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 : Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: marginmike who wrote (21733)	1/20/1999 10:15:00 PM
From: Ruffian	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 152472

Irwin Jacobs is a FOX, and He is about to Prove It <eom> Relax All.

To: marginmike who wrote (21733)	1/20/1999 10:18:00 PM
From: Ruffian	Respond to of 152472

MCI In The Hunt?> MCI WORLDCOM MAY MAKE BID FOR AIRTOUCH THREE BATTLE FOR CELLULAR PHONE GIANT Evansville Courier & Press [ MCI WorldCom Inc. ] emerged Thursday as a potential suitor for [ AirTouch Communications Inc. ] , creating a three-way bidding brawl for the nation's largest independent cellular phone company. News of MCI WorldCom's interest, reported Thursday in USA Today, comes as AirTouch executives were hosting their first meeting with Vodafone Group PLC, Britain's largest cellular phone operator. Vodafone made a $55 billion offer last weekend. Meanwhile, [ Bell Atlantic Corp. ] executives in New York were considering whether their $45 billion offer for AirTouch will pass muster with antitrust and securities regulators, and whether they will sweeten the price. "The race for AirTouch is very important because the stakes are so high," said Holt Thrasher, managing director for Broadview International, an investment banking firm in Fort Lee, N.J. The rapid pace of consolidation sweeping the entire telecommunications industry isn't expected to stop with the pursuit of AirTouch. The losing bidders likely will target other cellular phone companies, which pose an increasing threat to traditional telephone service. As cellular phone prices decline and the technology improves, Thrasher expects cellular phones to become a standard way people call each other, send faxes and connect to the Internet. AirTouch's stock rose $2.12 1/2 to $82 on the New York Stock Exchange as investors did the math on reports that MCI WorldCom was preparing to offer more than $91 a share, or $55 billion, for AirTouch. Both MCI WorldCom and AirTouch declined comment, as did Bell Atlantic. Vodafone's executives met Thursday with their AirTouch counterparts. The entourage from Vodafone's Britain's headquarters included Kenneth Hydon, financial director, while the company's chief executive, Chris Gent, who was in New Zealand, kept in touch by phone. Vodafone spokesman Michael Caldwell put an end to speculation that Vodafone was only interested in AirTouch's international cellular operations, and might be willing to sell off AirTouch's U.S. business, which is concentrated in the Western states. "We certainly see the U.S. included in our worldwide plans for a merger of the two businesses," he said. A Vodafone-AirTouch deal, however, looked in jeopardy Thursday with the potential entrance of MCI WorldCom, which is based in Jackson, Miss. Vodafone's U.S. shares dropped $3.75 to $177 in afternoon trading on the Big Board. Investors were quick to put their bets on Bernard J. Ebbers, chief executive officer of MCI WorldCom and a master of convincing shareholders of the potential of investing in his company. Since all three companies courting San Francisco-based AirTouch will have to pay at least a portion of the price in stock, investors will be looking for strong growth potential. (Copyright 1999)