Mobile operator strategies - 30/11/05

Bulgaria's M-Tel has started offering EDGE services in ten new cities, expanding coverage to another 20% of the Bulgarian population.

Pannon GSM (Hungary) has launched trials of a HSDPA network in Budapest.

China Netcom and China Telecom will launch SCDMA networks to be used in fixed network wireless access and replace their current PAS systems (using 3G frequencies).

Austria is considering selling Mobilkom, the Telekom Austria mobile arm, in the first half of 2006.

Elisa, Digita, TeliaSonera Finland and Telemast Nordic have expressed interest in Finland's DVB-H license to run Finland's mobile television network.

Orange (FT) launched the first EDGE-enabled BlackBerry handheld in Europe. Orange signed a deal with Cingular Wireless to provide multinational business customers with better international services.

MTS (Russia) has bought the remaining 49% stake in Barash Communications Technologies (BCTI), a US company that is the leading mobile phone operator in the Republic of Turkmenistan. In addition, MTS plans to invest $500m in its wholly owned subsidiary Ukraine’s UMC, in 2006.

Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan) said it is confident the subscriber base for its 3G mobile phone service will expand to 1m by the end of 2006, doubling its initial target.

Bakrie Telecom (Indonesia) is launching an IPO to fund working capital requirements (10%) and network upgrades (90%).

Indosat (Indonesia) plans to invest some $670m in expanding operations in 2006, vs $900m in 2005.

Philippines 17

Telecom Personal (Telecom Argentina) is launching the RIM wireless BlackBerry platform in Argentina.

Switzerland' s telecom regulator, Ofcom has announced plans for an auction of three broadband wireless access (BWA) licenses.

Next Mobile (a trunk-radio operator in Philippines) plans to invest $370m to build and operate a 3G network over five years, starting next year when the regulator NTC awards five 3G licenses.

Vodafone has expressed interest in gaining a 3G license in Montenegro, due to take place in H1 2006.

Movilnet Venezuela announced plans to introduce the RIM' s BlackBerry wireless solution to mobile professionals in Venezuela.

India could decide by March to allow local telecom companies to offer 3G mobile phone services.

S. Korea is launching first-ever DMB-based terrestrial mobile TV service (satellite-based DMB service was launched in May). The service will be free of charge and be more attractive, with a target of 10m subscribers by 2010.