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 : METRICOM - Wireless Data Communications -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Gary Batroff who wrote (685)	4/8/1998 11:16:00 AM
From: Chip Anderson	Respond to of 3376

Here's MCOM's answer to a question frequently asked on this thread - this is from Ricochet's "unwired" subscriber newsletter: ========= To better help you understand the process, we thought we'd share some of the basic steps we go through in order to deploy our network in Any City, USA. Step 1- Determine who owns each light pole and fixture so we can rent the space to install our radio transceivers. Sounds simple, but the poles can be owned by more than one entity, and pole ownership records may, sometimes, be hard to come by. Step 2- Educate city/county officials about Ricochet. We've found that one of the biggest issues is not so much negotiating a rental agreement, but educating public officials about what Ricochet is and how it benefits their citizens. Local governmental officials want to make informed decisions; their responsibility to their constituents is taken very seriously, as it should be. Occasionally, that means the education process can take a while. Once a city manager or other representative is on board, there's still a final approval process from the city, county or municipality, which again, takes time. Step 3- Deployment. Once we've gathered all the proper permits, it's time to install the radios. Ironically, after what can be months of negotiating and piles of red tape, the installation process is really quite simple. It only takes about fifteen minutes per poletop. So now you know what it takes to bring Ricochet to cities and counties around the country. What can you do to help? Since public officials want to serve their citizens, let them know you want the freedom and flexibility of computing with Ricochet. And rest assured, we'll keep doing our part to expand the Ricochet network as far and as fast as we can. ========= Chip coolhistory.com

To: Gary Batroff who wrote (685)	4/8/1998 2:18:00 PM
From: david waitt	Respond to of 3376

Gary Asks: If you got the licenses to 'SUPPLEMENT the Autobahn spectrum', how much better performance does that mean in those cities which are supplemented? Well, this is a good question. and I do not want to appear to be dodging it, but, I am not exactly sure. The AB network architecture was well along when the spectrum was purchased. So the system design of the AB network should meet the data rates we are aiming for without WCS. Incorporation of the WCS spectrum into the AB system design is moving along, ( the AB network design is further along since WCS came along later) but it is not at the point where I would feel comfortable saying that we will see a XX kbps increase in the cities where we are using the WCS spectrum. Sorry for the vagueness, but I just do not know yet! david

To: Gary Batroff who wrote (685)	4/13/1998 2:21:00 AM
From: Raven McCloud	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3376

David, I'm new to this board. As I've just returned from two weeks vacation in the South West in my 25' trailer and no internet connection, I'm very interested in the following: Has MCOM considered the potential market for RV campgrounds? It could be a HUGE mkt. I would give anything, well not anything, but I'd consider paying handsomely for the opportunity to access the internet (particularly to check on my portfolio and possibly even do some trading) while basking in the SW sun amongst some beautiful scenery! I really think some mkt research should be done in this area if it hasn't already. I'm considering becoming a subscriber, however, the 28.8 speed is a big deterent. When might we expect much higher speeds (how high?) in the SF Bay Area? Thanks David! Michael