Fixed operator strategies - 06/08/06

Neuf Cegetel (France) is given as winner to take over AOL France for about €250m. AOL France currently has 500k broadband subscribers in France, and will bring Neuf' subscriber base to 1.7-1.8m. It will not, however, take over Tele2 France, bidding only €300m or €100m below Tele2' s expectation. Tele2 France currently has 300k broadband subscribers, but also has fixed line operation and MVNO operations in France.

KPN (NL), Versatel (NL), freenet.de, United Internet and Telecom Italia want to buy German AOL assets.

Earthlink won a deal with Pasadena City (Calif) to build, own and operate a Wi-Fi municipal network.

Nomad Digital and train operator Caltrain have completed a WiMAX technology trial to deliver broadband access to train passengers.

Telefonica is planning to invest €139m in expanding its broadband service across Latin America.

Warburg Pincus and Cinven Group have jointly bought Essent Kabelcom (Holland) for €2.6bn.

Golden Telecom (Russia) says it has 3,000 Wi-Fi nodes in Moscow.