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Technology Stocks : America On-Line (AOL) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Tunica Albuginea who wrote (3210)	1/24/1999 2:31:00 AM
From: Doug Hubert	Respond to of 41369

Thanks for the great article about AOL and DirectTV. Confirms the HUGE potential of AOL. However, my point was that IRIDIUM is not a broadband constellation and the article does not mention IRIDIUM. Perhaps my reply was confusing in that I didn't specifically state that Teledesic was MOTOROLA's broadband satellite project. There are other broadband capabilities in existance as you have generously provided. GO AOL DH You said: <<Doug Huber: " AOL LOOKING TO THE SKY "; [Re: broadband capabilities & satellite constellation ]. Here is an article on it TA ======================================================= internetnews.com AOL Looking to the Sky? By Elizabeth Clampet InternetNews.com Assistant Editor [January 22, 1999] As America Online Inc. expands its services in all directions, the only way left to go is up. The company is reportedly considering a deal with satellite service DirecTV for high-speed Internet connectivity via DirecTV's satellite network. Although company officials at both organizations refuse to comment on the possible deal, their actions speak louder than their words. In addition to the mega-merger between AOL and Netscape, the company has also positioned itself to augment its connections to customers interested in high-speed Internet access. The company announced last week an agreement with Bell Atlantic to provide high-speed digital subscriber line (DSL) access to AOL subscribers in the Northeast. Bob Pittman, AOL's president and chief operating officer, said at the time that AOL has a commitment to provide access to members seeking faster connection speeds. A company initiative, known as "AOL Anywhere" is also being developed to provide universal connectivity to any Web-based device, according to spokeswoman Jeanie Ryan. DSL and cable modems are currently the high-speed connections of choice, but DirecTV is in a position to lend its satellite service as an alternative to service providers, especially for those living outside cities. A proposed deal with Microsoft to create a PC card capable of receiving satellite Web data fell through, leaving DirecTV and its parent, Hughes Electronics with the technology, but no partner. Analysts say a deal with AOL and its 15 million members would be a match made in heaven. "This would be just standard programming logic," said Steve Blum, president of satellite consulting firm Tellus Venture Associates, in published reports. "It's a little like saying HBO is going to be offered over DirecTV." Related Links: AOL, Bell Atlantic Set High-Speed Partnership WebTV, EchoStar Debut Internet Satellite Service Last modified: Friday, 22-Jan-1999 12:14:17 EST More News ========================================================= I said: << Good synopsis on current broadband capabilities, however Motorola's IRIDIUM satellite constellation does not and can not provide broadband capability. It is only designed for telephony/paging services. Teledesic is the satellite constellation that is targeted at broadband data traffic and is in the stages of engineering design and is 5 - 7 years out from operational capability.>>.

To: Tunica Albuginea who wrote (3210)	1/24/1999 9:03:00 AM
From: robert duke	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 41369

So do you really think this deal might be coming soon, or is it a ways off.

To: Tunica Albuginea who wrote (3210)	1/25/1999 8:51:00 AM
From: RocketMan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 41369

An AOL/DirectTV combination is not so straightforward. Direct broadcasting from satellite has a lot of advantages over cable, but there are some disadvantages as well, and the advantages do not all translate into good internet service. Two of the biggest problems are lack of two-way bandwidth (the uplink is through telephone line, and there is only so much downlink bandwidth available), and the need to be able to have clear line of sight to the satellite. This is a problem if there are trees or other obstructions, or for apartment dwellers. So availability of high-bandwidth downlink from satellite is just a part of the puzzle, and a good gap-filler, but not the final answer. The Teledesic service, once it become available, answers some of these problems but, IMO, raises even more.