The world's top five steelmakers still command only around one-fifth of the global market, whereas the three leading ore firms control 70% of supplies.

ECONOMIST: Steelmakers on a roll, until the next glut | The

Chinalco took its original stake in the hopes of blocking a merger that China feared would hand too much control of iron ore prices to one company.

ECONOMIST: China and Rio Tinto: A souring relationship | The

There was also concern that Europe's competition authorities might balk at a deal which would put the combined entity in control of roughly 40% of the world's international trade in iron ore, and force it to sell some assets at a time when it would be difficult to get a good price.

ECONOMIST: Face value

"These things are important because users can never get enough bandwidth and control, " said Craig Johnson, president of the PITA Group, a Portland, Ore.

CNN: Networking trends emerge for '99