Global operator strategies - 24/12/05

Sprint Nextel swallows Nextel Partners for $6,5bn, and Velocita Wireless through a stock purchase agreement. Velocita operates a nationwide Mobitex wireless network, which serves about 400,000 business and government customers; its 900 MHz spectrum will allow Sprint to supplement coverage of the iDEN network acquired with Nextel.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has pledged €425m to finance the upgrading of the cable company ONO in Spain.

Orascom Telecom (Egypt) is to acquire strategic stake in Hutchison Telecom. The deal involves the purchase of 19%+ stake in Hutchison Telecom for about $1,3bn, and a co-operation agreement to align their respective procurement processes .

The European Commission has approved the planned acquisition by Telenor of Europolitan Vodafone.

Belgacom is the preferred buyer by Telindus' board of directors. FT could escape a second bid on Teleindus.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and banks have pledged $100m to Kazakhstan' s KaR-Tel GSM operator.