Braodband Sat/Cellular broadband
Alan, You're absolutely right that the sat equipment is fixed, while what we normally call wireless broadband is mobil. They are tangentially competitive, I would say. The issue is what will be the "Last Mile" service of choice for someone wanting to get on the internet? Obviously, access through the local telco's wires is an option. Many, like me, will want to bypass the telco, and will look at mobil and fixed as alternatives, but will use only one. Fixed and mobil have different characteristics, but are common in the most important element: They will give access to the internet. They will probably be expensive enough that most will only use one, not both. Obviously, mobility is an advantage. But, bandwidth is also important. And of course cost and reliability.
Here are two press releases discussing Norsat's offering. I'm only familiar with the Gilat offering from what has been posted here. Maybe you can tell me the extent to which they're competitive:
norsat.com
LGIC AGREES TO PURCHASE NORSAT KA-BAND OUTDOOR UNITS (ODU) FOR KOREASAT BROADBAND INITIATIVE
BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA ? May 10, 2000 ? Norsat International
Inc. (TSE ? NII; Nasdaq ? NSATF) today announced the signing of a multiyear
purchase agreement with LG Information & Communications, LTD. (LGIC) for two-way
Ka-band outdoor units (ODUs). For its first application?satellite interactive terminals
for a high-speed broadband, interactive distance learning network?LGIC plans to
purchase approximately 2000 Norsat ODUs. LGIC is implementing Korea Telecom?s
Koreasat broadband initiative. This is the world?s first commercial order for two-way
Ka-band end-user terminals, a significant milestone for high-speed broadband.
?Norsat is pleased to have been selected by LGIC to supply systems for this
next?generation satellite network,? said Robert H. Bucher, Norsat?s President and
CEO. ?The Koreasat distance learning network, designed to deliver basic and
supplemental interactive education to schools regardless of their location, is an
excellent first commercial application for two way Ka-band satellite technology.
Norsat's leadership strategy in advanced interactive terminals is to be ready to supply
fully featured, thoroughly tested products in commercial quantities when our
customers networks are ready. LGIC's selection of Norsat's ODU's underscores both
the value of that strategy and the potential for our terminal products. ?
The ODU consists of a Norsat Ka-band transceiver, including satellite signal receiver
and transmitter, as well as the dish antenna, and has been engineered to international
open standards specifications.
?We are pleased to be moving from the test phase into practical applications,? said
Mr. Jae-Am Kim, Project Manager of the LGIC Satellite Business Team. ?Together
with Norsat and our other partners, we are breaking ground that will give the people of
Korea access to one of the world?s most advanced IP over ATM networks.?
The Korea Telecom broadband initiative utilizes Koreasat 3, a multi-use satellite
launched last year with three Ka-band transponders. Koreasat 3 is configured to
provide a range of multimedia services including interactive distance-learning, HDTV,
multichannel DBS (Direct Broadcast Services) and DTH (Direct To Home) services to
any country in Southeast Asia.
And:
norsat.com
NORSAT ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE ODU PROTOTYPES FOR
KOREA TELECOM'S SATELLITE BROADBAND INITIATIVE
BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA ? November 17, 1999 ? Norsat
International Inc. (TSE ? NII; Nasdaq ? NSATF), today announced the signing of an
agreement with Korean wireless communications systems developer, Millitron Inc., to
supply outdoor unit (ODU) prototypes for integration into subscriber Satellite
Interactive Terminals (SITs) to be field tested as part of the Multimedia Interactive
Ka-band Initiative being undertaken by Korea Telecom.
"This agreement not only confirms Norsat?s demonstrated expertise in advanced
Ka-band interactive terminal technology, but indicates accelerating interest around the
globe in satellite access to the broadband Internet," said Robert H. Bucher, Norsat?s
President and CEO. "Neither corporations nor consumers are willing to wait while
wired access providers upgrade and expand their infrastructure," he added. "That?s
creating a window of opportunity for satellite, as the Korea Telecom initiative, Europe?s
ASTRA-net, and a half dozen other announced Ka-band projects demonstrate."
Norsat expects to deliver the first production units of the ODU it is developing for
Europe?s ASTRA-net project in 2000.
"Norsat is clearly a global leader in satellite ground station technology," said Dr. Nack
Cho, President of Millitron Inc. "Their long time involvement with both the Canadian
and European Space Agencies, and their role as a preferred supplier to ASTRA-net,
made them the logical choice to help us develop a SIT within a rather tight time
frame."
Also of possible interest is the Norsat Conference call:
norsat.com
Note: I am NOT pushing Norsat here. My reason for bringing it up is to discuss the competitive landscape and market structure. Norsat is a Pebble. |
