Mobile operator strategies - 9/11/05

Telecom giant Shin Corp (Thailand) will invest $1bn in 3G mobile phone infrastructure next year,

Sprint Nextel is launching its Nextel Direct Send Picture service that allows iDEN walkie-talkie customers to send and receive pictures. Sprint Nextel has said it plans to support its iDEN network through at least 2010.

Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) is eying Europe and bought Living Mobile, an European-based mobile gaming company, The move is in line with WDIG' s strategy to diversify its content portfolio,

French MVNOs captured about 10% of new added subscribers in 3Q05, and had 108,300 clients at the end of September. They, however, only represents 0,2% of France's mobile phone market at the end of September.

DoCoMo invests in mobile music, buying 42% stake in Tower Records Japan.

Japan is preparing to issue licenses to three new carriers: Softbank, eAccess and IP Mobile, will offer mobile services next year.

After Ericsson, Huawei received an offer from Vimpelcom (Russia) to help it to takeover Ukrainian RadioSystems. The deal consists of Huawei giving $81m to URS in exchange of $ 200m in orders, decreasing VimpelCom' s purchase price to $124m.