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 : Orckit (ORCT) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: srvhap who wrote (796)	11/6/1997 8:46:00 PM
From: savolainen	Respond to of 1998

BT >>savolainen mind if I call you "s"<< not at all... have been called a lot of things <g> >>What's your take on the Westell Fujitsu announcement?<< might be more concerned if orctf didn't go up every time we get a little more BT news ... tho, suppose it could be coincidence(s).. <g> About all that is known of BT is that Fujitsu and Alcatel are the big players for the next stage and Westell is involved (along with others) in a lesser role... This next stage is apparently a field trial with about 2000 links (earlier reported to be much larger) which will end in the first quarter of 98... techweb.com for this stage, Fujitsu was reported to probably be providing Westell cap modems and dslams (as in an previous stage) and Alcatel was reported to probably be providing dmt modems and dslams... At that time it was too close to call as to whether Alcatel or Fujitsu would be providing the backbone stuff (sonet/atm): this will be news to watch for... particularly as the trial is expanded or moves into deployment. There seems to be a whole lot of politics to the BT deployment. This trial and probably the eventual dsl deployment isn't so much a traditional contract, as a joint venture. Will take deep pockets and strategic agenda to play this game... BT is trying to keep their upfront costs down... the other players are being asked to assume a significant portion of the risk as $ are somewhat contingent on market success... equipment now / payment later/ if successful Along these lines and room for optimism for the home team: "... BT wants to maintain and perhaps enhance its relationship with Fujitsu, especially if BT/MCI expand operations into the Asia/Pacific area. Additionally, BT's CEO, Sir Peter Bonfield, was previously the head of ICL, the computer group that is controlled by Fujitsu...." telechoice.com At this point the only current info on players is Westell's recent announcement that they are providing Fujitsu some dslams for this stage that support either cap or dmt... no mention of quantities, exclusivity, or modems... The relationship between this next stage and reported extensive deployment to follow may be the big news to watch for ..... Will there be a tender involved? ... for the big numbers? might make sense ... see below under shlomi... Basically believe that in a context such as BT, fujitsu and orctf have their interests aligned for adsl, what is good for fujitsu somehow will trickle down to orctf. If Fujitsu ends up in the driver's seat with BT, and they are providing big upfront $, and providing the infrastructure, I find it hard to believe that they won't find a way to use their own chips... and adsl equipment. Know that xdsl equipment codevelopment is only for n. america... but if, as it appears, lots of fujitsu and orctf $/ time/ engineering talent is going into integration of orctf dsl into fujitsu factr sonet access etc, and this same equipment is used worldwide, believe fujitsu and orctf will find a way to agree to market this stuff beyond n america. Tho first steps first.. they do have to deliver on the engineering, production and schedule. Until then why not WSTL? If chips are ready before equipment, why not fujitsu chips in wstl equip? .. <g> .. Expect with Fujitsu using WSTL , a cross licensing agreement for interoperability with fujitsu chips will be announced... shlomi if you are reading this... how about asking Tamir about BT... He did mention it in passing during the conference call, but no one took the hint and asked a follow-up... Tamir used BT as an example of how deployment can get bogged down... and then accelerate... seems a little odd in hindsight ... this next BT field trial is relatively small... initial BT deployment may be getting close and may be quite large ... numbers reportedly in the 1 m count ... before deployment would think that BT would want to reevaluate, particularly in light of new silicon and new equipment in the pipeline (for many parties)... could BT be the tender Tamir mentioned?...... makes a certain amount of sense... deployment in 98 fits too, suppose Tamir could have been alluding to only the start of deployment (98) with his comments... btw fujitsu/orctf equipment will be generating revenue in current qtr.. <g> best wishes "s"