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To: slacker711 who wrote (8055)	11/7/2000 12:07:14 AM
From: Eric L	Respond to of 34857

Slacker, << I had no idea that VSTR planned on implementing GPRS in 2001 >> So goes the plan, but handset availability will be the issue. Their basic wireless web offer is held up because they can't even get WAP handsets (basic GSM at 9.6 kbps). They (actually Omnipoint) took delivery of ERICY GPRS infra end of last year for trial, followed by Nortel gear, and have Siemens infra on order. Chris Resavy (former Omnipoint) is leading the GPRS engineering implementation initiative. Rollout will be gradual. VSTR is still in buildout mode (licenses in midwest from C-Block reauction). They are a highly credible network with a very strong management team and have one heck of a footprint despite their delayed start. << renewed speculation about US TDMA/iDEN operators switching to 1xrtt.....are you as sceptical as you have been in the past? >> Always skeptical about technology changes. <g> But ... Nextel has to do something since iDEN is a dead end. Seems like GSM/GPRS would be more logical for them. They already have dual-mode ESMR/GSM handsets and roaming agreements in place. As for Cingular ... possible. They have not done much with GPRS (except for PacBell which is in same boat as VoiceStream). There is NO question in my feeble mind that 1xRTT is the absolute best radio interface choice for spectrum constrained NA. Furthermore, one of these days Qualcomm's overlay strategy will bear fruit (I think, I hope). So tonight I am less skeptical perhaps, than in earlier postings. <g> - Eric -