Freeserve considers UMTS mobile bid with Energis

NEWS Freeserve today confirmed reports that it is considering launching a joint bid for the third generation (3G) UMTS mobile licences, due to be auctioned by the government next year. A spokeswoman for Freeserve said that it was determined to enter the broadband wireless market, but that a bid for the mobile licence was just one of a number of options under consideration. Reports in today's press, based on briefings by Freeserve CEO John Pluthero, said that Freeserve was likely to form a partnership with telecoms operator, Energis. Freeserve confirmed that it was looking for a partner to provide the telecoms expertise to make up such a bid and that Energis was a potential partner. Henry Harrison, senior consultant for telecoms analyst, Schema, said that there was potentially good synergy between Freeserve and Energis, with Freeserve being directed at the consumer market and Energis concentrating on business customers. However, any bid would be a risky venture, with neither partner having experience of running a mobile network. At present the auction for the 3G licences is scheduled for the new year, with the first networks not expected to be up and running until 2003. The technology will allow the transmission of broadband Internet services, such as those offered by Freeserve, to mobile devices.