Even a sky can have limits; financing and other problems crimp space industry's growth

Article Abstract:

The U.S. satellite communications industry is facing a number of setbacks due to failed launchings, problems obtaining financing and competition from other communications services providers. Hughes Electronics, the unit of General Motors Corp., has had several failures in launching and orbiting its satellites, yet America Online is investing $1.5 billion in Hughes to deliver Internet service via satellite. Iridium L.L.C., which owns a 66-satellite system that offers global mobile telephone service, has failed to attract subscribers and is fighting to avoid bankruptcy. ICO Global Communications, which is developing a satellite-based telephone service to compete with Iridium, has failed to raise the $500 million it had expected from a public offering. Yet despite all these problems, analysts expect that they are short-term, and one analyst expects the industry to grow 12.8 percent a year. Aerospace firms Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin both plan to move into the commercial satellite communications field. However, the failure of Iridium points to a more serious problem facing the industry: the fundamental demand for satellite services. These satellite services face a race against the cable and telephone companies to provide high-speed Internet access, and are at an economic disadvantage in urban areas, where cable and phone systems already exist.

Market information - general, Telephone communications, exc. radio, Satellite Communications, Satellite Telecommunications, Guided missiles and space vehicles, Communications Satellites, Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing, Management, Forecasts and trends, Industry trend, Management issue, Hughes Electronics Corp., GMH, Satellite industry, Satellite communications services industry, Boeing Co., BA, Iridium L.L.C.

---

No. 2 official out at Mattel in shake-up; position is eliminated at struggling toy maker

Article Abstract:

Mattel's chief operating officer, Bruce Stein, is leaving and won't be replaced as the toy company reorganizes its management. Five business unit presidents will report directly to the CEO, Jill Barad, instead of through Stein. Mattel's acquisition of the Learning Co., in the process, and last year's purchase of the Pleasant Co. will make the company known best for the Barbie doll a more diversified competitor.

Comment:

Bruce Stein leaves the giant toymaker

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles, Game, Toy, and Children's Vehicle Manufacturing, Executive changes & profiles, Games, toys, and children's vehicles, Officials and employees, Abstract, Toy industry, Toys, Mattel Inc., MAT

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: NBC stakes out an entry point onto the Web. TV networks are showing avid interest in firms with names ending in dotcom
• Abstracts: Exxon agrees to buy Mobil for $75.3 billion; historic deal, precipitated by plunging oil prices, signals shift in industry
• Abstracts: Arnold Communications is leading what may be the biggest campaign against smoking. From Century 21, a promotion of 21st century baseball
• Abstracts: The Internet: seling points. Tales from the front: the internet
• Abstracts: An ABC model for an electric distribution company. Predicting year-end cash. The ABCs of the electric utility industry

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.