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Microcap & Penny Stocks : FRANKLIN TELECOM (FTEL) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Judith who wrote (27812)	2/11/1998 11:35:00 PM
From: Roger Lewis	Respond to of 41046

Thanks for the report, Judith. Nice of you to pass the info along. Roger

To: Judith who wrote (27812)	2/11/1998 11:53:00 PM
From: Daniel Ortiz	Respond to of 41046

Judith - Thanks! This Lurker appreciates your update.

To: Judith who wrote (27812)	2/11/1998 11:59:00 PM
From: Doug Best	Respond to of 41046

All (especially the regulars): Can we re-focus our efforts here? It is not worth arguing with or trying to discredit the VS's and Jeans of the world. You can't win an arguement with an idiot...its like talking to a wall. Their objective is known, although their intent is not. Please, can we ignore these people unless we need to refute some bad information or lies? Accept the fact that they will always be here, especially during downtrends, because they have no life and get pleasure out of annoying others. ACCEPT IT, DEAL WITH IT, as I have recently! INGORE THEM! COMPRENDE? REPEAT: IGNORE THEM. Lets try to focus on the positive and get some DD out here. I know that there are few avenues I plan on pursuing as I find time. If everyone else did the same, I am sure we could get some good information out here. I am still expecting some significant news by the end of this month, from the conversations I have had with Franklin recently. Although things are going slower than what I would like to see, I think that it is more of a reflection of an industry in its infancy as opposed to a failure by Franklin to capitalize. We have a documented superior product. We have evaluation orders that are in the final stages of modifications and testing. Contrary to what some people might want to think, the fact that some companies have requested modifications and that Franklin is responding to them is VERY GOOD! Patience.

To: Judith who wrote (27812)	2/12/1998 12:54:00 AM
From: Martin P. Smith	Respond to of 41046

Judith, a big thank you. A post that contributes real content to the thread. I also managed to talk to Helen today and got basically the same story as yourself. You however put it very clearly so I can add nothing. MArtin

To: Judith who wrote (27812)	2/12/1998 3:14:00 AM
From: george willse	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 41046

Judith - Thanks for DD report. Quite refreshing, considering the "discussions" we have seen lately on this thread. Your post should serve as a good warning to potential investors. Helen gave you no concrete data, only 'maybes' and 'could be(s)'. While some espouse the possibility of high double digits ROI, there is to date no solid foundation for this estimation. This is clear from Helen's responses to your questions. Aother observation. Many are focused on the sale of DVGs. The real meat of the 'future' FTEL is FNET. It has been noted numerous times on this thread that Frank is implementing an infrastructure of a new TELCO. In the long run, FTEL supplying hardware to FNET, which then value adds its software and services, is ultimately what will make this company successful (in my observation of the company's current direction - this could change, based on market conditions, mergers, acquisitions, failure to make the grade). This assumes several things: price/performance, reliability, service, extensibility, backward compatibility, and most critical at this juncture, TIME TO MARKET. FTEL, for whatever reason, has to date missed critical windows in the market place. Others on this thread have continually pointed out how other companies are gaining a foothold in the market place with less than quality products. OUCH!!! Also consider the steps FTEL is taking to implement their plan. First, they are not openly revealing their game plan. This is bad short term for the stock, but 'could' prove exciting long term. WCOM colocation, initial FNET site selection, quality low-cost hardware, a ready consumer (FNET) of the hardware, a notable PR firm, etc. One final thought. While other FTEL related companies are aligning themselves with large TELCOS, etc., I believe from what has transpired so far that FTEL is purposely not doing this. IMHO, FTEL is going for the gold in hoping to keep the lion's share of the company's success in-house; not giving it away to other companies for short term gains or to underwriters (FNET IPO) that could demand a large chunk for just 'being there'. If this is the case, FTEL must act swiftly and decisively, with a solution so compelling that the market is blown away and their competitors are instantly placed in 'catch up' mode. Again, Judith, thaks for your focus and DD in calling the company. It is greatly appreciated. Cheers, George

To: Judith who wrote (27812)	2/12/1998 5:24:00 AM
From: Earl Robison	Respond to of 41046

Judith, Thank you so much for your no-nonsense input and update on FTEL. I'd like to add the I whole heartedly agree with your comments regarding posts that have absolutely nothing to do with the business at hand with FTEL. Also, thanks for the insight about contacting the clearing house I use to find out what happened to my notification for the shareholder's meeting. Sincerely, Earl Robison

To: Judith who wrote (27812)	2/12/1998 9:42:00 AM
From: George Kirlin	Respond to of 41046

Thank you Judith. I agree. Please move all none FTEL-FNET business related issues to the Clubhouse. That's what it is there for.

To: Judith who wrote (27812)	2/12/1998 9:47:00 AM
From: Seth L.	Respond to of 41046

Judith in times like these quality people who are interested in real tangible info rise to the top. Thank you for being one of those people. Great Post!! Seth

To: Judith who wrote (27812)	2/12/1998 10:21:00 AM
From: Roger Bass	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 41046

Hi all, I'm new on this thread, and have some observations / questions on FTEL's strategy. I've bought in to the stock, as I believe having a solution that really works does have real value. The short-term issues of getting sales in are clearly key, but I'd like to challenge a bit some aspects of the strategy going forward. Essentially, it seems to me like it will be hard for FTEL to be effective in pursuing an equipment strategy and a telecoms strategy at the same time. You can't sell equipment to carriers and compete with them at the same time. (Viz AT&T / Lucent). It sounded from some things I've read that for this reason they're pursuing the non-carrier equipment market (Fortune 500 etc). But it makes no sense to me to not pursue carriers in building an equipment business. The Tempest product does not seem to be 'carrier-class', but if they're using it to build the FNet network, they can't be too far off. Carriers may well come to them if they really have an advantage on the equipment (see the press release on the China carrier), but 3Com and the other big guys will be getting into this business as well in a serious way (see 3Com / US GlobalLink deal article). Besides as far as the telecoms side goes, building a business based on proprietary equipment seems to me like a losing approach. Companies can't in practice focus on engineering basic technology and delivering superior customer service at the same time. You don't agree ? Just tell me an example ! A secondary issue is that of interoperability. There clearly will be different technologies that carriers use for building their separate networks. High interoperability will mean that networks can provide national, and indeed global coverage much more rapidly. The strategy that ITXC seems to be pursuing, ie providing settlement services and enforcing quality standards seems to me like a winner in the medium term (and that's not very long in this business). FTEL has a vision statement on its website which seems very focused on using 'proprietary' technologies. Though owning some proprietary things is good, many businesses in the internet world show that a high degree of openness is needed to succeed. I have heard nothing about FTEL thinking about licensing its codecs to try and establish a standard. I have a hard time believing that this market won't move to a more open standard sooner or later. Although I just bought this stock, I'm kind of worrying myself with this train of thought. Anyone have some counter arguments to reassure me ? I may try faxing this post to Helen West, and then getting her on the phone. Will post if I hear anything useful. Regards, Roger Bass.