---------------------- Forwarded by Jim Stephenson-Dunn/C/HQ/3Com on 06/30/2000
11:24 AM ---------------------------
sent by: Jim Stephenson-Dunn - Network Engineer, GIS LAN/WAN
To: Alan Simpkins <alan_simpkins(_at_)yahoo(_dot_)com>
cc: Valdis(_dot_)Kletnieks(_at_)vt(_dot_)edu, Anthony Atkielski
<anthony(_at_)ATKIELSKI(_dot_)COM>ietf(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org
Subject: Re: WAP - What A Problem... (Document link: Database 'Jim
Stephenson-Dunn', View '($Sent)')
Valdis and Alan, you have a very valid point, infrastructure is not only
expensive but very time consuming. The engineering component (configuration) is
a relatively quick process by comparison. A country cannot just throw in a
national communications infrastructure overnight.
Having said that though, if people don't know how to use the telephone, they are
unlikely to embrace the Internet. IMHO as the world slowly goes IP, this is
perhaps an attempt by the Telco,s who see shrinking margins to try and bolster
use of their products.
I am having conversations with about 9 people around the world who are building
a pure IP infrastructure (point to point fiber) who are going nowhere near the
Telco's. Whilst it may appeal to the boys and their toys complex who may feel
that having a WAP enabled handset empowers them and/or makes the neighbours
jealous WAP that brings the Internet to a cellular device is of limited use
because of the power and memory constraints of those devices. Why look at
information on a WAP enabled phone with it's small screen, when it is easier to
pull out my laptop, fire it up and see all of the information in one place at
one time, with lots of memory and processing power at my command.
Whilst I realise that Voice protocols have their place, it is IMHO only a matter
of time, before this family of protocols gets to old and unworkable in the new
world order of IP, that we will have little choice but to take it into the
backyard with a shotgun.
Jim
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Legal Disclaimer
The opinions expressed within this mail are specifically my own and in no way
refer to or relate to any ongoing business and/or the technical
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business units within 3Com Corporation and its subsidiaries.
**************************************************************************************
Alan Simpkins <alan_simpkins(_at_)yahoo(_dot_)com> on 06/30/2000 08:22:38 AM
Sent by: Alan Simpkins <alan_simpkins(_at_)yahoo(_dot_)com>
To: Valdis(_dot_)Kletnieks(_at_)vt(_dot_)edu, Anthony Atkielski
<anthony(_at_)ATKIELSKI(_dot_)COM>
cc: ietf(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org (Jim Stephenson-Dunn/C/HQ/3Com)
Subject: Re: WAP - What A Problem...
Valdis, I agree with you a hundred percent. The most
expensive part of infrastructure is pulling the
cables/fiber necessary to build the infrastrucuture.
--- Valdis(_dot_)Kletnieks(_at_)vt(_dot_)edu wrote:
On Fri, 30 Jun 2000 00:41:37 +0200, Anthony
Atkielski <anthony(_at_)atkielski(_dot_)com> said:
If they are that lacking in mere wires, they
probably aren't in a position
to profit from access to the Internet in the first
place. That is, if they
lack telephones (and that's all they need for
broadband, or at least it's
the better part of the battle), why would they be
surfing the Web? First
things first.
The fact that they lack wires doesn't mean they lack
telephones.
Remember that wires are expensive to pull,
especially for those 3 houses
out on the far side of the mountain down the dirt
road.
Countries without landlines are not going to be a
part of the global economy
unless they upgrade in a major way very soon.
You got this wrong. Countries without
*connectivity* will be screwed. There's
no *obvious* requirement that there be a landline
involved.
Having said that, I'm *not* a WAP proponent. ;)
--
Valdis Kletnieks
Operating Systems Analyst
Virginia Tech
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