The future of Satphone Satellites - Globalstar and Iridium

Submitted: Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:05
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Here are some quotes from an article in “Aviation Week & Space Technology” 19 Feb 2007 p54 titled “Low-Earth-Orbit constellations are staging a comeback”.

“Globalstar contracted Alcatel Alenia Space to construct 48 satellites for second-generation hybrid broadband system ”
“Globalstar will launch eight replenishment units in March and May this year of this year to keep the network operating until the first units are ready in 2009”

Those who use the Iridium Satellite Network with Iridium or Telstra SIM Cards in Motorola 9500 or 9505 Satphones don’t need to worry about reduced coverage - "The 66 Iridium Satellites and 9 operational spares are expected to be in good health for the next seven years"
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Reply By: Footloose - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:30

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:30
And Globalstar will be able to continue to provide Australia wide emergency communications through your Globalstar handset...no doubt.
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Follow Up By: Stu050 - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:37

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:37
And of course it will be available 24/7 as one would expect from a large multinational company such as Globalstar.
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:39

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:39
Along with an honest and prompt backup telephone call centre that looks after its customers.
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:42

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 18:42
What I'd love to do is grab the Oz CEO, take him to Well 33 and say "Ok chum, there's only one way out for you. Make the call" :))))))
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Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 20:35

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 20:35
From the Australian Financial Review Feb 17th 2007.

"Fulcrum Equities formally known as Quadrant Iridium is 54 % owned by Michael Boyd best known as one of the early share holder behind one of Australia's best international corporate success stories, Sonic Heathcare.

Fulcrum has been in negotiations to sell its 6.35% stake in the US Satellite mobile phone group Iridium to a hedge fund but the deal hasn't been completed because of the hedge funds tax issues and the emergence of other buyers.
In recent weeks Iridium's listed rival Globalstar has emerged as a buyer of the whole of Iridium because of problems with its own satellites that appear hard to fix.
Buying Iridium would provide an instant solution and consolidate the satellite telecommunications market which has had its well documented problems over the years.
Fulcrum seems to be selling partly because Iridium is looking to spend a speculated $2 Billion-plus to deploy the next generation of satellites."

Seems that this extract from the Financial Review contradicts the claims made by Aviation Week & Space Technology????

Also have a look at Post No 42152 for more Global$hit information.

Given the market believes that Global$hit is in the crap big time (Stock Price has lost more than 50% in recent times) and the company has continued to mislead its customers about the quality of its service I would seriously doubt anything they claim they will do to improve their service.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 22:43

Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 22:43
If Iridium were being partially bought out by a competitor, I think they would be mentioning it in their reports.
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"About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (http://www.iridium.com/) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 LEO, cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation, and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. DoD. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100 partners. "

The EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING DOCUMENTS 13 February 2007 of Advance Healthcare Group make no mention of Iridium or Globalstar.

And I used to think of the Fin Review as a reliable source of information . . . . .
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Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Sunday, Mar 04, 2007 at 04:20

Sunday, Mar 04, 2007 at 04:20
Sorry must have missed something there Mike, What's Advanced Heathcare got to do with Iridium other than the guy who is the current major shareholder in Fulcrum used to be associate with Sonic????
The article is merely providing a back ground to a well known Australian businessman who now has interests in Iridium.

Also would not expect to see a company who is a potential takeover target (Iridium) publicising the fact that a competitor "may" be a potential buyer!
Most companies don't release speculative information until a offer is on the table.
Its pretty obvious that this source of info has come through other mainstream financial market reports.
But time will tell if anything happens or not.

I would think the Fin Review is a more reliable source of info on stock market issues than Aviation Weekly.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Sunday, Mar 04, 2007 at 07:57

Sunday, Mar 04, 2007 at 07:57
To summarise

Globalstar has a network that is failing NOW and they will have to spend $US1.1 billion real soon to have a usable satellite service. They have had to go into a $US400million debt/equity package to fund their new satellites.

Iridium has a network with many major government and corporate customers and is expanding it's earth stations and customer base. It's satellite network is working so well that no money HAS to be spent on it for the next seven years.

I don't believe Globalstar has a bat's chance in hell of buying any part of Iridium.
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