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Strategies & Market Trends : Rande Is . . . HOME -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rande Is who wrote (935)	12/20/1998 1:55:00 PM
From: BANCHEE	Respond to of 57584

Rande Zoom.... (5 5/16) No comments..just searching..... quote.yahoo.com ·Palm Computers Go Wireless · Competing Wireless Specs To Merge Zoom Races Into Wireless Networking (12/16/98; 6:00 PM EST) By John Gartner, TechWeb Modem manufacturer Zoom Telephonics on Wednesday began shipping its first wireless-networking products, saying it hopes to create a retail market for the emerging technology. The ZoomAir products are based on Harris Semiconductor's PRISM radio chip set and transmit data at up to 2 megabits per second. The products can work as an extension to a wired LAN and use the IEEE 802.11 broadcast standard. These are the first products based on PRISM technology that will be available through resellers and distributors, said Chris Henningsen, director of marketing at Harris Semiconductor, a subsidiary of Harris Corp. "People haven't taken the products to end users before," he said. Declining costs and using standard networking protocols should help move wireless LANs from vertical markets to mainstream use, Henningsen added. Analysts said Zoom may broaden the wireless LAN market. "With Harris, you have proven technology, and combine that with Zoom's strong channel presence and it's a good recipe," said Mike Wolf, an analyst at Cahners' In-Stat Group. ZoomAir ISA or PC network NIC can send and receive data as far as 300 feet indoors and 1,000 feet outdoors; they sell for $299. Unlike other wireless LANs that require a dedicated hardware-access station, any PC or laptop with a ZoomAir card installed can act as the access point. The ZoomAir access point software can connect to dedicated networks and sells for $199. Wolf said the $300 retail price for NICs is about right for wireless LANs, although many small offices are waiting for prices to go even lower. "People will pay a premium, but the question is how much," said Wolf. The NICs include drivers for Windows 95 and Windows 98, but don't work with hand-held devices because they don't support Windows CE or the 3Com Palm Pilot. Zoom said the company will release Windows CE drivers within a few months. Being 802.11 compliant won't matter in the handheld market, said Wolf. The Bluetooth radio standard backed by Ericsson, 3Com, and Intel is already becoming the industry standard, he added. Zoom may create a home-networking version of the product if prices drop as expected, said Terry Manning, vice president at Zoom. "When the price drops to about $149 per NIC, which should happen in 18 months to 2 years, then you've got a consumer product," he said. "At $99, the market will catch fire." © 1998 CMP Media, Inc.

To: Rande Is who wrote (935)	12/20/1998 10:38:00 PM
From: Triffin	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 57584

Rande Is.. Broadband Wireless.. FCC auction in Feb-Mar 1998 saw 104 potential service providers bid $578.6 million for 984 licences The top bidders in terms of markets.. WNP Comm = private Nextband Comm = 50% NXLK and 50% NXTL Winstar = WCII Baker Creek = ADLAC affiliate Advanced Radio = ARTT CFW Comm = CFWC Bosch Telecom ansd Sierra Digital specialize in LMDS equipment but are privately held.. NT..LU..HWP also make equipment..but too small % of revenues to ever have any impact.. BTW..spectrum winners have 10 years to build a system prior to forfeiture.. Jim in CT.. I like ARTT and NXLK as speculative buys in this space