Wireless phones: different visions

Article Abstract:

Five communications companies are proposing various approaches to utilizing low-earth-orbit satellites that will link wireless phones and laptop computers anywhere in the world. Low-orbit satellites, which circle the earth within a distance of a few hundred to a few thousand miles, require less power and cost much less to launch than geostationary satellites. Because of their proximity, they are able to pick up weak signals. Motorola Inc's $3.4 billion Iridium project proposes 66 satellites, each weighing 1,500 pounds. Loral Corp, in a joint venture with Qualcomm Inc, proposes a $1.5 billion 48-satellite system. TRW Inc's Odyssey proposal involves 12 satellites and cost $1.3 billion. Constellation Communications Inc of Herndon, VA, and Ellipsat Corp of Washington are each proposing $500 million satellite systems. By using low-orbit satellites, telephone customers can call to and from areas not ordinarily reached by regular services, such as the Sahara Desert and the Amazon rainforest.

Motor vehicle parts and accessories, Telephone Communication, Radio & TV communications equipment, Guided missiles and space vehicles, Search and navigation equipment, Planning, Usage, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Wireless LANs, Motorola Inc., Communications satellites, Telecommunications, Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corp., Proposal, Communications Technology, Wireless Network, Loral Corp.

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U.S. plans to reduce chip funds; more private money urged for Sematech

Article Abstract:

The Defense Department (DOD) plans to reduce the amount of money it will appropriate for the Sematech consortium. The General Accounting Office announced that US companies have won back substantial portions of market share in the semiconductor industry. The Bush administration would prefer to allocate funds for specific institutions and companies rather than chip-making vendors. Sematech is a five-year old consortium designed to help American companies regain the market share it lost in the 1980s. Funds come from twelve companies and the Department of Defense. The twelve member companies do not want to invest more money than they had planned because that would cut into their own research and development. Sematech has received about $100 million a year from the government with industry members matching that amount. The DOD wants to cut that number down to $80 million a year.

National security, Semiconductor industry, Finance, Strategic Planning, Industry-Sponsored Research, Financing, Government Funding, Funding, Government aid, Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology Institute, International SEMATECH

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