Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

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: Rocket Scientist who wrote (15738)	8/15/2000 3:22:47 AM
From: Maurice Winn	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 29987

RS, thanks for explaining data and GEOs. My simplistic assumption was that since handsets can be used with GEOs and the cost of the minutes is something like 1c a minute [production cost, not price to users], that would mean data would be cheap and the data could be sent to a handset, the same as a voice signal could. I don't know the timing on the data GEOs so I suppose you are right that hand-held device downloads are years away for non-Globalstar systems. Maybe I'll be getting data from ICO? Assuming they get off the ground in a couple of years. Then again, if they are no cheaper than Globalstar, I might as well stick with Globalstar [assuming Vodafone gets the New Zealand gateway going this decade]. Thanks! You've given me some comfort that maybe data will be a bigger part of Globalstar than I have given credit. I've assumed that QUALCOMM has produced the SCADA gizzards because they think it an economic proposition. The original plans were for nearly all voice on Globalstar. Maybe with new tricks since then and a shortage of other options, Globalstar will indeed do well on data [or at least use it to consume some otherwise unwanted minutes]. I suppose GEOs are cheaper per bit than LEOs because 1... They don't need such big batteries because their photovoltaics are in sunshine nearly all the time whereas LEOs are in 'winter' in half daylight, half night, though in 'summer' when full frontal to the sun they are nearly always in sunshine. 2... They last longer, so depreciate slower. 3... GEOs need only one gateway to keep an eye on them. 4... One GEO covers a huge chunk of earth and contains multitudes of circuits so they are more efficient [one launch and one satellite for a huge number of circuits]. 5... Anything else? Maybe Jeff Vayda, you, Valueman, Mr A or somebody can explain why GEOs are so cheap per bit. Mqurice