DUBLIN, Ireland-Three American companies are working through the U.S. Embassy in Ireland to determine how an Irish long-distance company won the country’s second cellular wireless telephone license last fall.
Motorola Inc., AT&T Wireless Services and Southwestern Bell Corp. want the Irish government to explain why Esat Digifone was selected as the license winner. The three U.S. firms were part of separate consortia seeking the 15-year license. License applications originally were due last June, but debate over licensing fee charges caused the first deadline to be postponed until August. Six consortia sought Ireland’s second mobile phone license.
Esat Digifone is owned 40 percent by the Esat Telecom long-distance firm, 40 percent by Telenor of Norway, and held by other investors including Communicorp Group Ltd.
Other activity in Ireland includes a movement by Ireland’s government operator, Telecom Eirann, to court a strategic partner.
