Global operator strategies - 22/12/05

Google will buy 5% of Time Warner' s AOL for $1bn. The move confirms previous commercial agreements between the two companies. It is a blow to Microsoft which was working to sign a similar deal with Time Warner/ AOL.

Telefonica and AMD launch low-cost internet PC, the FIC Conectado Personal Internet Communicator (PIC), including software, hardware and connectivity, in cities of Brazil.

Brasil Telecom plans to invest a total of $1bn in its operations in 2006, of which 20% in its mobile operations and about 50% in its fixed network.

US legislators have approved legislation to complete the country’s transition to new, higher-quality digital television by February 17, 2009.

The European Commission says national watchdogs failed to crack down high roaming fees in Europe.

Vonage has raised $250m, probably its last major financing before it goes public or is acquired. Up to now, Vonage has raised some $ 658m.

Carphone Warehouse  is buying Centrica' s telecom business Onetel for up to €230m, and the U.K. and Irish fixed line businesses of Sweden's Tele2 AB for €13m.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has pledged €100m for rural connectivity in the Syrian telecom sector.

Sprint Nextel swallows Nextel Partners for $6,5bn,