Jon, I'm not sure why you can't get the URL to work. Maybe it's the weird front page, try this link to an inside page: leapwireless.com
Here's the text from that page.
Pegaso Telecomunicaciones
Pegaso is a joint venture formed in 1998 to establish and operate a nationwide fixed and mobile PCS system in Mexico, where teledensity is 9.4% and wireless penetration is only 1.6%. Pegaso is owned 33% by Leap Wireless and 67% by Grupo Pegaso, Televisa and financial investors including Citicorp Equity Capital, the Latin American
Infrastructure Fund and Nissho Iwai. The first phase of deployment to
Mexico's four largest markets - Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Tijuana - is expected by early 1999, with national deployment expected by 2002. Pegaso expects to be the first new PCS licensee to enter the market and one of only two companies with a national footprint, which is increasingly important in competitive markets where companies are forced to be creative and flexible with pricing.
Chilesat PCS
Chilesat Telefonia Personal (Chilesat PCS) is a joint venture formed in 1997 to establish and operate a nationwide fixed and mobile wireless system in Chile, where teledensity is 15.5% and wireless penetration is 4.4%. Chilesat PCS is owned 50% by Leap Wireless and 50% by Telex-Chile, the third largest long-distance operator, and its affiliates. Full-scale commercial operations began in September 1998.
Metrosvyaz and Orrengrove Investments
Leap Wireless' investments in Russia, where teledensity is 19%, are through two holding companies in which Leap Wireless holds a 70% interest. These holding companies are a partner in Orrengrove Investments and Metrosvyaz, joint ventures each owned 50% by the holding companies and 50% by TASS Telecom, a company affiliated with ITAR-TASS, the Russian government's prime news agency.
Metrosvyaz develops joint ventures with local Russian telecommunication operators to establish and operate fixed wireless systems. Nine such joint ventures are in the process of being formed, including two with original Qualcomm customers. One expects to begin offering fixed service by the end of 1998, the other by the beginning of 1999. Eleven other joint ventures are expected to be operational by September 1999 and an additional 12 are expected to be operational by September 2000.
Orrengrove Investments is a 60% owner in three related companies that will develop earth station facilities to provide backhaul for Metrosvyaz ventures and domestic long-distance services in Russia.
OzPhone Pty Ltd.
Leap Wireless owns a 100% interest in OzPhone Pty Ltd., which has licenses to provide both fixed and mobile service in major metropolitan and rural areas in Australia. While teledensity is at 50% and wireless penetration is at 29%, Australia's age and income distribution provide a favorable market for continued growth. Plans for roll out are still under development, but limited operations are expected to begin in mid-1999.
Chase Telecommunications
Telecommunications Leap Wireless holds a 5.8% interest in Chase Telecommunications, which owns 11 PCS licenses covering most of Tennessee. Service launched in Chattanooga in September 1998 and is expected to launch in Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis in 1999. Unlike other Leap Wireless investments, there will not be substantial Leap Wireless management involvement in Chase; however, it presents an opportunity for Leap Wireless to begin participating in the U.S. market. |
