Mobile operator strategies - 06/08/07

Iliad/ Free (France) is candidate to buy the fourth 3G license in France.

Tiscali will become MVNO in Italy, using TI network.

M2 Telecom (Australia) has signed a MVNO deal with Vodafone NZ to offer mobile services in NZ.

Vivo (Brazil) is believed to be in talks for buying smaller rivals Telemig Celular and Tele Norte (both in Brazil), while Telemig denies sale.

America Movil announced his company was in the race to acquire Telemig Celular and Amazonia Cellular.

Numericable (France) will become MVNO in France and offer quadruple play to its 3.5m cable customers. Numericable will use the Bouygues Telecom network.

China Unicom plans to apply for a CDMA2000 license in Hong Kong.

BT closes its Movio service (DAB-based mobile TVservice) because lack of interest, lack of handsets and the recent EU decision to support and promote DVB-H technology. Virgin Mobile, as a result, which was selling also the service, will turn off the service some time in 01/08.

O2 Germany will embark on a more aggressive approach with lower prices and new offers.

Mobilnil (Egypt) has bought Egypt's last 3G license for $600m.