The problem with this is that everytime a user requests a new internet page over the phone line that request would go to the uplink station, be retrieved over a network, beamed up to the sat, and then come to the user. This would be fast at first, but imagine 100,000 users requesting unique page downloads! Maybe it would work, I don't know, but DirectPC is already out and hasn't done very well as I recall.
Anyone got ideas on how dish is going to pay off all this debt? Its first payments start next year. One word - stock (a lot of it) Remember that the more subs DISH gets the worse its bottom line (costs hundreds per sub added). They recoup this cost in profits b/c margins on subscription are about 50% (37.50x.5x12 = $225 a year profit), and we thought this was great. But this means it takes two years to recoup costs, and with proces dropping like a rock the loyalty issue will be interesting - I waited on hold for over one hour when I called the service center a few weeks back (girl was nice, said charlie asked them to talk to relatives and friends to get them to come and work at DISH!). Also, digital cable is right around the corner, and is an option here in Seattle. Just some thoughts
John |
