To: Eric L who wrote (524 ) 11/13/2000 10:16:41 AM From: xtahce Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 817 Eric et al, if you're interested in wireless data networks & packets, along with the evolution, as I see it, please see refer to this post from Oct 1st that compiles 10 months of information: (Warning this is a long post filled with links and information):ragingbull.altavista.com Thanks for that link to Seybold's OutLook (from October!). If you have anymore information tucked away I'd enjoy reading through it. I'm not familiar with Lynette Luna, could you fill me in on her background when you get a moment? Seybold's been pro data communication for years when no one was wanting to listen, but I'm wondering if Lynette is a journalist, writing a story, or specialist who has been following this for some time. --->>"Cingular could switch to GSM, and purchase VoiceStream if DT decides to dump the deal."<<--- Why would DT forgo the deal with VoiceStream, it's their gateway to the U.S.? Half of the Cingular combo is already aware of the advantages of packet-switched from it's exposure in 'BellSouth Wireless Data' division that uses the Mobitex network (mentioned in an earlier post). The beauty of all of this is the overlay capability, especially with GPRS and VoIP etc. Went and did a search on Seybold, found this: "AT&T's choices are to switch to CDMA, which has an easy migration path to high-speed data, or to move to GSM, a sister technology to TDMA," he writes. "... (the) anticipated change from TDMA to GSM will have worldwide repercussions."news.excite.com Don't get me started on i-mode, not a technology but rather a brand and a service from DoCoMo and uses digital PDC "packet" network (9600bps), totally different story.... min 250 characters... specially formatted Web sites only, not all HTML/XML sites (like RIM devices can access) different customers base, using less characters per word/sentance plus with the lack of PC's in Japan and how most who use this service there have nothing to compare it to... Presentations grabed US companies attention with ''People say the Internet has to be free, but we're charging for it,'' says Natsuno, 34. ''This is a model for the mobile Internet that others now want to emulate.'' Takeshi Natsuno devised the business model to make this system work. First, he dictated that i-mode should serve as a portal site and lined up content providers that users could access directly from i-mode's menu bar. Then he set up a billing method whereby DoCoMo would reap a commission for the services rendered by this first tier. Other content owners would be encouraged to code their Web pages for i-mode as well. But only those belonging to the licensed first tier could be accessed by the menu bar. ''People say the Internet has to be free, but we're charging for it,'' says Natsuno, 34. ''This is a model for the mobile Internet that others now want to emulate.'' They can offer this low initial monthly fee of approx US$2.83/month because of the commissions they receive. Tachikawa insisted on a cheap pricing plan to guarantee the widespread adoption of i-mode. Subscribers pay about 4 cents to send a 250-character message, and half that to receive a message of the same size... No wonder American firms are looking at this service, they've always wanted to be able to hold the ownership of the subscriber and the sites they access: "In its first year of operation, i-mode is on track to post more than $100 million in revenues. That's small potatoes compared with sales of basic cell-phone services. But Tachikawa estimates that a user base of 5 million would generate $1.5 billion in fees from subscriptions, transmitted data, and a 9% commission DoCoMo charges for handling the billing for Web content providers." BusinessWeek did a special months ago if you're interested:businessweek.com Enough already, eh (Canadian Content) X