Mobile operator strategies

Vodacom (S. Africa) and UK Virgin Mobile are jointly bidding for a controlling stake in Vmobile, Nigeria's No.3 mobile phone company.

Portugal Telecom mobile unit, TMN, enters the second phase of deploying 3G network. It targets 1m users by the end of 2006.

Vodafone D2 Germany has announced a new telephone service called 'At Home' throughout the country. The service will use a wireless network instead of traditional fixed lines.

Vodafone KK (Japan) would invest $2.4bn (+50%) this year to boost 3G deployment with additional 4000 base stations outdoors and 1400 BS indoors (+30%). Vodafone KK already covers 99% of the Japanese population.

Telefonica Moviles and Amena (both in Spain) got additional spectrum to be used for GSM900 services. Telefonica paid €465m and Amena €368m.

China Mobile and China Unicom have announced plans to offer low-cost handsets, respectively from Nokia/ Motorola and Chinese phone makers.

Megafon (Russia) will borrow $541m to develop its network in Russia. Part will be used to buy equipment from Nokia.

Telecom NZ announced plans to expand its 3G network to main towns and cities and expand existing coverage in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Sunday (HK) began offering commercial 3G W-CDMA services.

MTS (Russia) continues market consolidation with taking over Gorizont RT, its Republic of Sakha's subsidiary.