Vodafone set to hook up Outback (via I* yahoo thread)
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My_longs.couldn't agree more! substance
by: _batavia_ (51/M/Batavia, IL)
12611 of 12640
This is how Globalstar (Notsoglobalstar for Sparefroh's definition) plans on keeping the advertised charges
down...charge by 30 second increments! Check out next to last paragraph.
smh.com.au:80/news/9905/07/text/business14.html
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Date: 07/05/99
Vodafone Australasia plans to spend up to $100 million on the launch of a satellite phone service for remote
regions of
Australia.
The investment, which will hook into the satellite network of its US partner, Globalstar, is aimed at capturing
the niche market of
those beyond the reach of the country's three digital phone networks.
Analysts estimate the market comprises about 100,000 people, mainly farmers and workers at mine sites in
isolated places.
Vodafone will spend the money on marketing and selling the service, and on building three ground stations.
The stations, to be
located at Dubbo in NSW, Mount Isa in Queensland and Meekatharra in WA, will receive and direct the
callsfor the satellite
service. Trials for the service will occur later this year and the service is expected to be operating by
mid-2000.
Vodafone Australasia Dr Brian Clark downplayed any prospect of a satellite phone roaming agreement with
either Telstra or
Cable & Wireless Optus.
Vodafone's British parent, Vodafone Plc, is a 7 per cent shareholder in Globalstar, which has spent over
$US3 billion ($4.5
billion) on launching satellites and developing its product.
Globalstar is one of several satellite phone players planning to launch their services in Australia over the next
year. Two others
are cash-strapped Iridium and the British group, ICO Global Communications.
"A lot of money has gone into this technology, which has ended up becoming an expensive product with a
small potential
market," according to one telecommunications analyst, who did not want to be named.
Vodafone estimates that each satellite handset, which will be able to receive and make calls via digital mobile
phone networks,
will cost about $2,000. A satellite call is forecast to cost $2-$5 per 30 seconds. [This seems wrong?]
Meanwhile there has been increased speculation that Vodafone Australasia may bring forward its planned
share float if the
Federal Government does not get its Telstra sale Bill through the Senate before June 30. The Democrats,
who will hold the
balance of power after that, are opposed to the sale of another 16 per cent of Telstra.
- Kevin Morrison
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Posted: 05/08/99, 8:39PM EDT as a reply to: Msg 12581 by my_longs
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