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 : Nokia (NOK) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Eric L who wrote (19604)	4/16/2002 1:46:02 PM
From: Eric L	Respond to of 34857

re: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on AWS/Cingular ... early yet. >> Cingular, AT&T Wireless Seen As Pair Kathy Brister April 16, 2002 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta-based Cingular and AT&T Wireless may be romancing. The Nos. 2 and 3 U.S. mobile-phone carriers won't comment on whether they're discussing a merger. But industry watchers are talking about it, and they say it would be a good match. Cingular and Redmond, Wash.-based AT&T Wireless share the same network technology. They already share networks. And even if it doesn't happen today, wireless industry consolidation is coming. "They're talking, because right now, everybody's talking," said telecom analyst Jeff Kagan. "We're going to see mergers this year. These companies have been talking for a long time --- feeling each other out and seeing what happens." A looser regulatory climate and a slight improvement in the economy have heated up the conversations, Kagan said. AT&T Wireless and Cingular would be a particularly good fit, he said, because both are spending billions to upgrade their networks to GSM technology. Common technology isn't as essential to a merger as it was before the advent of advanced networks capable of using software to make different technologies work together. Still, it makes getting together simpler. Competitors Verizon and Sprint use a different network technology, CDMA. Wireless industry consolidation is likely to fall along network technology lines, said industry analyst Peter Javich of Strategis Group. In addition to common technology, AT&T Wireless and Cingular in January agreed to share the cost of building a network along 3,000 miles of highway in the Midwest and West. The venture might set the groundwork for a merger. Cingular has 21.6 million customers. AT&T Wireless has 18 million. Combined, the companies would top No. 1 carrier Verizon's 29.4 million customer base. Together, AT&T Wireless and Cingular would be able to save money by purchasing equipment in larger quantities, said Prudential Securities analyst Chris Larsen, who rates AT&T Wireless ''hold'' and doesn't own the shares. The combined company would spend less on advertising and promotion, with one brand instead of two, Larsen said. That's important in the "hypercompetitive" wireless market, Kagan said. He contends consolidation is the only way to keep attracting customers and keep improving networks in the crowded industry. "The environment is no longer healthy. Everybody has too thin a slice of the pie. Margins are too thin. Costs are too high," Kagan said. "Short term, that competition has been good for consumers. Longer term, it will disrupt the quality of their wireless service." AT&T Wireless shares closed Monday at $8.25, up 7 cents. The company, which split from parent AT&T Corp. last year, is valued at $22.1 billion. Cingular is a privately held joint venture 40 percent owned by Atlanta-based BellSouth and 60 percent owned by fellow Baby Bell SBC Communications. BellSouth fell 8 cents Monday, closing at $32. SBC fell 53 cents to $33.47. << - Eric -

To: Eric L who wrote (19604)	4/16/2002 1:49:10 PM
From: Caxton Rhodes	Respond to of 34857

Thanks eric. Caxton

To: Eric L who wrote (19604)	4/16/2002 1:58:27 PM
From: Eric L	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 34857

re: EDGE coming soon ... >> On The EDGE Of 3G Success 15th April, 2002 3G Newsletter EDGE, which had been out on a limb with no particular home or carriers supporting it, has suddenly become " A Real Contender" for some carriers even though those promoting CDMA may feel no threat; maybe they should look again. Last week both AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless, and in particular Mr L Nikkari, Head Of 3G Relations at AT&T acknowledged and supported EDGE as a real potential world-wide standard for migration from GSM and GPRS. In fact, it could be that EDGE is ideally suited for all GSM bands (850, 900, 1880 and 1900) and would place it firmly in the faces of GSM operators throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. In addition, what if it were to appear in North America in some not too distant future? Major North American Carriers may decide to use EDGE for crowded urban cities and towns and rely on GPRS for less crowded areas. Indeed, the EDGE Operators Forum predicts that 90% of operators throughout the world will adopt either WCDMA or EDGE. Given the opportunity, EDGE will need to sort out a number of bugs via Wafer Fab manufacturers. The aim is to have EDGE handsets available by the 4th quarter 0f 2002, with Tri Band phones ready early in 2003. This is when you could expect a showdown between in the CDMA 1X corner and the EDGE corner and it is likely that data transmission speeds will be equal or similar. However, EDGE needs to make a quick impact with US users before the arrival of CDMA 1X EV-DO which will allow much quicker speeds and consistency particularly when the mobile user is on the move. The next 10 months will be fascinating in many ways but this one is going to be a close call. << - Eric -