Mobile operator strategies - 16/06/06

Cingular has launched UMTS/HSDPA services for businesses and consumers in its home town of Atlanta.

Verizon Wireless has introduced a child-tracking service, called Chaperone, including a feature to set up virtual zones (geo-fences) for their children (when the child's cell phone is out of the zone, an alert is sent to the parent's phone).

Virgin Mobile Australia is planning to launch a 3G service in Australia and double its subscriber base to 1m in next three years.

Slovenia has published a tender for three further 3G licenses.

Xfera (Spain) has signed a national roaming agreement with Vodafone's unit in Spain,

Japan is considering forcing mobile operators to open up their networks for access by competitors in fiscal 2007, and introducing MVNOs. Guidelines could be revised by the end of this year.

Tele2 AB (Sweden) will complete building its 3G network in Sweden by the fall.