G* Ad in WSJ, according to this Yahoo post:
messages.yahoo.com
It's interesting that about half of G* ads seem directed at investment community: RedHerring, BusWk, WSJ. That's understandable, because at this point the company really has to defend the stock price. It's too bad mgmt is practically ignoring a much cheaper way to increase investors' confidence:
PUBLISH THE PRODUCT ROLLOUT PLAN ON THE WEB, AND THEN EXECUTE IT!
The level of information on G* and affiliates websites is laughably inadequate, out of date, and internally inconsistent.
For example, the GLP website says 41 countries are scheduled for service in 1999, starting in Sept/October. As far as can be ascertained, not one has entered commercial service as of 11/16.
Of the G* list of 41 countries, several will apparently not be served by GW's in 1999, if, as presented in yesterday's 10Q, only nine GWs will be available by year end. Others are slated for service only next year, according to G*'s own SPs or BLS himself, and several have unresolved regulatory issues. Let's look at the 41 "countries" (several are barely that) on G*'s list
Argentina-BLS said November in cc. TESAM website, which hasn't been updated in several months, says December.
Austria--Elsacom web site says November, but no local SP identified
Belgium--In TESAM's teritory; TESAM has no European website as far as I can tell.
Belize-Presumably needs Central American GW, not ready til next year
Bermuda-Gets service from N. American GWs, presumably
Brazil-BLS said November 15 (the only actual date ever mentioned) in cc. No signs of life there
Canada-Apparently W. Canada GW is slipped into next year (at least, according to the 9/99 presentation, this was not among the first nine to go live)
Chile-Granted a license to authorize service from Argentina, will presumably go live with Argentina; no LSP identified
China--BLS said December in cc
Costa Rica--Presumably needs Central American GW, not ready til next year
El Salvador--Presumably needs Central American GW, not ready til next year
France--BLS said November in cc. No TESAM web site. Probably negligible interest from W. Europeans that don't need to roam elsewhere (where GWs are not yet on line)
Germany--Elsacom web site says November, but no local SP identified
Gibraltar-- In TESAM's territory, in range of French GW, who knows what's going on? Who cares, anyway?
Greece-In Vod's territory, presumably to be serviced via Italian GW. Dig deep enough in Panfon's website, and there are a few nice, but very old, remarks about G.*
Guatemala-- Presumably needs Central American GW, not ready til next year
Honduras--Presumably needs Central American GW, not ready til next year
Italy-November start of service according to BLS cc and Elsacom web site, but still no local distributor identified on site (though, long ago, Omnitel, was announced)
Lesotho-Presumably will start with S. Africa, which BLS said would occur in Jan2000.
Liechtenstein-Another very important European market. Supposed to start in November, per Elsacom, no local SP identified, who cares?
Luxembourg-In TESAMs territory; no telling (or reason to care) what's happening
Mexico-Apparent slippage in GW readiness delays start of service--'til when?
Monaco-Another important TESAM territory
Netherlands--Ditto
Nicaragua-- Presumably needs Central American GW, not ready 'til next year
Panama--Ditto
Portugal-In TESAMs territory, might even have a few likely users, but who knows what's happening?
Russia-Apparent slippage in GW readiness delays start of service--'til when?
San Marino-Another important Elsacom territory, supposed to start in November. Great.
Slovenia-Supposed to start service in December, according to Elsacom. No local SP identified
South Africa-Starts in January according to BLS cc. Regulatory permits likely to pace this
South Korea-Starts in December, according to BLS cc
Spain-- In TESAMs territory, might even have a few likely users, but who knows what's happening?
Swaziland-- Preumably will start with S. Africa, which BLS said would occur in Jan2000.
Switzerland-November, per Elsacom web site; no local SP identified
Tunisia-TESAM territory,
United Kingdom-Vodafone, servicable probably from France
United States of America-Waiting on FBI and Airtouch to get their act together.
Uruguay-Could be served from Argentina
Vatican City-Well, we know about the "Pope mobile," maybe he needs a "Pope mobile phone"
Yugoslavia-Has the distinction of being the only country in Elsacom's territory with an identified local SP (Mobtel). But, Elsacom says service isn't scheduled til 1/2000.
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