Operator strategies N54

Telecom Italia unveiled a new international strategy. Main items include development in Germany, France and Turkey. First, TI is planning Telecom Italia Mobile buyout (approval expected in April). It has also planned the development of its German Hansenet unit, injecting some € 200m in it in 2-year timeframe. The game here is to expand its Alice (ADSL) solution in Europe. TI ‘s Alice penetration in France is not as expected, so TI is not opposed to grow by acquisition. TI announced accordingly it is interested in buying Tiscali France (ISP) assets; decision by the end of the month. TI expressed interest in gaining a stake in Turk Telecom when privatized. Finally, TI is said to plan total control of Brazilian telecoms operator Brazil Telecom.

ATT and IBM will collaborate to offer a packaged solution for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

Tiscali is in trouble. After the sale of its Danish, Swedish, Norway, Austrian and Belgium units, Tiscali still desperately need money. Its French unit is for sale, and contenders could be TI, Vivendi, Neuf Telecom, DT, with Vivendi said to be frontrunner. In addition, its founder, Renato Soru, is lowering its stake to 27.5%, down 2.3%. For Tiscali however, business is as usual and its UK unit introduced Guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) over DSL for businesses.