Sidecut Reports

News and info from the wireless world this week:

AT&T’s Wi-Fi Plans: A long look at what Ma Bell plans to do with its Wayport purchase.

Is Clearwire’s Stock a Bargain? This analyst thinks so, saying that if you break down the value of the parts you get a total much higher than the current share price.

Most People Pay Too Much for Their Cell Phone: LA Times writer David Lazarus finds a study that shows how people typically pay for more minutes than they use.

Sascha Meinrath on the Future of Open Telecom: A transcript of one of the outstanding presentations at the recent eComm show. Worth a full read.

Clearwire’s Fake Palms Sprouting in Vegas: The WiMax provider is growing “palm trees” that double as WiMax cell sites. Just don’t try eating the coconuts.

Like Esme, I think next week’s eComm show in Burlingame will be one of the more interesting communications-related events of the year. Unlike the so-called “big vendor” shows eComm to me means an intelligent discussion and review of all aspects of communications, from people who aren’t uncomfortable shedding labels and “old ways” of doing things.

In addition to hearing from and catching up with some friends of mine in the communications space, a list that includes Martin “Telepocalypse” Geddes and Stuart Henshall, among others, it’s a chance to hear smart folks like Doc Searls give their take on where communications needs to go. I am also looking forward to (finally!) meeting and hearing Sascha Meinrath, who has done all kinds of interesting things and is therefore someone to listen to when it comes to the future of wireless.

Looking over the schedule some more I see presentations on tap from Google’s Rick Whitt, Digium’s Mark Spencer and the EFF’s Brad Templeton. That’s a handful of disruptors right there. And Sidecut Reports readers get a 20 percent discount either by clicking right here to register, or by entering “SideCutReports09″ in the coupon field when registering. So you can’t lose.

Take it from Lee Dryburgh, host of the event, on why it is important to attend:

It’s clear that the mammoth sized telecom industry - including cellular - is in the process of being re-written. As such you either stand on the side to be written into the past or instead join with the growing community to write the future. Opportunities have never been so great to profit from the radical restructuring or in accelerating how humanity connects, communicates and collaborates.

Like Andy and others, I will be at this week’s eComm show in Mountain View — not sure when exactly but if you want to meet shoot me a message to kaps at sidecutreports.com and we can figure out when. Guessing I will be there parts of Wednesday and Thursday, as schedule permits.

One presentation not to be missed is Brian Capouch’s 12-Volt Telephony, a hit in the past and sure to be entertaining, especially if you like seat-of-the-pants, DIY telephony. (And aren’t afraid of ants!)