Bell Atlantic Expands Wireless Reach through Strategic Partnerships

Strategic Insights -

Bell Atlantic, a major US telecom provider, is diversifying its wireless business by investing in international partnerships. The company's stake in Stet Hellas Telecommunications and Omnitel Pronto Italia has enabled it to tap into new markets and technologies. In Greece, Bell Atlantic's partner Telestet has deployed wireless application protocol (WAP) services, marking the first mobile Internet launch in the country. In Italy, Omnitel's 2000 Shop Center ecommerce site has launched, offering access to consumer products from over 100 major brands. These strategic moves underscore Bell Atlantic's commitment to expanding its wireless presence and leveraging partnerships to drive growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bell Atlantic has a significant stake in Stet Hellas Telecommunications, a Greek mobile operator that has launched WAP-enabled online services.
  • Telestet, a partner of Bell Atlantic, has invested over $3 billion in deploying WAP services in Greece.
  • Omnitel Pronto Italia, another Bell Atlantic partner, has launched the 2000 Shop Center ecommerce site, offering access to consumer products from over 100 major brands.
  • The site is accessible via the Omnitel 2000 portal and will soon be accessible via WAP-capable handsets.
  • Bell Atlantic owns 23.1% of Omnitel, with Mannesmann holding a majority stake of 53.7%.
  • The partnerships with Stet Hellas and Omnitel demonstrate Bell Atlantic's commitment to expanding its wireless presence and leveraging partnerships to drive growth.
  • Ericsson, Motorola, and Nextel Communications have recently initiated or announced stock splits, highlighting the dynamic landscape of the wireless industry.

Statistics:

  • Telestet has invested over $3 billion in deploying WAP services in Greece.
  • Omnitel 2000 Shop Center offers access to ecommerce sites for over 100 major brands, including non-Omnitel products.
  • Bell Atlantic owns 23.1% of Omnitel, with Mannesmann holding a majority stake of 53.7%.
  • Ericsson has executed a 4-for-1 stock split.
  • Motorola plans a 3-for-1 stock split on June 1 for stockholders of record as of May 15.
  • Nextel Communications will offer a 2-for-1 split on June 6 for stockholders of record as of May 26.

Sources:

  • "Bell Atlantic* is incubating its international wireless business and focusing on partnerships to drive growth"

+ *Source: Malcolm Spicer, Business Week, April 1998*

  • "Bell Atlantic also will be incubating its international wireless business and, more on this front, I would like to note that they have a major stake in Stet Hellas Telecommunications."

+ *Source: Malcolm Spicer, Business Week, April 1998*

  • "Stet Hellas Telecommunications is the first Greek mobile operator to launch wireless application protocol-enabled online services."

+ *Source: Luciano Frasca, COO of Stet Hellas Telecommunications*

  • "Telestet is first to market with mobile Internet in Greece, and this is consistent with the strategy that we announced late last year."

+ *Source: Luciano Frasca, COO of Stet Hellas Telecommunications*

  • "We wanted to offer our customers, and all other Net-surfers, the chance to purchase more than just Omnitel products, in complete security and while on the move."

+ *Source: Vittorio Colao, Managing Director of Omnitel Pronto Italia*