Mobile operator strategies - 30/12/06

Russian telecom regulator, Rossvyaz, announced tenders for 3 3G licenses. MTS and Vimpelcom are expected to bid and will not be barred to do in spite of back tax claims. But Svyazinest is not now considering its units bidding. Foreign operators are also allowed to bid.

China Unicom will upgrade one of its networks to 3G in six month time frame after it wins 3G license.

Orascom Telecom and Qatar Telecom will jointly bid for Hutchison Essar, while Vodafone has made a bid at about $12bn, ahead of Essar bid at $11bn. Hutchison said it will not consider bids below $14bn.

Telecom Serbia has launched 3G services in 3 towns.

Pannon (Hungary) now is covering about 100% of Hungary’s population with its EDGE/UMTS services.