Mobile operator strategies - 12/06/07

Safaricom (Kenya) is trialling mobile M-Pesa fund transfer with about 65,000 customers.

Vodacom (S. Africa) is launching mobile pay-TV services, based on Multichoice satellite TV provider.

Dialog (Sri Lanka) plans to invest additional $300m in the next two years for infrastructure developments (fixed and mobile).

Hits (Saudi Arabia) plans to create a pan-Africa cellular company operating across eight countries by 2012.

In the first five months of 2007, 1.5m (+7% in May) Spanish mobile subscribers have use portability.

Reliance (India) plans to raise $1bn through an overseas loan to fund its 2007 capex.

Vodafone is believed to be interested in buying Israeli Cellcom.

12 mobile operators, in emerging countries, are launching the low-cost 3G handset, winner of the GSMA' s "3G for All programme", the LG-KU250, from LG.

PLDT (Philippines) expects to get more than 3m 3G subscribers this year.

Taiwan has received 13 applications for the 6 WiMAX licenses to be granted by the isle.