Article

2003-09-30 Iraq

Love me Tender - bidding for Iraqi cellular

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Posted by rg117 2003-09-30 9:00:02 PM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 "current auction for Iraqâs cellular telephony infrastructure, a market that it is estimated to be worth $6 by 2008."

Cripes! I'll get in the bidding - I've got at least that in my wallet right now! Hot damn!

Posted by Frank G 2003-9-30 9:44:15 PM|| 2003-9-30 9:44:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 So the Euros are being cut out... Cry me a river.

Posted by someone 2003-9-30 10:25:52 PM|| 2003-9-30 10:25:52 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 CDMA issues. This should result in a good post from Den Beste soon.

BTW, Krugman seized on this to call Bush and the CPA leaders "Crony Capitalists" and "War Profiteers".

He had an interesting comparison to Truman's policy and the Marshall Plan. But he's such a raving partisan that no one should trust his analysis. Anyone with knowledge of this area willing to tackle this issue? (or agree with Krugman)

Posted by Tokyo Taro 2003-9-30 10:37:11 PM|| 2003-9-30 10:37:11 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 This sounds awfully iffy. Isn't the physical infrastructure there already, and pretty much intact? Wasn't there a problem with jihadis using cell phones to detonate their roadside bombs?

What are we really talking about here, in terms of actual up-front costs to get the network up and running? (if it's not already)

Posted by mojo 2003-9-30 10:37:20 PM|| 2003-9-30 10:37:20 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Six lousy dollars, eh? ;)

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2003-9-30 11:24:24 PM|| 2003-9-30 11:24:24 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Wait a minute, let's see what this thing is actually saying:

1. The Coalition Provisional Authorityâs stipulation that no carrier in which more than a 10 per cent stake is owned by a national government rules out Bahrainâs Batelco, the Emiratesâ Etisalat and Kuwaiti MTC-Vodafone, as well as Orange (now owned by France Telecom) and Deutsche Telecom-owned T-Mobile, amongst others.

So the CPA rules out government-owned "businesses"
and favors privately owned companies? And this wrong, how?

2. Showing admirable entrepreneurial zeal, Batelco activated a stealth GSM network in June, but was asked to stop after two days.

How about this interpretation instead: showing an admirable willingness to cheat and lie, the Bahrain government owned cell monopoly tried to sneak into Iraq.

3. And thereâs no requirement to employ local contractors - even though local knowledge could prevent the contractors from being shot. The reason for this is that such a stipulation would deter foreign investors.

And there is no requirement NOT to hire local contractors either. In otherwords, the company that does the business can pick any contractor, foreign OR local.

4. "and a poorly informed Senator Darrell Issa..."

How about, and a poorly informed Iraq Revenue Watch author. Issa is a CONGRESSMAN, not a Senator, dimwit.

Another passing of marsh gas out of Soro's fever swamp of "institutes." Say, George, what's next free drugs to all Iraqis so you can show what a great place you can if there aren't any drug laws?

Posted by R. McLeod 2003-10-1 12:53:12 AM|| 2003-10-1 12:53:12 AM|| Front Page Top

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