Fixed operator strategies - 01/04/06

Lycos is introducing a Windows-based program that provides free U.S. phone numbers for incoming calls, and free calls to phones if the user signs up for promotional offers, or pay 1 cent a minute for US calls when they exhaust their initial 100 free minutes.

Chilean Telsur launched a fixed mobile service using a personal handy phone system (PHS) platform from UTStarcom.

Telenor is controlling more than 96% of the shares in Glocalnet (Sweden).

Direct TV is likely to announce WiMAX-based broadband plans by year-end.

KPN and T-Mobile have agreed to give customers access to each company's Wi-Fi hot spots.

Telemar (Brazil) is developing a Wi-Fi mesh wireless broadband pilot project for municipal authorities.

MTNL (India) is expected to be the first Indian telcos to launch an IPTV service in India in June.

AUSTAR and Soul (Australia) will build a WiMAX-based broadband wireless network.

AT&T is planning to invest $1bn to upgrade its fiber optic network in California.