Hope you did not miss Finland running up the "white flag" on 3G. No Phones?
Call to delay launch of 3G mobile network
date: April 23, 2001 - source by: ananova.com
The chairman of a leading Finnish telecoms company has called on the Eurpean Union to delay the launch of third-generation mobile phones.
Tapio Hintikka, the new chairman of Sonera Corporation, says the industry and regulators must start to question whether the new services can be up and running as quickly as hoped.
There have been concerns about a slowdown across the telecoms sector, with many companies burdened by debts linked to the auction of 3G licences and fears that the market is reaching saturation point. Last week, Ericsson announced a profits warning and thousands of job losses.
In an interview with the Finnish News STT/FNB, Mr Hintikka said: "The management of this debt load is central. When it comes to big UMTS projects, we should aim for plans that correspond to the development of the whole market. "
He said: "The entire industry, and legislators in various EU countries, must take a stand on whether the timetables and other conditions for the launch of these networks are reasonable, or whether they should be delayed."
Mr Hintikka also said Sonera was continuing to look for a partner for its UMTS project in Germany, which would reduce its stake in the Group 3G venture to its original goal of 20%.
He said Sonera's core business as a domestic telecoms operator in Finland continued to produce good revenue .
Mr Hintikka said Sonera's big debt load was not a cause for great concern.
"I would believe that, at the moment, our operating environment is approaching a
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