United Kingdom
Britain-based Marconi plc announced it has sold its Network Components & Services business in Europe and China to Viasystems Group Inc. for $115 million in cash. The sale of NC&S, a component manufacturer for the telecommunications industry, is part of Marconi’s strategy to focus on its core businesses, according to the company. Completion of the sale is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to take place before March 31.
Finland
Nokia Corp. announced it won a contract to update Finnish operator Radiolinja’s base station subsystem with General Packet Radio Service equipment. Deliveries will take place during second-quarter 2000. The agreement covers the first deployment phase of Radiolinja’s GPRS core network for commercial services. GPRS enables Internet and e-mail services to be delivered to a wireless phone.
Jordan
France Telecom announced it acquired a 40-percent stake in Jordanian Telecom Company in a deal valued at $508 million. The transaction is part of a privatization process initiated by Jordan’s government in 1997. The purchase of Jordan’s national telecommunications operator was made in partnership with Arab Bank through Jitco, a joint holding company which is 88-percent owned by France Telecom and 12-percent owned by Arab Bank. France Telecom will be responsible for management and operations of JTC and its wireless unit, PetraCell, and will contribute expertise in the development, management and operation of telecom networks. The services will be provided through a five-year renewable management contract between JTC and France Telecom. JTC currently has 600,000 lines installed and a penetration rate of 12 percent. JTC’s mobile telephone service will begin rollout in September.
Germany
Deutsche Telekom AG said it plans to list its newly reorganized T-Mobil International AG cell phone unit in third-quarter 2000. Last week, DT announced it is bundling its wireless assets into a new holding company.
