Global operator strategies - 23/02/06

France Telecom revamps its "Video à la carte” service into the new "24/24 vidéo" service; it is the new name of FT' s VOD services. A single platform will be used for the service, be it on fixed broadband with Wanadoo, or mobile with Orange. The service includes films, cartoons, documentaries, music, sport, and theater.

Telefonica should be still interested in buying KPN (Holland). Favorable conditions are there, with Dutch government loosing its golden share and selling 8% of KPN in december 2005. Elsewhere, Telefonica has confirmed its plans to expand investments in Colombia.

The EU Commission sees DT unit T-Mobile' s planned takeover of Austria' s Tele.ring as "incompatible" with EU market regulations.

Eircom (Ireland) is the target of Australian investors Babcock & Brown in a bid valued at about €2.4bn.

E-commerce in China grew 58% in 2005 to €58bn.