Global operator strategies - 24/07/06

Brazil has selected Japan's ISDB-T digital television system.

AOL France is launching its IPTV offer, including DTT tuner, 40Go hard disk, and HD.

eBay is offering Skype IP telephony or messaging to its French auction users.

KPN has bought NewTel Essence, a company that specialises in call center solutions and CRM.

Chunghwa Telecom plans to invest $3.1bn over the next five years to upgrade its network.

France 24 will be the name of the soon-to-be-launched international news television channel.

Richard Li has agreed to sell his controlling 22.6% stake in the Hong Kong PCCW company for HKD 9.16bn to Francis Leung.

Intel and Motorola are funding Clearwire, which raised $900m, of which $600m from Intel. Motorola is also buying Clearwire unit NextNet Wireless.

Telefonica Moviles in Peru received a $51m loan from the EIB (European Investment Bank) for building a new GSM network.

Otecel (Ecuador) has received a $51m loan from the EIB (European Investment Bank) for building a new GSM network.

Telefónica plans to invest nearly €10bn by 2009 to increase its penetration in the Latin American mobile telephony market,

Greece would like to divest its stakes in telecoms group OTE by 2007 if a European operator indicates interest.

Wind (Italy) is rmulling to sell half of its network to Hutchison Whampoa's 3 Italia,

Tele2 France should be for sale: Neuf Cegetel, Free and SFR could be interested.

Cingular could slow down capex next year. The company is expected to spend between $7bn and $7.5bn this year on equipment.