Moi Mika
As living in same market as You, I will give some reasons, why I'm interested to get SAT phone. I agree, that it is niche market. I got my first NMT phone in 1992 from Finland and it cost me 7000 FIM ($1000) then. I stopped to use it in 1995. So $1500 price for Globalstar is not a issue. I'm using the $6000 IBM notebook, even I can get same kind of desktop for $600. I'm willing to pay for new technology or something unique.
My first reason is, that I can't get a GSM phone from Estonia. Both, Radiolinja and Q-GSM will partner only with Estonian companies or private persons, who have full time job in Estonia. My income comes from my two US companies, internet affiliate fees and NASDAG stock speculations. So they refuse to sign me to GSM service. There around hundred persons in Estonia, like me. Looks to me, that Radiolinja and Q-QSM are more interested about teenagers, using phone in discos and bars to call from one table to another, than traveling busines people.
I'm also traveling a lot (> 6 months in year), I hope to use my phone anywhere. GSM roaming prices and long-distance calls from Estonia will cost me much more, than $1,5 /minute.
I hope to get Globalstar phone and service for my US company using my business credit-card somewhere in Internet. I also hope to use local GSM cards (they are available in every store) inside it for local sheep calls. I was looking to buy Iridium phone, when they announced new $1,5 per minute pricing. I'm glad now, that I did'nt. As I have learned now, it will work only in artics and at the top of mont-everest. Let's hope, that G* phone works better.
Veiko |
