Telecommunications Strategy: Cases, Theory and Applications

by Curwen,Peter

• ISBN13: 9780415342384
• ISBN10: 0415342384
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-09-29
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The telecommunications industry is one of the most influential and significant global industries. As well as being fundamentally important to the health of the modern economy, it is going through a period of unprecedented change, facing a range of strategic challenges from globalization and cross-border alliances, to changing technologies and consumer demands. This innovative book provides a comprehensive analysis of the key players in the industry and uses their experiences to illustrate the strategic decisions and dilemmas that have led to both notable successes and infamous failures. Case-studies from the US, UK, and Europe have been selected to illustrate key strategic concepts in the industry including managing ascent and decline, convergence and specialization, protecting core markets, and managing industrial transition.

Author Biography

Jason Whalley is Lecturer in Management Sciences at Strathclyde University.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	xi
Preface	xiii
Acknowledgements	xv
List of abbreviations	xvii
1 Structural overview	1	(21)
Introduction	1	(1)
Ranking the companies	2	(6)
Effects upon market values	8	(4)
Strategic issues	12	(8)
Conclusions	20	(2)
2 Strategic models	22	(29)
Introduction	22	(1)
SWOT analysis	23	(2)
Growth share matrix	25	(2)
Scenario planning	27	(3)
Value chain analysis	30	(4)
Porter's Five Forces	34	(2)
The flagship firm	36	(3)
Strategic states model	39	(4)
Leadership and culture	43	(3)
Accounting issues	46	(5)
PART I Illustrative application of strategic modelling I	51	(74)
3 British Telecommunications (BT)	55	(23)
Introduction	55	(1)
Accumulating debts and restructuring	56	(11)
The BT Group stands alone	67	(4)
The BT Group tries to deliver	71	(1)
mmO2's less than glorious year	72	(3)
Conclusions	75	(3)
4 AT&T	78	(22)
Introduction	78	(1)
Background	78	(2)
The Concert episode	80	(2)
The new millennium brings restructuring	82	(4)
AT&T Wireless launches	86	(2)
Valuing AT&T	88	(3)
Taking stock	91	(2)
2002 in practice	93	(3)
2003 dawns	96	(2)
Conclusions	98	(2)
5 Telecom Italia	100	(29)
Background	100	(1)
The first contest for Telecom Italia	101	(3)
Post-merger restructuring	104	(3)
Seat-Tin.it	107	(1)
An audit of the Colaninno reign	108	(1)
The tables are turned	109	(2)
The proposed strategy	111	(3)
Subsequent events	114	(7)
Conclusions	121	(4)
PART II Illustrative application of strategic modelling II	125	(48)
6 Vodafone	129	(25)
Background	129	(1)
Growth via acquisition	130	(5)
Re-branding	135	(1)
Tidying up the structure	136	(7)
Share price woes	143	(2)
A need to reconsider the strategy	145	(7)
Conclusions	152	(2)
7 WorldCom	154	(23)
Introduction	154	(1)
Background	154	(3)
A strategic U-turn is needed	157	(2)
Smoke and mirrors	159	(5)
In Chapter 11	164	(5)
Conclusions	169	(4)
PART III Illustrative application of strategic modelling III	173	(68)
8 Vivendi Universal	177	(23)
Background	177	(2)
Early struggles	179	(5)
Causes for concern	184	(2)
The plot unravels	186	(3)
Let the fire sale begin	189	(4)
Back to basics in 2003	193	(5)
Conclusions	198	(2)
9 AOL Time Warner	200	(23)
Introduction	200	(1)
Multimedia and convergence	201	(4)
Background 202 Musical chairs	205	(1)
Regulatory skirmishes	206	(4)
Post-merger tribulations	210	(3)
The restructuring of Time Warner Entertainment	213	(1)
Personnel and other matters	214	(3)
What was joined shall be parted	217	(3)
Conclusions	220	(3)
10 The KirchGruppe	223	(18)
Introduction	223	(1)
Background	223	(2)
The KirchGruppe structure in 2002	225	(2)
The crisis unfolds	227	(3)
The impact of the KirchMedia insolvency	230	(2)
Towards resolution	232	(6)
Conclusions	238	(3)
PART IV Illustrative application of strategic modelling IV	241	(43)
11 Cable & Wireless	245	(20)
Introduction	245	(1)
Background	245	(3)
No longer cabled	248	(1)
Strategic issues	249	(3)
The good times roll	252	(1)
A new decade dawns	253	(2)
Annus horribilis I	255	(2)
Annus horribilis II	257	(3)
Out of the woods in 2003?	260	(3)
Conclusions	263	(2)
12 Marconi	265	(19)
Introduction	265	(1)
Background	266	(2)
Matters of high finance	268	(2)
Abandoning ship	270	(5)
The new strategy unfolds	275	(5)
Arise Marconi Corporation	280	(1)
Conclusions	281	(3)
Glossary	284	(3)
Notes	287	(20)
References	307	(1)
Index	308