Forum Archive Index - February 2000

["Les Mortimer" <les@openmind.co.nz>]

In the latest issue of Time magazine there's an article about Britains Vodafone and Germany's Mannesmann marriage.

The section the stuck out for me follows: David Dorman who heads the AT&T-BT joint venture, says that in acquiring the German company, Vodaphone is getting "a jewel." 

The sparkle comes from the fact that both firms have a special focus on wireless, mobile communications. Wireless is a key part of the new international telecoms order because wireless systems are far easier to build and maintain than in-the -ground copper or fiber-optic networks. And in an age of globalization, vodafone-which also owns AirTouch- could offer to let its users roam freely from nation to nation without having to pay the exorbitant special charges that they face today.

 

Who is getting into wireless in NZ??? 

Did I here that the NZ Government was going to auction wireless frequencies at the end of February 2000??? 

 

If this giant company continues to move in the wireless direction that must bode well for any other company that takes a position in wireless tech now, and note it was Vodaphones opposition that made the comment!

 

When I consider the convenience of a pager and then relate this to the convenience of having a Cell phone with pager, e-mail,

bundled together and reduced running cost, it does sound like a very good way to go. We could carry our office in our pocket imagine the freedom we would have. I think Nokia are working towards this type of equipment.

 

Regards Les.