Global operator strategies - 07/06/06

DoCoMo is planning broad expansion in Asia to benefit from high-technology demand in the region. Large markets with high population, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, are opportunities even if it has doubts about China and India.

T-Mobil’ s @Home offer is performing well. 510,000 customers signed up for the service in 1Q06. @Home allows using its mobile phone from home at fixed-line prices.

Vodafone’ shareholders could rebel and vote against the re-election of several Vodafone directors, including CEO Arun Sarin.

California passed a bill that would eliminate city-by-city video franchises in the state. ATT is planning to invest $1bn there through the end of 2008 to upgrade its network and launch IPTV services.

KPN bought Demon Netherlands (a local ISP) for €69m.

Portugal Telecom should be the target of a new €14bn offer (exceeding Sonae' s bid by more than €3bn) by a consortium of private equity companies.

Google is set to introduce a free spreadsheet program, as an alternative to Microsoft Excel. Google's spreadsheet is not, however, as sophisticated as Excel.