Service provider business plans have reduced the worlwide gateway requirements to approximately 50 gateways. No use building and paying for them if they are not needed.
The first 4 gateways are operational and linked to Globalstar Control Center. Site selection and construction of 20 gateways initiated in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Italy, Mexico, Russia, and other countries. New Gateway ordered by GlobalTouch Holdings to serve 9 African nations. Top 16 gateways to be completed for start of service-covers 56% of business plan.
38 gateways are scheduled to be operational by mid-1999, representing 78% of business plan.
Key Milestones in 1997:
Complete qualification test of first satellite and commence production run
first 4 pre-production gateways installed, tested and operating
achieved full program funding of $2.7 billion
Globalstar Control Center operational
Order and commence construction of initial production gateways
finalize user terminal designs and prepare for manufacture
Globalstar Data Network installed and tested
Market development on schedule (106 countries, approx 81% of plan)
1998:
Initial launch of 4 sats, Feb
Launch additional Delta II in April, 2 Zenits with 12 Satcom's each in 3rd Qtr, and 1 zenit with 12 Satcom's 4th Qtr
Complete construction of 16 production gateways
commence manufacturing and test of user terminals
secure local operating licenses for service roll out
Hope this helps some with Globalstar's plans. Estimated net income/share for 1999 is $.55, 2000 is $5.48, 2001 $9.82, 2002 $15.23, and these are conservative numbers from Loral. All information was found in the reading materials from Loral's Nov 20, 1997 investors conference in New York. Call Loral and request the package, it may answer more of your questions/concerns. |
