Fixed operator strategies - 16/12/06

Korean operator KT plans investments in nationwide FTTH coverage.

China Telecom says its strategy is to remain a domestic service provider and not purchasing overseas assets. It looks rather for new partnerships and/or joint ventures with other global carriers.

Skype is introducing $30-a-year plan for unlimited calls in North America.

KDDI (Japan) and Rostelecom (Russia) will lay a new submarine cable system between Japan and Russia. The project is worth $43m and should be completed by March 08.

BT (UK) confirm WiMAX ambitions and plans to re-enter the mobile market. It is adding WiFi to its fixed-mobile convergence service Fusion offer and targets business users first.

ETB (Colombia) will launch IPTV services in Colombia in 1Q07, and would invest $280m in 2007.

MTC- Vodafone Bahrain and MENA Telecom (both in Bahrain) have been awarded National Fixed Wireless Services (NFWS) licenses.