Let me add that, obviously, Jimmy's ability to make a deal depends on several things. First, his equipment has to be competitive and it is.IMHO. I am told that NMSS provides these same boards to some heavy hitters in the phone business. You can probably get a list of customers from NMSS.
I don't know who builds the server boxes, it was my impression that his boxes/servers(whatever) are in demand.
Also, DGIV has some proprietary software of their own that enhances the server.
Next, Jimmy has to offer a competitive rate on the minutes he sells back here to a wholesale distributor. He must be a competitive middle man.
Finally, Jimmy's concept is IP telephony and that is a little different than standard l.d. It is still in its infancy, but not for long. That is why Jimmy is scrambling around the world trying to stay a jump ahead. He is also trying to build a customer base in places the majors have not yet saturated. I did not say penetrated, I said saturated.
Coffee pot says he wants $$$$$. Well, I think IBD is still losing money, and it took USA Today a long while to break even. Talk about a tough market. And with additional competition from television news. I would not have given either a chance of survival, but it looks like they might.
I am reasonably sure that Jimmy's recent silence can be attributed to :(1) He does not want to reveal his potential customers (2)or his negotiating terms to his competition. Some one could steal his deal.
Once again, the bet is whether Jimmy can sell his particular deal/concept and not whether he can deliver what he sells. Many of us have used "scab" domestic l.d. carriers b/c the service was about the same, but the deal was better than what AT@T, etc. was providing. Same for discount brokers. Who would have ever thought that they could stroke a Merrill, Lynch. Ted Turner has often commented that he started CNN right under the noses of the three major networks, who could have done it faster and just as well but they did nothing. He initially operated CNN out of a hole -in-the-wall in Atlanta. So he said.
You have to be a real dummy to ignore the fact that Jimmy has been flying all over the world for a year or so and going to meeting after meeting. He wants this badly; not just for the money but for the achievement and recognition as well. He wants to show that a smart, hard working ,little guy with a concept can make it. He identifies heavily with under dogs. He wants to be Jack The Giant Killer. How do I know? He told me so.
Goodnight.
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