Fixed operator strategies - 24/10/06

Iliad (France) has bought Citefibre, a FTTH operator in Paris, for an undisclosed sum. Citefibre has a 3000-km fiber optic network in Paris, and a strong expertise in deploying fiber-based networks.

Eircom (Ireland) will invest in WiMAX to expand the coverage of its broadband services.

Telecom Italia plans to invest €9bn over the next ten years deploying a fiber-to-the home access network.

NTT plans to quadruple the number of shared WLAN base stations to 10,000 by end 2007.

Comstar UTS (Russia) has applied for WiMAX licensing in 16 Russian regions. WiMax networks will be built in cities with a population of above 1m.

engine (US) and HP are teaming to bring VoIP to the SMB market.

T-Com has introduced its T-Home triple-play service on its 50Mbps VDSL broadband access network. The service cost ranges from $81 to $ 115 a month.

Time Warner Cable has filed an IPO in order to get funds to complete MSO acquisitions. CableVision, Cox are potential targets in New York or Southern California.

Telecom Egypt has signed a MoU with Etisalat, Saudi Telecom, Telecom Italia and VSNL to work together on the construction of the IMEWE submarine cable connecting India, the Middle East and Western Europe.