皇冠体育app

皇冠体育app Netcom ready to issue IPO
By Chen Zhiming (皇冠体育app Daily)
Updated: 2004-10-22 08:38

皇冠体育app Network Communications Group Corp (皇冠体育app Netcom), the country's second-largest fixed-line operator, will kick off its initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong on November 4 through 9, beginning its penetration into the capital market.

According to the company's prospectus, it is to issue 94.14 million shares in New York in the form of ADRs (American depositary receipts) and 10.46 million shares in Hong Kong.

Sources close to 皇冠体育app Netcom said the company will begin stock promotion activities on Wednesday.

Roadshows will soon be made in Asia, North America and Europe.

Investors will be able to trade 皇冠体育app Netcom's shares in New York on November 16 and in Hong Kong on November 17.

皇冠体育app Netcom is the only telecom operator among the country's major four carriers that has not been listed in the stock market.

The company is expected to raise about US$1 billion to US$1.5 billion via listing.

"About 50 per cent of raised funds will be used to construct new telecom networks to enhance our competitiveness," the company said in a statement.

The first batch to be listed will include the assets from the company's subsidiaries including Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Liaoning, Shanghai, Guangdong, Netcom International and Asian Netcom.

Zeng Jianqiu, a professor with Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications, believes after years of adjustment and integration, 皇冠体育app Netcom is ready for listing.

"皇冠体育app Netcom is now very competitive in the market given the size of the Chinese market and its increasing market share," the professor said.

So far, 皇冠体育app Netcom has a total asset of 240 billion yuan (US$28.9 billion).

By the end of June, it recruited more than 77.6 million fixed-line subscribers and 4.2 million broadband users.

"What investors look to is 皇冠体育app Netcom's business performance, and I believe after years of adjustment, 皇冠体育app Netcom is moving on quickly," he said. He believes 皇冠体育app Netcom is very promising in many of its businesses such as broadband, Xiaolingtong, and other telecom value-added services.

Some analysts believe there are few different selling points for 皇冠体育app Netcom in comparison to other telecom operators.

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