Regarding "slow" rollout, IMO, it's largely caused by flip side of two key G* advantages w.r.t. IRID:
1. Telecomm providers invested in G* by buying PIs and committing to build gateways; this helped G* fiancially up front and reduced G* operating costs
2. Those providers and lower tier retailers market the product to users, taking advantage of existing customer databases, front and back office infrastructure, and providing their local expertise regarding customer expectations, regulatory issues, etc.
The flip side: 1. G*'s essential relationship to the SPs is now as a seller; it has to convince the SP "buyers" that the service and service meets specs. They couldn't really start that process, formally, until at least 32 (maybe 36) satellites were up which only happened within last month or so. Maybe that process is nearly finished, as I understand SPs were present at Loral shindig last week and claimed they were ready to roll out.
Flip side: 2. With possible exception of Vod/Airtouch and China, GW operators are not really retailers. They in turn have to sell the service to the store front retailers. They couldn't do that until, well, now, and it will take some time...to convince the suppliers and to train their personnel.
For me, the important thing for the rest of this year is the quality of the experience early users/reviewers have with the service, and of course progress in bringing GWs on line, clearing the final regulatory hurdles and unveiling some GSM phones.
I don't really care if they sell any handsets/minutes in '99; Post-Zenit, I didn't expect them to sell any significant amount this year. |
