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Technology Stocks : Winstar Comm. (WCII) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: gabor boda who wrote (10023)	1/15/1999 10:40:00 AM
From: Mazman	Respond to of 12468

Gabor and thread, Looks like the NXTL deal is bringing much needed media attention to fixed wireless. Wireless network firms hit market NEW YORK -- A new generation of wireless communications companies that beam high-speed voice, video and data to rooftop antennas will explode onto the scene this year. The market for these services, now less than $100 million a year, will exceed $1 billion by 2003, says analyst Lisa Pierce of Giga Information Group. The latest evidence: Wireless pioneer Craig McCaw announced Thursday that his new venture, NextLink Communications, will acquire wireless start-up venture WNP Communications for $695 million. NextLink also said it would pay $138 million for Nextel Communications' stake in Nextband, a wireless venture they jointly own. The deals reflect pressure from competitors such as WinStar Communications, Teligent and AT&T. They're all placing bets on a technology called fixed wireless because it relies on small antennas fixed to the roofs of homes and office buildings. People inside use regular phones that are connected by wire to the antennas. They can also connect their PCs and TVs for high-speed, two-way Internet access and cable TV service. Fixed wireless services will be targeted toward small and midsize businesses first, bringing new services, more choices and lower prices. "But down the road consumers will see a benefit," Teligent Communications CEO Alex Mandl says. These wireless services are favored by start-up carriers competing with the big local phone companies and cable TV operators, which are rolling out digital phone lines and cable modems. It's often faster and cheaper to install a wireless service than to rewire a street. "Alternative carriers and technologies have a really limited time frame to prove themselves, so 1999 and 2000 are critical years for them. I think we will see a lot of growth," Pierce says. NextLink's service will be launched at the end of this year, CEO Wayne Perry says. Last week, Pierce says, AT&T told investors that tests of a fixed wireless system in Chicago are successful, that the price of the technology is dropping and that the company will offer the service on a commercial basis sometime after 1999. AT&T declined comment. "Ten years out, none of these (competing) technologies will dominate, but they will all share market penetration," wireless analyst Bob Egan of The Gartner Group says. By Steve Rosenbush, USA TODAY

To: gabor boda who wrote (10023)	1/18/1999 8:09:00 PM
From: SteveG	Respond to of 12468

<..I am assuming that you were not overly impressed?..> Well, I'm not sure if "not overly impressed" exactly describes my experience. After attending the all day WCII teach-in, this was a just 30 minute overview - and I thought I highlighted the newer WMB deal details that were given. As I said, the presentation was well attended and it appeared to me to be well received. It is an exciting story and more than ever before, I believe traditional telco investors are taking a hard look at new companies like WCII. As I made the point earlier, every telco presentation I attended (ILEC/IXC/CLEC or CAP) emphasized broadband data as a future emphasis. And all at least mentioned, while many emphasized the value of BB fixed wireless. Additionally, I think NXLK-WNP underscored the significance of this technology. And WCII is the recognized leader (TGNT noise notwithstanding). GSA, at least for CHI, is expected within a couple of weeks. I lost a fortune in Jan99 options, but I still think WCII will do great over the next year. '99 is the year of bandwidth. I expect further datacom/telecom consolidation of the ASND/LU variety.