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Technology Stocks : IRID - Iridium World Communications IPO Announced! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Moominoid who wrote (1539)	4/8/1999 12:58:00 PM
From: Jeff Vayda	Respond to of 2693

ABC News reports: They report that NATO strikes on roads and bridges in Kosovo have hurt the Yugoslav army's ability to move around, and they also say that the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army is using a satellite telephone to help NATO identify Serb targets - including strategic bridges, roads and tank formations. Wonder which phone that is. Jeff Vayda

To: Moominoid who wrote (1539)	4/8/1999 6:09:00 PM
From: Dragonfly	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 2693

Is there any way Iridium can use all those sattelites for something else? How functionally specific are they? The network could be modified to be used for wireless mobile data-- a ricochet like service. However, the cost structure ($/min) would be the same. It's not much bigger than a office desk phone. This is an inmarsat phone. It requires aiming to reach the satellite, has a significantly higher minimum latency, and is about the same costs. IT is less global in its coverage, but is the only thing that comes close to Iridium in coverage. Wonder whether the convenience of a handset only phone would be worth the extra cost? Definately if you're a reporter in Kosovo. But, theres more to it- the costs are similar, the coverage is better with I* and the sound quality should be a lot better with I*. Dragonfly