Mobile operator strategies - 23/08/06

TOT (Thailand) has announced discounted bundled service package (fixed-line, international call and Internet services) for limited period (until the end of the month) for a fixed monthly fee ranging from $9 to $27.

NTL-Virgin is offering free broadband services (instead of handset subsidies) to customers who sign up to a SIM-only Virgin Mobile contract phone package for one year. In addition, NTL is expected to soon launch a £40-per-month quadruple-play package.

In Brazil, GSM-based mobile services had a 59% share of the domestic market at the end of July, while CDMA as well as TDMA lost ground to 26% and 14% respectively .

Vodafone Malta has launched 3G services.

Nigeria's Vmobile will be rebranded Celtel Nigeria.

China Mobile predicts that its subscriber base could reach nearly 300m by year-end, if it continues adding over 4m new suscribers a month.