Global operator strategies - 22/03/07

Rumor: French Iliad (Free) may go out of traditional fixed telephony, selling its OneTel unit and its 220k subscribers. Their strategy should be to focus on Internet (broadband access ADSL and FTTx) and mobility (FMC and perhaps 3G).

EU plans to roll out mobile TV services by 2008. Three technologies are being used T-DMB, DVB-H and DVB-SH. The target is to be ready for Euro 2008 Soccer Championship. EU is assessing 100m subscribers throughout Europe by 2010, and revenues worth $15bn by 2009.

Essar Group (India) has agreed with Virgin to to build a massive chain of cellphone retail stores in India able to generate $1bn in sales in 36 months. The deal includes licensing of the Virgin brand for use by Essar Telecom Retail.

Telefonica and Telecom Portugal meet to discuss strategic issues concerning Vivo, their Brazilian JV.