Mobile operator strategies - 21st May 2005

Smarts (Indonesia) should be in talks to buy Digitel's Sun Cellular in Philippines. But PLDT and Digitel denied any discussion on this subject.

Orange UK will offer mobile TV service including nine channels of news, sports and entertainment on its 3G network.

Japan: mobile phone shipments in Japan declined 11% to 44.1m in FY 2004(end in March 05). Market saturation and sluggish replacement demand were the main drivers for decline.

TOT (Thailand) said it is talking with NTT DoCoMo, SingTel and Korea Telecom, on possible tie-ups to boost revenues.

Malaysia could award two more 3G licenses (after Celcom and Maxis Communications) to enhance telecom competition.

Guangdong Telecom (China and part of China Mobile) has launched its EDGE services in Guangzhou, Dongguan and Shenzhen.

Vodafone said it is launching Simply service, aimed at people who want a very basic mobile service (only voice and text). The service will be available via two handsets from Sagem, with large screens and dedicated buttons for direct access to services.