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Technology Stocks : Loral Space & Communications -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Valueman who wrote (4930)12/1/1998 11:21:00 AM
From: Jeff Vayda  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 10852
 
Vman;

Just like a kids toy. The more you use it the faster it runs down and not using it will only result in a 'strengthing' of the batteries to some point, but eventually it is kaput. I dont know about the 601's ability to start back up from no power, but I would assume it is extremely limited. Most sats I have been associated with have very limited power stores and one of the first and most time critical events once on-orbit is solar panel deploy. One sat, they were talking of sliding the launch day to give them some more time in orbit to deploy the arrays before the sat when into eclipse.

Pretty funny comment <Although Hughes is not contesting this analysis, the satellite manufacturer proposes to undertake certain tests in an attempt to recover some of the charging capacity. In Hughes' opinion, these tests represent an extremely low risk of further damage to the spacecraft. >

Ha further damage! that's like the last cigarette before a firing squad!

Gee just what Loral needs more bad industry news. Was Loral beat up yesterday due to the Echostar announcement?

Jeff Vayda



To: Valueman who wrote (4930)12/1/1998 11:35:00 AM
From: Valueman  Respond to of 10852
 
This is the kind of deal I would like to see involving C* and @Home or Roadrunner:

HSA and iBEAM(TM) Enter Strategic Alliance
Cable Modem Service Enhanced by Satellite Optimizes Streaming Media over the Internet
ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In a strategic move geared toward bringing the highest level of speed and service to High Speed Access Corporation's (HSA) customers, iBEAM Broadcasting Corporation today entered into a Strategic Alliance with HSA that will ultimately enhance HSA's cable modem service with iBEAM's satellite delivery technology.

The agreement, effective immediately, will leverage iBEAM Broadcasting's™ capabilities to support the high-speed Internet delivery needs of cable operators through the broadcast of streaming media and web content via satellite. This alliance also allows HSA to continue to lead the way in high-speed cable modem access for cable operators and their subscribers.

iBEAM Broadcasting has created a satellite-based network that brings cost savings, improved service, and new revenue opportunities to the Internet community. The satellite-based iBEAM Network™ is an innovative platform for large scale streaming media coverage of live events on the Internet. The iBEAM approach of satellite delivery of streaming media broadcasted directly to a server located in the cable operator's head end solves many of the problems associated with webcasting.

The iBEAM Network consists of thousands of remotely distributed MaxCaster™ servers fed by satellite. The iBEAM MaxCaster consists of a satellite receiver, remote server and a sophisticated layer 4 switch that provides transparent interception of web based and streaming media traffic at the cable operator's head end. The servers replicate content from leading content providers, and serve it locally from the head end. iBEAM provides a more immediate response to the end-user by storing on-demand content locally and delivering live streaming media feeds directly from the satellite.

''This alliance is beneficial for everyone involved,'' said Mike Bowles, President of iBEAM Broadcasting. ''But most importantly, it's a great deal for HSA's customers, who will ultimately get the highest level of service and best download times for all forms of streaming media. The benefits of our Satellite Network are optimized when combined with HSA's superb solution for the last mile,'' he added.

In addition to combining technologies and service solutions, HSA and iBEAM will work closely on promotional and marketing efforts. The technology is anticipated to provide faster download times, reduced latency, and a higher degree of customer satisfaction.

''In bypassing the congestion on the Internet Backbone, iBEAM's satellite service supercharges HSA's already very fast cable modem service,'' said Ron Pitcock, Sr., HSA President and Chief Operating Officer. ''This is particularly important as we see demand for streaming video and audio increase.''

iBEAM Broadcasting Corporation (www.ibeam.com) located in Santa Clara, CA, is committed to providing the Internet community with cost savings, improved performance, and enhanced revenue opportunities. The company is privately held, and has been funded by investments from Crosspoint Venture Partners, Accel Partners, Media Technology Ventures, and Stanford University. iBEAM will be exhibiting at The Western Cable Show in Anaheim, CA, at HSA's booth # 5159.

High Speed Access Corporation (www.hsacorp.net), the nations leading full turnkey high speed Internet Service Provider, provides its cable service partners with all technical support, including Internet service, network design, development and operations, a state-of-the-art operating center (NOC) with a Customer Help Desk; as well as marketing and sales, billing, and technical management support. HSA, a privately held, venture capital funded company, presently has agreements to launch service with more than fifty cable systems.

SOURCE: iBEAM Broadcasting Corporation

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To: Valueman who wrote (4930)12/1/1998 11:37:00 AM
From: Valueman  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 10852
 
Satellites to Emerge as the Dominant Broadband Access Provider over RIVAL ADSL, cable Modem and LMDS technologies, According to Pioneer Consulting
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The global broadband access market is on the verge of a major expansion according to Pioneer Consulting's latest report, Global Broadband Access Markets: xDSL, Cable Modems and the Threat from Broadband Satellite, Wireless and All-Optical Solutions. In total, Pioneer's forecasts reveal an important emerging market to be addressed by a variety of technologies, each occupying its own niche. No one technology is a clear leader, though broadband satellites fared quite well versus the competing technologies because of its unique ability to address the goals of the Internet and a global information infrastructure, which is driving this market. These goals include global availability, uniform technology, and a tiered pricing structure for various classes of service.

''Our forecasts indicate each technology will face significant competition from broadband satellites after 2002, when global LEO constellations are in orbit and current DTH providers have launched their own Ka-Band satellites for a mix of narrowcast digital video services and broadband access services,'' said Scott Clavenna, Senior Analyst at Pioneer. ''Cable modems will lead the market in terms of total subscribers throughout the forecast period, but satellites are predicted to gain a larger revenue stream because of their ability to address residential and business customers equally well.''

Global Broadband Access Subscriber Summary, 1998-2007 (Millions)

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
LMDS 0.00 0.07 0.26 0.85 1.54 2.56 4.00 5.95 8.34 11.16
Satellite 0.03 0.07 0.20 0.65 1.90 4.58 10.49 18.48 27.64 39.62
Cable Modem 0.57 1.52 4.24 8.54 13.72 19.99 26.86 34.33 41.00 46.78
xDSL 0.20 0.69 2.20 5.32 9.93 15.57 21.45 27.20 33.00 38.49
Total 0.80 2.35 6.90 15.36 27.09 42.7 62.8 85.96 109.98 136.05

Because they provide service on a global or continental basis, satellites are well-positioned to address the access market with unique advantages. Satellites have the ability to create uniformity tomorrow where heterogeneity rules today. The success of DTH satellite services has paved the way for broadband satellites. Broadband satellite constellations will effectively create space-borne Internets that will improve on the current terrestrial Internet and provide a global broadband backbone and access infrastructure.

This report is presently available at a cost of $4,000. For a table of contents, executive summary or other additional information, please contact Pioneer Consulting at 617-441-3900 (tel), 617-441-3061 (fax) or email: info@pioneerconsulting.com. Additional information can also be found at pioneerconsulting.com

Pioneer Consulting

Pioneer Consulting is a consultancy based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in global high-speed telecommunications network market research. Recent projects have included research and analysis on submarine fiber optic systems, broadband satellites, fiber optic and DWDM markets, high-speed Internet access methods, and topics in broadband wireless. For additional information visit Pioneer's World Wide Web site at pioneerconsulting.com.

SOURCE: Pioneer Consulting



To: Valueman who wrote (4930)12/1/1998 12:03:00 PM
From: Mr. Adrenaline  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 10852
 
No power during eclipse means no attitude control, or any other bus function during eclipse. That is bad. It does not mean the end of the world, just the end of the world as they now know it.

There are things they can do, but none of them are very palatable. They would need to ready the satellite for safe "storage" prior to every eclipse, and then wake it up from a brain dead situation after eclipse. Eclipses happen daily in March and September. From a continuity of service point of view, there would be none around 4 hours or so centered around local midnight.

Waking up a satellite from being "brain dead" is no trivial task, either. I don't know Hughes' satellites, but I would be very surprised if there were not a legion of things that would be required in RAM that would not be present at a power on default configuration. That means a bunch of uploads into RAM before you could even get the payload Earth pointing.

Bottom line -- it is possible to still "use it" but from a logistics point of view, it is likely to be no longer revenue generating starting next eclipse season.

Mr A