Fixed operator strategies - 24/9/05

Qwest and Microsoft are teaming up on an Internet-based telephone and communications service for small- and mid-sized businesses. The product, expected to debut next year, will feature VOIP telephone service, e-mail, Internet access and other communications services.

AOL will launch its VoIP service, TotalTalk, in early October 2005. TotalTalk is open to non-AOL subscribers.

MTNL (India) plans to launch in November the first "triple-play" service offering voice, broadband and cable TV in India.

Optus (Australia) is to spend $110m to build its own countrywide DSL broadband network.