American GPS costs hundreds of billions, but why is it free for people all over the world?

As the famous economist said:? There is no such thing as a free lunch? There are many reasons why the United States can provide gps users free of charge to the whole world: 1, earning patent fees for gps chips. The business model is a bit like the TV media industry. We can watch TV almost for free, because ratings can bring considerable advertising revenue to TV stations. Similarly, the most important income sources of American satellite networks are licensing fees and patent fees. For example, if chip manufacturers want their chips to legally access the gps network in the United States, they must pay a license fee, otherwise they will not even be qualified to manufacture chips.

For another example, if a gps navigation software company wants to rely on American gps to provide services to the public, the software company must first pay a certain patent fee to the gps operator. American entrepreneurs and businessmen are very clever. Making money through patent fees and licensing fees is the model they are willing to adopt. It's like sitting there waiting for money. Take China Unicom as an example. The federal government of the United States forced China Unicom to adopt Qualcomm's cdma technology. China Unicom has to pay a large number of patent licensing fees to high-traffic users every year.

How much is the charge? The annual budget is 30% of Qualcomm's annual income! As you can see, the United States makes a lot of money through gps, but it doesn't charge users directly. In fact, the United States has long given up low-end manufacturing, which requires a lot of labor, but has not made much money. Instead, it is high-end manufacturing and service industries. It is simple, fast, easy and profitable. Why not? Other added values Of course, there are many other added values for building a global gps network in the United States. Some people say that the United States can use gps data from many countries? Not necessarily.

The United States has a more advanced military satellite network and does not necessarily need a civilian gps network to complete it. The main goal should be to occupy the market and attract more users. Prepare for future monopoly and control. China is building its own? Beidou satellite navigation system? Break this monopoly. However, some countries without conditions will not be able to use it. After use, it may be restricted by the United States in many cases. In short, the national system of the United States makes it difficult for it to give up those businesses that must be profitable even if they provide services to their citizens. Just like Musk is doing now? Star chain? Project, preparing to launch more than 40,000 satellites to form an interplanetary Internet, and provide low-cost Internet services free of charge around the world? It seems unlikely. Maybe there are many unknown secrets and many other sources of profit.