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To: METMAN who wrote (8337)	11/13/1999 8:23:00 PM
From: gdichaz	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 29987

METMAN: Nope. In the wide wide world, farmers are good candidates for G* phones. The vast majority of farms have no access to wirelines and those that do usually have miserable service from government owned or monopolist operators. And while some farmers are served by cellular, the vast majority are not - particularly in the 3rd world. The market among farmers is vast. But you say, farmers are poor. But a group of poor farmers can figure out a way to use G* in a village or individual farmers often have a little more money around than the taxcollectors suspect. The market is huge - and I am talking about effective demand. Money to pay for the G* service. In any event, we will see, won't we. The fun part is that the speculation about the market demand will soon shift to evidence of demand - where it is, what it is, how strong and pervasive it is. We will know in a year or so. Best. Chaz

To: METMAN who wrote (8337)	11/14/1999 1:27:00 AM
From: Valueman	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 29987

Most farms are well within cellular reach - no need for G.* Wow. What kind of farmers do you know? I live in farm country--I would be hard pressed to find many farmers with cellular coverage.

To: METMAN who wrote (8337)	11/14/1999 9:49:00 AM
From: Sawtooth	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 29987

Hello, Metman. Well, farm/ranch operations around the world seems to be an area worth considering. Regarding: << Most farms are well within cellular reach>> This might be but the things I hear from "the field" indicate that many are not within cellular reach and, when they are, service is spotty. <<This is not the market one should count on for success. When tractors cost $80K and combines up to $150K or more, you won't have room in your budget for a fancy G* phone>> I don't think anyone is counting on this segment of the market for success of the G* system. I still think it's a viable market. I've seen several presentations lately on the use of GPS by farmers and it seems that many accept use of technology as a way to be more profitable in the future; if not recognizing integration of technology as a requirement for staying in business. Good/bad. right/wrong, desireable/or not, it looks like that's the way things are headed. Ethical and emotional issues of current commodity prices aside, farmers have little control over the price of their product and demand. But they can increase profitability by increasing operating efficiency. (Without getting sidetracked, anyone inclined to lash back that "I don't know what the farmers and ranchers of today are up against" has developed an erroneous conclusion.) If you don't think farmers and ranchers will come to G, maybe G can come to them with a special program that helps them get the coverage that helps them operate more efficiently. Finally, the concept of G* for farmers/ranchers, increased operating efficiency, spotty/no coverage, etc. can be stretched out to other businesses that are different in form but similar in need. Might not an analysis by these businesses conclude that *G doesn't cost, it pays**? Additional thoughts? .........VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

To: METMAN who wrote (8337)	11/14/1999 10:32:00 AM
From: John Stichnoth	Respond to of 29987

A suggestion for GUSA marketing: Have you talked to John Deere about putting a G phone in their combine harvesters, as part of the original equipment purchase? The equipment farmers are now using is pretty expensive--requiring a radio receiver in the home/office as well as the unit on the tractor. G* would offer greater utility at a lower cost. [Note: I wonder how many migrant teams there are moving up and down the country with the seasons, with their harvesters, etc?] When I'm talking about cellular coverage for farmers, I'm thinking of coverage over the whole acreage. Maybe they have coverage at the roadside, but on the "back forty"? And that's where they'll need it for convenience, efficiency and safety. Best, JS

To: METMAN who wrote (8337)	11/14/1999 11:20:00 AM
From: John Stichnoth	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 29987

The Deere site is down. The type of equipment, and user I'm thinking of is: agcocorp.com Also, look at what is available on the technology side: fieldstar.com Remember that 1940's movie starring Humphrey Bogart, in which he's head of a team that travels from area to area in the midwest, with their harvesting equipment? (Turns out his partner has been shortweighting the farmers, so they can't get any jobs this time through. But, Humphrey will save the day). I've seen articles in the last couple of years on this. This mini-industry still exists, although I'm not clear what kind of impact consolidation in the ag sector is having.