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: Maurice Winn who wrote (22626)	2/8/1999 12:45:00 AM
From: Maurice Winn	Respond to of 152472

Leap Wireless Opportunity = Spectrum Auction - New Zealand Mqurice@ihug.co.nz is my email address and Ihug is the second biggest internet service provider in NZ after Telecom. Today's [Mon 8 Feb] NZ Herald reports that Ihug [The Internet Group Limited] is raising NZ$40m [US$20m] to enable them to buy spectrum at the government auction now due 29 March [following a one year delay]. They'll be able to buy a LOT of spectrum for that money so they obviously plan on buying something else too. I guess a cdmaOne network so that they can upgrade it to cdma2000 and provide WWeb services as well as their terrestrial and geostationary services. They are looking for between one and 10 investors to provide the $40m. Which will represent about quarter of the family company, which started 4 years ago. It looks like a joint venture opportunity for Leap Wireless International. There are likely to be several cellphone networks in the next couple of years in Auckland: Telecom - Analogue and TDMA Vodafone - GSM Ihug/Leap Wireless International - cdmaOne [cdma2000/WWeb??] Clear Communications - cdmaOne Telstra - cdmaOne Hutchison - cdmaOne Saturn? Formus? Other? Clear and Telstra are existing telecommunications companies here [Telstra expanding into NZ from Australia]. Telecom is likely to ditch their TDMA and head for cdmaOne [my opinion anyway]. Ihug is a good company and they'll get my business if it is a half-decent offer, which it will be. They are about to introduce telephone tolls service in a couple of weeks. Mqurice