Global operators strategies

PCCW, HK, will invest $300m in China, as part of the deal with China Netcom. The cooperation would include mobile communications service, real property, broadband-related business and international business. PCCW will also change Reach (its JV with Telstra) goals. Both have agreed to transform the undersea cable operator into an outsourcer of telecom network services to their benefit.

Etisalat (UAE) has bought a 50% stake in West African cellphone operator Atlantique Telecom. The move gives it operations in Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger Togo and Ivory Coast.

OTE (Greece) has agreed to sell its 100% stake in Bulgarian mobile operator Globul and Macedonian mobile player Cosmofon to its mobile arm, CosmOTE, for €490m.