SI
SI
discoversearch

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.
Strategies & Market Trends : Gorilla and King Portfolio Candidates -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Mike Buckley who wrote (53089)11/20/2002 6:22:40 PM
From: paul_philp  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 54805
 
Mike,

I think we might be in heated agreement. I agree that WiFi is early in the TALC. I think it is in the Bowling Alley. The value chain forming around WiFi is expanding rapidly. This is happening precisely because WiFi is a sustaining technology. I understand the technical limitations of WiFi but I also know that there is a massive R&D investment being made in new WiFi technologies by Intel, Broadcom, National Semi, Intersil, Texas Instruments and more.

The speed vs distance tradeoff will be decisive for some time. WiFi is working where speed trumps distance and CDMA is working where distance trumps speed.

BTW, the mutliple chip solution doesn't impress me. I understand that it will be possible to put all the protocols into one device. However, I don't see a business model that works for the carriers. Further, I don't assume general purpose devices that are easily intechangable by the user. The devices will be fit to the task and if CDMA can do the task then WiFi probably cannot and vice versa.

Paul



To: Mike Buckley who wrote (53089)11/20/2002 8:30:15 PM
From: Eric L  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 54805
 
--Mike

<< If I have one of those devices and I don't have access to a CDMA network, a Bluetooth network, a WiFi network, or whatever, it doesn't matter what the device is enabled with. To simplify my point, if I were to go out tonight and buy a WiFi-enabled device (I can hear Eric laughing! :), I wouldn't be able to use the WiFi capabilities because I don't have WiFi in my home, don't know if any of the three airports near my home have installed a WiFi network, and even if Starbucks has, I don't drink coffee. >>

I have a suggestion for you.

Order a Nokia D311 GSM/GPRS/WLAN (802.11b WiFi) modem card and get a T-Mobile wireless data subscription on SIM.

Use the modem card in the laptop or PDA of your choice ... if you have neither, buy one or the other.

Use it in your home. Use it in a car (with your wife or a friend driving), on a train or bus, or in a cab. Use it in Canada, the US, Central or South America or the Caribbean.

Check out the local airports. There is probably WLAN available there already and if there isn't there will be darned soon. Stop into Starbucks and order juice or milk. Spend some time at Borders.

Going to EMEA, Asia, Pac Rim? Well you'll need the Nokia D311 GSM/GPRS/WLAN modem card (900/1800 MHz instead of 850/1900 MHz). Pop out the T-Mobile SIM from the D211 and pop it into your D311 and put it back in the Type II PC card slot on your laptop or PDA.

T-Mobile roams on about 200 networks worldwide and new WLAN hot spots are cranking open every day.

There you have it. The ubiquity of (GSM/WLAN) wireless data. Fixed, portable and mobile.

No voice on the D211/D311 so its not a cell phone, so I won't accuse you of having done bought one.

<< I can hear Eric laughing! :) >>

Hee haw!

- Eric -



To: Mike Buckley who wrote (53089)11/20/2002 8:48:03 PM
From: gdichaz  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 54805
 
Mike: Eric L has given you an answer which a European would give. (Sometimes it is hard to remember he is an American - except for his love of golf and his respect for a certain all time superstar who is at least part American - although his mother was Thai). <G>

In answer, briefly. [Eric L will no doubt be more fulsome in his answer - chuckle]

The advantages of 450 are two in main.

The distances covered are greater per base station, so in places like Russia, China, Indonesia et al it is relatively cheap compared to higher frequencies.

CDMA is the only practical game for it, the GSMers gave up.

Also in freezing out CDMA by the EU bureaucrats, this seems to have slipped between the cracks, so it could be used in Europe if the regulators would permit. I would suggest Hell will freeze over sooner. IMO and just IMO the EU will never permit the use of CDMA there except for the beloved and sanctioned WCDMA - laughingly labeled "Universal" UMTS - an absurdity on its face - but then we all have hopes, no? But there is a bit of confusion about what is Europe. Eastern Europe has 450 and is expanding its use. Importantly while joining Nato, the Eastern Europeans using 450 are not yet full card carrying EUers and therefore not behind the GSMers moat.

Hope this helps.

Await Eric L's detailed reply to you - and to me.

Best as always.

Cha2



To: Mike Buckley who wrote (53089)11/21/2002 9:43:45 AM
From: areokat  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 54805
 
I've never understood the notion that WiFi competes with CDMA. Fortunately, Dr. J & Gang agree that the two are entirely complementary.

That's the point I obviously didn't make. I think that they (and others) are going to be available in the same device. You'll be able to use what's available or is the best application at that moment in time.

Kat

Well Jim has already said it better than I did.

When fully commercialized, the Qualcomm equipped handset will have it all and should be able to select the most efficient/economical connection (carrier or WiFI) for the subscriber transparently. Qualcomm’s CDMA is the enabler for mobile and portable wireless connectivity.