The Licklider Group: The private investment company...

The Licklider Group: The private investment company said Tuesday that it plans to invest up to $6 million in ThriftyTel Inc., a provider of long-distance telephone service.

Under the tentative agreement, the group would invest $3 million for a 25% stake in ThriftyTel and would have an option to buy another 25% for $3 million.

William J. Kettle, chairman of Garden Grove-based ThriftyTel, and another shareholder will grant their voting rights to the Licklider Group for two years as a condition of the investment.

The Licklider Group, also based in Garden Grove, is headed by Rex Licklider, the founder and former chairman and chief executive officer of Com Systems Inc., a long-distance telephone service company headquartered in Westlake Village.