Your such a pessimist. Let's just ignore the fact for the most part the pessimists have been more right than the optimists on NOR
From you post " Every day this draws out though, the chances get slimer imo because OTT is a threat - until the telco's just charge for data.. at which point, its no threat. They would of course encourage usage (so customers use more data) but will likely let the retail market fight each other to death than take part themselves ".
Somebody as savvy as yourself would know that OTT's take only a small part of a users data bandwidth. Charging for data is a loosing battle as it's getting cheaper and cheaper. Look at the prices google is coming out with. Data will be worth almost nothing soon.
They are not going to make up near the calling revenue they are loosing by ignoring this issue. Not to mention nobody is calling o/s anymore and not using an OTT. Teleco's used to do very well on overseas charges.
There is a unique opportunity here for teleco's. It's a reasonable punt that at least a few might give this angle a shot. NOR is well positioned for this with the sweeter being that some of the back end pipes are still being used so they can be in the loop.
I take your point that time is getting away and the delay from deal signing an agreement to cash in the bank is going to make this a very tight game indeed.
