Forum Archive Index - July 2000

[Brian Gale <brigale@i4free.co.nz>]

Hi Ben
        Where did the data come from that you posted yesterday ? Was it just a 
routine announcement from TEL ?
        I4free was not mentioned but they now have 83,200 subscribers (as at 
26/06/00) and they say they have spend over $2.6m on technical 
infrastructure and modems to give extra carrying capacity.

        I am not sure about pre XTRA account customers still using their 
services. 
I am still an XTRA account holder but now my use is almost zero. There must 
be many like me.

        Sometimes there is congestion on I4free but generally I have found the 
service good.  I have often been linked for several hours without being 
disconnected.

        I suppose the $64,000 question is will TEL float XTRA  which was muted 
earlier. It is apparent that TEL have their hands full at present battling 
Clear, Vodafone and  Telstra Saturn for package deals with most of the 
activity out of Auckland. They must be temporarily relieved that the Govt. 
inquiry has not required them to unbundle the loop, but this must surely 
happen eventually or will it be so important in the future with 
wireless/satellite communication developing.

With all that is happening with the big players the competition must be 
good for the consumer.

        IMHO it is not surprising that TEL shares have fallen. The monopoly of 
yesteryear has well and truly gone.  The relatively small cake which is the 
NZ market is being divided up.  Who will end up with the biggest piece ?

Hope this provokes some discussion.

Regards
Brian


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