies putting up the capital and support for the 4GNT business. 4GNT is effectively going to build 4G wireless infrastructures. The largest wireless infrastructure company in the world is ERICY, by market share. It seems to me that ERICY would be the most logical backer from that perspective, although MOT would also fit the profile. There will be a large requirement for servers and other computer equipment. Possible suppliers could be Compaq, Dell, IBM or SUN. Dedicated Semi-conductor Company? Maybe but seems less likely as they prefer to stay more neutral for political reasons. Next to wireless modems, I think routers will be a large component of the network. In looking at the global router market, we see CSCO with about 70% of the market, Juniper with 26% & gaining fast, and all the others sharing the remaining 4%. If CSCO doesn’t soon make peace with WIN then I think JNPR might be the supplier of choice. I have been told privately by one of the regular posters, that there are “rumours” of negotiations between WIN & JNPR. It makes a lot of sense that they could form an alliance of some type to work together to take on CSCO on the router and wireless modem front. This would be great news for WIN. Perhaps JNPR might even have an interest in backing 4GNT???? Who is going to build WIN’s modems? They are still working on a deal here as stated in the 1999 annual report. There will also be a large market for modem cards that will be installed in all the end user products. CSCO, 3COM, Sierra Wireless??? It is my belief that WIN would never have stated the huge 4GNT contract potential unless the backers for 4GNT were substantial. I also think they did so only because they felt the backers would be announced very soon after. It seems to me that there are countless possible announcements that could be released by WIN at any time that could have a very positive effect on the share price. I think that sooner or later at least one player will take a public stake in WIN. Take a look at Ballard for comparison sake. While waiting for confirmation through news, before buying into WIN, may be the safer route, it is also likely to be a lot more expensive. Just some thoughts to ponder. Cheers!!!