To: David Wiggins who wrote (10460 ) 3/3/2000 2:22:00 PM From: Ilaine Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 29987
This probably answers my question as to whether Iridium was Teledesic's best bet for wireless internet, based on the following disclaimers from Iridium's last 10-K, May, 1999: >>Satellite-based services are adversely affected in places where obstructions, such as buildings and other natural and man-made obstacles, are positioned between a satellite and the user. - These adverse effects on satellite calls increase as the obstacles become larger and more densely spaced. - In densely packed urban areas or inside buildings no meaningful satellite voice service is available. - Use of an Iridium phone in a moving automobile for a satellite call makes the effect of obstructions temporary but more pronounced because the structure of automobiles tends to obstruct the satellite signal. - The actual limitations on satellite-based services vary, sometimes significantly, as conditions change and as the satellites move in their orbits. The Iridium satellite paging service also experiences degradation in certain places. These limitations on satellite-based services are more significant than current limitations on service experienced by customers of land-based cellular systems and traditional paging systems. During the first six months of operations, it has not become clear to Iridium whether Iridium customers are willing to accept these limitations. For Iridium to succeed, its customers must accept: - the service limitations described above; - higher prices for Iridium's satellite services than the current prices for cellular and paging services; and - heavier hand-held phones and larger pagers than those currently used for most cellular and paging services. In addition, Iridium's current financial difficulties may adversely affect customer demand for its services because customers may be unwilling to invest in a service that may not continue. The Iridium System has not been designed to provide high-speed data and facsimile transmission capability. Iridium expects that the appeal of its services may be adversely affected by this limitation. Also, the Iridium System lacks the operational capacity to provide service to a very large number of customers in concentrated areas using the system simultaneously.<< In my mind, this raises the questions as to whether GSTRF has the same limitations, and if not, why not?