PM3 and Cellular (MNP10EC and ETC)?

Matt Mannhardt (mattm@alaska.net)
Tue, 17 Dec 1996 09:06:28 -0900 (AKST)

As an ISP who abondoned the problematic Rockwell chipset modems early on
and invested in USR TC hubs, I lament the bitter separation of Livingston
and USR; as nasty a divorce as any. So much for my hopes on getting the
best modem vendor and the best NAS vendor into the same box. I only
hope with great expectation that Livingston does better in modems than
USR has attempted in the NAS arena.

However, I have not heard a peep about Cellular support for the PM3. Not
that USR offers up this info freely, and their decision to "follow the market
and start charging [out the gazoo] for upgrades..." surely makes one question
their marketing studies. So I'm left with $1M+ in a capital investment in
USR (connected to rock-solid PM-2e's) and hoping that Livingston can convince
me to buy more PM-3s (still have to unpack my first 2 and run them through
my own beta testing). A bit problematic as PRI is still not tariff'd by any
LEC in Alaska, although BRI becomes availible in Anchorage next month and
"special contract" PRI is doable.

So please Mr Livingston (sic), Pls do hurry with the D4 code, 33.6k and 56k
technology, and pls tell us you've got Cellular Protocol Support in the
wings. And "God's speed" on your entrance in to the modem market (OK, I
say this for self-serving reasons).

P.S. In support of my request for Cellular Protocol Support, Let me point out
that atleast in Alaska, several of the Rural LEC's are now implementing and
tariffing "Fixed Cellular" (flat rate to fixed site) service to new areas
rather than running copper-wire. This in addition to the interest from the
mobile crowd is driving up the interest in Cellular support from my customer
base. And no, no Cell-Co in AK has implemented a Cellular Modem gateway.

-Matt Mannhardt (WL7CDE), mattm@alaska.net (Postmaster), support@alaska.net
Internet Alaska, Inc. 4050 Lake Otis ste #107a, Anchorage Ak. 99508 562-4638
* PPP dialups at 28.8kbs, starting at $165/6 mo. - no other charges!