pcstel,
<<You can tell when I make a mistake, because RS is there to
jump on any inaccuracy>>
Well, I don't think any one person could catch all your mistakes [g] but here are a few comments....
1. 495$ G* phones are available at ICC and have been for about a month, at least; see:
Message 14289579
2. <<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?? >> So are you really saying that the military didn't invest in their gateway until after the system was ready for testing? If they can install GWs so fast, I wish they were working for us. Come on: you must know that the USG signed on as a user (and, essentially, coinvestor, since they paid for their own dedicated Gateway) long before any opportunity to "test the system" existed. And having made that investment in a gateway, the persons responsible for that decision are naturally reluctant to admit a mistake...which could explain the lack of complaints from the USG about the QofS. Besides, at nearly the time a practical alternative to Iridium became available, Iridium stopped charging for its service. So, the QofS may not be too good, but it's free, and "you get what you pay for."
3. Iridium phones never "worked EVERYWHERE." We've discussed this countless times. In fact, Irid was never licensed to provide service in a number of places G* is working right now, including much of the Caribbean, northern Africa and parts of Eastern Europe.
4. I agree with your comments about what counts as "revenue." Clearly, cash received from selling stock, is not, formally, revenue. Payments received for Gateways and phones have not been so counted, either, but royalties on those sales are.
Regards,
RS |
