Brain H; I also listened to the CC. I was heartened by Bernies comments across the board. (One and a half hours long, and I did not take notes) but overall things are looking good "according to the plan". BS must have made that comment about twenty times. I just wonder how often they redo the plan?
FSS: The usage rates will average over 70% by the end of the year. SOL I being the drag, after its problems it is at 40% and will end up at 48%. The money will be raining in if we can get T7 up.
SS/L full capacity, the drop in business from the Asian troubles is over, from this quarter on it is more money, more money. Larger and larger percentage from outside (non Loral) business.
Cyberstar gaining ground, no equity partners anticipated but there will be partners brought in for their asset base. (Whatever particular base Cyberstar thinks is advantageous.)
G*: Mid to late September for start up, with the October trade show being the first big push. All the SPs will be at the conference. 8-9 gateways will be up and running at start ~16 by year end and all by end of next year. China pushing hard. Talking about another gateway soon.
No numbers breakdown from the SPs. (phones or subscribers) All info will come from G* and will be MOUs and revenue.
No subsidies on the phones. One SP even thinking of a mark up. Ads and such wont start up until phones/training/system ready to go.
No second generation phone any time soon, SPs dont feel it is necessary, they beat up G* early-on in the development to get the phone and features they wanted.
30-40K fixed phones, about 10% of total phones ordered.
Eric no worries as far as G* is concerned, mentioned some 'issues' early on with Qualcom but those have been addressed.
SEA still a gap, but should have an announcement soon.
Loral (and G*) per plan, to show a profit end of 2000.
Overall I am encouraged, but still the same story - G* carries a lot of weight and profit is still a year away.
Jeff Vayda |
