Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : OMPT!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: MrGreenJeans who wrote (493)	6/7/1999 6:34:00 PM
From: Jules Shear	Respond to of 531

Mr Green Jeans... Recently there have been some interviews with senior Mannessmann folks (I apologize for not having the links-but I think the latest was an interview in June 2 WSJ with Klaus Esser CEO of Mannesmann) where he appears very strong to go at it alone to be the "alternative carrier in Europe" and analyst speculation is that Mannesmann will step up the pace of there own acquisitions. Also, after the ATI/VOD deal was announced, Chris Gent at VOD was asked by some analysts in London about potentially looking at Mannesmann as a future acquisition target. His response was basically "we are prepared to buy them too if the deal is right". The fallout from that comment in Germany was not taken too well. I think the arrogance is that both companies view themselves as the acquiror vs the acquiree. This is where I think George's and OMPT's role comes in. Finally, I do not know of anywhere in the world (pre-ATI merger close) where Mannesmann and VOD have any meaningful relationship. ATI and Mannesmann have relations in Italy and Germany (D2 and Arcor). Another interesting observation about the Mannesmann and ATI/VOD relationship is watching them in other parts of Europe. For example, Mannesmann and ATI/VOD are bidding against each other in Hungary for a new GSM license where ATI is partnered with RWE (German company) and Mannesmann is partnered with a Hungarian company. I don't know the details, but it does'nt look like two companies who are playing well together. If they were, why can't they partner together in other parts of Europe? So that is why I think George at OMPT would be a great person to "get in the middle of this" since has very close relationships and lots of respect from the folks at Mannesman from his days spent at D2. To get to any meaningful worldwide GSM presence-it just makes sense for Mannesmann/VOD to be together. Nevertheless, it should be interesting, and much more exciting (IMO) for OMPT to be a potential player on the world stage versus some of the other less exciting scenarios.