The Thuraya Partnership
"Even if he is young... isn't it a bit much to request a one-on-one meeting with the government?" Taesik observed the public official, who was far less courteous to the company and the petitioner than the one he remembered from before his regression.
"Starlink Communication intends to launch satellites into space, independent of Korea Telecom's Mugunghwa 5 project." The high-ranking official who had participated in the proposal evaluation stopped his own staff member.
"Judging by the capital of Starlink Communication as stated in the proposal, do you really think that is possible for a single company?"
"Let me introduce myself once more. I am Kim Taesik, the CEO of Starlink."
"Ah! My apologies. I am Director Jo Gwang-yeon of the Ministry of Science and ICT."
"Starlink Communication's registered capital may be small, but... I have plenty of personal funds. I plan to put two satellites into orbit within this year."
"Hmm... are you asking to see me separately to threaten me because you were dropped from the bid? Because we eliminated a company that possessed sufficient capabilities..."
"Please, do not misunderstand. As you know, government permission is required to place satellites into orbit. Since frequency allocation and government ministry approval are necessary, I am here not to complain about the bid, but to ask for your cooperation."
"I suppose that's true. Since no private entity has ever led a satellite launch, there is no established procedure for it."
"I will say it again: Starlink Communication will not raise any objections regarding the Mugunghwa 5 project."
"If you do launch your satellites, what kind of business do you intend to pursue?"
"We will begin with satellite communication services, and in the future, we plan to expand into satellite imagery sales and GPS infrastructure construction."
"Hahaha. Starlink is moving ahead of the government. If your satellites successfully reach orbit, would the government be able to utilize them as well?"
"Of course. It is always possible, provided there is fair compensation."
Director Jo Gwang-yeon handed his business card to Taesik.
"If Starlink's satellites successfully settle into orbit later, please remember that you had the government's help."
As they left the Korea Telecom building, President Ryu Gwang-su immediately questioned Taesik.
"CEO, don't you feel frustrated? It was an opportunity to launch our satellites into space with our own technology..."
"Hahaha. Even if I were in their shoes, it wouldn't be easy to include a company with no experience. You can let it go now. What I wanted was the government's cooperation when we launch our own satellites. It would have been better to win the Mugunghwa 5 project and secure 300 billion won in government budget... but then we would have been subject to government interference."
"Shall we return to the company?"
"No. I am leaving for the United Arab Emirates immediately, so President Ryu, please hurry with the satellite production."
"Understood. I will have the satellite main body completed before you return."
Taesik returned to his officetel, headed straight for the airport, and Manager Park Kyung-hoon drove him there, providing information on Thuraya Telecommunications along the way.
"CEO, here is the compiled data on everything regarding Thuraya Telecommunications. It should be helpful for your business trip."
"Manager Park, would it be possible to find a hacking expert?"
Manager Park looked puzzled at the sudden request for a hacker.
"Don't misunderstand. There will be a lot of sensitive information handled by Starlink Communication in the future, and I want to overhaul our company's computer systems."
"What kind of person should I look for?"
"It must be someone who can establish and protect Starlink's IT security."
"Understood. I will find a suitable person before you return from your trip."
Taesik boarded the plane, read the materials on Thuraya provided by Manager Park, and headed to the UAE, where he prepared for negotiations while staying at a hotel. Because of the desert terrain, Thuraya Telecommunications had been preparing a satellite communication business to address the fact that mobile phones only worked in urban areas. They had launched their first maintenance satellite in 2000, but due to a design flaw, it failed to operate, and they were planning to launch a replacement satellite in 2003.
Upon visiting Thuraya, Taesik was immediately guided to the meeting area, where the CEO, Ali Al-Hassad, greeted him personally.
"Welcome to Thuraya Telecommunications. I am Ali Al-Hassad."
Taesik exchanged business cards, shared brief pleasantries, and immediately entered into negotiations.
"I heard that Thuraya Telecommunications is launching its satellite communication business next year."
"Hahaha. If the satellites had been manufactured properly in the US, we could have started in 2000, but a problem occurred with the solar panels, so we plan to start service next year."
"That is unfortunate. Did you receive sufficient compensation from the US?"
"The satellite launching next year is being provided by the US free of charge. But why do you ask?"
"Starlink Communication is also conducting a satellite business. If you haven't been compensated, we could manufacture the satellites for you. Of course, I only expect payment once the satellite is successfully placed in geostationary orbit."
"Hahaha. If I had received this proposal earlier, I would have done business with Korea instead of the US..."
"It is a pity, but we will have to aim for the next opportunity. Have you seen the proposal regarding the satellite communication terminals we sent?"
"In fact, my working-level staff saw the terminal proposal from Starlink and told me to negotiate immediately. Are you really planning to do OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) production?"
"The US provides the terminals, but they said OEM was difficult, so we were in a tough spot."
"What is the problem with putting Thuraya's brand on the satellite communication terminals? It is possible anytime, provided you order a sufficient quantity. Would you like to see a prototype?"
Taesik handed over the satellite communication terminal he had brought from Korea and waited for CEO Ali's assessment. After examining the prototype, CEO Ali passed it to other executives, who were amazed by the design and weight.
"There was no weight information in the proposal, so I thought it would be around 400g like other companies... but it is lighter than I thought. And unlike the clunky satellite communication terminals of the past, it has a sophisticated shape."
"Hahaha. That is our technological edge, isn't it? We also attached a camera; do you like it?"
"Of course. With this grip that fits perfectly in the hand and this weight, it will be quite popular with consumers. The antenna length is significantly reduced compared to existing terminals. What about supported languages?"
"Arabic, Persian, English, French, and German are supported. If you need more, we can add them at any time."
"I like the design and performance. Have you tested the prototype?"
"Of course. The tests were completed according to the Iridium communication frequency. If you let us know the frequency used by Thuraya, we can simply add it during production."
"We should move on to the most important thing. There was no mention of price in the proposal... how much do you intend to supply them for?"
"It depends on the order volume, but I have set it at $1,000. If the order volume is over $100 million, $950 is possible."
"What...? $1,000 is $100 cheaper than the US satellite terminals. We would like to order more than 100,000 units, but aren't satellite communication terminals products without that much demand? We are thinking of 5,000 units for the first batch."
"That is $5 million."
"It is unfortunate, but the first batch is 5,000 units, and we will decide on additional quantities after next year's satellite is in orbit."
"No, that is fine. To commemorate our first transaction, I will set the price at $990. Thuraya Telecommunications will also need to have price competitiveness to compete with other satellite communication companies, so I will find a way to gradually lower the price."
"I appreciate your goodwill."
"Instead, I would like to propose that we collaborate with Starlink Communication in the future."
"OEM production is already a collaboration... what are you talking about?"
"We also plan to launch two satellites into orbit within this year. If both companies use the same frequency, we can have sufficient competitiveness against our rivals. As far as I know, the satellites Thuraya is planning cover Europe and the Middle East. We are thinking of launching over Asia and North America, so mutual collaboration seems possible."
"Ah! We could sufficiently compete with Iridium or Inmarsat."
"That is correct. The key will be the satellite communication rates. Iridium has set a monthly fee of $60 and $1.50 per minute, and Inmarsat has set a monthly fee of $30 and $1 per minute. What are you thinking of setting the rates at for Thuraya?"
"Hahaha. You are asking for sensitive information before we have even launched the satellite communication service. Since you are providing us with terminals, I will tell you in advance. We are thinking of the same rates as Inmarsat."
"Let's collaborate with Starlink Communication and lower the rates even further. If we lower the terminal price, we can make the rate plans cheaper."
"Even if we collaborate, isn't the method of sharing profits ambiguous?"
"You can pay $3 million annually for the use of Starlink's satellites."
"Hahaha. You are telling me to secure a communication range equal to our competitors for $3 million. From Thuraya's perspective, that is an offer I cannot refuse."
CEO Ali of Thuraya Telecommunications instructed the executive next to him to calculate the rate plans they could set while paying $3 million every year.
"I will accept Starlink Communication's proposal. However, the satellite usage fee will be based on the day Thuraya's satellite communication service begins."
"That goes without saying. I look forward to other collaborations in the future."
While the two were discussing future plans, a Thuraya executive reported that they had finished calculating the rate plans.
"If we set the satellite communication terminal price at $900, it is calculated that an operating profit of 8% is secured with a base fee of $20 and a rate of $1 per minute."
"Did you set the terminal sales price at $900?"
When the Thuraya executive looked at Taesik, CEO Ali signaled that it was okay, and the answer began.
"We set the sales price at $999, and it is a condition that unifies the rates for calls made to landlines and mobile phones."
CEO Ali looked at Taesik and smiled.
"Let's sign the contract right now."
The two signed the prepared contract, shook hands, and promised to strengthen their future collaboration before parting ways. CEO Ali provided his own vehicle and offered convenience by letting Taesik use it until he left the UAE, and Taesik used the vehicle to stop by the hotel, pack his bags, and board the plane returning to Korea.
Upon arriving in Korea, Manager Park came to meet him personally.
"CEO. How was the result of the business trip?"
"I have finished the contract regarding the satellite communication terminals and the satellite brokerage fees."
"Congratulations. And I have found the hacker you mentioned; would you like to meet them in person?"
"What kind of person are they?"
"They are someone who used to take on occasional illegal tasks from their previous company... but I can guarantee their skill. However, they are a freelancer, so it is questionable whether they will work as a company employee."
"I am tired today, so let's meet tomorrow afternoon."
"I will take you home first."
Taesik received the hacker's data from Manager Park and began to look through the file, wondering what kind of person they were.