Mobile operator strategies - 13/10/07

Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular (all in India) are considering merging their tower operations.

Teliasonera is testing NFC (Near Field Communications) in Sweden.

Vimpelcom/ Armentel has been granted a 3G license in Armenia, as well as K-Telecom/MTS.

Vodafone India has doubled its capex to $2bn to ramp up network coverage in India. Vodafone is adding 1.6 to 1.7m customers a month there.

Telekom Austria has bought Tele2 ' s MVNO operations in Austria for about €7m.

The French regulator, ARCEP, rejected Iliad' s bid for fourth French 3G license. Iliad was the only bidder and was disqualified for wrong financial conditions.

NetCologne will become soon an MVNO on E-Plus' network in Germany.

Niger (Africa) could award two mobile operator licenses, of which one should be GSM.

Lebanon will auction two mobile licenses in Feb. 2008.

China Unicom would bid for a 3G license in Hong Kong.

Telecom NZ buys 10% stake in 3 Australia from Hutchison Telecom.

Orange confirmed the availability of the iPhone in November.

Ukrtelecom (Ukraine) plans to unveil 3G mobile services in many cities next month.