Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Ericsson overlook? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jim Oravetz who wrote (4550)	2/28/2001 9:02:40 AM
From: elmatador	Respond to of 5390

3G has the potential of junking lots of stuff. The whole fixed line will grind to a halt. Therefore there is a big amount of vested interested of propagating the delays and throwing stones in the engine. Journalists get this whole sale and publish. It is their job. But reality goes on.

To: Jim Oravetz who wrote (4550)	2/28/2001 9:04:08 AM
From: elmatador	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 5390

This is fine tuning time for 3G. Slowly and steadily things are sorted out. 3G Mobile: Co-location - Operators forced to consider their options As 3G licensees grapple with ways to finance the rollout of 3G networks, the incumbent 2G operators among them have begun contemplating previously unsavory strategies in a bid to keep their 3G vision afloat. Co-location, the idea of operators jointly developing a network with the idea of sharing the facilities, was considered a flawed strategy just a few months ago. Cell sites and base stations were considered part of an operator's strategic assets, and the thought of sharing such an essential component was considered untenable. Now, however, the high cost of 3G licenses and infrastructure has led to a massive shift in thinking as operators and licensees are forced to seek cost- saving solutions in a horribly skeptical credit market. Last week, Swedish incumbent Tele2 openly urged other operators to begin entering co-location agreements in a bid to beat down rollout costs. Sweden's four 3G licensees must build out at least 30% of their own networks, according to bid rules. Tele2 suggests that by using the same vendors, operators could share the cost of rollout and benefit from any economies of scale on the remaining portion of their rollout. Pan-European operators are already pursuing cost-saving opportunities with vigor never before seen. Last month, France Telecom/Orange awarded the contract to roll out 3G networks across its mobile portfolio to Ericsson, Nokia and Alcatel, and Deutsche Telekom is set to make a similar move across its T-Mobile International unit. With at least 60 3G networks forecast to be rolled out in 2002, infrastructure vendors are likely to be as eager as 3G licensees to see network-sharing gaining pace.

To: Jim Oravetz who wrote (4550)	3/1/2001 12:40:06 PM
From: Jim Oravetz	Respond to of 5390

Semi-OT:UK antenna technology could ease 3G operators' financial woes By John Walko, CommsDesign.com Feb 22, 2001 (3:09 AM) URL: commsdesign.com Cannes,France: Research into phased array antennas and radars by DERA, the UK government's Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and engineers at Siemens' Roke Manor research facility could solve the major economic and environmental problems facing operators as they roll out an infrastructure for third generation (3G) mobile networks. DERA has teamed with UK property group Rotch in a joint venture, dubbed Quintel S4, to offer these operators technology that will allow them to offer several services from the same location, significantly reducing the number of masts and antennas that needs to be built in each country. Currently, radio masts are frequently shared but still have several antennas attached , each operated by a different service provider. With DERA's technology, each antenna will be capable of receiving up to five radio signals at once, combining services for all the operators to a single roof-top or mast antenna. John Roberts, head of DERA's communications group and business development manager of the Quintel joint venture, said "the 'five into one' solution represents a huge commmercial and environmental opportunity for all 3G network operators.Initially we are targeting the UK, and are in discussions with all five licence holders — Vodafone, BT Mobile, One2One (owned by Deutsche Telekom), Orange (now a part of France Telecom) and Hutchinson — and offering them a great package. We will provide the initial capital outlay for the fully equipped and serviced shared sites, in conjunction with finance group WestLB, and then run the sites on their behalf on a contract basis." The venture will make use of the Rotch Group's huge portfolio of commercial sites — of which there are 130 000 spread across the UK in urban and rural areas, including large office blocks, service stations and public houses. Roberts would not reveal technical details of the antenna technology to be used, but noted DERA has been involved in communications technology developments for several decades, both for wireless, satellite and land-line links. He said the venture is a typical example of ther way DERA hopes to exploit its vast technology resource as part of it is split off from the Ministry of Defence and privatised. Technologies on which DERA has held key patents include LCDs and the type of flat loudspeakers recently commercialised by NXT Technology. He noted recent estimates show that to complete the roll-out of 3G in the UK, the five licence holders could all require 20 000 sites each. The shared antenna technology could save them a huge amount of money and many of the hassles they will face as they try to get planning permission to erect their masts. Roberts also said the shared technology could also ease safety fears that were raised in the recent Stewart report into the health aspects of mobile communications. "We appreciate negotiating sharing agreements among traditional bitter rivals such as the existing mobile operators in the UK will not be easy. But we have a powerful and compelling solution that could ease their huge investment costs and help their environmental concerns", said Roberts.