Global operator strategies - 01/04/06

Telstra (Australia) is putting pressure on the Australian government, saying it did not find strong interest in buying Telstra shares until regulatory certainty is made and how much Telstra could charge rivals to access its copper wire network. Telstra wants also permission to build a new broadband network, meaning rivals will not be allowed to access the network.

Tecom Dig, Dubai, has bought 35% of Tunisie Telecom for €1.89bn,

Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan) should increase its 2006 capex by 15% to $817m, of which more than 50% will be used to expand Internet and 3G mobile phone services.

OTE (Greece) is calling on the government to privatize its 36% stake in OTE soon.