SI
SI
discoversearch

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.
Technology Stocks : George Gilder - Forbes ASAP -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: John Stichnoth who wrote (1182)4/6/1999 1:50:00 PM
From: Valueman  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 5853
 
Now, my question: How might ISP bandwidth needs be addressed by the satcos? It is going to be years until the "last mile" is addressed universally (Cable, DSL, FBBW). The issue of bigger phones and power needs and power drain is not an issue with fixed-position users. What bandwidth will the satellites be able to provide, and at what cost? Can this be an additional revenue stream for them?

skybridgesatellite.com

Check this link out--this is a last mile solution for the globe.




To: John Stichnoth who wrote (1182)4/6/1999 9:50:00 PM
From: Drew Williams  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 5853
 
John,

I think you have the general idea about how GlobalStar will work, although you have gone somewhat beyond what I can verify as per rates and billing plans, none of which have been announced with any specificity.

I suggest you check out the GlobalStar, Loral, and Qualcomm web pages and the appropriate threads on SI where all of this has been discussed many times in far more depth than the brief synopsis I've attempted in my postings over the last few days.

(It could take a while. We're a talkative bunch!)

By the way, while I feel there is plenty of demand, I think one really big reason for GlobalStar's success will be their international partners, who are limited partners in the company. Stockholders like me own a relatively small percentage.

Loral currently owns almost half of GlobalStar, is managing the project, and is building the satellites through their SSL subsidiary. Qualcomm owns about 10%, is providing the basic CDMA technology, and is building the groundstations. The other partners (see below) are mostly big, international phone companies, and are responsible for all marketing within their own territories.

So unlike Iridium's local partners, GlobalStar's marketing partners are also investors, and therefore have a more serious financial self interest motivating them. They really want and need to see their satellite investment succeed.

And I have to believe companies of this calibre would not have made this investment without having done significant due diligence with far more information about the future of cellular technology and markets than I could ever hope to acquire.

Here is the list of partners currently shown on GlobalStar's web page.

globalstar.com

Airtouch, Alcatel, Alenia, Dacom, Daimler Benz Aerospace, Elsacom, France Telecom, Hyundai, and Vodafone.



To: John Stichnoth who wrote (1182)4/7/1999 11:10:00 PM
From: Bradley W. Price  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 5853
 
<The finances would be through the cellular cos. They might offer one of two packages--For $5 per month (or some fixed number) on top of the basic package, the user could access satellites transparently. The cellular operator would have a contract with the satco based on number of subscribers, say at $3 per month. Once the cellular cos have say 50 million subscribers out there paying $5 each per month, that gives the satcos $1.8 billion per year to keep their satellites running and pay the interest costs.

A second alternative for cellular subscribers would be a per-use fee, perhaps $1.50 per minute. Low enough to be used in an emergency, but high enough to encourage the $5 per month fixed fee. Again, the subscriber would pay the cellular operator, and their would be an unseen arrangement with a satco.>>

These numbers are completely asinine. First, I don't think a sat can switch 50 million users are even 500,000 concurrent ones. For a lot of reasons, its difficult to put a lot of processing power in space, though optical may change that! That is the reason for the high per minute costs in addition to the high fixed costs associated with building and launching satellites.

All the dreaming here isn't going to change the fact that it is easier to fix gaps in coverage with earth bound solutions, like more base stations than with space borne solutions. Space is great for one way solutions ala gps or dbs, but the economics aren't that compelling for two way solutions.

bp