Global operator strategies - 21/12/06

Greece plans to sell 20% of its incumbent operator OTE, and is looking for a strategic partner.

Google is launching its new Google Patent Search, dedicated to search patents. In a first step, the search engine will only work on US patents.

DoCoMo plans to get another 6m shares of PLDT (Philippines) for $250m to reach about 10% of the total shares.

KTF (S. Korea) plans to invest $1.3bn next year, of which 35% to expand HSDPA coverage. The company intends to become the country's largest telecom firm (now second to SKT), double its sales and triple the value of the company by 2015-end.

Bouygues Telecom and Altitude Telecom (both in France) may work together to offer converged fixed-mobile services. Service could start from March 07.

Maroc Telecom plans to invest €663m over three years.