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Technology Stocks : CDRD (CD Radio) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JAMES who wrote (753)	11/1/1998 11:27:00 PM
From: John Gault	Respond to of 904

JAMES: Worldspace's Afristar program is only one satellite, that's where the savings comes in. Worldspace also has the other US license, maybe they got in through the backdoor, but they're here. It's paid for, multiple satellite systems are needed, and are in the process of being built. I spoke to them two weeks ago and was told they would most likely be charging 10-15 dollars per month. They also said most of their stations will be leased bandwidth or some type of revenue sharing. -- "You know damn well that the average african could not possibly afford a $200 dollar radio. What is going on here?" Don't be surprised if you end up paying for village radios. A national 'UN' broadcast can be very effective in controlling the masses. Sincerely,

To: JAMES who wrote (753)	11/2/1998 8:33:00 AM
From: bikepath	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 904

James, there are some real differences between CD Radio and WorldSpace, and an FCC license is required to serve the U.S. CD Radio will be able to serve moving automobiles, WorldSpace serves a transistor-looking radio. You're right about Africans not being able to spend $200 on sets. The plan is to have rich Americans subsidize the sets via tax-deductable contributions. The real motive is unclear since the company will not identify its financial supporter, who is believed to be an Arab. Perhaps spreading Islam is a goal, but I don't know. Seems like making money is not the primary mission. As for competing against CD Radio, that will come after WorldSpace takes up its option to acquire 80% of AMRC-XM Radio. In order to sell receivers in the U.S., bill customers, etc., you need an FCC license to use the radio waves. Blackmarket is possible (eg. U.S. DBS in Canada), but it's not likely here, I think. WorldSpace has an experimental license from the FCC for AfriStar, which doesn't require them to divulge ownership. If they ever apply for a real license, which they say they will, they must disclose ownership.