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

To: Annette who wrote (15814)	5/8/1999 1:10:00 AM
From: Jing Qian	Respond to of 41369

I truly think that DSL is the future for AOL, No. Cable modem is a better future for AOL. DSL is only second best. What AOL must worry about is RBOCs. They are notorious at rolling out new technologies. So far, there is still no activity on the ADSL front. But cable subscribers are approaching its first 1 million. For AOL to win long term, they must strike an agreement with T/ATHM, or buy a cable company.

To: Annette who wrote (15814)	5/8/1999 1:20:00 AM
From: George Martin	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 41369

Annette - Agree with your read on the DSL vs. cable modem scenario. FWIW, here are some links to some excellent articles posted on the Steve Harmon thread by stockman_scott, along with some Q's / issues for my own 2 cents. Recommend the Dell "White Paper" on Home Networking in particular if you haven't seen it. Comments / opinions appreciated. To: stockman_scott (1522 ) From: George Martin Friday, May 7 1999 11:40PM ET Reply # of 1529 scott - Thanks for your terrific posts / links on cable - DSL - wireless internet access (#1515, #1516, #1522). The Dell "White Paper" on Home Networking is about the best I've seen fro a layman's explanation, complete with color illustrations ! Suggest you post all on AOL thread -- would be of great interest. If not, I will later. Some Q's / issues FWIW: would appreciate yours or any one's opinion, comment: 1. Seems to me "first to market" status could be very big factor in DSL vs. cable modem face-off. RBOC's now seem to be getting up to speed on DSL roll-outs. I'm waiting for my first high speed access opportunity with Bell Atlantic, supposedly this month. Cable's penetration rate is limited by slower installation, conversion process which is also more labor, capital intensive. 2. Cable modem has speed advantage but DSL hook-up is sufficiently superior to current 28 - 58 K access that the superior speed of cable may prove to be a "theoretical" advantage for at least the next several years, with the exception of the special interests of a smaller techno-oriented user group -- not the typical AOL user. (AOL is already moving forward with Real Player integration in AIM). 3. Cable modem's "downside" appears to be significant performance deterioration on shared high traffic line use. Also, the privacy, security issues could become significant in some usage situations. 4. One apparent limiting factor for DSL market penetration is the 18,000 feet or 22,000 feet distance limitation for hook-up. If some one knows how / if this could be dealt with a practical matter, I would appreciate learning about it. Cable's reach, by contrast, is much greater. Anyway, will be fascinating to see how it plays out. Looks to me like DSL has potential to establish first to market mass use / acceptance. FWIW, AOL is my second largest holding but I also have shares "on the other side" through the ever-growing "T food chain" through TCI, UMG, XCIT, and ATHM. Would still like to see AOL prevail as top dog, but obviously there will be a lot of market share to go around. Good luck, George Martin <<FYI... PricewaterhouseCoopers Tech Forecast #1515, stockman_scott, May 7 1999 12:48AM * FYI....DELL's "White Paper" on xDSL and Home Networking #1516, stockman_scott, May 7 1999 12:53AM * FYI ...The Race to High-Speed Internet Heightens... #1522, stockman_scott, May 7 1999 3:25PM Next Previous