In turn, competition from terrestrial cellular-service providers proved to be stronger than the MSS industry anticipated. Despite this gloomy situation, the MSS industry in 2000 is attempting to rebuild itself on a more realistic foundation. Globalstar began offering mobile and fixed voice, paging, data-transmission, and fax services in January 2000. All eyes will be on Globalstar to see whether a market really exists for MSS offerings. A key question is whether a market this size justifies the billions of dollars the industry continues to spend, to bring its services online.
Wild cards are ideas and events well off the current trend lines in the business environment.
The Web as we now know it will gradually disappear as consumers move to integrated services that spare them the messy details of dealing with personal computers, Internet service providers, telephone and cable companies, and confusing interfaces. The global computer network is taking the form of a worldwide skin, but security and privacy concerns are likely to create significant speed bumps that will slow progress along the way. Several companies are offering software systems that allow online customers to use a single shopping cart while shopping at various online venues. The process will save the consumer the trouble of entering billing and shipping information or establishing accounts at multiple Web sites. The New Knowledge Priority Companies are producing immense commercial and competitive value by integrating and connecting existing knowledge bases.