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Technical News & Discussion => Broadband, Internet & General Computer News & Discussion => Topic started by: Noreen on May 06, 2008, 11:01:25

Title: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Noreen on May 06, 2008, 11:01:25
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/05/technology/telekom.php
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on May 06, 2008, 11:09:50
We seem to be moving towards a new era of multi-nationalism, where the European firms are often the hunter these days. I wonder how the American legislators will react?
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: madasahatter on May 06, 2008, 16:39:34
Another step in the globalisation direction - me no like  :(
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Tacitus on May 08, 2008, 08:39:11
Actually I rather like the look of Spanish Telecom the owners of O2.  They seem to be quite well advanced with Femtocells which look like being the next 'big thing'.  I'm always wary of those outfits that go on the M & A trail, as it's often a sign they've run out of ideas.
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on May 08, 2008, 08:50:54
Don't let In hear you say that, Tac, he has a passionate dislike of ST. ;)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Noreen on May 08, 2008, 09:37:28
QuoteCarphone Warehouse is selling a half share in its retailing business to US firm Best Buy for £1.1bn.

The deal is intended to create a powerful new force in UK and European electronics and electrical retailing.

Reports suggest some of the war-chest may be used to buy the UK business of broadband firm Tiscali.............
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7389291.stm
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on May 08, 2008, 09:51:36
I can think of no better home for Tiscali than Talk Talk. :)

It will make them a major force in the ADSL market, though.
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Gary on May 08, 2008, 10:42:54
Quote from: Rik on May 08, 2008, 09:51:36
I can think of no better home for Tiscali than Talk Talk. :)

It will make them a major force in the ADSL market, though.
And impossible to get away from should you be unlucky enough to join the complete package like talk talk offer already, they are I think pure evil as far as marketing is concerned
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Noreen on May 10, 2008, 11:31:14
QuoteCarphone Warehouse fell 21p to 268p amid fears that Best Buy's £1.1 billion cash injection would not be enough to fund the British company's ambitions to buy Tiscali and take on BT in the broadband market.

Michael Williams, of Citigroup, maintained his "sell" advice with a 290p price target, saying that the Best Buy deal would not solve Carphone's "deteriorating cash position".

The group appeared to be struggling to convert sales income into cashflow, he said, as the costs of marketing and of signing up new customers in the fiercely competitive broadband market soar. Of the bidders for Tiscali, Carphone is the one that needs it most, so that TalkTalk can leapfrog BT to become the market leader.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article3904610.ece
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on May 10, 2008, 11:48:19
Oh dear, what a pity.  >:D
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Noreen on May 10, 2008, 11:52:36
It must be awful for the broadband customers of the various Tiscali ISPs, wondering where they are going to land up.
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on May 10, 2008, 12:09:38
OTOH, maybe they are all singing "Things can only get better"? ;)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Inactive on May 25, 2008, 15:29:33
Quote from: Rik on May 08, 2008, 08:50:54
Don't let In hear you say that, Tac, he has a passionate dislike of ST. ;)

Correct, Telefonica, the name for the Spanish equivalent of BT are thieving, monopolistic barstewards, in Spain.

They charge 39 Euro's a month for a IMB Connection, take it or leave it, they stop any competition in it's tracks, they put 2 fingers up at the EU Legislator's and just pay the imposed fines, they can afford to.
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on May 25, 2008, 15:34:03
OTOH, they do have such awfully nice vans. ;)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Inactive on May 25, 2008, 15:36:30
Read " did have " most of them have gone, subbed out to little Mickey Mouse outfits, in beat up heaps.
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on May 25, 2008, 15:40:52
Oh, a bit like Sky you mean. :)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Inactive on May 25, 2008, 15:49:09
Exactly Rik, a similar company ethos as well.. >:D

( As in stuff the customers needs ).
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on May 25, 2008, 15:52:42
The quality of service is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But service is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When service seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for service;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of service. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.


With apologies to the Bard. :)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Inactive on May 25, 2008, 16:00:11
Well said that man.. ;)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: madasahatter on May 27, 2008, 23:20:24
Latest on the great Tiscali sell off here (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a96843/uk-italy-separation-likely-for-tiscali.html)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on May 28, 2008, 10:39:44
Seems like the bidders are being more realistic than the sellers.  :eyebrow:
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: madasahatter on Jun 03, 2008, 18:08:55
Tiscali to go vodafone? (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/03/tiscali_vodafone_bid_approved_report/)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on Jun 03, 2008, 18:13:57
I can see the attraction for Vodafone, it will make the mobile market 'interesting' if it goes ahead - more bundles ahead I suspect. :)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Glenn on Jun 03, 2008, 18:36:48
It's a lot of money for an ISP that is not profitable
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on Jun 03, 2008, 18:43:38
Any amount would be, of course. I completely fail to see the logic in buying a company that has never made a profit. I guess that's why I don't drive a Porsche etc.
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Inactive on Jun 04, 2008, 00:09:32
They are just buying their mug customer base, many stitched in to long contracts, many not knowing any better. ;)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on Jun 04, 2008, 10:24:54
But if they are losing money on those customers, what do they gain?
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Inactive on Jun 04, 2008, 10:33:15
Increase prices at the drop of a hat, offer them a " deal " on their mobile phone set up as a sweetener to stay, other than that, like you, I have no idea. ;)
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: madasahatter on Jun 04, 2008, 12:30:12
Quote from: Rik on Jun 04, 2008, 10:24:54
But if they are losing money on those customers, what do they gain?

I think in the case of Vodafone it's a ready made customer base to sell their moby contracts etc to
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on Jun 04, 2008, 12:31:02
That's the only thing which makes sense, Mad, with the long-term aim of being able to sell complete packages.
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: madasahatter on Jun 04, 2008, 12:33:03
I often wondered why Vodafone hadn't until now gone down this route as Orange and O2 have. I suppose doing it this way they don't have any of the network start up costs - it's all there ready and waiting for them. :clever:
Title: Re: Telecoms in Europe seek acquisitions
Post by: Rik on Jun 04, 2008, 12:35:08
Tangled webs and all that, Mad. :)