Does this benefit or detract from Netro? Thanks, Mark
Teligent forges pact with Mannesmann
NEW YORK, (Reuters) - Teligent Inc. which provides voice and data services using fixed-wireless technology, said Monday it forged a partnership with a Mannesmann AG unit to offer fixed-wireless communications services in Germany as part of its recent push to expand internationally.
Using licenses held by the two companies, the joint venture will be able to reach more than one million businesses near such major German markets as Berlin, Bonn, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Mainz.
Fixed-wireless technology uses radio spectrum, rather than traditional copper telephone networks or fiber-optic networks, to provide voice, video and data services. Fixed-wireless technology offers a low-cost way to provide high-speed services, without having to dig up streets to lay new communications networks.
Mannesmann Arcor is a 70-percent owned subsidiary of Mannesmann AG, the Dusseldorf-based company that recently agreed to merge with Britain's Vodafone AirTouch Plc
The joint venture, which will be 45 percent owned by Teligent and 55 percent owned by Mannesmann Arcor, plans to apply for additional German licenses in the upcoming regulatory award process. Other financial details of the joint venture were not disclosed.
The board of directors will comprise two voting positions from Teligent and three voting positions from Mannesmann Arcor. The joint venture's headquarters will be located in the Frankfurt area.
``The joint venture brings together Mannesmann Arcor's strong presence in Germany, robust network infrastructure and surging customer demand for bandwidth with Teligent's internationally recognized technical, field and product expertise in fixed wireless communications,' said Teligent International President Richard Hanna.
As the second largest telecommunications provider in Germany, Mannesmann Arcor has a fiber optic backbone that stretches more than 4,200 miles throughout the country.
Mannesmann Arcor also has developed international transmission capabilities that extend its network reach to Italy, the United States, France and Austria.
The deal with Mannesmann Arcor is part of Vienna, Va.-based Teligent's aggressive efforts to expand internationally.
The company, which has communications networks in 40 U.S. markets, recently forged a partnership with Louis Dreyfus Group and Artemis to seek licenses and develop a fixed wireless business in France.
Teligent, HKNet and CCT Telecom in January won a marketwide license to provide fixed wireless services in Hong Kong. Teligent also has applied for spectrum licenses in Spain with Jazztel.
Teligent is looking for a partner in the United Kingdom and is exploring other opportunities in Europe, Latin America and Asia.
In addition to Teligent's aggressive international expansion, industry analysts expect the company to expand further in the United States and to start its own Internet services.
Teligent also could partner with or acquire a company that has fiber-optic networks in metropolitan areas as a way to handle increasing traffic at lower costs, analysts said. |
