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Technology Stocks : LAST MILE TECHNOLOGIES - Let's Discuss Them Here -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: MikeM54321 who wrote (10974)	4/17/2001 1:10:35 AM
From: Bernard Levy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Hi Mike: It sounds like Innowave, ECI's BBFW subsidiary is getting ready to ditch Winnet, its LMDS equipment division: globes.co.il Good news for CRNT and TNSI who will find it already very difficult to survive on their own. Regards, Bernard Levy

To: MikeM54321 who wrote (10974)	4/17/2001 6:14:12 AM
From: axial	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

Hello, Mike - "So it's my hope that my/the prevailing thought(I guess you mean it's negative) is wrong too!" More than anything else, I was referring to what I see as a disconnect between the old "big iron" networks, and newer ways of connecting. For instance, from a previous discussion on Internet Cafés, using future HiperLAN2 or 802.11a devices, one would not likely watch a news segment, say in a cab, or on a bus. But, arriving at a restaurant, or a lobby, one could watch the news, or read a downloaded story, from an interior transceiver. The transceiver could have a wired connection to the 'net. I think this was the phenomenon being referred to by Rob in his earlier posts: the frequency reuse enabled by such an implementation would enable the wireless connection of many, many more users than one would expect in a given geographic area. These "islands" of wireless connectivity would not be relying on a central base station for their bandwidth. To take it a step further, we are seeing, here in Canada (as I'm sure you are in the States), the emergence of small, localized broadband connectivity: wireless "pockets". The later integration of these pockets into a larger network is optional: I suggest that the current availability of dark fiber will expedite the matter. I don't know, but this idea seems to fall on deaf ears, here, even though I see the phenomenon experience rising popularity. Another aspect of networks which can be dealt with by alternate means is roaming. While the construction of a national network (Metricom-style) is the old way of doing this, there is no reason why it has to be done that way. There are other, more cost-effective ways of enabling roaming. As I have tried to point out in earlier posts, these microLANs, for lack of a better term, or piranha networks, are partly the basis for my belief that BBFW has a bright future. They will buy equipment, and users will come to appreciate the benefits of ubiquitous connectivity. They will be inherently self-sustaining, self-financed, and self-expanding (or not, as the case may be). These networks can be hybrids, part wireless and part wired connectivity, or all wireless. They will not require large capex. IMO, this is a real phenomenon, of considerable importance, and it will be a large market. I note that, unlike 3G, the BB connectivity that they enable will only be taken up by those who want and will pay for this service. Ray's 'Joe SixPack' will not be required to pay for something he neither wants nor needs. Back a while, I remember reading a post from petere, where he affirmed the bright future that awaits wireless connectivity. If I recall, his view was in contravention to Ray's negative view of the technology's future. This is not to say that the traditional MMDS/LMDS "big stick" networks will disappear. What I'm trying to say, Mike, is that the rules are changing: the new kid on the block will steal a little of everyone's lunch. It will be spore-like growth, inherently self-sustaining. Best regards, Jim

To: MikeM54321 who wrote (10974)	4/17/2001 6:27:50 AM
From: elmatador	Respond to of 12823

Bankruptcy Clouds Fixed Wireless Arena April 13, 2001 Source: Network World Originally Published:20010409. Fixed wireless service providers may be heading for even harder times in the wake of one of their own biting the dust. Advanced Radio Telecom (ART) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week. The firm's inability to drum up substantial revenue is believed to be one of the reasons why the company failed, but analysts believe the problems ran deeper. Other service providers that offer fixed wireless services - such as Teligent, WinStar Communications and XO Communications - are in similar situations. About 60% of the fixed wireless service providers' problems have to do with the current market, but the other 40% is due to the nature of their business," says Lisa Pierce, an analyst at consulting firm Giga Information Group. High-speed fixed wireless services that ART and its competitors offer are still considered by many to be unproven technologies, says Jeff Moore, senior analyst for network services at consulting firm Current Analysis. "Recent events show that it's very difficult for fixed wireless service providers to compete," he says. "The cost of building networks is a factor, but the fact that the technology is not believed to be as reliable as land-line services is also a barrier." There are line-of-sight and rain-fade issues that hamper many providers. Heavy rain or snow, even a large amount of dust in the air, can contribute to poor service quality, Moore says. While fixed wireless players as a group are fighting an uphill battle, analysts believe WinStar and XO may stand a better chance at surviving in the long run. WinStar and XO have a mix of fixed wireless and traditional land-line services, whereas ART and Teligent have made the mistake of only offering fixed wireless, Moore says. "ART and its competitor Teligent also have visibility issues," Pierce says. Both are not well known among users, which means their marketing dollars were not spent wisely, she says. But until last week, ART was offering high-speed fixed wireless services to users and other carriers in the 38-GHz wireless spectrum. One of the company's more noteworthy services offered 100M bit/sec Internet access services for $1,000 per month, a bargain by most standards. But the service was launched when the company was suffering financial difficulties.ART's stock had plunged to $2 per share when the service was launched in January ART also reported dismal third-quarter financials last September. The company only brought in $243,000 in service revenue, down $116,000 compared with the same quarter in 1999. The company's year-to-date revenue in the third quarter was $1 million, dwarfed by net losses of $48.3 million in the same nine-month period. However, the company continued to plug along, landing a deal with Cable & Wireless about a month ago that was reportedly worth $11 million along 10 years. Based on that deal, Cable & Wireless would use ART's local fixed wireless network to quickly provision users. The agreement would let the ISP eliminate the need to deal with incumbent local exchange carriers in some areas. Giga's Pierce says fixed wireless may still be a viable option for users willing to experiment with a fairly new technology Many users are willing to give the technology a try when providers, such as WinStar, promise up to a 70% cost reduction in some cases compared to similar land-line services, she says. It's an attractive cost-cutting option, but Pierce offers users advice before they commit. "Go with providers that are not in the same situation as ART. Consider the financial viability of the company given the economic climate," she says."Do not sign long-term contracts and do not exclusively rely on any fixed wireless service provider." Establishing a back-up ISDN, DSL or fractional T-1 line is sound advice, too, she says. And when weighing the cost of a back-up line, remember that ART's customers have only 30 days to switch to a new provider before the network is shut down. The company's Web site contains a letter to customers, saying the company intends to maintain its network over the next month, but that it "cannot make any guarantees."