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Technology Stocks : ACTM $100 Million Cable Modem Contract with MOT -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: jeffbas who wrote (591)	3/9/1998 5:39:00 PM
From: Rob Preuss	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 1250

Well I spoke with Doug Greenlaw just now! I called the company and first asked for Mr. Pino but, when I was told he is on travel and will be back Thursday, I asked for Greenlaw. The woman I was speaking with told me he was on the phone so I swiftly said that I would hold... several times she popped back on the line and tried to get me to just "leave a message" but I just cheerfully said I don't mind waiting... I figured the only way to get to speak with him was to camp out on his line. I started by thanking him for taking my call and commiserated that he must be under alot of pressure these days. As he spoke, it was clear that he was feeling relaxed and full of energy (a good sign). I tried various questions (with Jeffery Bash's list of 6 questions on my monitor in front of me) and got some valuable information as follows: Q: Is this a serious but non-catastrophic problem? Response was a bit evasive/indirect... used the word "major" to characterize the problem... said we must go by the press release. Q: When can we expect a detailed public statement? No specific date given. Said they have 90 days from the end of the quarter (so we can expect something no later than 30 March). Said they will have a conference call and try to answer questions as best they can. Said they take dissemination of information seriously so that everyone gets fair/equal notice. Said they are trying to get all the pieces of information together for release as quickly as possible (but they want to be comprehensive about it - not release some information and later discover there was something else that's pertinent). Q: Are you having any problems with customers, bankers, or creditors? No. No. & No. (The clearest/swiftest answers I got.) Also indicated they have a good banking relationship and reiterated that they are still serving customers. Q: Are you discussing this with your insurer? "What do you think?" ...I got the feeling he felt this was such an obvious thing he didn't actually have to say "yes". [Well it is pretty simple & obvious; but I like to throw in an easy question if only to get him going on returning answers.] Q: Are you discussing this with any law enforcement agencies? At first I got no answer from him. He seemed to be cautious, possibly unsure if he should answer such a question. But then he said he was "not aware" of any law enforcement agencies being involved. [Which tells me we're not dealing with theft.] I worried out loud whether the class action might have a deleterious effect on operations and, while he didn't seem too concerned, he said it was a distraction. When I said that I've never been through one of these things (class action lawsuits) before he said: "to tell the truth, neither have I". Not bad sleuthing: Its a major problem, probably not theft or otherwise involving law enforcement agencies, that's not causing them problems with customers, bankers, or creditors. [So I feel there may be no direct threat to the revenue stream.] We'll get a public announcement (hopefully comprehensive) by 30 March (I wouldn't bet on it being any sooner). Rob