As long as the technology works and services are seamless, users will get better prices and performance.

UMTS will be remembered as the trigger that imploded Europe's mobile industry. We expect that consolidation will leave only five groups serving all mobile users by 2008.

UMTS will be remembered as the trigger that imploded Europe's mobile industry, ... We expect that consolidation will leave only five groups serving all mobile users by 2008.

Microsoft, in whatever form it will end up, will be a very strong competitor and a very innovative force.

Both are very proud companies coming out of very proud nations, and this could again make a deal a bit tricky. One has to ask how easily two super-strong engineering cultures can collaborate when both think they are the best in the world.

These bids have not been driven by an overarching vision or an attempt to foster innovation in the industry. They have been largely driven by attempts to leverage the cash flow of European telecom operators.