Global operator strategies - 10/03/07

The East-African submarine project EASSY has been renamed the Nepad Broadband Infrastructure Network (NBIN).

China is launching a 5-year program to promote the industrialization and application of 3G and the enhanced technologies such as TD-SCDMA. MII is expected to use 3G development as an opportunity to enrich mobile telecom services and further complete the industrial chain.

Skype has passed the 500m downloads mark and currently has 171m subscribers.

Sonaecom (Portugal) has sold its 1% stake in PT after its bid to takeover PT fails.

Telefonica drops plans to take Telecom Italia stake, but continue talks for a strategic worldwide and non-exclusive partnership. In addition, it is also considering strategic options on its 75% stake in Endemol (Dutch TV production).

The FCC (USA) has recognized that VOIP is a telecom service as well as regular telephony and telcos must have to interconnect and transport VOIP traffic for and from VOIP providers.