Chapter 247 - 241 We Need a Gimmick_1

At the moment, Tesla’s market value is only 32 billion US dollars, far from the Tesla that propelled Ma to the No. 1 spot with a market value of over 700 billion dollars.

Tesla’s real rise began at the end of 2019 when the Modu Tesla factory started production, and in 2020, Tesla’s market value began to explode, jumping from 100 billion US dollars to 500 billion US dollars in 11 months.

In the original timeline, the Modu Super Factory contributed half of Tesla’s global production, with low costs and high efficiency, prompting Ma to frequently visit China since 2015 to pave the way for Tesla and its super factory.

Considering the working conditions and salary of workers in America Mainland, where they do less work, have more issues, and higher demands, China’s labor advantages are clear, and the supply chain is more complete, with lower component supply prices as well.

Although now Musk is somewhat sensitive due to SpaceX being a key figure in America’s Artemis program, he still keenly wants to gain favorable conditions for Tesla in China.

What methods should be used to get Congress to agree?

...

"What’s up with Cai... What? Wants to come to Qiongzhou to see rockets? Ah? Let’s talk about that later, I need to discuss something first."

Lin Ju hung up the phone, and with an apologetic tone, said to the person in front of him:

"I apologize, there was a bit of an issue with the company executives, shall we continue our discussion?"

"No problem at all, Mr. Lin is very busy, you take your time, take your time..."

Zhang Yingming had no signs of displeasure, chatting happily and comfortably with Lin Ju.

Today is September 11th, just two days after the last memorial day, Lin Ju paid his respects and then reached out to ByteDance.

ByteDance has now been established for four years and is about to release its second extremely popular product after Today’s Headlines: TikTok.

TikTok pioneered the era of short videos as its king. Lin Ju still remembers the time right after TikTok’s launch, how he couldn’t put his phone down and used up 1GB of data in one sleepless night.

After getting hooked on short videos for half a year, and perhaps because the big data push mechanisms weren’t good enough at the time, Lin Ju decided to uninstall TikTok and vowed never to watch short videos again.

However, TikTok’s influence was undeniably growing, capturing users of all ages and significantly driving the business of mobile operators; the following year, TikTok set the world ablaze.

As short videos rose in the mobile internet space, Lin Ju felt more and more that time was drawing nearer to when he had traveled from the past.

For such a popular product, even a wallflower like Lin Ju couldn’t resist making the first move despite himself.

Of course, he wasn’t seeking investment, but collaboration.

TikTok’s addictive short videos were about to usher in a new era for Chinese netizens, enriching the internet in various ways, massively expanding content, and bringing with it a voracious demand for internet traffic.

It’s 2016, and data plans aren’t cheap!

A MI card offering 1GB for 1 Yuan per day with a monthly rental of 9 Yuan was considered a marvel, as most mobile operator plans didn’t provide enough data, with some even charging 10 Yuan for 1GB.

This segment of the data plan market was vast, and University Information Communication just so happened to have what was needed: the Meridian satellite network.

Lin Ju wanted to place ads in TikTok now, prompting users with high data demand to purchase the Meridian ground receiving stations.

The most affordable and cost-effective option being offered was the 50Mbps receiving station, which University Information Communication plans to price at 79 Yuan per month, or 899 Yuan for the annual package, capturing satellite signals through self-seeking antennas, and distributing traffic via WiFi.

A monthly subscription requires a 99 yuan fee for the receiver, which is free with an annual subscription.

The receiving end antenna is a small flat panel about 15.6 inches in size; it can start working once plugged in. After setting the local area and time, it automatically tracks satellites based on built-in information and can receive signals when placed in an open space.

It is then connected to the indoor router via a cable. If you choose to buy a low-end router tailored by Meridian, it is cheaper due to bulk customization and can meet the requirements.

It then detailed four premium tiers: 100Mbps, 300Mbps, 500Mbps, 1000Mbps, with prices gradually increasing, roughly 150% to 250% of the cost of broadband service.

Why so expensive? In addition to the need to launch additional low-orbit relay satellites, another huge advantage of the Meridian network is its portability: it is not fixed like broadband and can be used anywhere.

For example, in rural and remote areas where it is impossible to lay broadband cables and 4G data is too expensive, you can purchase the Meridian ground receiver. It covers nearly every corner of the country, and anywhere with GPS navigation is guaranteed to have high-speed internet access.

For instance, wind power construction, water conservancy construction, road repair, and other teams that often work in remote mountains, deserts, and grasslands without 4G signals can carry a receiving device to enjoy internet speeds faster than 4G. For gigabit networks, although it is nearly twice as expensive as broadband, it allows many people to use it together, which can even be more cost-effective.

Moreover, it targets the migrant worker population, who can take the service wherever they go, convenient and easy to use.

As for ordinary SIM card services, New Yuan couldn’t handle them, as those rely on the construction of base stations, which involves too much, and the postal service is the real supergiant. It’s best to keep a distance.

To achieve the goal of full coverage within China, Lin Ju had to follow Star Chain’s example: launching approximately 500 satellites, each weighing 300 kilograms, operating at an altitude of 470 to 670 kilometers in orbit. They were designed for communication with simplified functions and low cost. They could be launched with either New Yuan-1 or New Yuan-2 series rockets, sending up 3 to 50 satellites at a time, bringing the average cost down to about 1.5 million yuan per satellite.

Meridian’s satellite network doesn’t make much profit from its low-end charges, but the profits from high-end services are very high. In the future, it could offer more services globally depending on the situation. It is already feasible now, but charges would certainly be higher overseas because there are fewer satellites.

The sales power of TikTok is indisputable. By seizing the opportunity, not only can it establish a foothold in China, but it could also launch TikTok ahead of time.

Lack infrastructure overseas? Just use the Meridian satellite network.

No infrastructure, yet you can enjoy 5G-like speeds!

The charges abroad aren’t high, but they must match the status of a developed society; keeping the amount the same and charging in US Dollars makes sense. However, prices must inevitably be raised if taxes or sanctions are imposed.

Zhang Yingming almost completely accepted Lin Ju’s proposal for cooperation. Although he had complete confidence in TikTok, bringing another giant on board to support them was of course more than ideal. Moreover, New Yuan wasn’t seeking control but rather wanted to drive traffic for sales, which was an agreeable proposition.

It also showed that Mr. Lin was very optimistic about short videos too!

Zhang Yingming: "Mr. Lin, how about this? The very first ID on TikTok could be yours?"

"Forget it, forget it, that’s too high-profile... Give it to New Yuan instead. When are you going live?"

Zhang Yingming: "We are planning on September 20th."

"Let me think... September 20th, New Yuan... uh," Lin Ju suddenly started sizing up Zhang Yingming, who was born in 1983, only 33 years old at the time, and appeared physically strong and healthy.

Zhang Yingming felt somewhat uneasy under his gaze when Lin Ju, with a touch of temptation, said:

"Mr. Zhang, there’s a Defiance tour flight this mid-month, around the 20th as well. How about promoting that launch event through an exclusive TikTok live reservation broadcast? What do you think?"

"Of course, that’s no problem."

Lin Ju: "Hmm, but New Yuan has many launches now, so this one might not be as eye-catching. Maybe we could create a bit of a spectacle."

"Mr. Zhang, do you get sick on roller coasters?"