Global operator strategies - 19/10/06

Orascom Telecom has confirmed it is considering increasing its stake in Hutchison Telecom from its current 19% position and wants to take control.

Telefonica plans to invest $1.5bn in its Chilean operations through 2009.

France: about €1.9bn would be invested in network infrastructure (mobile and fixed) by local communities to end the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

Level3 (US) is buying Broadwing for $1.4bn in cash and stock.

Skype' s creators are launching ''Venice Project'', a new service providing free full screen TV programs and videos over the Internet.

MBK Partners have signed a deal to purchase 60% of leading Taiwanese cable TV operator China Network Systems for about $1.5bn.

DT/ Vivendi dispute in PTC (Poland) ownership continues. Vivendi claims that the Vienna Court of Appeals has confirmed its joint venture's 48% ownership over Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa, while DT said it has exercised its option to buy the stake from Elektrim, raising its stake in PTC to 98%.