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Technology Stocks : Loral Space & Communications
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To: Larry L who wrote (3569)6/2/1998 5:24:00 PM
From: Maurice Winn  Read Replies (4) of 10852
 
I did identify it as heard from a usually reliable source, which clearly puts it in the rumor category Larry. We investors can't wait until facts are known. We have to understand what might be, take some educated guesses and place our bets on the future. Once there are studies announced on what 1 million consumers think of the two systems, there won't be much left on the table.

The tinny [Iridium] versus landline [Globalstar] qualities are consistent with terrestrial systems. Has Iridium demonstrated their hot stuff voice quality or are they cowering in a corner trying to get it right? Here is a chance for you to prove me completely wrong.

Dragonfly, there is more to delay than photon propagation distance in these satellite systems. There is switching delay and run-it-through lots-of-chips delay. Iridium using space switching has always run the risk of delay according to stuff I read a few years ago. But the proof will be in what they actually achieve.

Globalstar satellites are also fewer in number so propagation distances are increased by more than the altitude effect. 1414 km versus 850 or so. The average distance will be about 2000 km for Globalstar and only 1000 or so for Iridium [maybe you allowed for all that though you did say twice as high, which Globalstar isn't].

Of course, with the second and third Globalstar constellations, altitudes could be lower and propagation distances reduced substantially. That will save costs, power and make imperceptible delays even less. A delay is a delay in my book and I don't believe the delay is imperceptible in Globalstar's case - though maybe most people can't detect the delay. Brains work fast. A lot faster than 200 milliseconds. Reaction times are commonly 120 milliseconds. So we need less delay still.

Maurice
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