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Technology Stocks : AUTOHOME, Inc -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: E. Davies who wrote (9456)	5/15/1999 4:22:00 AM
From: FR1	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 29970

The name Microsoft might have some hype appeal but I wonder how big this news really is. "Microsoft (MSFT: news, msgs) will provide support and resources to assist in AtHome's marketing." What the heck does this mean really? Is Microsoft going to support cable problems? Just IMHO but this is a real smart move by MSFT. There are two items gained here (1) More use of IIS as a internet server platform. (2) A chance to get another leg up in the war with RNWK for establishing whose streamer will become the standard on ISP servers. When I checked a few weeks ago with ATHM hosting people, they said that they had no MSFT IIS servers and no plans to install them in the future. ATHM did use the MSFT FrontPage extensions to Unix but could not guarantee that all the nitty gritty stuff in MSFT Active Server Pages would work. In short, they threw cold water on the idea of getting too deep into MSFT web development and told me so. I appreciated their honesty and knew the reason they were saying that was because they did not want to get into handling support for all the bots, etc. What a difference a day, a buddy like Armstrong, and a big check make. Now ATHM is falling all over itself kissing up to MSFT server software. Smart move by MSFT. A zillion dollars in ad money would not make a dent in getting IIS deployment at ATHM but you give Armstrong a check and a green light when he really needs it and you are in with a pass from the boss. The inside track on getting their streamer viewed and used as a standard is something you can't put a price on too. Lastly, the more code MSFT can stuff into any part of the ATHM system, the more leverage MSFT has as time goes on because you build support and dependence around it. MSFT would like, as much as possible, to slowly become the tail that wags at least part of the dog. ************************** home.net @Home Solutions and Microsoft Team to Accelerate Deployment of Broadband Internet Services Furthering Commitment to Ubiquitous Delivery of Broadband Services REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 13, 1999 -- @Home Solutions, a leading provider of turnkey broadband Internet services to small and medium-sized cable operators and systems, today announced that Microsoft Corp. will become a strategic technology partner to @Home Solutions. @Home Solutions and Microsoft will collaborate to accelerate the deployment of broadband Internet services to the estimated 15 million homes and businesses passed by small and mid-sized cable operators. Specifically, the companies will work together to incorporate the Microsoft™ Windows NT™ Server operating system into @Home's robust, distributed network that serves @Home Solutions markets. In addition, Microsoft will provide support and resources to assist in marketing the @Home Solutions service. "Microsoft's work with @Home Solutions will bring a tremendous boost to our plans to leverage the power of cable and open nature of the Web to expand access to a richer Internet experience in small and mid-sized cable systems," said Dean A. Gilbert, chairman of @Home Solutions. "We very much welcome Microsoft's involvement, which will help us to establish @Home Solutions as the clear broadband leader in the small and mid-sized cable markets." "We are pleased to work with @Home Solutions to deliver new and enhanced services that take advantage of the full capabilities and performance of cable and @Home's distributed network," said Thomas Koll, vice president, Network Solutions Group, Microsoft. "This is an exciting step that will further accelerate the wide-scale availability of broadband services for both consumers and businesses." @Home Solutions is more than a simple connection to the Internet. It will leverage @Home Network's distributed, intelligent network that utilizes sophisticated caching and replication technologies to create a high-performance "parallel" Internet. With this network, @Home will be able to cost-effectively scale its network capacity to support ubiquitous broadband services in both metropolitan and rural markets throughout North America. About @Home Solutions @Home Solutions is designed for small and mid-sized cable operators who want to maintain their individual market presence, and yet realize the benefits of a nationwide consortium. @Home Solutions will enable affiliated cable operators to benefit from the scale and leverage afforded by @Home Network's nationwide backbone, compelling content, and strategic technology partnerships. @Home Solutions will extend the current @Home Network model, which complements the existing operations of cable operators, by providing services such as financing of cable and network equipment, expanded customer service, billing services, service installation, and marketing support. In April, @Home Solutions announced its first round of financing with 3Com, Cisco Systems, Inc., Motorola, Inc., and Falcon Communications. In addition, @Home Solutions announced an agreement with Falcon Communications to deliver high-speed Internet services in key markets. Under this agreement, @Home Solutions will have access to approximately 1.2 million homes passed in 23 states for high-speed Internet services. The service will be named Falcon@Home and is planned to begin deployment in 1999