Back To 1995

  Chapter 1183 Shocking

  The atmosphere was silent for a while, William Hannigan, Bill Asri and others couldn't help looking at Mike Bowen, and then they also frowned.

   "Members of the Federal Association of Telecommunications Operators can join the Starlink project, but ICQ must bear more than half of the funds, and the rest of the telecom company members voluntarily subscribe for the shares of the Starlink Communications Group, and bear the annual expenses proportionally!"

Mike Bowen made a mess again, and still asked Telephone and Telegraph Group, Verizon, etc. to join the freshly baked Starlink Communications Group, but this is not mandatory at all. In the first year, he may be watching. Other telecoms The company will pay the money, but it has nothing to do with him whether he still pays the money in the second or third year.

  Hearing what Mike Bowen said, William Hannigan, Bill Asri and others looked at each other, then nodded tacitly, and agreed to Mike Bowen's proposal.

Song Yang and Irene also acted as if they didn't know what the other side was thinking, and both sides signed with their own ghosts, announcing that they had joined the newly released Starlink Communications Group. ICQ, as the major shareholder, holds 50% of the shares of Starlink Communications Group , American Telecom and Apollo Space Exploration Company each hold 5% of the shares, and the remaining 40% of Starlink Communications Group's shares are jointly owned by Telephone and Telegraph, Verizon, Sprint, Southwestern Bell, and Chartered Communications. bear.

Every year in the future, all shareholders of Starlink Communications Group will jointly bear the annual cost of 5 billion US dollars in proportion, which will last for ten years in total. Provide users with a network, and even launch 40,000 satellites in the future, covering the whole world!

  But how long the Starlink Communication Group, which has a bunch of youngsters inside, can last, only the ghost knows. It is even unknown whether the money will be collected from the Telephone and Telegraph Group this year.

  However, Song Yang also left a backup player, that is, other board members of Starlink Communications Group. When they want to withdraw, they have to sell their shares to the major shareholder ICQ first.

As for the Starlink Communications Group, Song Yang doesn't care if it can really develop and how long it can last. As long as it has a name, it is enough. The established Starlink Communications Group represents the next generation of communication era in America. It is enough to be listed on Nasdaq, and then collect money, and use Wall Street institutions, overseas consortiums, and countless leeks to fulfill your dreams. , spread the satellites all over the low-altitude orbits of America and old Europe, and the mosquitoes will have to bump their heads when they come...

The official launch of ICQ of the Starlink Communications Group, the stock price must not rise a few waves, and the Apollo Space Exploration Company, which can steadily get a large amount of orders every year, to practice launching rockets. This wave of ICQ and Apollo Space Discovery just won't win, huh? !

  The establishment of the Starlink Communication Group is actually only an appetizer for today's settlement negotiations. The next step is the highlight, when it comes to acting.

  “The Skype platform must cancel free Internet calls and start charging mode!”

   Southwest Bell President Whittaker took the lead in firing the first shot, demanding that Skype no longer provide free Internet calls.

   Immediately afterwards, companies such as Chartered Communications, Sprint, and Verizon also made a large wave of requests to ICQ.

  "Skype's Internet phone and Internet SMS charges must be increased, not only one-fourteenth of the current mobile phone, landline, and long-distance phone charges!"

   "Skype needs to launch a bundled package. It steals all the traffic, but we don't make a penny. Skype must bundle the telecom operator's package business!"

  “The revenue that ICQ earns on the Skype platform, whether it’s call revenue or other advertising revenue, must be distributed to other telecom operators!”

   "Skype can only be used on PC computers, and cannot be used on mobile phones, handhelds and other platforms other than computers!"

  Listening to these harsh terms, Irene's face became very ugly. If they followed their requirements, Skype would not be able to make a penny at all, and the housekeeping Internet phone business would also suffer heavy losses.

   "If these requirements are followed, what is left of Skype?!" Irene said coldly, "These conditions are too unfair for Skype!"

"President Irene, director Bruno, nothing is perfect in this world, we joined the Starlink Communications Group, ICQ must also make concessions, telephone business revenue is very important to us, Skype has seriously affected our business Revenue!"

  William Hannigan looked towards Song Yang and Irene, "We are here today because we are willing to negotiate a settlement with Skype, but...Skype can no longer put a knife on your neck!"

  Looking at William Hannigan, who was in a deadly posture, Irene was a little silent for a while, and then she couldn't help turning her eyes to Song Yang.

  Song Yang looked normal, raised his head, and suddenly asked Mike Bowen, "What if Skype doesn't accept these conditions?!"

  Hearing this, Mike Bowen's heart suddenly shook violently, and he quickly said, "The conditions can be negotiated, but if Skype does not accept the settlement, then ICQ will face an anti-monopoly investigation!"

  Mike Bowen also made it clear that if Song Yang's side makes everyone unable to step down, then he, the Federal Ministry of Justice, including the commander-in-chief and the big shots on Capitol Hill will have to find their own way to step down.

The anti-monopoly investigation is not aimed at targeting Song Yang, but to clean up Skype, forcing Skype to make changes, otherwise it will face huge fines, and even split Skype into ICQ. The most troublesome thing is not America, but overseas regions, may follow suit and start targeting Skype. At that time, Skype will really be unable to move forward.

   Song Yang just nodded when he heard what Mike Bowen said, and then he said nothing, leaving only Irene to bargain with William Hannigan and others.

  Mike Bowen was a little confused about what Song Yang meant, but at this point, he could only bite the bullet and let the two sides talk.

   "Skype charges can only be one-fifth of the traditional call charges, and cannot be higher, otherwise users will never use Skype again!"

   "Voice calls and advertising charges can be distributed to telecom operators, but telecom operators should also cooperate with Skype and use Skype as part of the user package!"

Irene and the Telecom Operators Association are at war with each other, bargaining one by one. The most intense dispute is whether to ban it. Skype launches mobile phone products, and the Telecom Operators Association naturally does not want it. Skype does not want to lose its huge mobile phone user groups, both sides are arguing.

In the end, it was Mike Bowen who took the case and made a decision, "For two years, the Skype platform can only be carried on the computer terminal and Alcatel mobile phones. In addition, Skype cannot enter any mobile phone brand or handheld other than the computer terminal." Machines and other electronic products!"

Mike Bowen's decision made both parties dissatisfied, but they did not object anymore. That is, within two years, Skype can only be used on the computer platform. In addition, only Alcatel mobile phones can be downloaded and used. Other electronic products The use of Skype is not allowed at all. Once illegal use is detected, the telecom operator has the right to ban the account of the violating user.

The whole negotiation lasted for a long time, and what worried Mike Bowen the most was that Song Yang, who did not hesitate to launch the Starlink project for the Skype platform, turned out to be very calm during the whole negotiation, which made Mike Bowen a little puzzled, but seeing When Erin and William Hannigan signed the settlement negotiations, Mike Bowen finally breathed a sigh of relief!

   "Although it is very late, I am very happy that the Skype platform and the Telecom Operators Association have officially signed a settlement agreement. In the future, no matter which telecom operator's users are in America, they can use Skype's Internet calls normally!"

   After the agreement was signed, Mike Bowen called many media reporters and held a press conference.

But when Mike Bowen was talking, an assistant suddenly stepped forward and whispered something in his ear. Countless media and reporters saw the astonished look on Mike Bowen's face, and then ended in a hurry. The press conference left.

  Seattle, Ballmer, who had just finished working all day and returned home, suddenly rang the phone, which made him, who was always energetic, frown.

   "I'm Ballmer!"

   "What, ICQ wants to sell Skype?!"

   Ballmer was stunned for a while listening to the news reported to him by the Microsoft staff on the other end of the phone, wondering if someone was making an April Fool's Day joke, and then suddenly said, "I'll go back to Microsoft right away!"

  (end of this chapter)