"The technology to access the Internet through a mobile phone?" Ericsson's Dutch president, Blaud, clutched the phone in his hand and frowned tightly.

He recalled it carefully, shook his head and said to the other end of the phone: "No, we don't have this technology at the moment. To say something similar, it seems that I just heard that the company's Nokia and Motorola joint wireless application network forum has discussed this aspect. However, it is only a purely theoretical construction, and has not yet involved specific technical implementation. ”

"Albert, where did you hear about this technology?" Blauder asked curiously.

In his mind, this should be some small technology company in the Netherlands that has come up with experimental technology. Not perfect, but there are still prospects for acquisition. Incorporating into the company's technical reserves will give Ericsson more leverage when it comes to dividing territory with the other two giants.

Albert hesitated, but decided to tell Browaud and Pan about him.

In Europe, doing business also requires relationships. In particular, Albert was born into an ancient family that had a lot of dealings with many large companies in Europe. Prior to becoming CEO of Telfort, he actually had a long history at Ericsson. He started as a sales manager at the grassroots level, and finally reached the position of regional vice president.

When Albert got Zhou Shuo's technical information, in addition to arranging a practical room to demonstrate whether it was feasible, the first thing that came to mind was to ask Ericsson for verification.

And to be honest, Blalauder's answer did not come as a surprise to him.

"It's a Chinese company called Panhan Group. They wanted to convince Telfort to launch a 100G backbone fiber optic network and GSM wireless network equipment, with a total project cost of about $600 million. They claim to be able to accept $300 million in deferred payments......"

Listening to Albert's introduction, Blaud suddenly felt a little tricky.

"Albert. That's what we said back then. If Telfort launches the GSM project, the top priority should be Ericsson! ”

Blauder was worried. He must reaffirm Albert's attitude. Ericsson's base station products currently basically monopolize the GSM network equipment market in the Netherlands, in this case, it is very sensitive to the five telecom operators with GSM licenses to choose the products of other companies.

The monopoly system is most afraid of the emergence of competitors, even if the competitors are very weak, the monopoly will not be fully effective.

"I know, but you should also know that I'm just the CEO. I can say a lot about the board, but I don't mean it. It is impossible to harm the interests of the company. The Panhan Group offered to take care of the turnkey project of the network construction and promised to pay in installments of 300 million US dollars over 3 years, which was too tempting! ”

"$300 million in 3 years?"

Blaud didn't seem to believe it, and couldn't help asking: "What kind of company is this, dare to come up with such conditions to fight for a $600 million project?" Moreover, how is it possible to build a nationwide network in the Netherlands with a total project value of only $600 million? ”

Of course, Albert couldn't have Zhou Shuo's upper lip touching his lower lip, so he simply believed it. Since he made this call to White, it means that he has verified a lot of information.

There are both technical aspects to this. There are also commercial ones. After all, Zhou Shuo had only taken the title of a scientist and engineer before, and the news that could be unearthed in the newspaper was relatively shallow. Many things are not professional intelligence agencies, and the information they get is just looking at flowers in the fog and looking at the moon in the water after all.

Especially many of Zhou Shuo's previous cases, if only the news obtained from public channels. I'm afraid there is no right conclusion to be drawn from that. There is no way to make a correct judgment on how much strength Fanhan Group, especially Zhou Shuo himself, has.

"Blauder, have you heard of ASML?" Albert was in no hurry to answer his question. Instead, he asked a rhetorical question.

"Of course you know, who in the Dutch IT world doesn't know ASML." Blaud said as a matter of course.

"Then you know that ASML's main competitor before Nikon. Their state-of-the-art lithography machine production line is now in the hands of this Panhan Group. Intel's latest 0.25 micron chip production line. The core lithography equipment is produced by them. With this contract alone, the company in place last year brought in at least $600 million in turnover and $250 million in profits. ”

"In addition, this company also has an absolute controlling stake in a million-piece wafer fab in China, is the majority shareholder of a 4.5 generation LCD panel manufacturer, is the general supplier and operator behind Zlink, and is the main supplier of chips for MP3 products that are now popular in Europe......"

"Shhhh

Only then did Blaud realize how ridiculous the idea he had started was, to buy such a company? No kidding. This lithography machine production line and the contract with Intel alone, if they are really sold, they will be sold for more than 3 billion.

As for the latter Albert who picked out what he thought was the most important industry of the Pan Han Group, it scared Blaud even more. What kind of small company is this, it is obviously an electronics giant that can be counted among the best in the industry. It's just that such a company, why has it been inconspicuous and undewy before?

"So, I'm underestimating the Chinese company. But even so, we at Ericsson will not be afraid of him. $300 million in deferred payments, I can also get that for you. But the total project cost is 600 million US dollars, and this price is absolutely impossible! Albert, I need to know where is the confidence of this Chinese to quote this price! ”

Ericsson in this era is very unbeatable, with an annual turnover of more than 10 billion US dollars and total assets of nearly 100 billion US dollars.

But if it was really that easy, why didn't Ericsson support Telfort to launch the GSM network project? The reason is simple, $600 million really can't do it!

In order to launch the optical fiber network and GSM network all over the country, Ericsson has made a cost estimate. As a result, the total investment in this project will be infinitely close to the $900 million mark!

And the part that Telfort can raise itself is only $300 million. How can Pan Han Group reduce the cost by another 300 million US dollars?

This is the point that Blalaud is most concerned about, and what he is most puzzled about.

"I asked this question, but unfortunately the Chinese are very cautious and do not disclose the tone at all. Unless a confidentiality contract is signed, the specific plan will not be handed over to me. ”

"Damn, cunning Chinese!" Blaud scolded to himself.

"In that case, can Telfort raise some down payment amounts?" Blaud thought for a moment and said tentatively: "If you promise to pay $500 million down, I will work hard to postpone the payment of the remaining $400 million for three years." ”

Albert smiled bitterly, although he couldn't see the other side, he still shook his head lightly and sighed: "It's impossible, $300 million is already the limit of Telfort's potential." ”

"Then ......" Blalaud gritted his teeth and said fiercely: "Albert, can you convince the board of directors to accept investment from other companies?" ”

"Other companies?" Albert was slightly surprised and asked, "Ericsson is interested in investing in us?" That's fine, Telfort is open to outside investment. ”

"It's not Ericsson, I have an inside message that KPN is interested in buying Telfort."

Albert was overjoyed at first, and then shocked: "It's a good thing that KPN has acquired us, but I'm afraid it's not all good news for Ericsson at this point in time." ”

Telfort has always been a small company and cannot develop due to lack of capital. The other three telecom service providers are backed by the UK, France and Germany, while KPN is backed by the Netherlands. To use an analogy, Telfort is the guerrilla army, the district squad, and the military engineering team, while the KPN is a regular army.

Being acquired by KPN is not a bad thing for Telfort.

But this time, Telfort launched a national network project, and if KPN intervened at this time, it would not be all good for Ericsson.

Why? The loss of Telfort's market is only a slight flaw for Ericsson in the Netherlands, but the flaw is not hidden. However, if Ericsson still does not keep Telfort's business after KPN's intervention, then Fanhan Group can take advantage of the trend to enter the ranks of KPN's suppliers.

As the saying goes, the embankment of a thousand miles is destroyed in an anthill, and if Fanhan Group takes this opportunity to break through the surface and get the opportunity to sell its full line of products to KPN, it will be too much of a threat to Ericsson!

"Don't worry, Albert." Blaud was full of confidence and said with a smile: "In addition to cost, I don't think the Chinese have the possibility of surpassing Ericsson in other aspects." ”

"That's what I'm talking about." In the bottom of his heart, Albert still believes in Ericsson's technical strength.

"Being able to realize the prospect of mobile networks, this Chinese named Zhou Shuo is really not simple!" Bai Lauder smiled confidently: "I don't know where the others are? I'd like to see it. ”

"I'm afraid it's not easy, he should have gotten on the plane to the United States by now......"

"Oh? It's a bit of a pity. Blaude was slightly disappointed, but quickly put this bit of affection behind him. (To be continued......)