Fixed operator strategies - 17/12/05

Telekom Austria will reorganize its business by making its fixed-line operations into a separate unit.

SES Global , world's largest satellite operator, announced it will buy New Skies Satellites for $1.1bn, and strengthen its position in emerging markets such as India. With the deal, SES Global will add five satellites over emerging markets.

Verizon is testing IMS solution of Nortel. Nortel is already Verizon' s largest softswitch vendor, since 2001.

PLDT (Philippines) plans to venture into IPTV, after failing to acquire a satellite-based pay TV company (Dream Satellite TV and Bayantel).

Liberty Global (US MSO) has increased its ownership of Australian cable network operator Austar to 53%.

NTL is reversing the terms of its agreed takeover of Telewest Global, and now Telewest will take over NTL, while the NTL brand will continue to be used.

Telesp (Brazil) plans to expand broadband and video services in an effort worth $748m in 2006 (+30%).

Free Iliad (France) will offer free international phone calls to 14 countries within its "triple-play" package TV, telephone and Internet service from Jan. 1, priced at €30 a month.

Telmex and VTR have been granted WLL public telephony service licenses in Chile.