SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Microcap & Penny Stocks : Globalstar Telecommunications Limited GSAT -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: tero kuittinen who wrote (7048)8/31/1999 11:50:00 AM
From: djane  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 29987
 
Tero, a question. Do you think Vodaphone and AirTouch will have a competitive advantage from being able to offer Globalstar mobile satellite telephony coverage to their customers? From what I've read, in the developed countries, Vodaphone sees it as a high margin service and a way to gain/retain the most sought-over high-end customers. This issue is entirely separate from the Globalstar proposition in countries with limited cellular coverage such as China, Brazil and Russia.



To: tero kuittinen who wrote (7048)8/31/1999 11:52:00 AM
From: Michael Allard  Respond to of 29987
 
Tero - I hope I have not issued any personal attacks to you and if one was perceived, I do apologize.

I'm still not clear on where you come down on Globalstar the business and/or Stock (investment). You mention a wing it number of 1 Million subs by 2003 to the industry. What do you think GSTRF needs to show to be a success? Obviously the stock price will determine how well the investment turned out (and I am happy with $30 as a basepoint for this exercise), but if we see a couple of hundred thousand GSTRF subscribers, or are selling say 20 - 30 thousand handsets per month by next summer is that not a success - keeping in mind that the final constellation will not even be up until the summer of 00?



To: tero kuittinen who wrote (7048)8/31/1999 11:57:00 AM
From: mmeggs  Respond to of 29987
 
Tero, they are only compared to mobile phones to the extent that a mobile -- meaning cellular -- is even an option. Where a cell phone is an option, and 100% service is guaranteed, it is relevant to compare standby/talk times, weight, etc. Globalstar concedes that 99% of the mobile market would not be interested PRECISELY BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

Since you clearly have your finger on the telephony pulse of the world, tell me how you're going to sell even a 2 oz. phone with 6 months of standby time to person who can't use the damn thing because there is no cellular coverage to begin with.

And can you concede that there are even a minimal nomber of people for whom it is worth paying up for handsets and minutes for the 5% of the time they cannot get a cell connection? (Not the most clearly worded sentence in the world, but I think you get the point. That 5% can be pretty important in many of the scenarios we've mentioned -- emergencies, backwoods, important sales calls, whatever...)

mmeggs



To: tero kuittinen who wrote (7048)8/31/1999 3:48:00 PM
From: Maurice Winn  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 29987
 
<... sold at 1'200 bucks, charging 1,50 for domestic calls is a luxury. If it were a necessity, Iridium would be doing gangbuster business after the price cuts....>

Tero, the Iridium price cuts don't do it because people who might spend $1500 on a handset for a going concern are less likely to do it for a company in bankruptcy. There are also the technical demerits of the Iridium system. Such as the very large handset, call quality and stuff. Also, having failed as a premium product, it is now seen as a lemon, so nobody wants to be a sucker and suck a lemon. To attract them, the price has to be much lower than would otherwise be the case.

This is the danger Globalstar faces. They must succeed first go and if they start too cheap, there is no risk, but if they start too dear, it might be "Oh Dear!" with an Iridium style mess to clean up [but with the ability to cut prices all the way to 20c retail it wouldn't lead to bankruptcy]. 10c for Globalstar, 10c for the Service Provider and it still wouldn't go broke. That would stimulate demand really fast.

Sprint only gets 10c a minute and has to provide infrastructure, so Airtouch would do well even at 10c per minute from Globalstar.

Whether something is a need, want or luxury depends on the buyer's point of view and the words are intangible. So okay, let's call a Globalstar phone a luxury if you like. So's my car. I could always walk. Making a Globalstar call to get a helicopter to pick you up after doing some geophysical investigation is maybe a luxury too. Same with getting a tow truck. Same with making an appointment change. Personally, they look closer to needs than either wants or luxuries.

$100 a glass champagne is a luxury in my book. But I guess they'd consider that an essential part of doing business.

Maurice

PS: Gee Tero, I didn't see a personal attack and fancy Michael Allard apologizing for nothing! I guess Americans are scared of litigation from offended people screeching 'defamation'. Imagine how Bill Frezza feels, being dragged out and flogged every month! Now THAT's a personal attack. Now, if you'll just hold still there Tero, take this, and THAT..and mmphhhh...that...and you were wrong wrong wrong on the wonderful and all conquering Mighty Q! and CDMA!!! Coming here hoping to gain a cheap win is going to get you in more trouble. Globalstar is going to be an amazing success. Maybe there'll be a bit of a scramble at the start, but don't short this baby below $15 and you better hope for a market crash to take it there.

Qualcomm right now on $193. Nokia struggling around at $84. Wow you must be impressed by Q!