keta, I think this whole scenario is going to be fascinating to watch. IMHO this is setting up to be a competition between (Softbank/Yahoo!) and (PCCW/CMGI/AltaVista)with Singapore Telephone and HKT swallowed up by one side or the other. I don't give HKT to PCCW yet ... Just think of the theatrics we have watched for the last couple of months between Vod/Manny & Pfizer/Warner Lambert!
In addition, so many outside players have business arrangements and/or joint ventures with players on both sides that it could get complicated -- almost incestuous! Will Intel show for CMGI? Oracle? I can see SNE and MSFT trying to fit in somewhere too. The prize is HUGE!
Then there is PCCW's plans for India...will SATYAM INFOWAY want in the game? If so, on what side? A big player out there, Cisco, can wait ... Cisco wins, no matter what.
Did I leave anybody out??
If the rumors of Singapore Tel/PCCW/HKT merging becomes reality, I look to other players to try and outbid for Singapore and HKT. PCCW has lots of stock but no cash and CMGI does not have the cash that Softbank/Yahoo! Japan have.
IMO speculation that Hong Kong government does not want HKT bought by Singapore Telephone has some validity.
This whole scenario just looks great -- it has my husband ALMOST willing to buy me Softbank -- if they split he will! We own YHOO, PCCW, CMGI, CSCO, ORCL, INTC, MSFT and he is buying SNE, hopefully tomorrow. I have him buying me Cheung Wah tomorrow and so I will be your POOR relation.
This is going to be my entertainment for the rest of the winter. Hope it is done by spring, so I can plant my gardens. |
