Bob: First of all, the phone worked EVERYWHERE. Remember, the Antarctica expedition that used the I* phone as a promotion at the beginning of Iridium Service? If it worked in Antarctica it worked everywhere. Again, Iridium's largest customer didn't seem to think the service was that bad! The were unhappy to see the service to go!! So you can either believe a bunch of people posting on competing companies stock message boards, Or, you can read the sentiment of Iridiums largest customer? BTW, I used the I* phone in Brasil last November, and used it side by side with the Globalstar dealer in Puerto Allegre!!
<<I* had only ONE backer...: ONE SERIOUS BACKER>> Then I guess the other investors which owned the rest of the 82% of the company were not "SERIOUS INVESTORS", Maybe the were SMART INVESTORS who had privy to the data on subscriber adds, MOU usage, and realized that (Operational Revenue x Projected (Real World) Subscriber Growth x (Real World) MOU per Month Usage - Debt Servicing, System Operations, Expenses, etc. = A hopeless situation). So they did what many other investors have done from time ot time.. They walked away!!
<<I* had complete Global coverage...: Right BUT IT DIDN'T WORK THAT WELL, so what's the difference?>> Again, your views are conceived by "message board rhetoric", you never used a phone? Have you? Again, ask the largest user of Iridium.. The US Govt. They seemed quite happy with the system.. Don't you think the US Govt. tested the system extensively before plunking down a large chunk of change to purchase a Gateway for their exclusive use?? Iridium worked! And it worked everywhere on the face of the Globe!
<< I* starts at $3K and finally winds up @ $1100; G* STARTS at $1495 and goes to $495 (for now).>>
Actually, if you had followed I* over the last 3 years, you would know that Iridium had a promotion that Offered a FREE PHONE with a multi-year contract.. So in effect. G* is offering a $699 phone, Iridium offered a FREE 9500. Ask TallBlonde.. She sold them!!
In addition Globalstar LD roaming rates vary from 2.99 to almost $5.50 per minute.. Which is much higher than Iridium's flat rates 9 months into service availability..
So basically, 9 months into service Iridium offered a FREE PHONE with selected multi-year contracts, and offered a true "universal ceiling" on roaming and LD charges!
BTW.. Still haven't seen those .78 cent minutes (non-short-term promotional) or $499 G* phones..
I am not saying that they don't exist.. I just haven't seen them!
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