To assess the extent to which the owners of mobile telecommunication companies could be said to be internationalised at the end of 2003, and to make comparisons among them.
A database is created, based upon the analysis of 39 mobile telcos' international footprints, which is designed to permit the calculation of the extent of internationalisation based upon two contrasting, but related measures.
A comparison of the internationalisation status of the 39 telcos at the end of 2003 broken down by region.
Some difficulties with measurement of the main variables were met but satisfactorily resolved.
Individual mobile telcos are constantly making comments in the media about their internationalisation strategy. This study provides a context for such comments and provides the opportunity to assess individual overseas investments in the light of a company's existing overseas profile.
The approach employed for the assessment of internationalisation is entirely new and unique.
