The Telecom Eireann flotation - the biggest in the history of the State - is due to roll out shortly. On April 21st, the advisers will send out a mailshot to every household inviting individuals to become shareholders in the new public company.
The mailshot will be sent to everyone who is listed on the Electoral Register, with some 2.8 million estimated to be eligible to buy the shares. Around £1 billion (#1.26 billion) worth of Telecom Eireann shares are to be offered to the public ahead of the flotation in June.
The mailshot is the first phase of the flotation campaign. It will explain the flotation process and invite individuals to buy the shares. There will be a six-week pre-registration period during which time individuals who are keen to take up the offer must formally register their interest.
This period aims to give individuals sufficient time to get their finances in order and decide how much they can afford to spend on the shares. It will also give people who have maybe recently moved house to amend their details on the Electoral Register and ensure they don't miss out on the opportunity to become shareholders.
Forms to facilitate any such changes will be widely available at AIB branches, An Post offices and Telecom Eireann telecentres later this month.
By pre-registering, investors will be more or less guaranteed to receive a share allocation, although the actual amount could be as small as £500 or £1,000 depending on the take-up.
