Press Clippings: February 2007

Major Industry items you might have missed

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Verizon rumoured to be eyeing Alltel.

Source: TeleGeography.

Verizon Wireless is being linked with a possible takeover bid for smaller cellular rival, Alltel.
Alltel had 11.8m. subscribers at the end of 2006, putting it in fifth place in the US cellular market. If the acquisition were to take place, it would see Verizon leapfrog AT&T-Cingular to take the top spot; Verizon currently claims 59.05m. customers, behind AT&T’s 61m.

Posted by Judith — 5:37 AM


EU approves Liberty Global’s controlling ownership in Telenet.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

Liberty Global, an international cable operator, announced that the European Commission has approved the company’s recently increased and controlling ownership position in Belgium’s Telenet Group Holding.
Liberty Global exercised options that increased the company’s ownership in Telenet to 28.07%.
Telenet’s business comprises the provision of cable television, high speed internet, and fixed and mobile telephony services, primarily to residential customers in Flanders and Brussels.

Posted by Judith — 4:58 AM


Vivendi steps up T-Mobile legal fight.

Source: TeleGeography.

French media giant Vivendi last week stepped up a US$7.5bn. federal lawsuit against T-Mobile USA, Deutsche Telekom and a wealthy Polish businessman, alleging that together they defrauded it out of a US$2.5bn. investment it made in Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa.

Posted by Judith — 4:15 AM


Telecom NZ launches online service.

Source: TeleGeography.

Telecom New Zealand has launched its new media joint venture Yahoo!Xtra. The venture, which was set up with Yahoo!7, will provide a range of online content and products.

Posted by Judith — 3:41 AM


Apple TV to be ‘a few weeks’ late.

Source: BBC.

Apple has delayed the release of its TV set-top box. Initially the company said the device would ship in February, but now expects it to go in mid-March.
Apple TV will play downloaded music and videos on a home stereo or television. The device is Apple’s first entry into the set-top box market.

Posted by Judith — 3:24 AM

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Saudi mobile licence receives nine bids.

Source: BWCS.

Nine companies have been put under starter’s orders in the race to win the third mobile licence in Saudi Arabia. Home to the largest telecoms market in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia, is viewed as a potentially very lucrative mobile market, due to its low tele-density. Analysts believe the licence could be sold for as much as US$4bn.
Orascom of Egypt, MTC of Kuwait, Oger Telecom, MTN of South Africa, and Turkcell of Turkey are all bidding for the licence, as are a trio of Indian operators: Bharti, Reliance Communications and MTNL.

Posted by Judith — 4:53 AM


Ericsson makes play for IPTV firm.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Swedish equipment vendor Ericsson has revealed that it has made a public cash offer of SKr9.8bn. (Eur1bn.) for Norwegian IPTV firm Tandberg Television.
Ericsson said the potential acquisition would be part of its drive into the IPTV market, and would expand the vendor’s customer base to include cable and satellite operators as well as broadcasters.

Posted by Judith — 4:32 AM


Motorola demands minutes of meeting for BSNL contract.

Source: TeleGeography.

Motorola has urged the Delhi High Court to order BSNL to provide the minutes of a meeting that ended in the award of a INR20bn. GSM expansion contract to Ericsson and Nokia last October. In a petition Motorola, which had tied up with Chinese company ZTE to bid for the contract, alleged that BSNL had deliberately omitted it from the financial bidding process held on 7 October, fearing a supposed security threat from China.

Posted by Judith — 4:03 AM


E-Plus network to be run by Alcatel-Lucent.

Source: TeleGeography.

FT Deutschland reports that E-Plus, a unit of Dutch operator KPN, is to outsource the running of its mobile network to French-US vendor Alcatel-Lucent. The three-year deal, the first of its kind in Germany, is said to be worth EUR1.5bn. (US$1.97bn.) and could save E-Plus 20% of its present network costs. Under the agreement, E-Plus would continue to own the network, with Alcatel-Lucent responsible for its control and maintainence.

Posted by Judith — 3:58 AM

Monday, February 26, 2007

Revised German telecoms law takes effect; EU regulators launch legal action

Source: TeleGeography.

A controversial revision to Germany’s telecoms law, that protects the incumbent telco DT from having to open its EUR3bn. (US$3.9bn.) VDSL network to competitors, has taken effect. In response, the EU Information Society and Media Commissioner Vivene Reding has sent Berlin a letter of formal notice, the first stage in a legal challenge to Germany to change the law, which Ms Reding sees as anti-competitive. Germany claims that the new law is compatible with EU regulations.

Posted by Judith — 5:35 AM


eircom to invest US$79m. on core network upgrade.

Source: TeleGeography.

Irish incumbent fixed line telco eircom is spending US$78.9m. over the next three years to upgrade its core networks. The move is designed to meet growing demand for high speed internet access from its customers and to lay the foundation for the introduction of advanced services such as IPTV. The investment will enable broadband access to 240 telephone exchanges throughout the country representing all locations with over 2,000 lines, and serving around 1.3m. of the incumbent’s 1.6m. customers.

Posted by Judith — 5:09 AM


DoCoMo to offer electronic payment at McDonald’s.

Source: Reuters.

NTT DoCoMo Inc., Japan’s top mobile phone operator, plans to offer electronic payment services at McDonald’s Holdings Co. (Japan) outlets, with special promotions for some users.
The companies have announced that they will set up a JPY300m. (US$2.48m.) joint venture in July.

Posted by Judith — 4:19 AM


Portugal to clarify MVNO rules.

Source: TeleGeography.

Portugal’s telecoms regulator Anacom is planning to create a new regulatory framework for MVNO’s. Mobile resellers are currently permitted, but Anacom intends to clarify their position via new legislation aimed specifically at the resale sector. The country is currently home to three mobile operators: Portugal Telecom subsidiary TMN, Vodafone, and Optimus, which is backed by Sonaecom.

Posted by Judith — 3:47 AM

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Skype invokes 60’s ruling to open up networks.

Source: Telecoms.com.

VoIP company, Skype, has petitioned the FCC to apply an American legal precedent, known as the Carterfone decision, to wireless networks. It is suggested that if the firm is successful, the networks would be opened up, making it much easier to use Skype-like services over them.

Posted by Judith — 5:10 AM


Belgacom sells stake in Mobistar.

Source: TeleGeography.

Belgian telco Belgacom has said it will sell its 4.62% stake in Mobistar, the Belgian arm of pan-European wireless group Orange for EUR147.8m. (US$193.5m.). Belgacom, which owns rival cellco Proximus, acquired its stake in Mobistar when it bought Belgian telecoms services group Telindus in January 2007.

Posted by Judith — 5:02 AM

Friday, February 23, 2007

Microsoft faces US$1.5bn. MP3 payout.

Source: BBC.

Microsoft must pay French phone equipment firm Alcatel-Lucent $1.52bn. (GBP777m.) after a US court ruled the IT giant had infringed audio patents.
Alcatel had sued Microsoft, saying two patents related to the standards used for converting audio into MP3 files had been breached.

Posted by Judith — 3:56 AM


HTIL and Vodafone sign three year non-compete pact.

Source: TeleGeography.

Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited (HTIL) has entered into a three-year non-compete agreement with Vodafone as part of the latter’s US$11.08bn. acquisition of a 67% stake in Hutchison Essar. HTIL’s board of directors said it had entered into a three-year agreement with Vodafone, under which it agrees to not compete against Hutchison Essar.

Posted by Judith — 3:46 AM


O2 severs ties with Phones 4U.

Source: Scotsman.

Mobile phone operator O2 is to stop selling contracts at Phones4U stores having signed a deal with Carphone Warehouse. The move comes after Vodafone decided to offer contracts exclusively through Phones4U.

Posted by Judith — 3:39 AM


AT&T secures US$1bn. deal with GM.

Source: TeleGeography.

AT&T Inc has won a USD1 billion five-year global contract to provide communications services to the world’s largest car manufacturer, General Motors (GM). AT&T will provide network-integration management covering all aspects of GM’s worldwide telecoms infrastructure, including voice and data applications and systems support.

Posted by Judith — 3:08 AM

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Apple and Cisco share iPhone name.

Source: BBC.

Apple and Cisco Systems have resolved their dispute over the iPhone brand, with both companies agreeing that each can use the name for their products.
Under the deal, they will also work together in the areas of security, consumer and business communications.

Posted by Judith — 4:44 AM


BT investing GBP260m. in NI network.

Source: BBC.

BT is spending GBP260m. to create a new hi-tech communications network in Northern Ireland, the BBC has learned.
As part of the upgrade, NI’s 160 local telephone exchanges will converge in three major hubs. Two will be in Belfast and one in Portadown, County Armagh.

Posted by Judith — 4:23 AM


Date set for Hutchison Essar vote.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Hutchison Telecommunications International (HTIL) has announced that it has set the date of March 9 for shareholders to vote on the US$11.1bn. sale of its 67 per cent interest in Indian operator Hutchison Essar to Vodafone.
The transaction is expected to result in a net cash inflow to HTIL of approximately US$11bn.

Posted by Judith — 4:08 AM


Logica sells text wing.

Source: Scotsman.

LogicaCMG has sold its text messaging and telecoms business for GBP265m. to a consortium led by European technology-based private equity fund Atlantic Bridge Ventures.
The move will help LogicaCMG focus on its core business services.

Posted by Judith — 4:01 AM

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

BT (India) receives ILD, NLD licences.

Source: TeleGeography.

BT has been awarded international long-distance (ILD) and national long distance (NLD) licences by the Department of Telecommunications. The concessions enable the British telco’s newly-formed joint venture company, BT Telecom India, to offer services directly to multi-site corporate customers in the domestic market for the first time.

Posted by Judith — 7:19 AM


AT&T sells spectrum to Clearwire.

Source: Light Reading.

AT&T Inc. is selling all its 2.5GHz wireless spectrum to Clearwire LLC for US$300m. in a deal that opens the way for the startup operator to offer more broadband services in the Southern U.S.
AT&T is selling off over fifty 2.5GHz licenses owned by the former BellSouth corporation that covers areas such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missisippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
The sell-off was one of the terms of the merger between AT&T and BellSouth. AT&T says the sale is expected to close promptly, following government approvals.

Posted by Judith — 7:09 AM


Viacom in video deal with Joost.

Source: BBC.

Entertainment giant Viacom is to provide TV programmes and films to much-hyped online video service Joost.
The deal includes programming from MTV Networks, BET Networks and film studio Paramount Pictures.

Posted by Judith — 7:03 AM


3 Ireland upgrades entire network to HSDPA.

Source: TeleGeography.

Irish 3G operator Hutchison 3G Ireland says it completed the upgrade of its entire network to high speed broadband using HSDPA technology at the end of January. The operator’s network covers 85% of the population and will now offer 3 Ireland users download speeds of up to 3.6Mbps.

Posted by Judith — 6:42 AM

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

OFT likely to investigate 3G network sharing.

Source: TeleGeography.

Plans by UK wireless network operators Vodafone and Orange to cut costs by combining their 3G mobile phone networks are likely to face scrutiny from the Office of Fair Trading. The move comes as O2 considers a similar network-sharing plan. O2, whose 3G network covers only about 60% of the population, in particular stands to benefit from such a move. A tie-up could help it to hit its required target of covering 80% of the population with its 3G network by the end of the year.

Posted by Judith — 5:36 AM


Dobson spreads Cellular One brand.

Source: TeleGeography.

US wireless operator Dobson Communications says its subsidiaries in western Oklahoma and parts of Texas will be rebranded under the Cellular One name. The operations currently trade as Dobson Cellular Systems. Dobson Communications had 1.67m. cellular subscribers at the end of 2006, the bulk of which are served via Cellular One.

Posted by Judith — 5:34 AM


New Russian GSM spectrum to be auctioned.

Source: TeleGeography.

Russia’s telecoms regulator the Federal Communications Agency is reportedly preparing a tender for GSM cellular frequencies which is due to be held by mid-August. GSM spectrum will be available in 46 Russian regions. MTS and Vimpelcom have said that they would be interested in bidding for additional frequencies.

Posted by Judith — 5:24 AM


Europe’s plan to track phone and net use.

Source: NYT.

European governments are preparing legislation to require companies to keep detailed data about people’s Internet and phone use that goes beyond what the countries will be required to do under a European Union directive.
For examp[le, In Germany, a proposal from the Ministry of Justice would essentially prohibit using false information to create an e-mail account, making the standard Internet practice of creating accounts with pseudonyms illegal.

Posted by Judith — 4:48 AM


Net giant supports open ID scheme.

Source: BBC.

AOL has joined Microsoft in supporting Open ID, giving the free identification scheme 63m. new users.
OpenID is a decentralised identification system that lets individuals use a single password for any site that supports it.

Posted by Judith — 4:18 AM


Chinese New Year to spark SMS boom.

Source: Telecoms.com.

China’s mobile operators expect subscribers to send around 14bn. text messages during the week long holiday for the Chinese New Year.
Festivities for the Year of the Pig began at the weekend and the country’s two mobile providers, China Mobile and China Unicom are bracing themselves for a barrage of messages.

Posted by Judith — 4:05 AM

Monday, February 19, 2007

eMobile(Japan) to launch mobile phone service.

Source: TeleGeography.

eMobile, the wireless arm of Japanese ISP eAccess, says it will launch its high speed mobile services in Japan on 31 March. eMobile plans to offer HSDPA services for a fixed monthly fee. The newcomer is also introducing a handset made by a Japanese vendor that uses the Microsoft Windows mobile operating system.
eMobile won its licence in November 2005. Its main shareholders are eAccess, Goldman Sachs and Temasek Holdings.

Posted by Judith — 7:45 AM


Bell Aliant looks to expand footprint.

Source: TeleGeography.

Bell Aliant has proposed a CA$119m. (US$103m.) takeover of the Amtelecom Income Fund, a telco serving parts of southwestern and central Ontario.
Amtelecom has around 27,000 local telephony users, 13,000 internet subscribers and 9,000 cable customers.
Bell Aliant serves the four Atlantic Provinces and parts of Ontario and Quebec, and at the end of 2006 had 3.3m. fixed lines in service, and 588,000 broadband internet customers.

Posted by Judith — 7:40 AM


Wataniya in tie-up with Sprint.

Source: TeleGeography.

Kuwait-based cellular operator Wataniya Telecom has formed an international alliance with Sprint Nextel of the US which will see the pair cooperate on ventures across the Middle East and North Africa.
Wataniya has cellular operations in Kuwait, Tunisia, Iraq, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives.

Posted by Judith — 7:38 AM


Broadband adoption passes halfway mark in U.S.

Source: C|NET.

U.S. residential broadband penetration is expected to exceed 50% in 2007. According to research, by the end of 2007, more than 60m. (around55%) of U.S. households will be connected. During 2006, broadband subscriptions grew by more than 20 percent in the U.S.

Posted by Judith — 4:56 AM


Glasgow signs GBP42m. Thus and Cisco deal.

Source: Scotsman.com.

Glasgow City Council has awarded Thus, the Glasgow telecoms company, and US IT giant Cisco a deal to improve the delivery of services to almost 600,000 Glaswegians.
The GBP42m. contract is to develop a comprehensive network platform to integrate data, voice and video communication and support a host of front-line applications.

Posted by Judith — 4:38 AM

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Deaf to sign via video handsets.

Source: BBC.

Deaf people could soon be using video mobiles to chat with their friends using sign language.
Video compression tools made by US researchers make it possible to send live pictures of people signing across low bandwidth mobile networks.

Posted by Judith — 5:07 AM


Ottawa looking to boost cell phone competition.

Source: The Globe and Mail.

The fight for Canadians’ cellphone business could soon become more intense, after Ottawa announced yesterday it will hold a spectrum auction early next year that’s expected to bring at least one more major player into the market.
Industry Minister Maxime Bernier said the government plans to make available a total of 105 MHz of space on the airwaves for additional wireless services, a process that could be a boon for both consumer prices and federal coffers.

Posted by Judith — 4:46 AM

Friday, February 16, 2007

Bell announces full movies on the move.

Source: TeleGeography.

Bell Canada has launched Mobile Movies, the first service in Canada to offer full-length, pay-per-view films directly to mobile phones. Users can watch new releases or choose from an archive provided by distributors including Disney’s Buena Vista International and Sony Pictures. The deal marks Disney’s first mobile agreement for full-length movies outside of the US.

Posted by Judith — 7:42 AM


Swisscom fined CHF333m. by competition authority.

Source: TeleGeography.

Switzerland’s competition authority has announced it has fined Swisscom CHF333m.(US$269m.) for excessive pricing on mobile termination rates. According to the watchdog, Swisscom Mobile abused its dominant market position by forcing customers to pay an inappropriately high rate. In response, Swisscom has said it will appeal against the decision.

Posted by Judith — 7:14 AM


Essar steps back from fight with Vodafone.

Source: Independent.

Vodafone’s acquisition of India’s fourth-largest mobile phone company moved a step closer to completion after the owners of Essar Group, holder of a minority stake in the business, appeared to rule out blocking the deal through litigation. Essar said it remained committed to the business and would continue talks to partner with Vodafone in India.

Posted by Judith — 4:38 AM


Layoffs at Nokia.

Source: NYT.

The Nokia Corporation said it would lay off up to 700 people globally, mostly in its enterprise business operation, to increase efficiency and improve competitiveness. The layoffs, expected within the next few months, include 340 workers in Finland. The cuts will affect research and development, related sales and marketing.

Posted by Judith — 4:19 AM

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Verizon buys up GSM operation.

Source: TeleGeography.

Verizon Wireless has announced that it has acquired a GSM network in West Virginia with a view to converting it to a high speed CDMA-based platform. Verizon bought West Virginia Wireless from Key Communications. The deal, which includes West Virginia Wireless’ spectrum assets, will add 1.2m. potential new customers to Verizon’s footprint.

Posted by Judith — 5:52 AM


3 Ireland beats ComReg coverage target ahead of schedule.

Source: TeleGeography.

Irish 3G mobile operator 3 Ireland says it has complied with the terms of its licence obligations, meeting the targets set down by ComReg, one year ahead of schedule. Hutchison Whampoa-owned 3 says its networks cover 85% of the Irish population for 3G data services and 99.5% of the country for voice and SMS services.

Posted by Judith — 5:45 AM


Alcatel-Lucent to cut French workforce by 12%.

Source: TeleGeography.

Telecoms equipment group Alcatel-Lucent yesterday announced it is cutting its French workforce by 12% as part of wider moves to cut operating costs by EUR1.7bn. (US$2.22bn.) over three years.

Posted by Judith — 5:36 AM


Echo translates for Orange.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Echo Translator, a UK-based firm that claims to have developed the world’s fastest real voice language translator and logical phrase builder for mobile phones, yesterday announced the availability of its service for Orange business customers.
The translation tool promises that a user can speak, learn and instantly interact with anyone of any culture without any prior knowledge of the foreign language, delivering instant native voice output from an on screen menu.

Posted by Judith — 4:59 AM


Canadian giants defend push to deregulate phone markets.

Source: The Globe and Mail.

Canada’s telephone giants are defending Industry Minister Maxime Bernier’s plan to speed up deregulation of local phone markets, describing it yesterday as “long overdue.”
Telus Corp., Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund and Bell Canada, the telephone arm of Montreal-based BCE Inc., all voiced their support as they appeared yesterday before the House of Commons industry committee.

Posted by Judith — 4:32 AM


Adapt or contract, mobile operators warned.

Source: Independent.

Convergence has been a key theme at the annual 3GSM mobile phone trade show for many years but in 2007 the discussion has moved on from merely cramming more services onto a mobile phone and on to how the shifting sands within the communications world could affect the business model of mobile phone operators.
The hot topics at this year’s conference included advertising models on mobile phones, the increasing speed of mobile internet access and the increasing convergence of mobile devices with traditional computers.

Posted by Judith — 4:16 AM

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Tata Group declines 26.1% option on VSNL.

Source: TeleGeography.

The Times of India is reporting that the Tata Group will not exercise a call option to buy the government’s remaining 26.1% stake in VSNL, which expires today. Citing company sources, the newspaper reports that the group will instead seek to increase its 50.11% stake in VSNL by buying shares on the stock market.

Posted by Judith — 5:29 AM


Vodafone reserves right to back out of India deal.

Source: FT.com.

Vodafone is reserving the right to walk away from its planned purchase of a controlling stake in Hutchison Essar, India’s fourth largest mobile operator, if litigation seeking to thwart the deal is launched.
A document filed with regulators by Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited reveals that the UK mobile group has sought to protect itself against the risk of protracted litigation.

Posted by Judith — 5:16 AM


UK Broadband switching set to ease.

Source: BBC.

The process of moving to a new broadband supplier in the UK should get easier this week.
New rules come into force today which change the way that all the UK’s broadband providers handle the process of switching suppliers.
The rules stop broadband firms charging customers for switching and try to remove other barriers to the process.

Posted by Judith — 5:02 AM


Ofcom introduces UK-wide 03 numbers.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

UK regulator Ofcom is planning on introducing UK-wide 03 telephone numbers during 2007.
The reugulator has published details on how its UK telephone numbering plan will be implemented, including the introduction of new UK-wide 03 numbers.
The 03 numbers are being introduced as an alternative to chargeable 08 numbers like 0870.

Posted by Judith — 4:42 AM


Italtel and Bea Systems partner for IT and telecom convergence.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

Italtel, a Italy-based provider of solutions, products and services for next generation IP networks, and Bea Systems, an enterprise and communications infrastructure software company, have announced a partnership designed to enable service providers to offer new, convergent, digital services to end users.

Posted by Judith — 4:33 AM

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Google, Vodafone agree on mobile strategy.

Source: The Globe and Mail.

Vodafone Group PLC, the world’s largest mobile phone network operator, has announced an agreement with Internet search leader Google Inc. to develop maps for mobile telephones.
Vodafone said it will, in conjunction with Google Maps, provide easy-to-use maps, local listings and search and navigation capabilities.

Posted by Judith — 4:24 AM


Cingular aims to switch on MediaFLO.

Source: BWCS.

The largest mobile service provider in the US, AT&T’s Cingular, has announced that it plans to launch a mobile TV service using Qualcomm Inc’s MediaFLO system. The cellular phone company said that by the end of 2007 it will be supplying multiple channels of live TV to its customers. The second largest mobile operator in the US, Verizon Wireless, has already signed up to use the Qualcomm technology.

Posted by Judith — 4:13 AM


Orange UK launches HSDPA

Source: TeleGeography.

Orange UK has announced the launch of its HSDPA network. Dubbed Orange 3G+, the network upgrade is being initially concentrated on key commercial zones such as Greater London and airports. The service will be rolled out to the top five cities in the country during 2007.

Posted by Judith — 4:06 AM


Ericsson acquires Entrisphere for fibre access .

Source: Converge.

Ericsson has acquired Entrisphere, a start-up specializing in GPON fibre access technology, for an undisclosed sum. Entrisphere was founded in 2000 and is based in California. The company employs about 140 people. Its platform is currently in deployment in North America and undergoing trials overseas.

Posted by Judith — 4:01 AM

Monday, February 12, 2007

Vodafone wins battle to buy Essar.

Source: Light Reading.

Vodafone Group plc has won the battle for a controlling interest in India’s fourth largest mobile operator, Hutchison Essar , having agreed to a deal that values Essar at US$18.8bn.
Vodafone is paying Hutchison Telecommunications US$11.1bn. in cash for its 67 percent stake in Hutchison Essar, a GSM network operator with more than 24m. subscribers, about 16% of the rapidly growing Indian mobile market.

Posted by Judith — 4:53 AM


Carriers hope mobile music service will take bite out of Apple.

Source: BWCS.

Mobile music service provider Omnifone MusicStore has claimed that no fewer than 23 mobile service providers have signed up to offer its tunes to their customers as they bid to steal iPhone’s thunder. Unlike the iTunes Store, MusicStation delivers music straight to the mobile without involving pcs as intermediaries. This delivery method is preferable for mobile operators as it allows them to take a slice of the fees.

Posted by Judith — 4:33 AM


Telefonica in Telecom Italia stake talks.

Source: TeleGeography.

Telefonica of Spain is reportedly discussing with Telecom Italia’s largest shareholders the buying of a stake in Italy’s dominant telecoms operator in a deal which could be valued at EUR3bn.(US$3.9bn.). The Spanish group is the latest to express an interest in acquiring part of Telecom Italia from Pirelli, the tyres and real estate company which is seeking to diversify its financial interests.

Posted by Judith — 4:03 AM

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Vietnamese telcos join effort to lay cable from Asia to US.

Source: TeleGeography.

Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications (VNPT) and Viettel, the two government-owned telecoms operators, have joined an international consortium to lay a US$780m. fibre-optic cable linking Asia directly with the US.
The eight-firm consortium also includes AT&T of the US, CAT of Thailand, PLDT of the Phillipines, REACH of Hong Kong, StarHub of Singapore and Malaysia Telecom.

Posted by Judith — 5:33 AM


Scrollable displays set to debut.

Source: BBC.

One of the first mobile devices with a scrollable screen will go on sale in Italy later this year.
Billed as a PDA, electronic book and music player the Readius device has onboard a flexible LED screen that unrolls to 12.7cm (5in) across.
Although unable to make phone calls the Readius uses several wireless technologies, including wi-fi and 3G, to allow data to be shipped in and out.

Posted by Judith — 5:28 AM

Friday, February 9, 2007

Ofcom extends rules to prevent mis-selling.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

UK regulator Ofcom is extending existing rules designed to prevent mis-selling by fixed line telephone providers.
In May 2005 Ofcom introduced new regulations designed to combat mis-selling, these are currently scheduled to expire in May of this year. Ofcom has published proposals to extend these regulations past that point. Ofcom also proposes that the rules be expanded to include providers of services using LLU.

Posted by Judith — 4:28 AM


ESPN back in mobile game after costly flop.

Source: Reuters.

Mobile ESPN is back on the line. After hanging up its branded cellular phone package in September, the Walt Disney Co. is re-entering the wireless business with a pair of deals announced Thursday with Verizon Wireless and MediaFlo USA.

Posted by Judith — 4:10 AM


Bids in by Friday, HTIL says.

Source: TeleGeography.

It is reported that Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. (HTIL) has asked that all companies interested in bidding for its 67% stake in Indian wireless operator Hutchison Essar submit their bids by Friday. Companies known to mulling bids are UK-based Vodafone Group, India’s Reliance Communications, Essar Group and the Hinduja group.

Posted by Judith — 4:06 AM

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Vodafone in MySpace partnership.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Vodafone has announced an exclusive tie up with social networking portal MySpace, allowing Vodafone customers to interact with the site via their mobile phones.
MySpace already has deals with Cingular Wireless and MVNO Helio in the US and Softbank in Japan, but today’s announcement marks the first extension of Fox Interactive Media’s portal into the European mobile marketplace.

Posted by Judith — 4:45 AM


Six companies to form new 3G platform in Japan.

Source: BWCS.

As the number of mobile users in Japan topped the 100m. mark for the first time, six local companies announced that they plan to jointly develop a basic platform for making 3G handsets in a bid to reduce development time and costs.
The six include Japan’s largest operator NTT DoCoMo, semi-conductor company Renesas Technology, electronics giant Fujitsu and mobile phone makers Sony Ericsson, Sharp and Mitsubishi Electric.

Posted by Judith — 4:26 AM


Two major UK operators announce network share plan

Source: BWCS.

Vodafone and Orange have announced today that they plan to merge their 3G networks in the UK in a bid to cut costs. However, the deal may also be extended to include their GSM networks as well.
Despite sharing the same infrastructure both companies were keen to stress that they will continue to manage their own traffic independently and that they will still be fierce competitors in the UK, in both the wholesale and retail mobile traffic markets.

Posted by Judith — 4:23 AM


Nortel slashes jobs.

Source: Light Reading.

Nortel Networks Ltd. has announced that it plans to cut 2,900 jobs in the next two years as it aims to become a leaner company that focuses on high-growth markets such as next-generation CDMA wireless equipment and cuts back on older GSM cellular technology.

Posted by Judith — 4:22 AM


BlackBerry maker wins UK patent battle.

Source: Reuters.

BlackBerry maker RIM won a second victory in a key UK patent lawsuit on Wednesday that had threatened the future of BlackBerry’s e-mail service in Britain.
London’s Court of Appeal backed a High Court ruling from a year ago that RIM, based in Ontario, Canada, had not infringed a patent held by Luxembourg company InPro Licensing Sarl which related to how portable computers surf the Internet.

Posted by Judith — 4:08 AM

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Weather Investments buys TIM Hellas and Q-Telecom for US$4.4bn.

Source: TeleGeography.

Weather Investments, the holding vehicle of Egyptian telecoms tycoon Naguib Sawiris, has agreed to buy Greece’s third and fourth largest cellcos by subscribers, TIM Hellas and Q-Telecom, from Apax Partners and Texas Pacific for a total of EUR3.4bn. (US$4.4bn.). The deal includes an acquisition price of EUR500m. and net debt of EUR2.9bn. Weather Investments also controls Egyptian mobile group Orascom Telecom and Italian telco Wind, which has a 50% stake in Greek fixed line operator Tellas.

Posted by Judith — 5:10 AM


BT sees i2i with Indian firm in takeover deal.

Source: Scotsman.com.

BT has signed an agreement to take over Mumbai-based services company i2i Enterprise - a move that BT claimed would make it the biggest foreign global carrier operating in India.
The takeover will see them offer IP communications services to major Indian and global multinational companies through their new acquisition.

Posted by Judith — 4:42 AM


Optus requests AU$200m. handout to extend 3G network.

Source: TeleGeography.

Optus has asked the federal government for AU$200m. (US$155.2 m.) to allow it to almost double the size of its new 3G network and achieve 98% population coverage. Australia’s second largest cellco by subscribers last week announced plans to spend up to AU$800m. to build a new 3G network, which it said would reach 96% of the population. The telco said it had lodged a new proposal with the federal government which, if approved, would allow it to expand the original plan.

Posted by Judith — 4:25 AM


Motorola Invests in Tango Networks.

Source: Converge.

Motorola has made an equity investment in Tango Networks, a start-up developing hardware and software that integrates mobile phones with corporate telephone networks.
Tango, which is based in Richardson, Texas, is developing the “Abrazo”, a mobility solution that enables any mobile phone to become a PBX extension on an enterprise network.

Posted by Judith — 4:02 AM

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

After Long Dispute, Two Apples Work It Out.

Source: NYT.

Apple Inc., the maker of the iPod, and Apple Corps, the guardian of the Beatles’ music interests, announced yesterday that they had settled their dispute over the technology company’s name and its use of an apple logo.
Under the new agreement, Apple Inc. now owns all the trademarks related to ‘Apple’ and will license certain trademarks back to Apple Corps Ltd., the London company founded by the Beatles in the late 1960s.

Posted by Judith — 5:01 AM


BT to get Credit Suisse telecom contract.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

BT is set to win a telecom contract from Credit Suisse. BT will be working with Swisscom as its local partner to handle the contract worth about US$1.8bn. over seven years.
The deal will reportedly cover voice and data communications at the bank’s headquarters in Zurich as well as offices in London and the US. It will also include Credit Suisse’s global network of private and investment banking operations.

Posted by Judith — 4:47 AM


3(UK) claims best 3G coverage.

Source: TeleGeography.

Wireless network operator 3 has announced that its 3G network now covers 90% of the UK population, giving it a comfortable lead on its rivals. The closest competitor to 3 in terms of 3G coverage is Orange, which covers 85% of the UK population. The poorest 3G coverage is that of O2, at little more than 60%.

Posted by Judith — 4:19 AM


Telstra to close CDMA network by Jan 2008.

Source: TeleGeography.

Telstra has announced that it is planning to close its CDMA network by January 2008. The promising take-up of the company’s new third generation ‘NextG’ network had firmed up the cut-off date. The AU$1bn. NextG network was launched last October but was plagued by handset shortages in its first months of operation. The network remains incomplete, with work still under way on extending the range of its base stations from 80km to about 200km. A Telstra spokesman said this was expected to occur this year.

Posted by Judith — 4:12 AM


Germany to sell more 3G licences.

Source: BWCS.

The German telecoms regulator, the BNA, has announced plans to create more 3G licences for sale in 2008.
It is not yet clear whether the current 3G licence holders will be allowed to bid in the new round of auctions. The regulator has said that it expects that at least one new operator will be granted a licence to enter the German mobile market. If this turns out to be the case, then the current incumbents: T-Mobile, Vodafone, O2 and E-Plus may try to force up the price.

Posted by Judith — 4:12 AM


Virgin Media to launch this week.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Richard Branson will lift the curtain on Virgin Media this week, backed by a GBP20m. (Eur30m.) advertising campaign and fronted by film star Uma Thurman.
The campaign will see the launch of cable company NTL Telewest as a quadruple-play UK operator offering TV, internet and fixed and mobile phone services following its GBP1bn. merger last year with Virgin Mobile.

Posted by Judith — 4:11 AM

Monday, February 5, 2007

Ericsson to team with Turner for mobile services.

Source: Reuters.

Telecom equipment maker Ericsson has announced that it will team up with Turner Broadcasting to develop international mobile services.
The deal combines delivery of Turner news and entertainment content with hosting and content management technology developed by Ericsson.

Posted by Judith — 5:54 AM


Ecotel acquires Tiscali Germany’s business division.

Source: TeleGeography.

Following last week’s report that Tiscali Germany had sold its residential broadband subscriber base to freenet.de for EUR30m. (US$38.9m.), news has emerged that German telecom firm Ecotel is to acquire Tiscali Germany’s business division, Tiscali Nacamar, for EUR18.5m. (US$23.9m.)

Posted by Judith — 5:24 AM


Cellcos plan a Google rival.

Source: TeleGeography.

It has been reported that some of Europe’s biggest telecoms groups are planning to create a wireless search engine that could challenge the likes of Yahoo! and Google. Vodafone, France Telecom, Telefonica, Deutsche Telekom, Hutchison Whampoa, Telecom Italia and US-based Cingular are among the companies that are expected to hold high-level talks next week at 3GSM, the mobile industry’s trade show in Barcelona. The move is predicated by declining call revenues, which in turn is driving cellcos together to compete against Google and Yahoo!

Posted by Judith — 5:23 AM


Mobile elite rush to answer India’s call.

Source: BusinessWeek Online.

International handset makers Nokia, Motorola, and Sony Ericsson, along with Korean players LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics, are in hot pursuit of mobile-phone growth in India, and it turns out with good reason. The emerging economy’s mobile-phone market grew faster than China’s for the first time last year; and is on pace to become more than three times as fast in 2007.

Posted by Judith — 4:43 AM

Saturday, February 3, 2007

SR Telecom(Canada) sells CTR stake.

Source: TeleGeography.

Canadian wireless broadband solutions provider SR Telecom has announced the sale of its Chilean subsidiary Comunicacion y Telefonia Rural (CTR) to Chile.com.
Santiago-based Chile.com is an integrated telecom, internet hosting, long-distance and e-Business service provider with operations in Chile, Peru, Brazil, Colombia and Miami.

Posted by Judith — 6:07 AM


Altimo interested in India.

Source: Telecoms.com.

Russian conglomerate Altimo is the latest party to register an interest in Indian mobile provider Hutchison Essar.
Altimo, formerly known as the Alfa Group, is understood to have held discussions over the acquisition of a minority holding in the Indian player.
With each new expression of interest in Hutch Essar a protracted bidding war looks likely. Vodafone, the Hinduja Group and existing 33 per cent stake holder Essar are thought to be the forerunners in those known to be targeting a holding..

Posted by Judith — 5:15 AM

Friday, February 2, 2007

Apple, Cisco back in iPhone talks.

Source: Telecoms.com.

It looks as though Apple and Cisco are back on speaking terms with a joint announcement coming from the companies regarding the licensing of the “iPhone” trademark.
“Apple and Cisco have agreed to extend the time for Apple to respond to the lawsuit to allow for discussions between the companies with the aim of reaching agreement on trademark rights and interoperability,” the joint statement read.

Posted by Judith — 3:40 AM


FCC Commissioners testify before democratically-controlled Senate Committee .

Source: Converge.

All five FCC Commissioners were called to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee, their first such appearance since the Democrats regained control of Congress. Top issues included the recent acquisition of BellSouth by AT&T, the Universal Service Fund, rural broadband deployment and the Digital Divide..

Posted by Judith — 3:22 AM


EC prevails in 2003 Case against Wanadoo .

Source: Converge.

The European Commission prevailed in a legal case in which France Telecom SA, formerly Wanadoo Interactive SA, had appealed the Commission’s 2003 decision concerning predatory pricing. In July 2003, the Commission fined Wanadoo EUR10.35m. for charging predatory prices as part of a plan aimed at excluding competitors from the market for high speed internet access. The Court of First Instance ruled that the European Commission was right to reach its conclusion in the matter. The court also confirmed the EUR10.35m. fine imposed by the Commission.

Posted by Judith — 3:12 AM


TeliaSonera acquires debitel Danmark

Source: TeleGeography.

Scandinavian giant TeliaSonera has strengthened its market position in Denmark by signing a share purchase agreement for 100% of telco and mobile reseller debitel Danmark. TeliaSonera is already represented in the country by Telia Denmark, which holds about a quarter of the non-incumbent wireline market. debitel has around half of that, with 110,000 subscribers, plus approximately 300,000 wireless customers, making it Denmark’s largest independent mobile reseller. Under the terms of the deal, worth up to EUR140m. (US$181.5m.), debitel will continue to offer services under its own brand in the Danish market, with no major changes to its operations.

Posted by Judith — 2:52 AM

Thursday, February 1, 2007

BT to acquire International Network Services Inc.

Source: BT plc.

BT today announced it has agreed terms to acquire International Network Services Inc., a leading global provider of IT consulting and software solutions. This professional services acquisition will increase BT’s presence in North America and will significantly enhance BT’s consulting capabilities.
The acquisition of the California-headquartered company will add to BT’s global professional services resources of more than 7,000 people across the globe.

Posted by Judith — 4:32 AM


T-Systems wins network deal from Allianz.

Source: Digital Media Europe.

T-Systems, a dvision of Deutsche Telekom, will set up and operate a standardised voice and data solution for the Allianz New Europe Holding in six Eastern European countries. The new network is expected to support the insurer and financial services provider in its international growth strategy.

Posted by Judith — 4:28 AM


Telecom Italia hit with ULL fine.

Source: TeleGeography.

Telecom Italia has been ordered to pay EUR60mm. (US$77.7m.) compensation to broadband internet provider FastWeb for delays experienced in providing unbundled local loop services between 2001 and 2004. FastWeb said Telecom Italia offered no explanation as to why unbundled lines had not been provided within the required timeframe.

Posted by Judith — 4:15 AM


Tiscali sells German customer base to freenet.de.

Source: TeleGeography.

talian ISP Tiscali has agreed to sell its entire German subscriber base to Hamburg-based telco freenet.de for a sum expected to be around EUR30m. (US$38.9m.) Tiscali’s decision to sell is in line with its strategy of focusing on the Italian and UK broadband markets.

Posted by Judith — 3:48 AM

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