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: djane who wrote (3439)	3/16/1999 6:26:00 PM
From: djane	Respond to of 29987

China's Iridium Satellite Launch Delayed Due to "Environmental Conditions" chinaonline.com Douglas C. McGill ChinaOnline News Editor (3/16/1999) The launch of two Iridium satellites by China's Long March 2-C rockets this month was postponed due to "environmental conditions" at the satellite launching facility, said Kathi Haas, a spokesperson for Motorola's satellite communications group. Yesterday, a senior Chinese aviation industry official said in an article in Hua Sheng Bao (Hua Sheng Overseas Chinese Newspaper) that the launch had been delayed for "technical reasons." The delay comes at a time of rising tensions between the U.S. and China, many of which stem from the sale of U.S. satellite technology to China. Escalations in both rhetoric and action have grown especially intense in the weeks just prior to a visit to Washington in early April by China's Premier Zhu Rongji. The Iridium launch scrub was unrelated to U.S.-China tensions, Haas said. "There is no correlation to any political events whatsoever," she said. "The two satellites have been returned to our Chandler, Arizona facility to undergo inspection." On February 23, the Clinton administration rejected the sale of a $450 million satellite owned by Hughes Space and Communications to a business group with ties to China, saying the technology could be used for military purposes and threaten national security. Yu Shulin, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C., said yesterday he was aware of the Iridium launch delay, but would not comment on it directly. "The launching of commercial satellites in China is routine business, and it's beneficial to both sides," he said. Haas said the delay would have no effect on the working operation of Iridium's "constellation" of 66 satellites that are already in place. Those satellites form the backbone of a global wireless pager and telephone network. In addition to those 66 satellites, Iridium maintains another 6 backup satellites in orbit in case one of the main ones fail. The delayed launch was to have put two more backup satellites in orbit, Haas said. "The two satellites were safety satellites," she said. "The delay will have no detrimental effect on the operation of the constellation." Haas didn't specify what problems caused the launch postponement, but she did rule out "natural" environmental problems. "There was no fire or anything like that," Haas said. "The environmental conditions were within the building itself." The Iridium service became commercially available last November. Iridium is a Washington, D.C.-based company formed by 19 strategic investors worldwide, including many major telecommunications companies. The most prominent of these is Motorola Inc., which also plans to develop a global satellite project through another company called Teledesic, which will deliver high-speed internet access by 2003. In the Hua Sheng Bao story, Wang Liheng, vice general manager of China Aviation Industry Corp., criticized the recent U.S. government's veto of a Hughes satellite sale to the Asia-Pacific Mobile Communication Satellite Corp. The ban will hurt the business interests of both countries, he said, and especially the interests of American companies. The Asia-Pacific Mobile Communication Satellite Corp. is a Singapore-registered company jointly invested by a few companies in China and in other Asian countries and regions. The China Aviation Industry Corp. and its subsidiaries have a 10% stake in the company. Wang said it is natural for American companies to sell satellites to Asia-Pacific countries or use Chinese satellites to launch satellites. In recent years, the United States has benefited more than China from U.S.-China cooperation in satellite launching, Wang said. If American companies are not allowed to enter the Asian satellite market, which has great potential, they will suffer huge losses by trying to force their way into the European market, Wang said. To reach Douglas C. McGill: P: (312) 335-8881 F: (312) 335-9299 E-mail: dmcgill@chinaonline.com © ChinaOnline 1998.

To: djane who wrote (3439)	3/16/1999 6:28:00 PM
From: djane	Respond to of 29987

Updated G* launch schedule (thanks to g* yahoo thread) Top > Business and Finance > Stocks > Services > Communications Services > GSTRF (Globalstar Telecommun.) Launch Schedule by: SafetyAgentMan (M/Aptos, CA) 4956 of 4960 Two launches from the cape within 4 days in June. I am tempted to make a trip to Florida. The following is an updated launch schedule for 1999. April 5, Orion-F3 on Boeing Delta 3, Cape Canaveral April 15, third Globalstar mission on Soyuz, Kazakhstan Late April or early May, fourth Globalstar mission on Soyuz, Kazakhstan June 11, third Globalstar mission on Boeing Delta 2, Cape Canaveral June 15, Telstar 7 on Atlas IIIA, Cape Canaveral August/September ??, Orion 2 on Arianespace Ariane 4, Kourou July 1, fourth Globalstar mission on Boeing Delta 2, Cape Canaveral August 9, fifth Globalstar mission on Boeing Delta 2, Cape Canaveral September, fifth Globalstar mission on Soyuz, Kazakhstan September 30, sixth Globalstar mission on Boeing Delta 2, Vandenberg October, sixth Globalstar mission on Soyuz, Kazakhstan November 9, seventh Globalstar mission on Boeing Delta 2, Vandenberg December 21, eighth Globalstar mission on Boeing Delta 2, Cape Canaveral 1Q/2000, ninth Globalstar mission on Boeing Delta 2 1Q/2000, first Globalstar mission on Arianespace Ariane 4, Kourou (Backup) NOTE: Space Systems/Loral which heads the international consortium which builds the Globalstars and which is the leading shareholder in the Globalstar company, says that nine more launches are planned in 1999, on Delta II and Soyuz boosters. An Ariane 4 launch of Globalstars scheduled for September may therefore be pushed into 2000.

To: djane who wrote (3439)	3/16/1999 6:30:00 PM
From: djane	Respond to of 29987

June 2-3, 1999 China Telecom 2000 - Explore Business Opportunities in the Kingdom of Change to be Held at the Swissotel in Washington DC (via qcom thread) BUSINESS WIRE BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 1999--Information Gatekeepers Inc. (IGI) is pleased to announce our upcoming conference, "China Telecom 2000 - Explore Business Opportunities in the Kingdom of Change," to be held at the Swissotel the Watergate in Washington DC from June 2-3, 1999. The aim of the conference is to provide an opportunity for foreign telecommunications companies to learn about the fastest-growing dynamic Chinese telecom markets and to explore business opportunities. Speakers will include Chinese telecom officials from both the central and provincial governments, representatives from international organizations, American government representatives, major international telecom equipment suppliers doing business in China, renowned investment bankers, venture capitalists, telecommunications lawyers and market research firms. It is an ideal place for corporate executives, marketing directors and industry analysts to obtain information in order to make important strategic decisions. The conference will cover every sector of the telecom market in China. Topics and markets covered include: China Telecom Policy, Regulations and Financing; the 9th Five-Year Plans of the Ministry of Information Industry and China Unicom; Deregulation and Competition; The New Organizational Structure; China Unicom, and other National Players; Ji Tong and the Golden Projects; Fiber Optics, SDH and DWDM; Wireless Communications Development including TACS, GSM, CDMA, PCS/PHS, Wireless Local Loop, VSAT, Mobile Satellite, Paging and Wireless Data; Data Networks, the Internet, IP Telephony, EDI, Electronic Commerce; the Public and Private Networks; Switching; Multimedia, Broadband, and the Information Superhighway. Information Gatekeepers Inc. specializes in telecom publishing, consulting, public relations and conference management. Known worldwide as a complete telecom information resource, IGI publishes over 40 newsletters, numerous market studies, and conducts proprietary research on telecom in the U.S. and emerging markets. For additional information contact: Allison Barrow, Conference Coordinator, IGI, Tel: 1-800-323-1088, or 1-617-232-3111, Fax: 1-617- 734-8562, E-mail: info@igigroup.com. Web: www.igigroup.com. (Copyright 1999)

To: djane who wrote (3439)	3/16/1999 6:34:00 PM
From: djane	Respond to of 29987

China Delays the Launch of Iridium Satellite Later This Year [contains additional info] chinaonline.com Douglas C. McGill ChinaOnline News Editor (3/15/99) The launch later this year of an Iridium satellite by China's Long March 2-C rocket has been postponed for "technical reasons," said Wang Liheng, vice general manager of China Aviation Industry Corp., in a March 15 article in Hua Sheng Bao (Hua Sheng Overseas Chinese Newspaper). The delay was announced at a time of increasing tensions between the U.S. and China, many of which stem from the sale of U.S. satellite technology to China. Escalations in both rhetoric and action have grown especially intense in the weeks just prior to a visit to Washington in early April by China's Premier Zhu Rongji. On February 23, the Clinton administration rejected the sale of a $450 million satellite owned by Hughes Space and Communications to a business group with ties to China, saying that the technology could be used for military purposes that could threaten national security. The Iridium launch would have been a critical step in the development of a global wireless telecommunications system and, eventually, a new age in wireless internet communications. By delaying the launch, China is effectively putting that next step in the global Information Revolution on hold. Yu Shulin, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C., said he was aware of Iridium's lanch delay, but would not comment on it directly. "The launching of commerical satellites in China is routine business, and it's beneficial to both sides." Iridium could not be reached for comment. Iridium is a Washington, D.C.-based company formed by 19 strategic investors worldwide, including many major telecommunications companies. The most prominent of these is Motorola Inc., which also plans to develop a global satellite project through another company called Teledesic, which will deliver high-speed internet access by 2003. During his visit to Washington, Zhu plans to lobby hard for China's membership in the World Trade Organization, a goal China has sought for many years. Strong Congressional opposition is building, however, and in recent weeks China and the U.S. have traded strong rhetoric over the issue. Last week, that debate reached a new level of seriousness with the report that a Chinese spy had stolen nuclear secrets from the Los Alamos National Laboratories in the mid-1980's. Opponents of China membership in the WTO say that until problems like this are resolved, China should not be considered a full member of the world trading and economic community. In the Hua Sheng Bao story, Wang also announced China's plans to proceed with the launch later this year of six satellites for weather forecasting, resource prospecting and scientific experiment purposes in 1999. The package will include a communication satellite made by the United States to be launched by China's Long March 3-B rocket. In the newspaper story, Wang also criticized the recent U.S. government's veto of the Hughes satellite sale to the Asia-Pacific Mobile Communication Satellite Corp. The ban will hurt the business interests of both countries, he said, and especially the interests of American companies. The Asia-Pacific Mobile Communication Satellite Corp. is a Singapore-registered company jointly invested by a few companies in China and in other Asian countries and regions. The China Aviation Industry Corp. and its subsidiaries have a 10% stake in the company. Wang said it is natural for American companies to sell satellites to Asia-Pacific countries or use Chinese satellites to launch satellites. In recent years, the United States has benefited more than China from U.S.-China cooperation in satellite launching, Wang said. If American companies are not allowed to enter the Asian satellite market, which has great potential, they will suffer huge losses by trying to force their way into the European market, Wang said. Wang denied that China obtained American technology through the two countries' cooperation in satellite launching. He said that once American satellites enter China, they are under 24-hour close monitoring by American technicians and security guards. China "has no intention and has no possibility" to obtain American technology, said Mr. Wang. China uses aerospace technology in communication, broadcasting, weather forecasting, resource prospecting and other non-military areas, Wang said. He called the U.S. government unreasonable in aborting the Hughes satellite deal under the pretext of security issues. To reach Douglas C. McGill: P: (312) 335-8881 F: (312) 335-9299 E-mail: dmcgill@chinaonline.com © ChinaOnline 1998.

To: djane who wrote (3439)	3/16/1999 6:42:00 PM
From: djane	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 29987

2/22/99 article. U.S. Satellite Makers Fear Clinton Ban on Pending Hughes Sale to China chinaonline.com (2/22/1999) The Clinton administration is close to rejecting a Hughes Electronics satellite sale to China in order to stop the spread of key military technology, according to London's Financial Times. The final decision will form a crucial plank in the administration's evolving policy of engagement with China. If a decision was made against the sale it would certainly jeopardize many U.S. satellite deals already in China's launch agenda, as well as jeopardize the interests of U.S. satellite manufactures, who already have a 45% share of the global market. The world's satellites are manufactured by a select group of U.S. and European companies. However, these manufacturers, under contract by telecommunications companies, must also find a way to launch the satellite after it is produced. Currently there are five principal satellite launching rockets in operation, Delta II, Atlas, Proton (all launched from Florida), Ariane (launched from French Guyana), Zenit (launched from Kazakhstan), and China's Long March. China's Long March represents one of the least expensive alternatives, and with the shortest waiting period to launch, according to the information provided by the Aerospace Industries Association. China is forecast to service 11% of the space launch market from 1997-2006 with its Long March rocket, and currently there is a two-year waiting period for any new satellite launch in China, according to information provided by the Aerospace Industries Association. China currently has a backlog of U.S. satellites scheduled for launch on its Long March rocket, and U.S. companies have booked options for 10 additional launches, according to the association. Jeanette Clonan, vice president of corporate relations for Loral Space & Communications, a major US satellite communications company, declined to comment on the reported possible rejection of the Hughes deal, but added that the tough stance of the administration, "put U.S. companies at a disadvantage." A Loral subsidiary, Globalstar, has concluded substantial business deals in China, including the launch last year of a satellite-based mobile communications network in partnership with China's state run telecom giant, China Telecom. On February 9, Globalstar launched four satellites to bring its total number of global satellites to 12. Eventually, the company hopes to have a network of 48 satellites governing its low orbit communications network. If China is prohibited from launching U.S. satellites, the company will have to turn to other rockets, although almost certainly for a higher price than China's Long March. [This doesn't make sense.] Joe Tedinot, head of corporate relations for ICO Global Communications, which also has network communications interests in China, said that ICO has contracts with Hughes to launch three satellites in the next eighteen months using US-based rockets (two to be launched from Florida, and the third launched from a new Boeing platform in the Pacific Ocean). The effort to prevent China from acquiring more advanced launch technology, which critics fear would strengthen the country's military missile guidance systems, would open the door for other global competitors to step into the Chinese market, since the satellite customer selects the launch vehicle. The Chinese telecommunication industry would turn to other satellite providers if the US companies were not allowed to use Chinese rockets to put their satellites in orbit. © ChinaOnline 1998.

To: djane who wrote (3439)	3/18/1999 3:08:00 PM
From: djane	Respond to of 29987

China Should Continue to Develop CDMA, Cellular Expert Says chinaonline.com (3/17/1999) The following is an analysis of wireless operating standards for China, published in the March 9 Zhongguo Dianzi Bao (China Electronics News). The author is Zheng Zhuhui, secretary of China's Telecom Society, and a senior engineer at the Number 61 Research Institute of the General Staff (a military institution): Although CDMA IS-95 is gaining popularity as a cellular operating platform worldwide, China has been slow to develop it. The army and the former Ministry of Post and Telecom established experimental CDMA networks in four cities in 1996, but after three years, those networks remain at the experimental stage. [China announced a moratorium on all CDMA-backed wireless platforms on February 23—Ed.] The four networks, established in Guanzhou, Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an, opened for commercial traffic in the second half of 1997. All four, which make up the Great Wall network, received a satisfactory evaluation at the end of the year. However, China's CDMA network has been stalled since 1998. One reason for this may be a report submitted by researchers at the China Engineering Academy at the end of 1997, which proposed deferring construction of commercial CDMA networks for three years. The rationale was that this would give domestic telecom equipment manufacturers time to develop equipment that operated on the CDMA standard. At the end of 1997 all CDMA equipment for the networks would have been imported from foreign manufacturers. Reforms within the government have also affected the development of CDMA networks. China should continue developing CDMA-supported networks, however, because they allow a higher carrying capacity than GSM-based networks. GSM is the second generation cellular operating standard that is most widespread in China. Some analysts have argued that GSM networks put China in a better position to exploit third generation cell phone standards. This is not the case, however. Strong proposals to the International Telecom Union (the Geneva-based organization charged with establishing a uniform third-generation cell phone operating standard worldwide—Ed.) have been made for both WCDMA (the successor to GSM) and CMA2000 (the successor to current CDMA platforms). Besides, a worldwide international cell phone operating standard remains too far in the future for it to dictate what second-generation systems China should be investing in now. Home \| Economic News \| Industry News \| About ChinaOnline Membership Registration \| Products & Services \| Calendar of Events Contact Us \| Statistics \| Reference Materials © ChinaOnline 1998.