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Technology Stocks : Natural Microsystems [NMSS] -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John F Beule who wrote (56)	6/6/1998 8:16:00 PM
From: Frank A. Coluccio	Respond to of 308

John, didn't notice the post was to me until now. You addressed it to someone else. You ask, >>So the way I understand it, SS7 is needed before consumer preferences, ie: pre-paid calling, 800, 900 dialing etc. can exist on a data/voice network? << The way things stand now, without cumbersome work arounds, the answer would be yes. Also, and this part is seldom mentioned for some unknown reason, SS7 supports 1+ dialing as well, which is a necessary step to eliminating the dreaded two and three step authorization and password functions that account for over thirty digits some times (not to mention the number of napkins and envelope backings that are consumed as temporary storage areas <s>) when placing calls over discount telcos' facilities. This means that in the most likely of scenarios, if you choose a VoIP carrier as your presubscribed carrier, in addition to the other features you've mentioned, that carrier must be SS7 linked to the greater public switched telephone network as well. >>Are you familiar with how NMSS's presence is in the marketplace?<< Up until recently I was not aware of any role played by NMSS in SS7. But a quick check over at their web site reveals that they have added the necessary language in some places to indicate that it is on their agenda for future deployments. Someone correct me here if I am mistaken, but that's all I could come up with. Not to worry, code could be bought and installed fairly readily. But that doesn't answer the question of core competencies, which is one of the answers to your next question: >> What is the barrier to entry?... VoIP is quickly being commoditized.<< The barriers would be dependent on what slice of the action you are referring to. If you are talking about going in and replacing a piece or Tekelec's signaling transfer point business, they'd be better off opening up a lemon aid stand in December in Chicago. On the other hand, if you are referring to installing SS7 capabilities in their core products, then it is a relatively straightforward thing to do, comparatively speaking, for a company such as NMSS. And there are a lot of gradients in between they could enter. Which aspect are you referring to? Regards, Frank Coluccio Thanks