Sorry RMiethe, I can't add knowledge to the link margin, antenna gain, multipath and power control total effects and how well Globalstar handsets will give people convenient use of their handsets in a variety of environments where there are some leaves, branches, rain, clouds, windows, concrete tiles or multistoried reinforced concrete buildings between them and the Globalstar satellites. That's because I don't understand the issues and even if I did, I don't think I could translate them into a real world expectation of how many subscribers would be satisfied. My guess from what I have heard is that connection, voice quality and overall performance will be better than Iridium.
I guess it is going to be suck it and see [if it's a lemon]. Iridium seems poor according to reports, but how much of that is people expecting unreasonable connection through corrugated iron and how much is a tenuous connection I have no idea.
On convenience, I think Valueman, you and AJMullen are all correct. Valueman that there are solutions for people who want handsets to work well in their car [but that doesn't help when in somebody else's car] and other environments, you that the main market is not going to be the convenience crowd, and AJ that there will be plenty of people who would get one if they can use it conveniently.
Convenience is just one of the many limitations, but I don't see it as being a major problem and that problem will reduce very, very much as technology develops and Constellations2, 3 and 4 are launched.
Maurice |
