Mobile Operator strategies - 02/12/07

Mobily (S. Arabia) would invest $1bn on wireless broadband over next four years.

T-Mobile deploys HSUPA in Germany.

Telkomsel (Indonesia) would increase its 2008 capex by 13% to $1.7bn.

Saudi Telecom has won the auction for a 26% stake in third mobile operator in Kuwait for $600m.

France adopts new law that enable the government to set financial terms for another bidding process for a fourth mobile license.

Verizon Wireless change its strategy: it will activate any device or application that meets a “minimum technical standard” , and opens network to outside devices.

phoneandphone.com web site is also selling the iPhone in France at €299, undercutting the EUR399 that Orange charges its subscribers and €749 unlocked and without subscription.

China Telecom is building wireless broadband networks.

China completed the building of 26 TD-SCDMA networks in several major cities.

Smart (Philippines) will spend $230m in 2007 for mobile network expansion.

Vivo (Brazil) plans $2.1bn 3G capex for the 2008-09 period.

O2 UK will trial NFC payments for mobiles with 500 customers.

Vodafone India is mulling network sharing in order to boost its market penetration.