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Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ramsey Su who wrote (9575)	4/2/1998 1:11:00 PM
From: Quincy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 152472

Airtouch mentioned to me that they were considering offering Qcom's WLL terminals for their Powerband service. That tells me that IS95 and IS95 WLL are identical on the infastructure side. I want just one phone number too. One number between different providers (Telco and Wireless Telco) depends on a smooth forwarding system (SS7?). But, one phone number for several wireless phones should be simple once the infastructure software is written for it. Qcom has a WLL terminal that allows you to cut down your POTS dropline and plug their box into a phone jack. Raise the little rubber antenna and you are able to make voice, data, and fax calls the same as a regular phone line (no need to worry about the "send" and "end" buttons.) Even more interesting is the cost of running a POTS line to a convention booth or a temporary office next to a construction site. Ever shudder when you realize the credit-card validation machine at the booth was plugged into a Motorola 550 amps phone? B-) It was easy for me to consider new GSM country infestations with low regard: "wait 'till they start demanding WLL." But... 12 December, 1997 Ericsson and Telular Corporation announced they have signed an agreement under which Telular has licensed its patent portfolio of wireline-to-wireless interface technologies to Ericsson. The goal of the cooperation is to provide fixed wireless solutions as a cost-effective alternative to wireline deployments. The interface technologies automatically bridge landline telephone services with wireless communications networks, allowing a call from a fixed telephone to be simply and economically carried over a wireless network rather than landlines. Voice, fax and data, bypass and remote diagnostic traffic can all be carried.

To: Ramsey Su who wrote (9575)	4/2/1998 3:33:00 PM
From: Clarksterh	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 152472

Ramsey - In other words, can QCOM use the infrastructure of a WLL for a PCS network? There are two different answers to that question. The first is technical, and the second is political: Technically most of the current WLL systems are based on one or another mobile standards (from IS-95 to AMPS to GSM to PHS). There are no standards, of which I am aware, designed specifically for WLL (although there are a few proprietary systems). Thus, in many cases the operators of a WLL system can use much of the same hardware as a mobile provider. However, that doesn't mean you, as a mobile user, can roam seamlessly through a WLL system. A lot of the control that goes into a mobile system is just not necessary for WLL system. The most obvious example is rapid cell handoffs, but there are many other issues as well. Thus, in order to offer a cost competitive system, the system providers remove the pieces they don't need and reconfigure the remaining hardware. So, the short answer is no, you probably couldn't use your cell phone in a WLL system without getting a specific WLL account for that location although technically the air interface is the same. Politically there is a problem as well. Many of the developing countries, which are the biggest market for WLL systems, still have very tightly controlled telecom markets. The WLL system operators are specifically excluded from providing mobile service. Hope this answers your question. Clark

To: Ramsey Su who wrote (9575)	4/2/1998 4:51:00 PM
From: dougjn	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 152472

Ramsey, I starting to get a bit nervous. Starting to think maybe its about time to get back into Qcom. (Don't misunderstand me. Done rather pretty so far in the things I went into instead; i.e. Tlab and Ala.) As a fellow former Korean / Asian short term impact bear, what's your current thinking. I know you kept part of you Qcom position but also bailed with some a couple months ago. What you think now? (I haven't been plugged in here recently; quite active elsewhere.) Doug

To: Ramsey Su who wrote (9575)	4/3/1998 2:30:00 AM
From: Asterisk	Respond to of 152472

I read Clarks response before I posted this. His answer is both technically and politically correct. However, just because the companies don't want you to roam doesn't mean that you can't. One of the big things in Puerto Rico is to take your WLL phone and drive around with it in your car. The carrier as I was told is getting pissed because they want roamers to sign the more expensive contracts but the WLL people are getting away with it. This is a more complicated question than a yes or a no. The basic answer is that if you build a system for IS-95 you can design it for roaming or WLL. If you design it for roaming then WLL can use it also but you will not get as high a capacity. If you supress the features that allow you to roam (why or who would do this is a more appropriate question as the cost differance (I would assume) is minimal) you get higher capacity for WLL and you could use a handheld as long as you didn't move around too much. I hope that you are confused enough. Mike