Global operator strategies - 30/11/05

3 Italy' s IPO is likely delayed until 1Q06. It also bought Channel 7, holder of national license for digital terrestrial broadcasting, making its entry in the pay-TV market, and targeting value-added services to mobile phones.

Swiss authorities will block major foreign acquisitions by Swisscom, before the IPO, because of financial risk.

Teliasonera is suing Russian rival Alfa Group and Turkey' s Cukurova Holding, for the control of the Turkish mobile-phone company Turkcell. Alfa Group has completed the purchase of a 49% stake in Turkey’s Cukurova Group, getting indirect control of 13.2% in Turkcell.

TDC (Denmark) is close to an agreement to be bought by a group of five private equity funds for roughly $12bn.

DT has not yet been allowed to merge with its T-Online division, as the German Justice decided to study minority shareholders requests.