Mobile operator strategies - 24/12/05

MTN (S. Africa) may bid for Egypt's third mobile license.

M6 Mobile (French MVNO) currently has 200k+ subscribers, doubling its initial target for the end of 2005. M6 Mobile launched operations in June 05.

MTS (Russia) bought an additional 6.5% share of Sibintertelecom, and increases its ownership to 100%.

Telefonica Moviles has acquired the remaining 8% stake in its Mexican unit for €177m.

China Unicom' s dual mode service (switch between GSM and CDMA networks) is relatively successful with about 300k users since its launch in August. Handsets are provided by Motorola, Samsung and LG.

UAE' s Warid Telecom became the sixth operator in Bangladesh's mobile phone market, being granted a GSM license for $50m.

Mediaset (Italy) has bought frequencies and infrastructure from TF1' s Europa TV affiliate to launch Europe's first mobile commercial TV service in 2006.

Optus (Australia) could buy 75% of Virgin Mobile Australia from R. Branson for about $74m.

Very successful launch for Aldi/ Medion MVNO in Germany, with 300k users in just 14 days.