Ricochet/Metricom out of biz...
 

Well fuck I loved my Ricochet but they are pulling the fucking plug here in LA... *cry*

I heard this was probably coming but I figured that since the service was so great -- I didn't see how they could possibly go out of biz... Anywhere he's the email I got:

Dear Ricochet WebConnect! subscriber,

As you know, the Ricochet WebConnect! wireless data solution we offer is based on the Ricochet network, owned and operated by Metricom, Inc. of San Jose, California, a separate and independent company.
Like you, we love the Ricochet network along with the speed and flexibility it provides.

Metricom has just advised us that it is no longer able to continue in business. Unfortunately, this means that the Ricochet network is scheduled to be shut down on Wednesday August 8th, with possible service degradation before then. This could happen despite WWC having strenuously argued for at least a 30-day notice to subscribers and resellers, so that you and we could have time to transition you to our new service, Anywhere WebConnect!.
WWC is doing all possible to prevent the Ricochet network from being turned off, or to rapidly revive the Ricochet network in case it is actually turned off. If this should happen, hold onto your Ricochet modems until further notice. If the network is turned off, we will suspend billing on your Ricochet WebConnect! account on the same day. We will either settle or continue your account when the final fate of the Ricochet network is known. You will not be billed for the time the network is down.
Meanwhile, we want you to consider us your Wireless Data Solutions provider regardless of what happens with Ricochet. We have expanded our service offerings to include more than just the Ricochet service, and have a number of very exciting services coming in the very near future, including improvements in both data speeds and coverage areas. Believe it or not, there are faster and less expensive options coming right around the corner. We consider it our job to keep you apprised of these.
Should Ricochet service become unavailable temporarily or permanently, you will need another immediate solution for your wireless data needs. We will provide this solution and we remain committed to giving you the best service available. Effective Monday, August 6th, we will be selling AT&T's wireless data service. We chose AT&T because of its stability, so that you will not have to experience network failures in the future. This service has a nationwide service area with over 200 covered cities. It will not work with your Ricochet modem, so a new CDPD modem will be needed, and we are working hard to get you special consideration on this as an existing WWC subscriber.
Please call us on 800-811-7426 (starting on Monday) for more details on this, and please keep checking our website at www.wwc.com for updated information.
Sincerely,
Wireless WebConnect!

(http://biz.yahoo.com/e/010720/mcomq.html)
You can set their cost as follows:

Usually seven poletop radios are installed per square mile, one wired access point every ten square miles, and one network interface facility per 600 miles. They list a approximate cost of $2,000 per poletop radio. $180,000 per wired access point, and $550,000 per network interface facility. With a average cost per square mile of approximately $33,000.

The above facilities operating cost is approximately $10/mo per poletop radio, $2,000/mo per wired access point, and $10,000/mo per network interface facility. With wired communication costing approximately $900/mo per wired access point and $12,000/mo per network interface facility. Giving a approximate operating cost of $400/mo per square mile.

Metrocom receives approximately $25/mo in revenue per subscriber. They need 16 subscribers per square mile to cover the operating costs, and 44 subscribers per square mile to cover its operating and equipment costs.

The business model calls for a eight to one ratio of paying subscribers to active subscribers. This is based on ~12% of subscribers using the network at once, and each subscriber averaging 500 mb's a month of transfer.

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wiZd0m

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[This message has been edited by wiZd0m (edited 08-05-2001).]

Which strangely enough is the same formula the ex Bell companies use to determine the amount of trunks in a given CO. It didn't work for them, and in truth I'll bet Metricom's network would have been swamped and unusable once it got popular. It was a good service, but they fell prey to uncontrolled expansion like so many other dot-bombs.




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