Global operator strategies - 2/7/05

MTS (Russia) bought a 51-percent stake in Barash Communications Technologies, a mobile operator in Turkmenistan, for $28m. But in the meantime, Turkmenistan has revoked the GSM license.

KPN (NL) acquired its domestic mobile rival, Telfort, for up to €1.1bn.

Maxis (Malaysia) want to focus on mobile data and overseas expansion, especially in Indonesia.

Telstra (Australia) has agreed to buy Keycorp's Transaction Network Services (TNS) division for $43m.

DoCoMo (Japan) will buy Telargo, a fleet-management service company, for $29m (Telargo is the US subsidiary of Slovenia’s ULTRA).

DT could have in mind a takeover of UK-based mobile operator O2.

FT (France) plans to integrate mobile and Internet services in all markets under Orange brand.

Telefonica has acquired a 3% stake in China Netcom for € 240m, and plans to increase its stake to 5%.

Vodafone and Microsoft are launching phone-to-PC instant messaging (IM) services.

Telekom Malaysia is now acting alone in any bid it makes for a stake in Idea Cellular (India).

VSNL (India) has completed the acquisition of the Tyco Global Network (TGN) for $ 130m.

Oger Telecom and Etisalat were the two consortia selected for bidding for Turk Telekom. Finally, Oger Telecom won the bid wit a $6.5bn offer for 55% of Turk Telecom. Telecom Italia and BT are part of the Oger consortium.

Telecom Italia said it will quit the fight for control of Brazil Telecom.