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To: Home-Run who wrote (200)	1/3/2005 10:28:12 PM
From: Home-Run	Respond to of 1575

Softbank (Sonus's customer) Shows Power Softbank BB Shows Power of On-Demand Broadband Bundles Internet Firm Shakes Up Japanese Market with Data, VoIP and Other Services JANUARY 01, 2005 By Alan Breznick, editor, Cable Digital News No matter how pesky the Bells may be in the U.S. and Canada, North American cable operators should thank their lucky stars they're not competing for broadband customers in Japan. That's because Softbank Corp., a slick, brash Japanese Internet and telecommunications firm, has taken over the broadband market in its home territory by offering innovative services, aggressively pitching its products, undercutting its rivals on prices and snapping up other companies. In just three short years, the one-time software distributor, computer-magazine publisher and trade show producer has already transformed itself into the largest broadband provider in Japan and the biggest voice-over-IP (VoIP) operator in the world. A few numbers tell much of the story. In a nation of about 47 million households, Softbank closed 2004 with more than 5 million DSL subscribers to its Yahoo Broadband service, edging out Japanese powerhouse and former monopoly phone company Nippon Telegraph & Telephone (NTT). Softbank also racked up about 4.4 million VoIP customers, easily outstripping any of its DSL rivals. Now Softbank is charging into the IP video business to deliver a full triple-play bundle. In contrast, the entire Japanese cable industry ended the year with no more than 4.5 million cable modem subscribers, despite strong growth by leading MSO Jupiter Communications (J-Com) and other MSOs over the past two years. And, in a nation with much lower basic cable penetration than the U.S. or Canada, Japanese cable operators closed 2004 with just a few hundred thousand VoIP customers, after launching the service in 2003. "The VoIP market in Japan right now is dominated by Yahoo BB," said Daniel Newman, a communications market analyst for IDC Japan in Tokyo. "DSL basically rules the nation. The cable providers are lagging everyone else." Even in the much bigger North American market, only Comcast Corp. and SBC Communications can rival Softbank on the high-speed data side with about 7 million cable modem and 5 million DSL subscribers, respectively. And on the VoIP side of the ledger, no U.S. or Canadian broadband provider can close to matching Softbank. Indeed, in a report issued last month, the British market research firm Point Topic found that Softbank's Yahoo Broadband unit accounted for "around 80%" of the world's estimated 5 million VoIP subscribers at the end of June. And the Tokyo-based company isn't stopping there. In a press conference in October, Softbank President Masayoshi Son said he's aiming for the company to hit 6 million broadband data subscribers by the end of next September. That would mean a 16% jump in the company's customer base in just nine months. cabledatacomnews.com

To: Home-Run who wrote (200)	1/4/2005 1:24:08 PM
From: BubbaFred	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1575

I got this email inquiring companies "that make components, switches and software for this. If you work in this industry or have some insights/comments, please reply". Your comments on his expecatations for VOIP and sharing any information you have would be most appreciated. Thanks, Fred --------------------------------- Voice over IP was the technology created cheap calling cards (2 cents/minute to China), it is now replacing conventional phone lines by providing same service (with more features) at a third to half the price if you have high speed Internet service at home or office (for ADSL, this is good for a second line). I recently took a promotion offer to try it risk-free, if I don't like it, I can return it without any charge, not even the free calls I made during the trial. I received an Internet phone switch in mail, plug it into my network hub, connect a phone wire between this switch and my wall phone jack, all phones at home worked instantly, the same way as before without any configuration. I was able to keep my old phone number, have caller-id, call waiting, conference call, call forwarding, and twenty other features. I can get unlimited local and long distance calling anywhere in the USA and Canada for $25 a month, or 500 outgoing minutes/month (plus free incoming and toll-free calls) US/Canada for $15 per month. Given each family member has a cell phone with free evening/weekends, I signed up the $15/month plan. The call quality was great and my friends couldn't tell any difference. I can carry this phone switch when I travel to China, as soon as I plug it into Internet, I can receive calls to my number (201 area code) and call anywhere US/Canada. I can add another line (or fax) for $10/month, a toll-free number for $5, and virtual number in 212 area code (or 200 other area codes) if I want people in NYC to call me for free. The offer also comes with a free month. By the end of 2004, about one million people switched to VoIP phones, up from slightly more than 100,000 at the end of 2003. Video phone by VoIP is already in service and may be the next wave. I am researching on how to invest/profit from this big trend - finding stocks that make components, switches and software for this. If you work in this industry or have some insights/comments, please reply. Any questions or anyone interested in the special promotion offer, please let me know. Thanks,