Sampling of ForceNine Consulting Projects and Clients

The professional consultants and advisors of ForceNine Consulting have directed and participated in a wide range of projects in the wireless, cable television, satellite, broadband, fiber optic, internet and telephone industries. The following is a sampling of our experience in due diligence reviews, financial appraisals, business and strategic planning, feasibility studies, market research, product assessments, marketing plans, forecasting models, technical assessments and market sizing. Most of the projects were performed within the past five years, while some of them that were performed as much as ten years ago are included to demonstrate the breadth and depth of the involvement our consultants and advisors.

A sampling of some of the projects in which ForceNine consultants and advisors were involved in market research, business and strategic planning, forecasting and technical assessments is as follows:

Devon Mobile Communications - Developed and solicited Request for Quotes from Network Infrastructure Manufacturers. Provided analysis and recommendations for Infrastructure Manufacturers responses relating to Network configuration and Pricing/Budget considerations. Acted as Program Executive to the client for the turn-key Radio Frequency Design, Spectrum Clearing, FAA Filings, FCC Filings of an 800+ site PCS network located in 7 states.

Dicomm Wireless - Provided Technology Selection consulting services for this PCS client. Developed and solicited Request for Quotes from Network Infrastructure Manufacturers. Provided analysis and recommendations for Infrastructure Manufacturers responses relating to Network configuration and Pricing/Budget considerations. Acted as Program Executive to the client for the turn-key Radio Frequency Design, Site Acquisition, Site Construction, Spectrum Clearing and FCC Filings. All services were performed over a 4 month window to meet FCC requirements prior to the expiration of a PCS FCC Construction Permit.

Sprint PCS - Acted as a Preferred Vendor to Sprint's Microwave Relocation Group. Provided Program Management, Design, Installation and Commissioning services on behalf of Sprint PCS for the replacement of incumbent operator microwave networks.

Coastel Communications - Successfully represented this Cellular Licensee before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from a RF Design and Regulatory perspective. Client participated with other Cellular providers to resolve RF Coverage and Administrative Contour issues between land based Cellular Providers and the Gulf of Mexico based Cellular Providers.

Vulcan Ventures - An extensive review and analysis of RCN's operations and business plan were performed, including onsite reviews at various locations, detailed management interviews, evaluation of marketing plans, analysis of financial reports and assessment of staffing needs. Recommendations were made regarding staffing, functional changes, strategic assets and reporting practices.

AirTouch Teletrac - Extensive market research and business planning were performed for a potential provider of location/messaging services in the 902-928 MHz ISM band. An industry competitive analysis was performed, focus groups were held and 900 mall intercept interviews were conducted. An economic analysis was also performed for a nationwide build-out.

Large Electric Utility Company - The market potential for selling wireless data services on the company's advanced digital radio network was analyzed. A survey of current users, salespersons, radio dealers, and terminal manufacturers was conducted to determine the need for circuit-switched and packet-switched data services. This information was combined with current market intelligence in order to produce a ten-year outlook for the demand for mobile data services.

Little LEO Carrier - Primary market research was conducted with respect to vertical and horizontal data applications. Issues examined included size and functionality of equipment, and demand for non real-time messaging. One market analysis included telemetry applications in remote areas of the U.S., such as oil and gas pipeline, utility use, containerized cargo tracking, and environmental monitoring. Market sizing and executive interviews were performed for this segment.

Geotek Communications, Inc. - Extensive primary research was performed, along with technology evaluation, financial modeling and business strategy projects over a two-year period. The need for bundled voice and data applications among fleet-oriented businesses was explored. The primary research involved more than 80 in-depth interviews with telecommunications decision-makers and 8 focus groups with potential business customers.

Eon - Business planning and strategy, market research, competitive analysis and financial modeling was performed for Eon's future two-way text and voice messaging service in the 218 - 220 MHz IVDS bandwidth.

Two-Way Messaging Provider - The market potential for utility meter reading and demand-side management using two-way messaging infrastructure was analyzed. Issues examined included current market use of wireless meter reading, utility industry trends, and competitive costs needed to provide the service.

ISM-Band Service Provider - Analyzed the market potential for telemetry applications, including vending machines, and wireless home and business alarm monitoring services. Issues examined included the need for real-time data, market sizing, and the competitive environment for these services.

Nortel (six major Latin American countries) - On-site, primary research was conducted in six major Latin American countries, and forecasting models were developed to estimate and project business and residential demand for broadband services.

FOXTEL (Joint venture in Australia between Australia Telecom and News Corporation of the United Kingdom) - Evaluation, review and engineering recommendations were provided for upgrading an existing telecommunications fiber system for cable TV and telephony applications.

Lockheed Martin - Assessment of market opportunity for interactive broadband services in 15 Asia-Pacific countries.

Hughes Communications - Market demand and feasibility studies were performed of digital satellite TV services in Japan and the Middle East, including the Gulf States and Egypt.

Hongkong Telecom - A consumer demand study of Interactive Multimedia Services and Pay TV in Hong Kong was performed.

DIRECTV International - A market demand and feasibility study was performed of digital satellite TV service in India, and cable and satellite programming preferences and price sensitivity were researched in urban markets.

Bell Atlantic (Currently Verizon) - Due Diligence of TeleCommunications, Inc. (TCI) Cable Systems, including on-site investigations and analysis of all TCI major market cable systems, including analysis of customer service levels and performance, operations, marketing and sales methods, market potential and management information systems.

People's Choice TV - Wireless cable demand and penetration estimates based on consumer surveys were conducted in 6 markets where People's Choice TV was launching wireless cable systems, and video programming research including pay per view.

A sampling of some of the international projects performed by consultants and advisors of ForceNine Consulting is as follows:

Singapore Broadcasting Corporation / Singapore Telecom Corporation - Singapore - As lead consultants of a five-firm consortium, members of ForceNine Consulting conducted the Singapore Cable TV Feasibility Study and Implementation Plan for Singapore's television and telecom organizations. Studies included all aspects of technical design, alternative technologies, market surveys, programming, financial viability, and cultural factors. The consortium was selected in a competitive bidding process among 26 of the world's leading telecommunications consultants.

Hong Kong Cable Communications Ltd. - Hong Kong - Retained by Hong Kong Cable Communications, Inc. (HKCC) to assist in the preparation of its application for the cable TV franchise. HKCC was a consortium including The Wharf Holdings, Ltd. (Hong Kong), Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. (Hong Kong), Shaw Brothers (Hong Kong) Ltd., US WEST (a regional Bell holding company) and Coditel SA, a cable TV operator in Belgium.

CCI Capital Investors S.A. (Citicorp) - Argentina - An on-site due diligence review and valuation of a large multiple system cable television operator, including in-depth analysis of demographics and video competition to develop a demand model for cable television services, technical review of the existing facilities and an analysis of the proposed rebuild and upgrade plans, a detailed valuation model, and an assessment of cable company strengths and weaknesses and growth strategies.

Citibank, N.A. - The United Kingdom - A due diligence of potential cable TV and cable telephone investments in the U.K., including an overview study of the U.K. cable TV industry and intensive investigations of specific cable systems in England. Our five-person on-site team reviewed and reported on cable TV and telephone construction, operations, management, marketing, competition and financial performance.

Etisalat (Telecom) - United Arab Emirates - Conducted a comprehensive feasibility study regarding the introduction of cable TV throughout the seven Emirates, including market demand studies, technical design, financial feasibility studies, programming plans, marketing and pricing plans, staffing requirements and implementation plans.

Mitsubishi - Japan - On-site market research concerning the potential for digitial television service to be delivered by direct broadcast satellite, including focus groups among potential Japanese customers, and quantitative market research studies focussing on consumers' interest in multi-channel video programming, acceptance of certain equipment in or on their homes, willingness to pay for various types of programming, and price sensitivities.

Mitsubishi - Japan - Impact of Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) on cable television operators. Focus groups and quantitative surveys used to estimate cable subscriber defections to the new DirecTV-RCA satellite service.

Telecom Australia - Australia - Conducted market research of existing interactive television services for potential use in future Australian applications. Interviews were conducted with the service provider concerning the acceptance, pricing and marketing of the interactive services.

Over the past 30 years, the members of ForceNine Consulting have provided due diligence reviews and appraisals for hundreds of telecommunications businesses, in which analyses were made of the technical plans, construction plans and budgets, and the financial impact of variations to those plans. A sample list of clients that have utilized our services for due diligence reviews and appraisals is as follows: