If all goes as planned, Iridium L.L.C.'s vision of a global wireless phone network-based on a constellation of 66 low-earth-orbit satellites interconnected to several terrestrial-based networks-will begin commercial service on 23 September.While the company continues to put the finishing touches on the satellite network,...
TOKYO-The Japanese government is funding research for a 1 trillion yen (US$6.85 billion) Skynet project, scheduled to be ready for commercial launch in 2002, that would use up to 200 airships floating in the stratosphere as base stations for cellular networks.While the Iridium mobile...
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa-Iridium, the first GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite) system is set to become commercial worldwide on 23 September, but will not have a signal over South Africa."If we do not receive a license to operate ground facilities and services by...
While satellite news of late primarily has focused on voice and data services, broadband satellite communications services are expected to play an increasingly important role in the next 10 years, eventually commanding a $2.7 billion market by 2007, according to a report by Allied...
U.S. factory sales of telecommunications equipment during the first half of the year rose by 13.1 percent compared with last year, to more than $36.6 billion, said the Telecommunications Industry Association. TIA's figures were based on statistics compiled by the Electronic Industries Alliance Market...
Airadigm Communications Inc. signed a contract to sell its entire tower inventory to SpectraSite Communications Inc., said the companies. The purchase price was not disclosed. The contract also includes a provision calling for SpectraSite to build about 125 additional towers throughout Wisconsin and Iowa....
To the Editor: I would like to clarify a point contained in your Aug. 3 article about export controls on U.S. communications satellites. Motorola Inc.'s commercial satellite launches from China are not related to earlier launch failures in China. The rocket used by Motorola to...
DALLAS-Iridium North America announced it has entered a joint venture with Neiman Marcus aimed at introducing the Iridium satellite phone and pager to the retailer's InCircle customers.Iridium's products will be featured in Neiman Marcus' December catalog and in the fall edition of its newsletter,...
NEW YORK-The Federal Communications Commission could propose by early next year rules governing eligibility for applicants seeking access to the part of the 2 GHz spectrum allocated for mobile satellite systems in this country.The commission set a late-August deadline for comments on a petition...
No one at Iridium L.L.C. or Motorola Inc. has explained the cause of two satellite failures last month, but the consortium maintains the problem is unrelated to the previous five satellite losses.To date, Iridium has lost seven satellites of the 72 launched. According to...
WASHINGTON-Hughes Electronics Co., under fire in Congress for heavy-handed lobbying on satellite exports to China, again is pushing the Clinton administration to relicense a $500 million Asia-Pacific Mobile Telecommunications satellite system to the Communist giant."If this contract were to be terminated for cause at...
Applied Cellular Technology Inc. formed an executive search committee to fill the position of president and chief executive officer. The committee, made up of several outside board members and Richard Sullivan, chairman and CEO of Applied Cellular, will work with an independent top-tier executive...
Iridium L.L.C. said two more of its satellites failed last week, adding to a list of concerns that caused the company's stock price to fall about $8 following the disclosure.Of the 72 satellites placed in orbit to date, seven have failed. According to Michelle...
WASHINGTON-While congressional and Justice Department investigators concentrate on whether satellite technology transfers helped Communist China improve its nuclear missile capability, the United States quietly is leading an effort to decontrol all telecommunications technology by this fall.The so-called Wassenaar Arrangement, named after the Dutch town...
WASHINGTON-Motorola Inc. last week vehemently denied transferring sensitive technology to Communist China after a leaked classified Air Force report concluded Chinese nuclear missile capabilities improved as a result of work on Iridium global satellite launches.Excerpts of the report by the Air Force National Air...
TAIPEI, Taiwan-Low-tier mobile phone service in Taiwan was opened to competition by the country's Ministry of Transportation and Communications, with a tender announcement expected by December and commercial service rollout by March.The Taiwan Directorate General of Telecommunications under the MOTC has adopted an official...
WASHINGTON-Iridium L.L.C. reported second-quarter financial results of little surprise to anyone, fulfilling all expectations.Net loss for the quarter was $244.7 million, or $1.74 per class 1 interest. Its six-month net loss totaled $448.3 million, or $3.19 per class 1 interest.Costs incurred and capitalized for...
The Washington Times last week reported China's new rocket stage booster developed for Motorola Inc.'s Iridium project created a technology bridge that could help the Chinese deploy multiple warheads on strategic missiles, according to a classified Air Force intelligence report.Loral Corp. and Hughes Corp....
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa-The debate of issuing a third or fourth cellular license in South Africa is gaining momentum, with the industry pressuring the government to speed up the tendering process before the existing operators become so powerful they would eliminate any other competitor."We recommend...
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa-High on the agenda of issues raised by African ministers at Africa Telecom '98 held here in May was using satellite technology for boosting African economies and low telephone-penetration rates.Africa presents an ideal candidate for Mobile Satellite Services (MSS). The continent is...
BRAZIL-Local news reports state Telebras, Brazil's state-controlled telecom carrier, is expected to sign a deal with Iridium L.L.C. that would allow the Brazilian carrier's A-band subsidiaries to use Iridium satellites.Telebras subsidiaries are expected to use Iridium satellites to fill in coverage areas not serviced...
LONDON-ICO Global Communications Ltd. announced last week that it filed registration statements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of $100 million worth of ordinary shares and $50 million of high-yield senior notes.ICO is a spinoff of Inmarsat, established...
WASHINGTON-Iridium L.L.C. announced it has signed distribution agreements with 209 regional wireless service providers and roaming partners across the globe.The distribution agreements bring Iridium access to 72 million wireless subscribers, a population of 3.4 billion people, representing 60 percent of the world's population and...
Conxus Communications Inc. said it completed a $100 million convertible senior subordinated note offering. Conxus plans to use proceeds from the private placement to fund network buildout, operating expenses, working capital requirements and general corporate purposes. Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Inc. was the sole...
