Where do you live/use the system? I would very much like to subscribe if it was available...in NYC. And/or where I keep my boat....
I'm potentially interested as an investor as well, though reading back in this thread has been mucho sobering. As have the financials.
Marinas could actually be a great niche market for them. Landlines are most places next to impossible to get, and cellular is too expensive to stay on and surf ... except for the occassional weekends free deal, if it applies, etc. ANyway, cellular connects are generally around 2400 w/lots of disconnects...
As an investment it looks troubling. But w/huge potential if 80-120kbps could be rolled out before the satellites start doing data..cheaply. Which probably gives them a six or more years.
Actually, I think I agree with those that have suggested this should be approached as a niche market solution. College campuses. Maybe some corporte, government campuses. MARINAS (my interest).
The beauty of these niche markets is that the need is more compelling. Ie., the land line alternative is difficult to obtain, inconvient, etc. While the need/desire is also compelling in business traveling, it is a vastly more capital intensive/time consuming task to wire up a whole city, not to mention, all the major cities.
Actually, their stab at business hotels is interesting. Think about where you really get on the net when business traveling. Its in your hotel room. The airport ideas is also nice. Its easier, but doesn't have critical mass. You're not gonna buy the system to use it in airports only....its a nice add on if you are using it in your home area. But combine airports w/some national business hotel chains, such as eg. Marriots, Holiday, Hilton, whatever, it starts making some real sense.
Very possibly the developing landlocked analog (upscale mobile home parks) .. which I know nothing about but you keep hearing that boomers are starting the rediscovervy of the winnebago, etc. (to each his own).
There is some utility to wiring just one marina .... but if you started to do deals w/chains of marinas up and down the east coast intercoastal waterway, for exampl.
Now if they can roll out ISDN speeds at say a $40-50 month flat price...with the hope of growing mobility utility....it starts making sense to wire Manhattan, etc. But thems big bucks. And time.
Doug |
