The one unarguable contention from the GEC-Siemens camp is that GEC Plessey Telecommunications needs an international partner, and it would make sense for Plessey to accept the logic of its tormentors to the extent of agreeing to sell its 50% stake in GEC Plessey to the two – thereby releasing cash to bring as a dowry to a marriage with Thorn: Plessey’s own remaining telecommunications interests (apart from Plessey-Telenet) are moving towards the retail end of the business – it has applied with Hull for a Telepoint licence and is involved in Orbitel Communications Ltd with Racal in cellular telephony equipment which means that in a marriage with Thorn it would gain a captive retail outlet for any phone products and services that emerge.