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Technology Stocks : Ascend Communications (ASND) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neil H who wrote (54811)	9/29/1998 9:00:00 AM
From: Glenn D. Rudolph	Respond to of 61433

ASND: GERARD KLAUER decreased estimate for fiscal year ending 12/98 from $1.20 to $1.19 on 09/28/98

To: Neil H who wrote (54811)	9/29/1998 10:25:00 AM
From: gbh	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 61433

Neil, FORE is starting to target the WAN now that they have a high-end offering, the ASX4000. However, I know of only the Level 3 win, where they have beaten out ASND. And this win did not involve the 4000 high-end switch, but rather the ASX1000 10Gb/s switch. I know of no announced wins for the 4000, and am not sure they are generating revenue from it yet. Its likely still just in trials. I also think this win acted as a kick in the ass for ASND, and future carrier wins by FORE may be harder to come by. Just my opinion. I also have not seen any press where FORE has a presence in UUNET, Sprint, or AT&T. FORE currently lacks the ISP/carrier customer base that ASND holds. Their products appear competitive with ASND, but it is very tough breaking into these large accounts when the current supplier (ASND) is ahead or even on the technology front. The user is familiar with the installed equipment, and unless price is a major factor, the user tends to stick with what he/she knows. If LU feels that their marketing muscle, behind FORE's technology can drive customer wins, they could buy them. It would be cheaper than ASND. But it does not appear that LU marketing is having much success beating ASND, COMS, and CSCO with the Livingston products targeted at carriers (no press I have seen). For this reason, the safe (albeit, more expensive) play is to buy ASND, IMO. Gary

To: Neil H who wrote (54811)	9/29/1998 1:29:00 PM
From: bucky89	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 61433

Heard that Fore is starting to do well in the WAN. Announced was their victory with Level 3. Also getting into UUNET, Sprint, AT&T. Appears their 40 gigabit switch is gaining popularity. Can you or any techies talk about Fore taking significant ASND business and compare products. Maybe Fore is a good buy for someone. I understand UUNet and Sprint use the ASX1000 or ASX4000 for their ATM core, but I can tell you first-hand that AT&T is solidly an Ascend account. UUNet also uses Ascend BSTDX9000 frame relay I believe. This has been the case for quite some time--nothing new. Nothing I have seen indicates Fore is taking away any of Ascend's business. NO WAY will AT&T have anything to do with Fore. Take the hint: AT&T is a HUGE Ascend customer for data. AT&T is also a HUGE Lucent customer for voice. Lucent wants to be AT&T's customer for data.... bucky89