Operator strategies N51

Strategies/ Organization

Strategies/ Organization

ATT has extended its Global Network in the Middle East with a new node in Doha (Qatar).

DT has bought 55.9 m T-online shares from Lagardere SCA.

Fixed networks:

France Telecom is launching residential VOIP in Italy, through its subsidiary Parla.it. The move marks FT comeback in this country. It will increase its tariffs from March 3rd in France.

BT has forged an alliance with Covad in the US to give corporate customers connection to their BT-managed VPNs via broadband links provided by Covad. It has completed the purchase of Albacom following regulatory approval from the European Commission.

BT is targeting launching VOD over its DSL lines late this year.

Telecom Italia could be interested in acquiring Tiscali France. Tiscali France is still struggling to raise money to pay back a €250m bond, and has already sold some non-core assets in Europe (i.e. last week in Denmark), but it does not seem enough.  Can Tiscali sell one of its jewels?

Mobile networks:

China Unicom has dismissed China Telecom’s proposal to buy one of its mobile networks.

Digitel (Philippines) plans to spend $200m on mobile network capacity expansion to 6m subs.

Umniah will be the fourth mobile operator in Jordan and will launch operations in June 05.