The second Dutch digital cellular operator’s licence has gone to the MT-2 consortium led by bankrupt Barings Bank buyer Internationale Nederlanden Groep NV, in which Vodafone Group Plc is also an investor. As well as ING, which has 52%, and Vodafone – 35%, the MT-2 consortium includes Vendex International NV, 5%, Internatio-Mller AG, 2%, and LIOF Limburg Telecombinatie, a band of 20 firms from the southern province of Limburg, where MT-2 plans to have its headquarters – the other 6%. Vodafone shares added 2.5 pence to 197.5 pence on the news. The consortium said it plans to float some of its equity on the Amsterdam stock exchange – but not until it is profitable, which on current projections will be 1999.
