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To: Mason Barge who wrote (2140)	11/16/1997 1:09:00 PM
From: Steve Morytko	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9236

There are a lot of cheapskates like me out here who are not going to want to buy a new PC just to get access to ADSL. It would kind of limit their sales potential too if they only sold USB solutions. There is a HUGE installed base of non-USB systems. Read on ... The article has some merit suggesting that end user installation may not be simple but it made some rather incorrect assumptions like: ADSL isn't popular yet because it's hard for the end user to install? USB is widely available? I think most of us know better. I did some poking around on Intel's site and found the following passage in an article on USB: "Another feature that keeps down the cost is USBs 12-Mbit/sec. datarate -- a moderate rate that nevertheless accommodates nearly all eripheral devices. Rather than serve high-speed peripherals like video displays, local area networks and external disk drives, USB focuses solely on high-volume peripherals having slow- and medium-data rates. In this range, it offers ample throughput for applications involving computer telephony, digital audio, imaging and other input/output such as joysticks, gamepads, keyboards and mice." Seems to contradict Intel's own goals for USB. A USB solution may be one among several options but I think it will be a limiting one. Also consider the following random thoughts: - Intel sells USB chips too so they'd be obliged to be receptive to anything that would promote USB. - Intel sells Ethernet adapters and this might cut into sales. - Intel has made noise that they may include EN on the motherboard. - An Ethernet solution lends itself to the idea of a home "network". A USB solution would connect only 1 system to the ADSL link. I'm not sure that alternative EN/ATM solutions encourage multi-host connect but they certainly wouldn't limit it architecturally. I'm expecting homes to contain multiple communication devices that may all connect thru the xDSL equipment. - Has ALA had any success licensing their solution to likely modem (retail) manufacturers or do they manufacture modems? - Doesn't Aware have 3COM in it's camp? Feel free to correct/comment.

To: Mason Barge who wrote (2140)	11/16/1997 4:08:00 PM
From: Andreas Helke	Respond to of 9236

I would say currently USB capability is a non issue because only a few percent of the installed base of computers have a functional USB bus. In a few years when USB will really matter all suppliers of DSL modems will support USB. Andreas

To: Mason Barge who wrote (2140)	11/16/1997 10:52:00 PM
From: Tan Nguyen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9236

Agree with you/Steve/Andreas 100% - USB-only ADSL modems will be very limited for now. ADSL/USB modem development is more a mindshare/marketing BS. "Splitterless" ADSL is a great intermediate solution. Gets the show going and alleviates the early-adopter risks for those monopolistic ROBCs. However, it's extremely crucial that AWARE does what US Robotics (now 3Com) did - struck a deal with AOL to be the first field tested 56kbs modem & sold 28.8 modems with free upgrades like crazy. Hopefully, Aware/3Com will be the first to strike an ADSL deal with AOL. Selling splitterless ADSL modems (with free upgrades) will be the easy part. And once you capture market share, upgrade cost will be negligible - just ask US Robotics/3Com. Actually, if you don't have market share, upgrade will also be negligible! With splitterless ADSL, Aware doesn't have to count on RBOCs' responsiveness. Although, eventually (sooner than they think) RBOCs have to respond to cable, 29 GHz pizza dishes, Bill Gate, my mother (she is a very nice lady but she can get mad, too!), etc... My guess is that 3Com shared their success story with Aware, told them to come up with a splitterless design and to leave the rest to 3Com. 3Com has a great distribution network & perhaps other motives - like gunning for Cisco! Now, AWRE/Coms/ADI just need to wine & dine Steve Case and CLOSE THE DEAL! Gggg... where did the weekend go? Tan PS. Thx for your PS! Will heed your advice!