Mobile operator strategies - 23/10/05

France Telecom bought the holdings of minority shareholders in its subsidiary Orange Slovakia for $628m.

Telstra is considering replacement of its rural CDMA network by a 3G network. But any decision has already been made. The Australian government, however, said it would not oppose the move as long as Telstra continues to deliver the same or better services to its CDMA customers.

T-Mobile Czech Republic is launching UMTS TD-CDMA next-generation wireless broadband access service in the country.

DoCoMo unveils the development of the new 902i series of 3G FOMA handsets aimed at introducing Push to Talk services.

O2 (UK) will launch HSDPA technology (the first commercial launch in Europe) in the Isle of Man on November 1.

Telenor introduces fixed rates for mobile data services. Telenor Asia has increased its stake in DTAC (Thailand) to 57% from 49%.

MTN (South Africa) has agreed to purchase 49% stake in IranCell.