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Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Moderated Thread - please read rules before posting -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lance Bredvold who wrote (9182)	3/28/2001 3:07:27 PM
From: tradeyourstocks	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 196920

Once again people are not being careful with the distinction between spectrum. Here is the entire VOD/VZ article where it does imply that the standards arguments (if there are any between VOD and VZ) are over NEW SPECTRUM that wont be auctioned until late next year. The $5B contract that VZ gave LU was to upgrade current network to 3G. That is not in question, although some articles try to imply that it is. Vodafone Seeks Common Standard With Verizon for Wireless Network 2001Mar28 Dow Jones Newswires, By Richard Inder public.wsj.com LONDON -- Vodafone Group PLC said Wednesday that it is talking with Verizon Communications about setting a common transmission standard for the third-generation networks of their U.S. mobile-phone joint venture. Vodafone, the world's largest wireless operator with about 80 million subscribers, denied a local news report that it is in a dispute with its partner in Verizon Wireless. "Given that the type of users who are likely to roam in the U.S. are business users, we think there is a convincing argument to agree on a standard," a Vodafone spokesman said. "Verizon [officials] are examining the possibilities, but in no way have they committed themselves to one technology." Even if Vodafone and Verizon can't reach an agreement, Vodafone's global strategy should remain intact, analysts said. They pointed to several factors including the relatively small number of customers affected, Vodafone's strong position in the venture and its clout with equipment suppliers. Also, technology is readily available that allows handsets to use more than one transmission standard. Ensuring compatibility between transmission standards is a key issue for companies such as Vodafone, which are striving to offer so-called seamless services across the regions they cover. The general lack of compatibility between existing U.S. and European mobile systems has been seen as a stumbling block to the sector's development, although many of the problems have already been addressed by equipment suppliers. "The technology is not a major barrier," said an analyst at a European bank. "The market it addresses is pretty small, and handsets will be made available if someone like Vodafone is demanding it." Analysts say the code-division multiple-access 2000 transmission technology that Verizon wants to use is a much more cost-effective option for the U.S. company, given its existing technology known as CDMAOne. However, CDMA2000 differs from the wide-band code-division multiple access technology, or W-CDMA, being deployed by Vodafone across the rest of its networks. That standard is also known as universal mobile telecommunications system, or UMTS. A disagreement on standards could lead to a larger dispute over the direction of Verizon Wireless, which is due to go public once market conditions improve. Vodafone owns 45% of Verizon Wireless, and Verizon Communications the remainder. Most observers believe that over the longer term Vodafone might take control of Verizon to avoid a protracted argument over the third-generation technology. "The talks highlight the importance of control," another analyst said. As for the standards themselves, there appears to be plenty of time for the partners to make a decision, since radio spectrum for the technology isn't due to be allocated until late next year. "Vodafone will still be the biggest buyer of equipment," Teather & Greenwood analyst Kevin Fogarty said. He added that Vodafone could use its buying clout for UMTS equipment and the associated handsets to force discounts for CDMA2000 equipment. Vodafone could use that same clout to encourage handset manufacturers to produce an attractive range of dual-band handsets. "I do not think it is a big issue," another observer said. "The industry support for [UMTS] is growing even outside of the U.S. and Europe." Write to Richard Inder at Richard.Inder@dowjones.com

To: Lance Bredvold who wrote (9182)	3/28/2001 3:35:55 PM
From: JohnG	Respond to of 196920

If VOD truly attempted to impose a European standard on Verizon, It would likely cause a political storm in the US. JMHO

To: Lance Bredvold who wrote (9182)	3/28/2001 5:24:26 PM
From: dan_oz	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 196920

"Given that the type of users who are likely to roam in the U.S. are business users, we think there is a convincing argument to agree on a standard," a Vodafone spokesman said. "Verizon [officials] are examining the possibilities, but in no way have they committed themselves to one technology." ..... They (Vod) better play this roaming issue while they still have some leverage, because one year from today there will be a shift in sentiment. Business users visiting or residing in Europe will be pissed that they can't adequately access e-mail and corporate websites on the go like they do in the States or in Asia. Then the pressure will be on the Euros to incorporate CDMA systems.