i aggree that there is no future in mass market devices that communicate via satellite. but that may end up just be a technicallity for these services.

I remember when you and I walked by the Helio retail outlet in Palo Alto: Empty. (Meanwhile a few doors down, the Apple store was lively.) That was a telling moment.

Tom: I’m skeptical of satellite based phone/data service because of the latency factor. And I can’t put much stock in anyone saying their "planning a 4G network" given that no one has defined what that means.

so why is tjis significant. at least two of the three enities above plan to operate on a ‘wholesale’ model selling network capicty to other who will handle the retail end. all three of the above companies are planning 4G networks.

they may all end up in bankruptcy. but the satellite are under construction and likely to be launched. i would keep an eye on these three companies as cataysts toward a wholesale voice/data network model. although i do expect that they will be focused on government, industrial, and vertical markets initially. but a connection with a consumer based retail partner is not at all out of the question.