RS:
You stated on Yahoo:
In it's latest 10Q, GSTRF said the initial service would be with 8 GWs (down from nine last quarter) and 14 by end of year (down from 16). If you look at the May99 overview on Loral's home page, you'll see that the nine GWs were supposed to be in Texas, Canada, Argentina, S. Korea, S. Africa, France, Italy, Brazil, and China. So it's very unlikely that first markets will include Russia, Middle East or SE Asia. In fact, M.East and SE Asia are not likely to be covered for several months.
If those are the initial gateways for service, then we are in for a fizzle of a start.
Texas/Canada--Airtouch isn't starting until somewhere between late November and 2000. Scratch them off the list.
Argentina--TESAM sounds like they are on the ball. They can use CDMA handsets from QCOM if any exist.
South Korea--who is the service provider there?
South Africa--Vodafone's chance to shine. Will need GSM handsets though.
France--Need GSM handsets, and who are the customers that will use the FRench gateway? Maritime possibilities there.
Italy--GSM handsets and maritime opportunities
Brazil--no service provider, no handsets, no plan
China--the black hole of information. No GSM handsets though.
So, upon startup, assuming no GSM handsets, it looks like folks in Argentina will have the system to themselves. |
