Corporate Power: ITTT

Interstellar Trade, Transport and Telecommunication (ITTT)

Source: Brian Bell

Summary Information

Category: Unofficial Political Power: 2 Military Power: 1 Economic Power: 4
Size: 1

Comments

> From the corporate brochure:
ITTT is the brainchild of Michael Sharpe. Mr.Sharpe, owner of several large
corporations, fled the USA in 2048, just prior to the collapse of the US
economy. Having placed most of his holdings overseas, the collapse and
following 'pacification' had a major, but not catastrophic impact on his
assets. He spent the next 10 years in speculative investment (some paid off,
some were written off) including heavy funding of an asteroid mining firm and
minor investment in the Gilderstien Foundation. In late 2060 he stumbled
across the real reason that the Gilderstein Foundation's L5 lab disappeared.
He set everything in motion to form the ITTT but waited for the official
announcement in 2061.

ITTT was founded in 2067 by a group of private individuals and selected
corporations. The planned colonization of the AF and EC presented an
opportunity. ITTT agreed to sponsor quarterly transits to the new colonies in
exchange for a 99 year exclusive contract for transportation of goods
(non-government, non-military), people (after 1 year) and communication.
FTL travel, was a hugely expensive (and somewhat dangerous) proposition. The
expense of sending goods by FTL seemed to make it a guaranteed financial loss.
The deep pockets of ITTT allowed them to take the long view of such a venture.
The governments, wanting to invest in expansion rather than on the support of
colonies, agreed to the terms. The company was driven to the brink of
bankruptcy several times. But as colonies grew in size, the trips began to
make a profit and shipments increased in frequency. The vast majority of
colonies signed a contract with ITTT. Those that did not initially, did after
a couple of years of infrequent supplies from their governments. In 2080, ITTT
expanded into the expensive field of FTL communications. FTL communications
huge power cost and dangerous environmental impact make it only practical to
mount such communication relays on unpopulated asteroids. ITTT's asteroid
mining operations provided it with a vast amount of organic knowledge about
the operations of bases on asteroids. FLT communication is still only employed
by major worlds (and only by the Government and major corporations) due to the
cost of operation. By 2100, ITTT was showing a hansom profit. ITTT settled one
of the moons of Saturn (TBA) and expanded their mining and ship building
operations. In 2108, it faced separate challenges from the NAC, and ESU to its
right to the moon of Saturn. However military protection by the USNC and a
boycott of shipments to the government colonies quickly ended each of the
challenges. In 2113, ITTT laid claim to the system of (TBA) and moved their
headquarters there. Currently (circa 2180's) ITTT has contracts with the
majority of colonies and maintains a large market share of the FTL
transportation and communications industries on the major worlds.

ITTT is based on a 3 line mantra:
        Fair Prices
        Good Service
        Long View

Not in the corporate brochure: Jon Tuffley stated "The GZG universe has NO
GOOD GUYS" (paraphrased). This is certainly true of ITTT.

It is by nature a company that thrives in a monopolistic setting. It is
ruthless in defending its contracts. It employees a large (by corporate
standards) force of Q-ships and a military force comprised of a fleet of
military class ships (escorts and troopships) and a fair contingent of
marines. They have a "black ops" section that is thoroughly active.

On the other hand it sets a standard rate for FTL transport. The rate is based
on transit time, risk, and who assumes the responsibility for ships
lost to hostile action (raiders/pirates/terrorists/military). This
policy has allowed ITTT to stave off the "nationalization" of trade routes and
FTL communication.

All initial contracts between ITTT and new colonies contain 4 clauses:
Exclusive FTL transportation and communication rights for 99 years. A
permanent land grant to operate an Embassy (treated as foreign soil). The
permanent right to defend its ships within the system. Who assumes
responsibility for ships lost to hostile action.