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Microcap & Penny Stocks : Globalstar Telecommunications Limited GSAT -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TMann who wrote (5884)	7/20/1999 9:05:00 PM
From: Rocket Scientist	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 29987

Well, in N. America, it looks like it's four months, not two, according to Airtouch. The fun will apparently start in places like Argentina and S. Africa, maybe China and Brazil. Anyway, I think G* wants at least one more launch, maybe two, to be successful before they spend $ marketing, and probably the retailers want that, plus a ready supply of working phones, too. Another lesson from Iridium, that's more relevent than pricing, IMO, is don't start the marketing campaign until you really have the product to sell. It's better to start late with a prime time ready product, than push out something that's half baked. That may be another reason N. America is starting a little late. But I certainly do wish we'd see more announcements about retailer/distributor arrangements with the GW operators.

To: TMann who wrote (5884)	7/20/1999 9:12:00 PM
From: Serendipity	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 29987

It is not just an issue of price. It is also one of functionality. Imagine carrying around a cell phone that does not fit in your pocket. Imagine having to go outdoors to make a satellite phone call and having to deal with any/all of the following impediments: 1) no line of sight to the sky 2) too hot/sunny - standing under an umbrella does not work 3) too cold - get frostbite halfway through the call 4) raining - soaking clothes and look stupid 5) too noisy 6) not safe 7) police think your antenna is a gun and nail you for being a possible terrorist 8) In response to item 6, your phone substitutes as a pretty powerful club 9) look like a moron standing in an open field speaking on the phone I think Globalstar would have been extremely successful if the product had been launched a few years ago. But cell phones have boomed. The global traveler is the only market. It's places that operate on different protocols that have use for a satellite phone. That, and vertical markets like oil rigs, armed forces etc. Regions that do not have phones do not have the per capita income to pay $2 for a phone call either. Pooky