Fixed operator strategies - 25/03/06

Bellsouth introduced a WiFi- WiMAX wireless broadband back-up system for businesses’ Internet connections at $30 a month. It also announced a further integration of its optical and Ethernet service offerings, providing a carrier-class solution protecting Ethernet traffic by the self healing qualities of SONET infrastructure. Two options are offered: Shared Ethernet LAN over MSPP for multi site data sharing along a self-healing SONET ring, and metro Ethernet over MSPP option.

DT will deploy IPTV services, with Microsoft, on its VDSL network. DT plans to have 1m subscribers by the end of 2007 for the service.

Yahoo has launched Yahoo Messenger with Voice, a service allowing customers to make calls from their PCs to fixed and mobile phones. The VoIP service costs $3 per month.

Without taking any decision by the deadline, the FCC has exempted Verizon from price regulation for broadband data services offered to large businesses and wholesale customers.

Clearwire (a McCaw company) plans to invest about $1bn for deploying WiMAX network to provide wireless broadband services.

UK telecom regulator Ofcom has proposed ending price controls on retail telephony services in the country, allowing all operators to set their own prices.

Verizon Communications signed a deal with CBS to distribute CBS content.

Sri Lanka has started to test a WiMAX network, helped by Aperto Networks.

Orbitel (Colombia) plans to launch WiMAX-based triple-play service in 1H06.

Darty (a large home appliance distributor in France) will launch in Sept. 06, with the help of an alternative operator Completel, a triple-play service in France.

Liberty Global announced it will sell its subsidiary UPC France, including cable operator Noos, for €1.25bn to Altice and Cinven. A single cable operator is now surviving in France, with some 3.5m subscribers.

Asia Netcom (China Netcom) has completed a major network upgrade that will bring a 50% increase in capacity to its pan-Asia EAC submarine cable systems.

China Telecom signed a co-operation agreement with a Russian telecom operator MTT for international telecom business.

Yahoo Japan has agreed to buy a 69% stake in Toshiba Information service unit for $11m.

Indosat (Indonesia) plans to invest $40m in submarine cable system to connect East Java to Sulawesi, and will also expand the coverage of its CDMA-based WLL networks. Total 2006 mobile capex should be $670m.

France Telecom announced that it will begin offering wholesale telephone subscriptions to service providers beginning 1st April.

Digita (a unit of French media group TDF) has secured a mobile TV license in Finland.