Phillips Market Snapshot on ICO
satellitetoday.com
Monday, Jul 12
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July 12, 1999
Since the beginning of July, ICO Global Communications has been able to
place its foot firmly in the door of the global mobile phone service market.
Despite the company's inability to reach its targeted level of financing last
month (ST, 6/4), July, at its onset, has proven to be a banner month for
ICO.
On July 6, the FCC authorized USEI to operate ICO ground stations. This
is a major milestone for ICO because it ensures the ground support
needed to track ICO's satellite system and telemetry. ICO's CEO Richard
Greco stated, "This is a great step forward for us in an important market."
It is the biggest in many steps leading to the launch of ICO's first satellite,
which is scheduled for second quarter of 1999.
Also, in the first week of July, ICO signed its first agreement with a
telecommunications operator for the provision of rural telephony. The
contract is with Telecomunicaciones de Mexico (TeleMex) and involves
ICO making available up to 24 million minutes of traffic during the first
year, through 4,000 ICO residential terminals (ST, 7/7).
When ICO becomes fully operational in third quarter of 2000, the system
will comprise 10 satellites and 12 earth stations. The ability to roam
between GSM and AMP-4 networks will enable the company to offer a
wide range of services targeting specialized market segments such as
cellular and international business travelers.
For more information about ICO, visit the site, ico.com.
Copyright © 1999 Phillips Publishing International, Inc. |
