[ NNSquad ] Re: in Italy, a telco local exchange auctioned on eBay

[ssc <ssc@strikenet.kicks-ass.net>]

Some years back when I worked daily in long lines, I had an opportunity 
to have the better part of an area code GIVEN to me if I'd agree to take 
it over. In fact they were so urgently trying to get rid of it, they 
would front me $250,000 to take it over.
Since this never happens, and if no one took it over, by state law, the 
incumbent telco wireline would have to service it, I did some research. 
Most of the accounts were buried cable, over 50 years old, and in urgent 
need of new cable. It consisted mainly of people who used second homes 
for summer, and it was tornado country in summer, and blizzard country 
in winter.
Needless to say, I passed on it. After analyzing the costs vs. income, 
I'd of needed $5 million to startup, just to fix cables. The customer 
base was so huge, the CO was right behind the volunteer fire department 
in an outhouse sized building in two 19" racks, and the key to the door 
was under the mat at the fire hall.
(Sounds of "Green acres is the place to be" playing in the background).

  [ We can do better than that:

         http://bit.ly/cl6DUl  (YouTube)

    What seemed like insanity in "Green Acres" back then has
    become telecom modus operandi today!

      -- Lauren Weinstein
         NNSquad Moderator ]



Stefano Quintarelli wrote:
> in Italy, an incumbent's telco local exchange is being auctioned on eBay
>
> is someone aware of a similar auction anywhere in the world or is this a
> first time ?
>
> The previous management of Telecom Italia (Italy's incumbent and (still)
> one of the largest 5-6 telcos wordlwide) sold local exchange's buildings
> to a real estate fund, participated by some of the most well-known
> international investment banks (very present in the press in the last
> months).
>
> The properties are rented by Telecom Italia (quite obviously).
>
> The (relative) majority shareholder of Telecom Italia was a company
> controlled by Pirelli (the tyre manufacturer) and the controlling
> shareholder of Pirelli was also the chairman of Telecom Italia. Pirelli
> then sold their ownerships of Telecom Italia and therefore he stepped
> down from chairmanship.
>
> The real estate fund entered an agreement with Pirelli Real Estate, the
> real estate branch of Pirelli.
>
> Now, the local agency of Pirelli RE is auctioning on eBay the Exchange
> of Pula, a popular holiday resort in Sardinia
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pula,_Italy
> http://www.sardegnaturismo.it/en/index.html
>
>