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Microcap & Penny Stocks : Globalstar Telecommunications Limited GSAT -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: david brewer who wrote (20742)	1/2/2001 6:47:06 PM
From: John Walliker	Respond to of 29987

David, I've been reading this board for 4 years and still don't understand how this system really operates Welcome to the club! The first step is to determine whether you are using a GSM compatible phone. G* behaves almost like two completely separate systems, depending on whether your handset is GSM-compatible. In the GSM world, lots of services like answerphone, text messaging, diversion have been working for ages. Also, only one phone number is needed for satellite and cellular. However, data is not yet available to GSM users as far as I know. John

To: david brewer who wrote (20742)	1/2/2001 6:50:34 PM
From: Rocket Scientist	Respond to of 29987

Well, I hope some real subscribers will respond, but the following is my understanding: Q "Is the minute price $1.69 for sat time only, with standard cellular rates in effect when in digital / analog mode?" A: Yes Q: "Does a cellular call drop when out of cell range, requiring the caller to re-dial via the satellite mode?" A: Yes Q: "Are two separate phone numbers still needed, one for cell and one for sat mode?" A: Yes (in US, at least, and, I believe all non-GSM regions) Q: "Are there other billing surcharges tacked onto calls like there are with cellular, i.e.: roaming, long distance, etc?" A: The $1.69 is supposed to be the fully terminated rate within USA. If you call to or from a foreign country, there are additional charges (GUSA has a rate caculator at globalstarusa.com Q: "I've been reading this board for 4 years and still don't understand how this system really operates and it appears many others here are just as confused. Another sign of a poor marketing and sales implementation? " A: YES*

To: david brewer who wrote (20742)	1/2/2001 11:35:18 PM
From: Jon Koplik	Respond to of 29987

G* charges are still easier to understand than airline frequent flyer rewards. Jon.

To: david brewer who wrote (20742)	1/3/2001 8:10:46 AM
From: Souze	Respond to of 29987

RS's responses are correct. The Qualcomm 1600 G* phone acts as two completely separate phones within the same housing. The services they provide and the charges for those services are hence completely separate. As to the G* charges, I view their structure as similar to cellular providers', with the home territory being larger -although I've never used cellular, so might be wrong in making the analogy. In any case, G* calls within the US are billed at the same basic rate with no extra charges; for me, that's $1.69 per minute; for others it's as low as 99 cents per minute. I pay $20 (or $20.99?) a month for G* service with no bundled minutes. The monthly fee should be $25 (or $25.99?)- and will be when my year's contract runs out - but GUSA honored my arrangement with GMPCS when they took over my contract. GUSA bills me at the $25 rate and applies a $5 credit; their per minute charge of $1.69 is down from the $1.99 charged by GMPCS. So, for the remainder of my contract I receive the better of both contracts: lower monthly fee and lower per minute rate. OK by me.