Global operator strategies - 17/05/06

Rumors say that Verizon and Vodafone would have finally settled for the sale of the 45% stake Vodafone hold in Verizon Wireless. The deal should be worth $48bn + assumption of $8bn in debt.

In order to stimulate broadband deployment in rural and regional areas, the Australian government plans to use a $686m fund to subsidize several major broadband projects in the country. The fund will help Telstra' s competitors to roll out their own broadband infrastructure and provide wider consumer choice.

Skype launches free telephony calls in the US and Canada.