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Hellstrom's comments about the prices being paid for 3G licenses are inspired. Even though his comments are being made to the investment community, his stated belief that the prices for these licenses has gotten out of hand is clearly directed at the wireless operators bidding on such licenses, future customers, in an attempt to cool bidding for the next round of license auctions upcoming in Germany and beyond. Since the U.K. auction was just the beginning of the European auction schedule (and now that the market has been tested in this once case) now is the ideal time for a concerned equipment maker like Ericsson to intervene in the market place and attempt to cool the ardor of future bidders. That Ericsson will be in partnership with most of the winners lends Hellstrom's statement a great deal of integrity. I, for one, agree with him, and would like to see less speculative bids and thus more capital free for implementation of these networks (and out of government treasuries. Also lower user prices.) All equipment and technology suppliers, from Motorola to Nokia to Qualcomm should be concerned and doing what they can to help preserve industry capital (in effect, save the bidders from themselves), which will be their future revenue streams, as much as can be done in the face of such a competitive auction environment. Hellstrom's comments are for the common good. NOW IS THE TIME TO SPEAK OUT! |
