Mobile operator strategies - 19/11/07

CTI Movil (Argentina) has launched 3G services in Argentina.

America Movil under the treat of loosing its operating license in Ecuador for alleged violations of certain service requirements. It could also be a way to put pressure on the operator before renegotiating (and increasing taxes and royalties) next year.

Claro, another America Mobil unit, in Brazil, has launched 3G services in the 850 MHz band.

Telemig Celular (Brazil) has also launch 3G services in Belo Horizonte.

SkyLink (Russia) wins 8 out of 12 GSM licenses in the North West Federal District. Tele2 won the four other concessions. It is a blow for Vimplecom, MTS and MegaFon, the three Russian telecom giants.

Vodafone will launch 7.2Mbit/s HSDPA services in the UK in Dec. It will also launch high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA) services. In a separate statement, It reiterates interest in increasing operator's stake in Vodacom (S. Africa).

Orange had sold almost 500k (+56% qoq) dual-mode WiFi/GSM handsets (for its Unik FMC service) at the end of Sept.

Telenor Norway is launching HSDPA services at 3.6Mbit/s this month.

Walt Disney will launch a MVNO business in Japan, in tie-up with Softbank Mobile.

India chooses global 3G auction in the process for granting three 3G licenses in the country. It has decided to introduce number portability in 2008.

Telecom Italia and Vodafone Italia have signed an agreement to share existing and future mobile network access sites.

Oi (Brazil) plans to launch mobile TV services this month.