Mobile operator strategies - 26/04/06
Iran is to license a 3rd GSM nationwide mobile operator. The two current operators are MCI and Irancell. There are also 3 local GSM operators in cities of Teheran, Esfahan and the island of Kish.
Digitel (Philippines) plans to invest some $200m in 2006 in adding some 2,000 cell sites to expand its network coverage.
China: according to the secretary general of the TD-SCDMA Forum, the TD-SCDMA standard needs more refinement before adopted by the carriers. The Chinese government has not yet finalized the timetable for the issuance and commencement of 3G licenses.
KTF (Sth Korea) plans to deploy HSDPA technology in more than 84 cities by the end of the year under a plan worth $800m.
Softbank (Japan) plans to increase Vodafone KK 3G network coverage by 33% to 30,000 base stations under a $2.1bn investment.
Vodafone Italy is offering mobile TV services using Mediaset TV broadcaster and deploying DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld) technology in Italy.
Azerbaijan' s Azerphone is building its new GSM network to be opened in September this year.
Si.Mobil (Slovenia) is buying rival GSM operator Vega for $26m. Si.Mobil is a subsidiary of Mobilkom Austria.
Verizon Wireless will provide wireless priority service (WPS) to authorized local, state and federal officials during times of emergency. T-Mobile USA and Cingular have been offering wireless priority access for several years.
America Movil is in talks to buy Chile' s ENTEL. It already owns mobile operator Smartcom in Chile.
CTI (Argentina) plans to invest $260m in 2006.