Of course, there are more than three Isp service providers in the US market, and SBC and Sprint also provide Isp services. Although there are the number one American Online and the second PuSeRVE company here, there is also a third-ranked Prodigy company that is not present.

Prodigy did not react slowly, so it did not appear. It was because it was actually a traditional ally of SBC. SBC has always held more than 30% of Prodigy's shares. After the development of broadband technology, it directly and fully acquired Prodigy.

In other words, part of the decree that Hoffman received must be from Prodigy, and his attitude will naturally affect Prodigy.

However, since Hoffman did not reach an agreement with Zhou Shuo, prodigy's third-largest market share in the United States will naturally be shaking.

A new, Sprint, ABC and PHRV alliance will divide the market share of SBC and Prodigy alliances.

SBC, Prodigy is not stupid, and Hoffman is not off the IQ, but believes that he has resources that Zhou Shuo must compromise. Their confidence is based on SBC's largest telephone network in the United States.

In 1995, the United States had a population of 250 million and 25 million netizens. SBC's telephone network covered almost half of the United States region and population. If Liuerim wanted to monopolize the network instant messaging market, it could not avoid SBC's support.

It's like playing chess. Before launching a real killing move, you need to hide your intentions and send all the pieces that form the ultimate kill to a key position. If you have been activated, you need to be a general. You cannot give your opponent the opportunity to escape and counterattack.

If Zhou Shuo cannot seize the opportunity and let Liuer I rise in the shortest time, someone will inevitably be interested in this market and use SBC support to squeeze in. If a monopoly like Penguin cannot form, there is no way to talk about the excess profit of instant messaging software.

When Iq was the most glorious, it was as bloated as today's penguin and was full of advertisements, but after it was acquired by American Online, it quickly abandoned this approach. Is American Online more qualified and conscientious? Not because Microsoft's msn is chasing closely behind. Iqq completely lost the opportunity to dominate the instant messaging software market because of its short-sighted strategy.

Of course, Zhou Shuo could not make such a mistake, so SBC must realize that he is not the object of slaughter, but has the ability to threaten them.

Otherwise, SBC would not easily give up their ambition to enter the ISP service market.

"Guys. Listen to me." Zhou Shuo blinked and said mysteriously: "I have a suggestion to make full use of this opportunity to take our career to a higher level. In order to cope with the pressure on SBC, our four companies should form an alliance."

"Affiliates? Targeting SBC?" Orff frowned and said, "This is a very dangerous act. SBC will not allow an alliance that poses a threat to him. The consequence of angering SBC may be that he will stop working with us."

"No, President Orff, you've misunderstood. This is not a alliance for SBC." Zhou Shuo quickly explained: "It's an alliance that implements the standards of compression algorithms."

Of course, Zhou Shuo would not put things like fighting SBC on the surface, even for Prodigy. Such a clear alliance is established without mentioning SBC's reaction, and an antitrust investigation will be initiated in minutes.

He explained: "My compression algorithm can also be used on other network devices except for modems. For example, network switches on digital networks can also achieve the advantage of double transmission speed."

"Once a large-scale application of 56kbps network speeds, the current backbone network bandwidth will definitely be crowded. From the perspective of the wooden barrel principle, this will make the user's network speed no different from the original one, and it can only achieve the expected network speed in the off-peak period."

Malcolm of Splint said: "You want to revamp the transmission network of the phone company as well? This is of course what our Splint Telecom will do. Speed ​​up and don't need to add too much investment, which is a very good thing."

"But SBC won't do this kind of transformation. They don't have my patent authorization." Zhou Shuo continued: "This is unfair to the users of SBC Telephone Network."

"So I suggest that the newly added 56k users should be given priority to access the Sprint company's telephone network, and users should have the right to know."

The sbc business department has been in a state of turmoil these two days.

In 1995, there were 25 million Internet users in the United States, including 250 million people in the United States. The family, relatives and friends affected by these people almost covered more than half of the telephone users in the United States.

Since Sprint Telecom and AOL and PuSeRVE announced that they would form a alliance to promote the 56kbps network standard, users have kept calling, writing, or even coming to the door to ask whether SBC is as it said, the standard is not compatible with the 56kbps transmission technology.

After reacting the problem one after another, the senior executives of SBC also felt worried. When it comes to compatibility, what is the compatible with its own patent without compression algorithm? When it says it is incompatible, he can even imagine the collapse trend of SBC telephone business after the popularization of 56kbps network technology.

For SBC, they never thought that with the support of Bell Labs, they would be squeezed out of the phone market for a day. And all of this is thanks to the damn network department...

As long as technology is backward, a generation of overlords can be ended. This is the cruelty of the Internet era. Motorola, the creator of wireless communications, was defeated by military-industrial company Nokia, and then Nokia was dragged down by Microsoft to Android. This technological advantage can be quickly transformed into industrial advantages, which is not only the cruelty of the Internet era, but also the charm of the Internet era.

As the problems at the grassroots level reacted layer by layer, the pressure fell on Hoffman's shoulders layer by layer.

He hung up the phone with a pale face and fell to the sofa depressedly. The president of SBC even called him directly. If he could not get the patent authorization of the compression algorithm, what was waiting for him was not as easy as rolling the bed and leaving. With the cleanliness of his butt, he might really have to sit in the bottom of the prison.

Yes, he was sure that Zhou Shuo would compromise with him. But is he going to spend his energy to the end or is he unlucky first? Hoffman was confused about this question.

To make him sacrifice himself for the benefit of the company, he Hoffman did not have such a noble state of thought.

"Go to the Courtyard Hotel." Hoffman changed his clothes slightly, walked out of the back door of the company and stopped a taxi, and left.

"Mr. Hoffman?" Zhou Shuo was slightly surprised, then stretched out his hand with a bright smile and said, "It's been a long time since I saw you. How are you doing recently?"

Hoffman pulled the corners of his mouth slightly. He hadn't had a good sleep for a whole week. He lived the darkest days in his life. Of course, the answer was-

"It's not better!" Hoffman held Zhou Shuo's hand tightly with his warmest smile and said, "This is all for your care, thank you very much!"

"Mr. Hoffman is my friend. Is it okay for a friend to care about his friends?" Zhou Shuo pretended not to hear what he meant, smiled slightly, and let him into his suite office.

"Mr. Hoffman is here this time, I don't know if I can help?" Zhou Shuo poured two cups of coffee for Hoffman and himself, and sat back in his seat and asked.

Hoffman was not in a mood to drink coffee at this time, so he calmed down and said, "Mr. Zhou will definitely help with this matter, it is about the patent of compression algorithms. SBC hopes to cooperate with you to promote this technology together."

"Well, haha." Zhou Shuo picked up the coffee cup and took a sip. Seeing Hoffman a little anxious, he said: "I'm very sorry, I have exclusively granted the patent to an alliance of Sprint, an American Online and PuSeRVE. I believe you also know that these three companies and I will set up a joint venture to produce such compression algorithm chips. According to our agreement, if the joint venture wants to increase any investment, it must be approved by the board of directors."

Of course, SBC has mastered this situation, but Hoffman is also prepared. He smiled slightly and said generously: "Patent authorization is just an agreement, you can ignore it at all. All breach of contract compensation can be paid by SBC."

"Sorry, this is impossible." Zhou Shuo flatly refused: "This will cause a devastating blow to my business reputation..."

Hoffman quickly interrupted Zhou Shuo and said sincerely: "SBC will also compensate you for your losses, and will obtain the understanding of these three companies."

When Zhou Shuo heard his words, he couldn't help but be shocked by SBC's courage. The so-called understanding of the three companies is to give out real money, even the market and technology, in exchange for their concessions in this matter.

He spread his hands and said helplessly: "Please be honest, I will continue to develop in the US Internet industry in the future. Even if the three alliances can agree to your request, my reputation will be ruined in the industry. Who dares to cooperate with me in the future?"

"So, is it impossible for you to reach a cooperation with SBC?" Hoffman asked in despair.

"Actually, there is no way..." (To be continued...)
Chapter completed!