[Nippon, British, and French Connection]
I can't answer your question Himanshu, but I found this interesting collaboration.
Remember, Amati is trialing VDSL with BT. BT now has MCI.
Telecoms: NTT weighs up move with BT into France
THURSDAY JANUARY 23 1997
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By Nicholas Denton
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Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, the Japanese carrier which last month was freed to seek international business, is exploring a œ300m investment alongside British Telecommunications in the French telecoms market.
Following conversations earlier this month with Sir Peter Bonfield, BT chief executive, on possible collaboration, NTT has approached several investment banks to evaluate an investment in France.
The Japanese telecoms carrier is mooting the potential acquisition of about 10 per cent of Cegetel, the new French telecoms operator set up by Compagnie G‚n‚rale des Eaux. BT is investing œ1.1bn for a 25 per cent stake in Cegetel, which is seen as the main rival to France Telecom.
It is not clear whether NTT would take its stake out of BT's 25 per cent or replace one of the smaller shareholders.
NTT says its international expansion is independent of the three main global alliances around BT, AT&T and Deutsche Telekom with France Telecom. But these groupings, intended to provide global telecoms services to multinationals, are still seeking a powerful Asian partner.
By enveloping NTT in a series of joint investments, such as that suggested in France, BT would hope to draw it gradually into Concert, the alliance of BT and MCI, the US long-distance carrier.
Conversations over collaboration in continental Europe are at a very early stage. BT has issued no formal invitation to NTT and neither BT nor NTT has broached the possibility with CGE or the other investors in Cegetel.
"NTT is obviously looking closely at a number of European companies with a view to mergers, acquisitions, alliances and investment opportunities," the company said.
NTT already has investments in Thai Telephone and Telecommunications and Nextel Communications of the US.
Since 1995, NTT has been an "observing" member of WorldPartners, the global telecoms alliance led by AT&T, the largest US long-distance carrier.
BT, after announcing its merger with MCI in November, has viewed a deal with NTT as its top international priority.
c Copyright the Financial Times Limited 1997
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