[FPSPACE] The future of Iridium

[Dwayne Allen Day]

This is rather interesting.  It concerns a discussion about the future of
Iridium by the guys who saved it:

http://www.ragingbull.altavista.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=IRIDQ&read=1651

There is some interesting info here such as

-background info on how the deal came about

-they have no debt

-their monthly operating charges are less than $7 million

-the costs for the investors will be considerably more than just the
$25 million paid for the assets.  For example, they will have to resurrect
the US gateway, which is currently shut down

-the DOD communications are available immediately. Commercial service will
start towards the end of the first quarter of next year

-they will launch 5 spares in June 2001; 2 more in March 2002. A spare in
orbit is now moving to fill the slot left by a failed satellite 

- they expect minimum 7 year lifetimes but the satellites actually have
enough fuel for 20 years

-2.4 kbps now available; "enhanced data" at ten kilobits per second and 
direct internet link within 6 months

- when Iridium shut down there were 63,000 users. Iridium Sat. is starting
to contact them and offer deals to get them back (With 63K users they
would be at breakeven.)

-going for a  maximum price in the $1 range regardless of where the
subscriber is in the world


All in all, this is really intriguing.  These guys appear to be scavengers
with a solid plan for making this thing work.  It would be fascinating if
they actually pulled it off.

I'm a little bummed because I wanted to buy an Iridium phone cheap to hang
on my wall.  But now they're actually going to be worth something.



DDAY