East meets West as Libyana reconnects section of network after eight months

According to Middle Eastern business website Zawya.com, Libyana, Libya’s largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers, has ‘reconnected’ portions of its cellular network which have been out of action for around eight months – since the start of the increasingly violent revolution which culminated with Colonel Muammar Gaddafi being captured and killed by Libyan forces in Sirte. A statement issued by interim government, the National Transitional Council, confirmed: ‘Early on Friday morning Libyana’s telecommunications network was reconnected between eastern and western Libya, after being cut off for almost eight months. This news brought relief to many Libyans, who have been unable to communicate with their loved ones on either side of the country’

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OVETEL East meets West as Libyana reconnects section of network after eight months

STC expands LTE: deploys 200 base stations across five cities

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has announced that it has launched its Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in five new cities, with a total of 200 base stations deployed in Makkah, Madinah, Abha, Khamis Mushayt and Dhahran. STC’s LTE network, which launched in mid-September, one day after its rival Mobily, already covers key locations such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Jubail, Alkhobar and Al-Ahsa. The latest deployment means that STC has now rolled out in excess of 600 LTE base stations across the country

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OVETEL STC expands LTE: deploys 200 base stations across five cities

Yota requests Moscow LTE examination; hints at new MegaFon tie-up

Russian WiMAX operator Scartel (Yota), which received regulatory approval from telecoms regulator Roskomnadzor to abandon WiMAX for Long Term Evolution (LTE) in July 2010, has reportedly requested an electromagnetic examination of its in-deployment LTE network in Moscow. RIA Novosti reports that, if approved by the State Radio Frequency Commission (SRFC), Yota’s 4G network could conceivably launch as early as March 2012. Unconfirmed Russian press reports have suggested that Yota has already started to reconfigure its base stations in Moscow ahead of the SRFC’s review

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OVETEL Yota requests Moscow LTE examination; hints at new MegaFon tie-up

Multimedia gateways drive mobile internet infrastructure market growth

According to data from the Mobile Internet Infrastructure research service from TeleGeography partner Synergy Research Group, mobile Internet infrastructure revenues exceeded USD1.3 billion in Q3 2011, growing 21 percent since Q3 2010. Strong market growth is visible around the world, but the Asia-Pacific region is closing in on North America as the largest revenue generator. Synergy defines mobile Internet infrastructure as the hardware and software that facilitate the use and operation of Internet applications on mobile networks.

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OVETEL Multimedia gateways drive mobile internet infrastructure market growth

NSN sells WiMAX unit to NewNet

Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has announced it has agreed to sell its WiMAX business to NewNet Communication Technologies, a provider of solutions for next generation mobile and fixed line networks owned by US investment firm Skyview Capital. Under the terms of the agreement, NewNet will acquire the complete WiMAX product portfolio, the related employees and assets, as well as active customer and supplier contracts. ‘The addition of the WiMAX business would enhance the breadth of NewNet’s product portfolio, R&D capabilities, customer relationships and our overall market position in providing wireless infrastructure solutions to carriers on a global basis

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OVETEL NSN sells WiMAX unit to NewNet

Vodafone targets 100,000 TV subs by year-end

Vodafone Germany aims to increase the number of subscribers to its hybrid television offering Vodafone TV from the current 85,000 to 100,000 by the end of the year, the company’s CEO Dhananjay Mirchandani told local newspaper Handelsblatt. Vodafone Germany is currently testing the TV service over Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology in the city of Dusseldorf, ahead of a commercial launch expected in the spring of 2012

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OVETEL Vodafone targets 100,000 TV subs by year-end

Zain yet to discuss licence fee in South Sudan

Kuwaiti telecoms group Zain has yet to agree on the fee for a mobile licence to operate in the newly independent country of South Sudan, which seceded from the north in July 2011. Zain Sudan’s chief executive Elfatih Erwa told news agency Reuters that the company has spent USD60 million dividing its operations in two, after South Sudan acquired its own international dialling code (+211) upon gaining independence, but the cellco has not yet entered into discussions with the government on a licence fee

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OVETEL Zain yet to discuss licence fee in South Sudan

Lawmakers want GSM operators to list on bourse

A bill seeking to compel GSM service providers in Nigeria to sell a proportion of their shares to the public is to be presented to the National Assembly in the near future, according to a report by local newspaper THISDAY, which cites chairman of the Capital Market Committee Herman Hembe.

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OVETEL Lawmakers want GSM operators to list on bourse

ETB says MVNO service will launch in January

Colombian state-owned telco Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Bogota (ETB) has announced that despite missing its original target of November for the launch of an MVNO service, the company remains committed to the idea and will launch before the end of January 2012. ETB’s commercial VP, Juliana Henao, told reporters that the company is currently carrying out portability-related trials, but would then be ready to launch wireless services over Tigo’s network. According to data from TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, ETB will be entering a market dominated by subsidiaries of America Movil and Telefonica, which between them accounted for 90% of subscribers at the end of September

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OVETEL ETB says MVNO service will launch in January

Japan Communications to partner Marubeni in MVNO joint venture

Japan Communications is reportedly planning to enter into a joint venture agreement with Japanese trading company Marubeni to set up a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) business in the country. Telecompaper claims the pair intend to set up the joint venture in or around February 2012, by separating off Japan Communications’ data communications division into a new unit which will be 60% owned by Marubeni. The trading company will plough an initial JPY500 million (USD6.4 million) into the project, the Nikkei daily writes, which will provide data-based MVNO services for PC, laptop and tablet users, over NTT DoCoMo’s mobile network

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OVETEL Japan Communications to partner Marubeni in MVNO joint venture

Orange France passes one million ‘Open’ quad-play users mark

DigitalTV Europe reports that Orange France has signed up more than one million subscribers to its quadruple-play – TV, internet access, fixed and mobile telephony – service, branded ‘Open’. The online portal adds that Orange France’s Open offer now provides up to four additional mobile telephony subscriptions, with prices starting from EUR17.90 (USD23.90) per month. The operator’s decision to add this option is based on a customer survey carried out earlier in the year which found that three out of four respondents were interested in a plan that included the option of adding several mobile numbers

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OVETEL Orange France passes one million ‘Open’ quad-play users mark

North Rock jumps on 10Mbps bandwagon; alters pricing

Bermudan ISP North Rock Communications has launched a 10Mbps residential broadband service priced at BMD129.95 (USD129.95) per month, and upgraded the speeds of its other services without increasing end users’ monthly charges. Under the upgrade, which mirrors a similar announcement earlier this month from Bermuda Telephone Company (BTC), North Rock says its 1Mbps service costing BMD29.95 a month has been upped to 1.5Mbps, 2Mbps (BMD69.95) to 2.5Mbps, 3Mbps (BMD85.95) to 3.5Mbps, 6Mbps (BMD119.95) to 8Mbps and 8Mbps (USD129.95) to 10 Mbps. The ISP’s manager Vicki Coelho said the firm was responding to competition in a tough economic climate

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OVETEL North Rock jumps on 10Mbps bandwagon; alters pricing

President signs decrees to reform regulator

The Ukrainian president, Victor Yanukovych, has signed two decrees permitting the restructuring of the country's telecoms regulator, the National Commission on Communications Regulation (NCCR, or locally the NKRZ). Telecompaper quoting BizLigaNet writes that the first decree allows the liquidation of the regulator in its current form while the second document clears the way for the establishment of a restructured regulator with a wider remit encompassing telecoms and IT.

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OVETEL President signs decrees to reform regulator

EMT expands LTE footprint

Estonian cellco Eesti Mobiiltelefon (EMT), a subsidiary of Sweden’s TeliaSonera, has announced that it has extended its Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to a number of new locations, as well as having enhanced coverage in the capital Tallinn. The mobile operator has revealed that it is now offering commercial 4G services in Polva, Rapla, Poltsamaa and Elva, as well as Metsakastis, Vaana-Joesuu and Haabneeme in Harju county

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OVETEL EMT expands LTE footprint

PTCL loans mobile unit PKR11 billion for network investment

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has reportedly injected PKR11 billion (USD182.6 million) in its mobile subsidiary, Pakistan Telecommunication Mobile Ltd (PTML), The Nation reports.

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OVETEL PTCL loans mobile unit PKR11 billion for network investment

Drahi completes HOT takeover

French businessman Patrick Drahi has reportedly completed the takeover of Israeli cableco HOT Telecommunication Systems via his Cool Holdings Unit, Globes Online reports. The finalising of the takeover comes after Cool Holdings purchased 10,012,033 HOT shares at ILS65.10 (USD14.66) per share from Yediot Communications’ owner Arnon Mozes, in line with previously announced plans

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OVETEL Drahi completes HOT takeover

MTS Allstream developing 100Gbps services

Canadian telco MTS Allstream has announced that it has chosen equipment from Ciena to upgrade its national optical fibre transmission network to support 100Gbps data transport.

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OVETEL MTS Allstream developing 100Gbps services

Chilean operators to merge

Grupo GTD and Entel have signed an agreement under which the two companies will merge their operations. Pending the completion of due diligence and shareholder approval, all telecoms operators that are part of Grupo GTD will become subsidiaries of Entel. The Casanueva family, currently the owners of an 84% stake in Grupo GTD, will own 9.8% in Entel

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OVETEL Chilean operators to merge

T-2’s debt restructuring plan approved, altnet avoids receivership

The Maribor District Court has approved Slovenian alternative telco T-2’s debt restructuring plan under which the fixed broadband and 3G mobile operator has promised to repay its creditors 44% of their claims totalling around EUR180 million (USD240 million) by 2020. Local news agency STA writes that the court rejected a demand from incumbent national PSTN operator Telekom Slovenije for T-2 to be forced to enter receivership.

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OVETEL T-2’s debt restructuring plan approved, altnet avoids receivership

CAT’s commercial ‘My’ 3G launching for post-paid users in January

State-run Thai operator CAT Telecom will launch a full commercial version of its ‘My’ branded retail 3G W-CDMA/HSPA mobile service for provincial customers in January 2012, after cancelling a planned launch earlier this month due to the country’s disastrous flooding. The Nation newspaper reports that CAT’s 850MHz retail HSPA offering – currently operated as a very limited pre-commercial service – will initially only be available to post-paid users. The telco says it will invest THB300 million (USD9.5 million) on developing a ‘My’ pre-paid service, which is expected to be ready for launch by the middle of the year.

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OVETEL CAT’s commercial ‘My’ 3G launching for post-paid users in January

Four million smartphones to be sold this year, says AIS marketing man

Gross sales of smartphones in Thailand are projected to reach approximately four million units this year, up from around three million in 2010, driven by the recent launches of expanded 3G 850MHz/900MHz networks by cellcos AIS, True Move and DTAC, according to AIS's senior vice-president for marketing, Titipong Khiewpaisal, who was quoted by the Bangkok Post.

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OVETEL Four million smartphones to be sold this year, says AIS marketing man

Pecik increases Telekom stake to 15.8%; Omani investors circle govt stake

The Telekom Austria Group has confirmed that as of 25 November, approximately 15.012% of its shares are now held directly and indirectly by Ronny Pecik’s RPR Privatstiftung investment vehicle, which also holds indirect call options to acquire additional 0.790% of the company’s shares. The announcement follows RPR Privatstiftung’s exercising of its existing call options for 5.4% of the group’s shares, which were previously acquired via its indirect 100% subsidiary Marathon Zwei Beteiligungs on 17 October 2011

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OVETEL Pecik increases Telekom stake to 15.8%; Omani investors circle govt stake

FastTelco buys advance capacity from GBI

Kuwaiti broadband provider FastTelco has confirmed that it has signed a capacity purchase agreement with Gulf Bridge International (GBI), the regional submarine cable network funded by a number of Gulf state sovereign wealth funds.

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OVETEL FastTelco buys advance capacity from GBI

CAT’s plans taking shape to transfer network ownership to private operators

Thai newspaper The Nation reports that state-owned CAT Telecom’s board will next week hear proposals from the telco’s management to allow private operators to buy their cellular networks back from CAT before their build-transfer-operate (BTO) concessions expire. CAT’s acting CEO Viroj Tocharoenvanith said yesterday that the ICT ministry had permitted CAT to proceed with developing the network sell-off plan, which had been approved by the company’s previous directors. He added that, if endorsed by the current board, CAT will employ an external consultant to flesh out the details and appraise the networks of CAT’s BTO mobile concessionaries DTAC, True Move and DPC (a small subsidiary of mobile market leader AIS, itself operating via a BTO agreement with CAT’s sister telco TOT)

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OVETEL CAT’s plans taking shape to transfer network ownership to private operators

Regulator to trim FT’s unbundling rate from 1 January, paper says

The French telecoms watchdog Arcep is readying itself to announce the introduction of a 5% to 10% cut in France Telecom-Orange’s (FT's) unbundling rate, effective 1 January 2012. According to a report in La Tribune newspaper, quoting someone familiar with the situation, as a result of the move – an announcement on which could take place after 15 December – the incumbent’s unbundling rates will be reduced to the EU average of around EUR8.50 (USD11.33) per month, from the current EUR9.00.

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OVETEL Regulator to trim FT’s unbundling rate from 1 January, paper says

OTE seeks to sell Serbian stake

Beleaguered Greek telco OTE says it is in talks to sell its 20% stake in Telekom Srbija back to the country’s government, reports Reuters. OTE is believed to be keen on a sale as it seeks to raise cash to cut its debt as it battles the severe recession in Greece

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OVETEL OTE seeks to sell Serbian stake

Vodacom to invest TZS150bn on Tanzanian network upgrade

Vodacom Tanzania has earmarked investment of TZS150 billion (USD89.97 million) in the next few years to expand and upgrade its infrastructure in the country. The Citizen newspaper writes that the CAPEX will be used to consolidate the cellco’s networks and services, specifically through the introduction of new technologies to meet consumer demand for voice and in particular, data services.

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OVETEL Vodacom to invest TZS150bn on Tanzanian network upgrade

Uruguay prepares mobile spectrum auction

The government of Uruguay has issued two decrees ordering the launch of an auction for wireless spectrum in the 900MHz, 1900MHz and 1700MHz-2100MHz frequency bands, TeleSemana reports, citing local newspaper El Pais. Decree 461 annuls the assignment of 900MHz spectrum to Administracion Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Antel), following a court decision in September 2011 that ordered the state-owned national telecoms operator to give up the wireless frequencies which it currently uses for its ‘Ruralcel’ wireless in the local loop (WiLL) telephony service, after complaints from mobile operators wishing to use the frequencies for cellular services

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OVETEL Uruguay prepares mobile spectrum auction

Drillisch accuses DT executive of market manipulation

German mobile services provider Drillisch has asked public prosecutors to investigate alleged stock market manipulation by a Deutsche Telekom (DT) executive, Reuters reports.

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OVETEL Drillisch accuses DT executive of market manipulation

Three bidders for Afghanistan's first 3G licence

Telecompaper reports that the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) has received three bids for the country’s first 3G licence. The interested parties are Sahar 3G, Toseye Eatemad Mobin and Shezai Tel USA. The winner will be announced after a technical assessment is made on each of the bids.

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OVETEL Three bidders for Afghanistan's first 3G licence

NCC registers 93m SIMs, will begin disconnection from 1 January

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has so far registered around 93 million mobile lines over the course of its SIM registration campaign, local newspaper BusinessDay cites the regulator’s executive vice chairman, Eugene Juwah, as saying. Following the successful completion of the scheme, Juwah said that the commission will begin to implement mobile number portability (MNP) next year to enhance competition in the market and improve the quality of wireless services. TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database states that the six-month SIM registration exercise was scheduled to conclude on 28 September 2011, but the deadline was subsequently extended during the harmonisation process for an unspecified period to allow any remaining subscribers to register their details.

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OVETEL NCC registers 93m SIMs, will begin disconnection from 1 January

LTE tender gets underway; MVNO Zon not participating

According to local press reports, Portugal’s long-rumoured auction for Long Term Evolution (LTE)-suitable frequencies commenced yesterday, with all three incumbent cellcos – Portugal Telecom's (PT) wireless arm Telecomunicacoes Moveis Nacionais (TMN), Sonaecom's mobile brand Optimus and Vodafone Portugal – believed to be participating in the process.

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OVETEL LTE tender gets underway; MVNO Zon not participating

DoT and operators to meet over 3G roaming issue

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is expected to meet with leading mobile operators shortly with a view to resolving the contentious issue of 3G roaming pacts. Following a meeting of the Telecom Commission, India’s Economic Times cited telecom secretary R Chandrashekhar as having said: ‘Consultation with the Law (Ministry) is complete. We will hold a consultation with telecom players before taking any final decision.’ The development comes not long after the top executives of three of the country’s larger mobile network operators were reported to have called on the prime minster Manmohan Sign to refund the fees they paid for their respective 3G concessions amid continued debate over the issue of roaming for such services

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OVETEL DoT and operators to meet over 3G roaming issue

Mobile auction cancelled after no bidders

The Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) of Bulgaria has announced that it has cancelled an auction to grant a mobile licence in the 2GHz band. In July 4G COM expressed an interest in the 15-year licence, followed by five other companies doing likewise

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OVETEL Mobile auction cancelled after no bidders

LG Uplus confirms LTE network expansion/development plans

South Korea’s smallest mobile network operator by subscribers, LG Uplus, has outlined its plans for the development of its 4G infrastructure, the Dong-A Ilbo reports. The local news source cites LG Uplus vice chairman Lee Sang-chul as saying that the cellco’s Long Term Evolution (LTE) network is expected to reach 84 cities and eight counties across the country by the end of this year, at which date it will cover around 94% of the country; full coverage is subsequently expected by the end of March 2012. Further, the cellco has also revealed that it expects to introduce voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) services in the second half of 2012

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OVETEL LG Uplus confirms LTE network expansion/development plans

Beeline to launch 4G service in December

The vice-president of Vimpelcom, Dmitry Kromsky, has revealed that the company’s Uzbek subsidiary will launch LTE services before the end of 2011. Beeline Uzbekistan is set to become Vimpelcom’s first subsidiary in the CIS to launch a 4G network

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OVETEL Beeline to launch 4G service in December

BIPT reveals 4G auction winners

The Belgian Institute for Post and Telecommunications (BIPT) has announced the closure of its 4G spectrum auction, and disclosed the identity of the winning bidders. As previously reported by CommsUpdate, last month the regulator revealed that it received five submissions from companies looking to take part in the sale process, with all of those subsequently approved to bid.

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OVETEL BIPT reveals 4G auction winners

TIME dotCom sees profit almost double in 3Q11

Malaysia’s TIME dotCom (TdC) has released its financial results for the three months ended 30 September 2011, revealing a tenth consecutive quarter of profit, with net profit in the quarter almost doubling on the back of higher non-global bandwidth sales, higher profit margins and adjustments for previously recognised expenses. In the telco’s third quarter of the 2011 fiscal year it reported net profit of MYR40.7 million (USD9.4 million), a 94% year-on-year increase against the MYR20.9 million it recorded in 3Q10. Revenues in the three-month period however totalled MYR76.9 million, representing a fall of almost 12%, in part as a result of lower global bandwidth sales

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OVETEL TIME dotCom sees profit almost double in 3Q11

Telstra submits revised Structural Separation Undertaking to ACCC

Australian fixed line incumbent Telstra has reportedly handed a revised draft of its structural separation undertaking (SSU) to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the Australian Financial Review reports. It is understood that Telstra submitted the updated document following concerns raised by both the regulator and alternative operators over the original draft; the incumbent’s rivals had argued that its plans did not go far enough in giving them equal access to its network

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OVETEL Telstra submits revised Structural Separation Undertaking to ACCC

Airtel expands managed services deal with Ericsson

India’s Bharti Airtel has expanded its managed services agreement for its domestic operations with Swedish vendor Ericsson, a press release from the latter has confirmed. Under the new five-year multi-vendor, multi-technology managed services agreement Ericsson will reportedly operate, maintain and provide services across 70% of Airtel’s Indian mobile infrastructure, with Airtel expanding the contract to cover 15 of India’s 22 telecoms circles. The circles covered by the deal are: Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (West), Uttar Pradesh (East), Rajasthan, North East, Assam, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chennai and Kerala

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OVETEL Airtel expands managed services deal with Ericsson

MIC to tighten rules on sales promotions

Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) is looking to place stricter regulations on packages and sales promotions offered by the country’s wireless operators to ensure healthy competition in the market. Viet Nam Business News cites the head of the MIC’s telecom department, Pham Hong Hai, as saying that the ministry could possibly enact new rules on telecom fee management in early 2012 to supersede current regulations, in order to protect the performance of the market.

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OVETEL MIC to tighten rules on sales promotions

Hutchison tables EUR1.4bn bid for Orange

Hutchison 3G Austria (H3G) is reported to be close to finalising an agreement to acquire rival mobile operator Orange Austria for EUR1.40 billion (USD1.85 billion), before offloading selected frequencies, base stations and Orange’s wholly-owned Yesss! mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) unit to A1 Telekom Austria in a EUR300 million transaction.

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OVETEL Hutchison tables EUR1.4bn bid for Orange

Globe inks PHP5bn loan for CAPEX with RCB

Globe Telecom of the Philippines has signed a PHP5 billion (USD114 million) loan with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCB) to fund its capital expenditure for next year. The details of the seven-year loan, the second major borrowing announcement from Globe in recent weeks, were disclosed in a filing to the local stock exchange

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OVETEL Globe inks PHP5bn loan for CAPEX with RCB

TIM Brasil unveils ‘Fixed Unlimited’ call plan

Brazilian fixed and mobile operator TIM Participacoes (TIM Brasil) has announced the launch of a new unlimited fixed telephony calling plan.

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OVETEL TIM Brasil unveils ‘Fixed Unlimited’ call plan

Smart beta testing LTE service in Metro Manila

Smart Communications, the mobile division of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) is launching public beta tests of Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband services in 30 sites in Metro Manila. The test phase will run until 13 February 2012 and will offer users maximum data transfer rates of 76Mbps. The head of Smart’s broadband internet and data services unit, Gio Bacareza, said the trial marks a significant step towards the full blown launch of LTE

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OVETEL Smart beta testing LTE service in Metro Manila

TEPCO mulling USD2.4bn KDDI sale plan

Reuters reports that Japanese utility Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) is reportedly looking to offload its roughly 8% stake in the country’s second largest telecoms group, KDDI Corp, for as much as JPY186 billion (USD2.4 billion). The move forms part of the power firm’s restructuring plan to raise funds to pay for compensation claims relating to the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

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OVETEL TEPCO mulling USD2.4bn KDDI sale plan

AT unveils ‘plan B’ to divest 40% of T-Mobile

In an effort to salvage its controversial USD39 billion takeover of T-Mobile USA, AT&T is reportedly considering the divestment of as much as 40% of its Deutsche Telekom (DT)-owned acquisition target. According to Bloomberg, which cites a person familiar with the situation, AT&T’s revised proposal is likely to include the divestiture of a higher share of customers and lower percentage of spectrum than previously mooted.

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OVETEL AT&T unveils ‘plan B’ to divest 40% of T-Mobile

More details of LAP Green takeover emerge

Additional details have emerged regarding the proposed takeover of Libyan investment portfolio LAP Green Network, which owns a large number of telecoms assets across Africa.

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OVETEL More details of LAP Green takeover emerge

The U.S. leads the way in LTE

With the growth in mobile data usage continuing unabated, an increasing number of operators are looking towards 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology to fulfil the need for wireless bandwidth, and one market in particular has seen a rapid take-up of LTE-based services. US telcos, particularly Verizon Wireless, have been trailblazers of the nascent LTE market. At the end of September 2011, Verizon Wireless had more than 3.1 million LTE subscribers, representing an incredible 60% of the worldwide total.

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OVETEL The U.S. leads the way in LTE

Com Hem’s purchase of Canal Digital cable business challenged by competition authority

Dow Jones Newswires reports that the Swedish Competition Authority has decided to go to court to block Sweden’s largest cableco Com Hem from completing its proposed purchase of Scandinavian broadcaster and ISP Canal Digital’s cable TV operations, on the grounds that the deal would create an operator with too big a slice of the Swedish CATV market. According to the anti-monopoly agency, triple-play operator Com Hem currently controls around 60% of the Swedish cable TV market, and the acquisition would increase this share to above ‘68% of the market for houses with multiple tenants’, and concluded that this would result in a risk of price increases or deterioration of the company’s product offering.

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OVETEL Com Hem’s purchase of Canal Digital cable business challenged by competition authority

Telecel Zimbabwe in USD70m investment drive

Egypt’s Orascom Telecom (part of the Russian Vimpelcom group) has reinforced its commitment to its majority-owned mobile subsidiary Telecel Zimbabwe with an announcement that it will invest USD70 million in the short term to develop the GSM operator’s national 2G and fledgling 3G cellular services. As reported by the Zimbabwean Independent newspaper, Orascom’s African Cluster CEO, Vincenzo Nesci, said there is ‘huge potential’ for expanding mobile services in Zimbabwe. ‘The USD70 million investment is expected to cover expansion and upgrading of both voice and data services to ensure Telecel’s clients are able to access a fuller range of mobile communications services in line with worldwide developments,’ said Nesci, adding that there would also be a major training initiative to ensure both managerial and technical skills are developed on par with those at other units of the Orascom group

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OVETEL Telecel Zimbabwe in USD70m investment drive

Digicel Barbados launches HSPA+

Digicel’s 3.5G HSPA+ mobile network has gone live in Barbados. The Barbados Advocate reports that the network (marketed as ‘4G’) ‘officially went live on Wednesday night and by 7 December its customers will be able to access the internet at faster speeds.’ At a launch ceremony, Digicel’s commercial manager, Alex Tasker, announced that the HSPA+ evolution will provide users with high speed internet services on smartphones and laptops/PCs via dongle modems, as well as tablet computers and portable Wi-Fi hub devices. The cellco previously offered mobile data services via an EDGE network

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OVETEL Digicel Barbados launches HSPA+

Telekom Slovenije EBIT climbs 75%

Telekom Slovenije generated EUR37.7 million (USD50.4 million) in group net profit in the first nine months of 2011, up nearly six-fold on the EUR6.3 million it earned in the same period a year earlier.

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OVETEL Telekom Slovenije EBIT climbs 75%

WASACE submarine cable aims to serve four continents

Multinational start-up WASACE Cable Company Worldwide Holding (WASACE) has launched a project aimed at building a submarine fibre-optic cable network consisting of four segments: a new diverse route connecting Europe to North America (‘WASACE North’), a new route linking South America to Africa (WASACE South, with landing points at Fortaleza, Brazil, and Luanda, Angola), a new diverse route between South America and North America (WASACE America) and a new route connecting Nigeria, Angola and South Africa (WASACE Africa). WASACE, backed by investors on four continents and project-managed by US-based David Ross Group, also says it aims to deploy the first trans-Atlantic 100Gbps undersea route.

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OVETEL WASACE submarine cable aims to serve four continents

OFTA proposes refarming PHS 1900MHz frequencies for mobile data services

Hong Kong’s Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has proposed that the 1895MHz-1906.1MHz band, currently allocated for Personal Handyphone System (PHS) usage, be re-allocated to help meet demand for mobile data services. PHS usage in the band is currently exempt from licensing, on the condition that it is for private use only. Having been introduced in 1996, surveys conducted in 2010 by OFTA found that PHS equipment was used sparsely in Hong Kong, predominately for home cordless telephones, with extremely limited availability for purchase, as no applications for certification of PHS apparatus had been made since 2002.

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OVETEL OFTA proposes refarming PHS 1900MHz frequencies for mobile data services

Alfa, Telenor agree to adhere to Vimpelcom agreement… for now

Vimpelcom has confirmed that its warring shareholders, Telenor of Norway and Alfa Group-owned Altimo, have agreed to abide by their long-standing shareholder agreement until an arbitration panel is able to rule whether or not Alfa’s controversial move to end the deal was legal.

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OVETEL Alfa, Telenor agree to adhere to Vimpelcom agreement… for now

AEC issues tender for 4G licences, report says

According to an unconfirmed report from Alfa TV in Macedonia, national telecoms regulator the Agency for Electronic Communications (AEC) has sent invitations to around 50 ‘global’ mobile operators to participate in the tender for the deployment of fourth-generation (4G) services in the Republic. The AEC has reportedly sent letters of intent to the likes of Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom, Telekom Austria, Turkcell, Telenor of Norway, Greek operator Cosmote, Qatar Telecom, China Mobile and to several operators from the USA, Russia, Italy, the UK and India.

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OVETEL AEC issues tender for 4G licences, report says

Cogeco seeks international buyer for Cabovisao

Canada's Cogeco Cable is reportedly in the process of contacting a number of Portuguese and international telecoms operators and private equity funds with a view to offloading Cabovisao, its wholly-owned Portuguese cableco. Telecompaper, citing Portuguese news site Lusa, reports that negotiations with unnamed parties are already underway, although no price has yet been set. Back in June 2006 Cogeco acquired Cabovisao from fellow Canadian operator Cable Satisfaction International Inc (CSII) for EUR465 million (USD600 million), but Cogeco has endured a torrid time in Portugal since entering the market

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OVETEL Cogeco seeks international buyer for Cabovisao

Sunrise to launch IPTV in 2012

Swiss telco Sunrise has announced plans to launch an IPTV service in early 2012. The telco, which currently offers triple-play services, began conducting consumer trials in October. Thus far, no details have been released regarding pricing or channels that will be made available

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OVETEL Sunrise to launch IPTV in 2012

XL Axiata puts towers up for sale; plans USD1bn CAPEX for 2012

Dow Jones Newswires writes that Indonesian cellco PT XL Axiata plans to sell up to 8,500 transmission towers and shift its strategic focus to mobile internet data services. XL director Dian Siswarini is quoted as saying that three local groups have expressed interest in acquiring the towers. He added that Goldman Sachs is advising on the sale

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OVETEL XL Axiata puts towers up for sale; plans USD1bn CAPEX for 2012

Algar Telecom (CTBC Celular) to launch HSPA+ next week

Brazilian telecoms group Algar Telecom (CTBC Celular) has confirmed its intention to start commercial operation of a HSPA+ mobile broadband service in Minas Gerais, starting Monday 28 November.

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OVETEL Algar Telecom (CTBC Celular) to launch HSPA+ next week

DoCoMo ups PLDT stake to 20%

The Manila Standard Today reports that Japanese mobile group NTT DoCoMo has regained its 20% equity stake in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), after JG Summit Holdings yesterday completed the sale of some of its shares for PHP11.4 billion (USD262.95 million). It is understood Gokongwei-led JG Summit executed a block sale of 4.56 million PLDT shares via the local stock exchange, priced at PHP2,500 per share. The holding company exercised a share option agreement with DoCoMo as part of a wider deal in which PLDT acquired a controlling interest in fellow Filipino operator Digital Telecommunications Philippines Inc (Digitel) from the Gokongwei-owned company.

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OVETEL DoCoMo ups PLDT stake to 20%

Arcep warns seven WiLL licence holders for failing to meet rollout terms

The French telecoms regulator Autorite de Regulation des Communications Electroniques et des Postes (Arcep) has ordered seven wireless in the local loop (WiLL) 3.4GHz-3.6GHz licence holders to comply with their rollout obligations, following a review of WiLL it launched back in the summer. The watchdog has been working for several months on issues relating to the deployment of WiLL, including a public consultation (from 23 May to 23 June 2011) on the status of rollouts and the outlook for its use and development. In a statement published earlier this week, Arcep said that on 21 July – as part of its verification process of 3.4GHz-3.6GHz licence holders – the Director of Legal Affairs notified 16 licensees ‘of the commencement of a procedure provided for in Article L.

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OVETEL Arcep warns seven WiLL licence holders for failing to meet rollout terms

Open 3G auction set for June 2012

A national 3G UMTS mobile licence auction will be held in June 2012, the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided.

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OVETEL Open 3G auction set for June 2012

Third cellco launches 3G; Azercell applies for 4G licence

Bakcell, Azerbaijan’s second largest mobile operator by subscribers, has announced the commercial launch of its third-generation network, after receiving a licence from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to provide 3G services at the start of the month. The country’s president, Ilham Aliyev, and Minister of Communications and Information Technologies Ali Abbassov, helped to switch on the cellco’s HSPA+ network at the Bakutel exhibition. Bakcell’s 3G services, which are offered under the brand ‘sur@’, are currently available in 62 cities, but will be extended to rural parts of the country during 2012.

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OVETEL Third cellco launches 3G; Azercell applies for 4G licence

DT may sell UK asset if US deal fails

According to Reuters, Deutsche Telekom (DT) may sell its 50% stake in UK joint venture Everything Everywhere if the German giant’s USD39 billion deal to sell T-Mobile USA to AT&T collapses, which now seems likely. The reports, which cite unnamed bankers familiar with the deal, say that failure to complete the transaction in the US will place DT under pressure from shareholders, with the company’s immediate priority being to preserve its dividend, but also having to find significant funds in order to invest in its US subsidiary. The stake in Everything Everywhere is regarded by many observers as DT’s only non-core holding large enough to be worth selling

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OVETEL DT may sell UK asset if US deal fails

Digicel owner buying Gaddafi telecom assets?

According to unconfirmed reports, Irish billionaire Denis O’Brien has snapped up a number of African telecoms assets associated with the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who was captured and killed by Libyan forces last month.

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OVETEL Digicel owner buying Gaddafi telecom assets?

PCCW Hong Kong IPO raises USD1.2bn, below original expectations

Hong Kong telecoms group PCCW, has raised around HKD9.3 billion (USD1.2 billion) in its initial public offering of its core telecoms business, which is being spun off into a business trust and listed on the local stock market. The amount raised by HKT Trust was below the company's original target of USD1.6 billion

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OVETEL PCCW Hong Kong IPO raises USD1.2bn, below original expectations

Failing fixed line offsets Sunrise’s smartphone-driven growth*Failing fixed line offsets Sunrise’s smartphone-driven growth

Switzerland’s Sunrise has reported a 4.3% drop in total revenues for the third quarter of 2011, with increasing mobile revenues and higher smartphone and post-paid uptake failing to offset the effect of the declining fixed line market. The telco’s total revenue for the three month period ended 30 September 2011 was CHF509.96 million (USD556.2 million), down from CHF532.98 million in the year-ago period. EBITDA for the quarter was CHF178.3 million, with an EBITDA margin of 35%

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OVETEL Failing fixed line offsets Sunrise’s smartphone-driven growth*Failing fixed line offsets Sunrise’s smartphone-driven growth

Vimpelcom and MTS may team up to purchase Ukrtelecom’s 3G mobile business

Bloomberg, quoting the Russian Vedomosti newspaper, writes that rival Russian telecoms groups Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) and Vimpelcom may team up to place a joint offer for the 3G mobile operating business of Ukrainian incumbent telco Ukrtelecom, according to an anonymous source linked to Vimpelcom. Vimpelcom and MTS compete in Ukraine’s mobile and fixed/broadband markets via respective subsidiaries Kyivstar (including Beeline and Golden Telecom) and MTS Ukraine (which is in the process of merging its assets with the group’s fixed division Comstar).

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OVETEL Vimpelcom and MTS may team up to purchase Ukrtelecom’s 3G mobile business

Colombia-Telefonica joint venture faces axe

The Colombian government has warned that it will be forced to liquidate its joint venture with Spain’s Telefonica, Telefonica Telecom (formerly Colombia Telecom), if congress does not approve a COP7.5 trillion (USD3.8 billion) capitalisation plan, reports Reuters. Finance minister Juan Carlos Echeverry told congress that if it did not authorise the funding, ‘the company will be liquidated and its assets will be auctioned.’ With debts of COP1.9 trillion due by the end of the year, Echverry said that the legislature must approve the plan before it breaks for recess in three weeks’ time. *Representing the Spanish company, the president of its Colombian operations, Alfonso Gomez said: ‘We're supporting the capitalisation.

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OVETEL Colombia-Telefonica joint venture faces axe

Cetinje becomes second city to receive LTE coverage

Telenor Montenegro has expanded its Long Term Evolution (LTE) network - the first of its kind in the country - to cover the former capital and second city, Cetinje. This follows hot on the heels of the Norwegian-owned cellco’s announcement that it had begun technical trials of its LTE network in Podgorica. Telenor was praised by Deputy Prime Minister Lazovic on behalf of the Montenegrin government and its ICT Ministry: ‘Telenor’s activities, such as 4G implementation, contribute to the growth of ICT literacy as well to national competitiveness on EU level, introduce creativity and support entrepreneurship… It is very important that companies follow modern telecommunication trends that are connected with data throughput speeds and quality.’

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OVETEL Cetinje becomes second city to receive LTE coverage

UOKiK issues PLN113.7 million in anti-trust fines

Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has issued fines totalling PLN113.7 million (USD34.1 million) to four mobile operators for anti-competitive behaviour. Polkomtel (PLN34 million), Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PLN 34 million), Orange Poland (PLN 35 million) and P4 (PLN 10.7 million) were found to have entered into an unlawful agreement that restricted the development of mobile TV broadcasting, (DVB-H, Digital Video Broadcasting–Handheld)

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OVETEL UOKiK issues PLN113.7 million in anti-trust fines

NCC and Chunghwa reach long-distance compromise

Taiwanese telecoms regulator the National Communications Commission (NCC) has indicated that Chunghwa Telecom has agreed to its latest proposal to bring long-distance calling tariffs in line with local rates. As a result, from January 2012 fixed line users will be charged TWD1.60 (USD0.05) – per three minutes – for long-distance calls made during regular hours and TWD1 (per three minutes) during off-peak hours, regardless of their location

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OVETEL NCC and Chunghwa reach long-distance compromise

AT and DT withdraw application for FCC approval

AT&T Mobility and Deutsche Telekom have reportedly withdrawn their application for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval of their planned USD39 billion cash-and-stock deal for T-Mobile USA.

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OVETEL AT&T and DT withdraw application for FCC approval

Kyivstar FTTB in 127 towns; fibre users reach 320,000; wireless modems top 700,000

Ukrainian mobile and fixed broadband network operator Kyivstar, part of the Vimpelcom group, has announced that it has connected a total of 127 towns and cities to its fibre-to-the-building (FTTB) high speed network. Its most recent batch of launches were in Kostopil (in the Rivne region), Snizhne, Zugres (both in the Donetsk region) and Smila (Cherkasy region), covering 20,000 households in the four locations, and offering connection speeds of up to 100Mbps. The rollout was part of an accelerated expansion of FTTB coverage which saw Kyivstar’s number of towns covered rise from 61 to 101 in the third quarter ended 30 September 2011, driven by a 60% year-on-year rise in fixed and mobile quarterly capital expenditure (CAPEX).

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OVETEL Kyivstar FTTB in 127 towns; fibre users reach 320,000; wireless modems top 700,000

Forex loss in 3Q11 dents TM’s net profit

Malaysian fixed line incumbent Telekom Malaysia has released its financial results for the three months ended 30 September 2011, revealing a 31% year-on-year slump in net profit, with the decline predominantly attributed to unrealised foreign exchange losses on borrowings. In the operator’s third fiscal quarter of 2011 it posted a net profit of MYR302.2 million (USD95 million) on the back of forex losses totalling MYR122.5 million as the US dollar strengthened against the Malaysian ringgit; by comparison in the same period of 2010 TM reported a forex gain of MYR139 million. Third quarter turnover for TM meanwhile stood at MYR2.32 billion, up 5.8% year-on-year, with the operator citing increased revenue from internet and multimedia services as the key driver for this growth

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OVETEL Forex loss in 3Q11 dents TM’s net profit

Pakistani PM gives in-principle approval for 3G policy

Pakistani prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has given in-principle approval to the country’s long-delayed 3G policy, and the cabinet committee has now been directed to put the proposed legislation before the cabinet for final approval, the Express Tribune reports. The development comes after Gilani presided over a meeting covering topics including third-generation licence allocation, grey traffic and additional spectrum for wireless local loop operators. As part of the discussions it is understood that international operators not already active in the Pakistani wireless sector will be invited to bid for the 2G concession formerly held by Pakcom; as noted in TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, in January 2008 the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced that it had terminated Pakcom’s licence following the operator’s repeated failures to pay for the renewal of its concession, although it was not until May 2010 that legal challenges to cancellation of the concession were overturned.

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OVETEL Pakistani PM gives in-principle approval for 3G policy

NBTC adopts draft frequency master plan

Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has adopted a draft master plan for managing wireless frequency resources for both the telecoms and broadcasting sectors, the Bangkok Post reports, representing one of the pre-requisite steps needed before it can relaunch the country’s stalled 3G mobile licensing process. NBTC commissioner Supinya Klangnarong said that the regulator will release details of the scheme on its website to gauge public opinion and will conduct a public hearing on the plan within the next three to four months.

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OVETEL NBTC adopts draft frequency master plan

USOF misuse claims being examined by Indian state

The Indian government is reportedly examining complaints regarding alleged misuse of the country’s Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) by two private operators, according to India’s Economic Times. India’s lower house, the Lok Sabha, was reportedly advised of the allegations by Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora, with a letter from the minister noting that there had been ‘complaints received through the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) regarding disbursement of INR16.5 billion (USD312 million) to Tata Teleservices and Reliance Communications by [the] USOF for self-certified and mostly fake rural phones.’ It is understood that four groups headed by the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts and Chief Controller of Accounts have been formed to examine the complaints and reply to the claims

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OVETEL USOF misuse claims being examined by Indian state

Starcomms denies acquisition talks

Nigerian CDMA operator Starcomms has denied speculation that it has entered into talks with another operator on the possibility of being acquired by the unnamed company, Nigerian newspaper THISDAY reports. Starcomms’ CEO Logan Pather told journalists in Lagos that the company was currently undergoing a remarking process and was making strategic plans on how to expand its operations in Nigeria, both through organic and inorganic means. ‘We are not discussing [an] acquisition deal with anybody, but we will not rule out potential partnerships given the challenges in the telecommunication industry,’ he stated

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OVETEL Starcomms denies acquisition talks

Antel to launch LTE in Punta del Este, eyes 700MHz spectrum

Uruguay’s state-owned incumbent telecoms operator Antel plans to launch Long Term Evolution (LTE) services in the resort town of Punta del Este in December, the company’s CEO Carolina Cosse told local newspaper El Observador. The 4G network will initially utilise spectrum in the 1700MHz and 2100MHz bands, but Antel has applied to the government for the authorisation to use 700MHz spectrum, which has a longer range. Antel announced it was conducting trials of LTE technology with equipment supplied by Alcatel-Lucent in April 2011

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OVETEL Antel to launch LTE in Punta del Este, eyes 700MHz spectrum

Etisalat to install 1,000 BTS in 2012

The Nigerian unit of UAE-based telecoms operator Etisalat plans to roll out around 1,000 base transceiver stations (BTS) across the country during 2012 to improve service quality and network coverage. Nigerian newspaper The Guardian cites Etisalat Nigeria’s CEO, Steve Evans, as saying that the company currently has between 2,800 and 2,900 cell sites in the country, and plans to increase the figure to 3,000 by the end of 2011. As well as the 1,000 BTS planned for 2012, Etisalat plans to install a similar amount the following year

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OVETEL Etisalat to install 1,000 BTS in 2012

Zain inks USD650 million Iraq network deal with Ericsson

Kuwaiti telecoms firm Zain Group has announced the signing of a USD650 million network outsourcing agreement between its Iraqi unit and Swedish equipment supplier Ericsson. Under the five-year agreement, Ericsson and local partner SIM (Service in Motion) will optimise, modernise and manage IT operations and Zain Iraq’s wireless network, which currently comprises more than 3,700 sites across the country. The deal also extends to the northern region of Kurdistan where Zain has recently launched commercial services and is expanding to meet customer demand

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OVETEL Zain inks USD650 million Iraq network deal with Ericsson

NTT, NTT Com implement 100Gbps and 40Gbps plug-and-play field tests

Japan’s Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation (NTT) and its subsidiary NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) have announced the first implementation of 100Gbps and 40Gbps ultra-high speed plug-and-play optical communications in the country. In a press release NTT said the transmission tests were carried out ‘in real field environments using existing installed optical fibre, and have demonstrated for the first time, plug-and-play functionality that greatly reduces the setup time previously required for configuring optical signals.

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OVETEL NTT, NTT Com implement 100Gbps and 40Gbps plug-and-play field tests

TdC minority shareholders okay acquisition plan

Minority shareholders in Malaysia’s TIME dotCom (TdC) have reportedly approved the telco’s proposed acquisition of three companies with a view to enhancing its position as a regional telecoms player.

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OVETEL TdC minority shareholders okay acquisition plan

FastWeb clinches deal to buy 11.1% of Metroweb

Italian broadband provider FastWeb has confirmed that it has signed an agreement to acquire 11.1% of Milan-based metropolitan fibre-optic operator Metroweb, for an unconfirmed fee, rumoured to be around EUR48 million (USD64.8 million). Dow Jones Newswires reports that, following the transaction, Metroweb's revised shareholder structure will be as follows: infrastructure fund F2i (61.4%); Milanese municipal utility firm A2A (25.7%); FastWeb (11.1%) and Metroweb management (1.8%).

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OVETEL FastWeb clinches deal to buy 11.1% of Metroweb

Vivo rolls out HSPA+ in Sao Paulo

Brazil’s leading mobile operator by subscribers, Vivo, has launched its first HSPA+ service in metropolitan Sao Paulo. The cellco is debuting its ‘Live Plus 3G’ offering with prices ranging from BRL99.50 (USD55.08) per month for existing Speedy broadband customers, rising to BRL200 for those who do not subscribe to one of its high speed internet services.

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OVETEL Vivo rolls out HSPA+ in Sao Paulo

Algerie Telecom makes Djibouti call

According to TMT Finance, Algerie Telecom is considering implementing an alliance with fellow state-owned telco Djibouti Telecom, with a view to exploring operational tie-ups across the African continent. The plan was announced by Algerie Telecom CEO Hachemi Belhamdi, following a visit by Djibouti’s minister of communications, Hocine Ahmed Abdi. Belhamdi claims that his company has both the manpower and material resources for the task.

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OVETEL Algerie Telecom makes Djibouti call

Invitel publishes 9M11 financial results

Invitel, which claims to be the number one alternative and the second largest fixed line telecoms provider and broadband ISP in Hungary, has announced the financial results of its Magyar Telecom unit (not to be confused with the country’s incumbent operator Magyar Telekom, or MTel) and its subsidiaries, for the nine months ended 30 September 2011. Invitel notes that the company’s results in the period under review have been affected by the difference between the average EUR/HUF exchange rates. The Hungarian forint appreciated against the euro by 1% with an average EUR/HUF exchange rate of 271.28 during the nine months ended 30 September 2011, compared to the average EUR/HUF exchange rate of 275.25 during 9M10

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OVETEL Invitel publishes 9M11 financial results

Globe to upgrade 50% of cell sites next year to support HSPA/LTE

Globe Telecom of the Philippines is looking to upgrade half of its existing cell sites with fibre next year, to enable them to support 3G and going forward, more advanced platforms based on High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) technologies. The upgrade will address a growing demand for data-hungry services, it said in a statement

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OVETEL Globe to upgrade 50% of cell sites next year to support HSPA/LTE

Bakcell eyes 4G licence

Azerbaijan’s second largest mobile operator by subscribers Bakcell has applied to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies (MCIT) for a licence to provide wireless services based on 4G technology. News.az cites Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technologies Elmir Velizade as saying that a 4G concession will be awarded to Bakcell as soon as the operator has demonstrated that it is technically ready to offer the service, with all the relevant infrastructure in place. As reported by CommsUpdate, Bakcell and market leader Azercell were awarded licences for the provision of third generation (3G) services at the start of the month, while a third cellco, Azerfon (Nar Mobile), was granted its concession in December 2009 and began providing 3G services that month.

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OVETEL Bakcell eyes 4G licence

Operators call on PM to intervene in 3G roaming issue

The top executives of three of India’s larger mobile network operators have reportedly called on the prime minster Manmohan Sign to refund the fees they paid for their respective 3G concessions amid continued debate over the issue of roaming for such services. According to the Times of India, Bharti Airtel CEO Sunil Mittal, Vittorio Colao, CEO of UK-based Vodafone Group, which owns Vodafone Essar, and Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, one of the largest shareholders in Idea Cellular, wrote a joint letter to the PM. The trio are reported to have called for a refund of their 3G auction payments, along with interest and compensation charges should 3G roaming be disallowed.

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OVETEL Operators call on PM to intervene in 3G roaming issue

Regulator reports steady rise in broadband subs

According to preliminary data from Lithuania’s Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT), the number of broadband customers in the country stood at 956,000 at the end of the third quarter of 2011, an increase of 12% year-on-year and up 4% quarter-on-quarter. Of that total, 716,000 were fixed high speed internet subscribers (an increase of 2.2% over Q3 2010) and the remaining 240,000 were mobile broadband subscribers (up 8%). Revenues from retail broadband access services grew only 0.05% quarter-on-quarter to LTL91.4 million (USD35.8 million).

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OVETEL Regulator reports steady rise in broadband subs

KCC approves KT’s 2G switch-off plan

With South Korea’s second largest mobile operator by subscribers, KT Corp, having resubmitted a request for approval to switch off its 2G mobile services in July 2011, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) has finally given the go-ahead for the plans.

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OVETEL KCC approves KT’s 2G switch-off plan

We don’t need Vodafone to stay afloat, says Wind CEO

Greek mobile, broadband and fixed line operator Wind Hellas will survive regardless of whether a proposed merger with rival Vodafone Greece goes ahead, Wind’s CEO Nassos Zarkalis stated yesterday. He was reacting to earlier comments from Michael Tsamaz, his counterpart at Greek incumbent telco OTE, who implied that if regulatory authorities did not approve the merger of Vodafone and Wind – the market’s second and third largest cellcos behind OTE’s Cosmote division – then it would result in an operator becoming bankrupt. As reported by ekathimerini.com, Mr Zarkalis pointed to new financial figures released by Wind showing that it achieved operating profits of EUR124 million (USD168 million) in the first nine months of 2011, with a predicted full-year operating profit above EUR150 million

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OVETEL We don’t need Vodafone to stay afloat, says Wind CEO

TM signs up 200,000 UniFi customers ahead of schedule

Telekom Malaysia (TM) has revealed that it has surpassed the 200,000 subscriber target it had previously set for end-2011 for ‘UniFi’ services offered via its high speed broadband (HSBB) network, according to The Star Online. TM group CEO Datuk Seri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa was cited as saying that the company was happy to have achieved its target ahead of schedule, having attracted more than 200,000 in the first year of offering services over the new infrastructure.

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OVETEL TM signs up 200,000 UniFi customers ahead of schedule

Aero’s WiMAX bubble burst?

Ukrainian telecoms watchdog the National Commission on Communications Regulation (NCCR) has permitted WiMAX licensee Aero Telecom to postpone the date by which it must utilise its 3.6GHz-3.7GHz wireless broadband frequencies to March 2016. Aero was awarded the WiMAX spectrum concession in 2009, but as Telecompaper reports, the regulator accepted that certain (unnamed) circumstances have prevented service launch

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OVETEL Aero’s WiMAX bubble burst?

FCC demands full hearing over AT, T-Mobile deal

US mobile giant AT&T’s ongoing attempt to secure a USD39 billion deal for T-Mobile USA has been dealt a significant blow by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The watchdog’s chairman Julius Genachowski has sent a draft order to his fellow commissioners, confirming that, after reviewing 200,000 pages of documents and convening around 100 meetings with stakeholders and as many as 30 with the applicants themselves, FCC staff believe that the projected deal will significantly diminish competition and lead to widespread job losses. One senior FCC official told Reuters: ‘The record clearly shows that – in no uncertain terms – this merger would result in a massive loss of US jobs and investment’.

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OVETEL FCC demands full hearing over AT&T, T-Mobile deal

U:fon files for insolvency but keeps trading

IHNED.cz reports that the Czech Republic’s fourth mobile network operator MobilKom (U:fon) has filed a petition to start insolvency proceedings, laying the blame for its woes squarely at the door of the regulator, the Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU), which it claims repeatedly delayed its competitive entry into the GSM market.

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OVETEL U:fon files for insolvency but keeps trading

Virgin expands LatAm MVNO footprint

Virgin Mobile Latin America (VMLA) has received permission to launch services as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in Peru and Colombia, reports Business News Americas.

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OVETEL Virgin expands LatAm MVNO footprint

China Mobile steps up TD-LTE development

China Mobile will expand its 4G networks in 2012, adding between 10,000 and 20,000 additional base stations, reports Digitimes, citing the cellco’s vice chairman Xi Guohua. China Mobile, in conjunction with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), has set up Time Division Long Term Evolution (TD-LTE) networks in six cities in China as part of an ongoing trial of the platform.

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OVETEL China Mobile steps up TD-LTE development

Early Xmas cheer as Free Mobile hits coverage target

French newspaper Le Figaro reports that mobile start-up Free Mobile has already deployed its new network to 27% of the population, augmented with an additional 25% through a roaming agreement with Orange France, technically allowing it to launch services before its January 2012 target date. The paper quotes Free’s chief executive officer Xavier Niel as saying that the newcomer has been testing the fledgling system for more than two weeks, has recruited around 1,000 people and has opened stores in Rouen and Troyes, with a third to follow soon in Angers

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OVETEL Early Xmas cheer as Free Mobile hits coverage target

Iran unveils surprise third mobile operator

Iran has officially introduced a third national mobile phone operator, named Ritel, the Tehran Times reports, without citing any additional information.

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OVETEL Iran unveils surprise third mobile operator

PTK head resigns amidst corruption scandal

The chief executive of Kosovan fixed line provider, Post and Telecommunications Kosovo (PTK) has resigned after his involvement in a corruption scandal derailed the Kosovar government’s attempt to sell the company, reports Reuters. The most recent effort to divest PTK was scrapped last month after T-Hrvatski Telekom (T-HT), one of two companies shortlisted to purchase the telco, revealed that it was considering withdrawing as a result of corruption allegations aimed at PTK’s heads. PTK’s chief executive Shyqyri Haxha and board chairman Rexhe Gjonbalaj are facing trial for ‘entering into harmful contracts, abuse of official position and misuse of economic authorisation’

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OVETEL PTK head resigns amidst corruption scandal

MTS 3Q11 revenues up 12.5%

Moscow-based telecoms giant Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) has reported revenues of USD3.275 billion for the three months ended 30 September 2011, a rise of 12.5% year-on-year. OIBDA for Q3 increased 9.3% to USD1.3 billion year-on-year, whilst net income for the quarter slumped 25.2% from USD483.5 million to USD361.8 million

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OVETEL MTS 3Q11 revenues up 12.5%

Vodacom taps Huawei for USD16 million network upgrade

Vodacom Mozambique (VM), the country’s second largest mobile operator by subscribers, has confirmed that it intends to invest around USD16 million in the expansion and modernisation of its network over the next three-to-four years. According to AllAfrica.com, Chinese telecoms vendor Huawei Technologies has been awarded the contract to upgrade the cellco’s network

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OVETEL Vodacom taps Huawei for USD16 million network upgrade

Telenor upgrades mobile networks in Hungary

CellularNews writes that Telenor Hungary (formerly Pannon) has extended the reach of its HSPA+ 42Mbps (maximum download) service to a number of towns in the region of Transdanubian, as well as in the capital Budapest. As a result of the upgrade the cellco upgraded 415 base stations and commissioned 42 new ones – on top of the 800 base stations upgraded in Budapest – to deliver HSPA+ to all parts of western Hungary. The company is now turning its attention to improving its networks in eastern Hungary

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OVETEL Telenor upgrades mobile networks in Hungary

Brazil’s Oi to offer wholesale broadband in eastern Paraguay

Rio de Janeiro-based Telemar Norte Leste (TNL), which trades as Oi, has been authorised to provide wholesale broadband services in neighbouring Paraguay, La Nacion reports. According to specifications submitted to telecoms regulator Consejo Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Conatel), TNL intends to initiate its Paraguayan operations by building a fibre-optic ring in the department of Alto Parana. According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, TNL expects full-year 2011 CAPEX to reach BRL5.0 billion-BRL5.5 billion (USD3.15 billion-USD3.46 billion), although the company has yet to confirm how much it intends to spend on the deployment of fibre-optic infrastructure in Paraguay.

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OVETEL Brazil’s Oi to offer wholesale broadband in eastern Paraguay

Macau residents to get ultra-high speed broadband

Cable & Wireless Communications today published a press release confirming that its business in Macau, CTM, has launched a 250Mbps residential broadband service, providing local inhabitants with one of the fastest internet download speeds anywhere in the world. The statement notes that the new service more than doubles the previous top speed available from CTM’s fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network. The fibre-optic network, which was launched in October 2010, has been rolled out to the most densely populated areas of Macau

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OVETEL Macau residents to get ultra-high speed broadband

NTT Europe extends reach of Tier 1 IP network

NTT Communications’ NTT Europe subsidiary has extended the reach of its parent company’s Tier 1 global IP network in Europe with new points of presence (PoP) in Budapest, Bucharest and Sofia. The expansion will enable the telco to better serve internet service providers (ISPs) and content delivery networks in eastern Europe via access to its high-capacity network

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OVETEL NTT Europe extends reach of Tier 1 IP network

AT, AM use each other’s networks to develop multinational corporate services

Mexican telecoms group America Movil (AM) and US counterpart AT&T have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore ways of delivering enhanced communication services to multinational companies. Through the MoU, AT&T aims to deepen its existing reach in Latin America using AM’s networks in 15 countries throughout the region, while AM expects to benefit from accessing AT&T's global network infrastructure to provide global IP-based services to its customers in the US and the rest of the world.

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OVETEL AT&T, AM use each other’s networks to develop multinational corporate services

Denmark consults on digital dividend auction

The Danish Telecommunications Authority has launched a public consultation on draft documents for the auction of spectrum in the 800MHz ‘digital dividend’ frequency band. The government plans to auction off 2x30MHz of spectrum in the 791MHz-821MHz and 832MHz-862MHz bands in May 2012. The spectrum will be assigned for the use of telecommunications services, including 4G mobile broadband based on Long Term Evolution (LTE), and will be awarded nationwide on a service- and technology-neutral basis

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OVETEL Denmark consults on digital dividend auction

Telstra to expand 100Mbps-capable HFC footprint

Australian fixed line incumbent Telstra is expected to move forward with plans to upgrade its hybrid-fibre coaxial (HFC) network from next month, according to iTnews. The telco will reportedly deploy DOCSIS3.0 technology in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast, boosting downlink speeds from a current peak of 30Mbps to 100Mbps.

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OVETEL Telstra to expand 100Mbps-capable HFC footprint

BTC sees profit drop as expenses mount and revenues fall

Bulgarian triple-play provider, Bulgarian Telecommunications Company (BTC) has unveiled its financial results for the third quarter of 2011, showing a steep fall in profit from the year-ago period.

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OVETEL BTC sees profit drop as expenses mount and revenues fall

Revised LTE tender deters Chinese vendors, some local ISPs

A number of telecoms equipment vendors and internet service providers have opted not to pursue their previously-expressed interest in Kenya’s ‘open access’ Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, Business Daily Africa reports. Chinese vendors Huawei Technologies and ZTE, and Kenyan broadband providers AccessKenya, Wananchi Group, Swift Global and Jamii Telecom Ltd (JTL) were among the first companies to express an interest in participating in the government’s ambitious 4G project when the initial tender was announced in August.

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OVETEL Revised LTE tender deters Chinese vendors, some local ISPs

Telefonica hopes Moviltalk pushes customers’ buttons

Movistar Venezuela, a subsidiary of Spain’s Telefonica, has launched a push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) service under the name Moviltalk. The service has nationwide coverage and is aimed mainly at the corporate and SME sectors. TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database says that Movistar operates GSM, W-CDMA/HSPA and CDMA2000 mobile networks, but its main focus is on developing GSM/W-CDMA/HSPA, with CDMA accounting for a shrinking minority of its customer base

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OVETEL Telefonica hopes Moviltalk pushes customers’ buttons

Wind turns nose up at 700MHz auction

Canadian mobile operator Globalive Wireless (Wind Mobile) is unlikely to enter the country’s upcoming auction of ‘digital dividend’ 700MHz 4G wireless spectrum, particularly if a portion of bandwidth is not reserved for recent market entrants, according to Naguib Sawiris, the former chairman of its Egyptian backer Orascom Telecom. Wind launched 3G services in December 2009 and has expanded to six major cities but has had to overcome legal challenges to its ownership structure, and says it has encountered various other regulatory obstacles.

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OVETEL Wind turns nose up at 700MHz auction

Vodafone-Wind merger will happen, thinks OTE

Dow Jones Newswires quotes the CEO of Greek incumbent telco Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), the owner of local cellular market leader Cosmote, as saying that regulatory authorities will sanction the proposed merger of second- and third-placed cellcos Vodafone Greece and Wind Hellas. Michael Tsamaz said that he believed that the merger would be approved, and warned that if not, there was the risk of ‘another bankrupt company’ in debt-ridden Greece. Tsamaz also stated that he approved of the merger, calling it a ‘healthy move’, as he would prefer a less fragmented market with more dominant participants focused on long-term profitability.

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OVETEL Vodafone-Wind merger will happen, thinks OTE

Viva Bahrain completes nationwide DC-HSPA+ rollout

Viva Bahrain, a unit of Saudi Telecom Company (STC), has announced the completion of its nationwide rollout of 42Mbps Dual Carrier HSPA+ (DC-HSPA+) mobile broadband technology, several weeks ahead of schedule. As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, the DC-HSPA+ service was launched by Viva in May 2011, offering a range of wireless USB dongle modems supporting full mobility alongside the option of home or office routers. TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database notes that Viva entered the Bahraini 3G market in March 2010 over a commercial HSPA+ (21Mbps) network providing national coverage, which reached 97.2% of the population by June 2011

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OVETEL Viva Bahrain completes nationwide DC-HSPA+ rollout

AGCOM demands 40% MTR cut by 2013

Italian telecoms regulator Autorita per le Garanzie Comunicazioni (AGCOM) has confirmed that the country’s four mobile network operators – Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM), Vodafone Italy, Wind Telecomunicazioni (Wind Italy) and 3 Italia (H3G Italia) – have been instructed to cut mobile termination rates (MTRs) by 40%, following a request by the European Commission (EC). As such, the telecoms watchdog has indicated that tariffs must drop from EUR0.025 (USD0.034) to EUR0.035 by 1 July 2012, with a further reduction, to EUR0.0098 by 1 July 2013.

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OVETEL AGCOM demands 40% MTR cut by 2013

Cooperation on EUROPA Cyprus-Lebanon cable confirmed

Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta) and Lebanon’s Ministry of Telecommunications (MoT) have confirmed their cooperation in a project to construct a new high-capacity submarine cable between Cyprus and Lebanon, named EUROPA. The new undersea route will be designed as an alternative route to the existing CADMOS cable linking the two countries, while also bridging the IMEWE cable system landing in Lebanon and ALEXANDROS cable subsystem landing in Cyprus

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OVETEL Cooperation on EUROPA Cyprus-Lebanon cable confirmed

ACE submarine cable lands in Abidjan

The USD700 million Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable has landed in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, two weeks after docking in Monrovia, Liberia. According to TechCentral, the deployment of the high-capacity, 5.12Tbps cable linking France and South Africa is making ‘good progress’, and is expected to be ready for commercial service in the second half of 2012

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OVETEL ACE submarine cable lands in Abidjan

Claro hints at consortium plan to bid for 1800MHz spectrum

Brazilian mobile operator Telecom Americas (Claro) has confirmed that, working with fellow America Movil sister companies Net Servicos and Embratel, it is looking to create a consortium to bid on spare 1800MHz mobile spectrum in the regulator’s forthcoming auction, scheduled for 1 December 2011. According to the Brazilian portal Convergencia Digital, Claro’s administration council has approved the plan – which is understood to stipulate a minimum payment of USD33.7 million for the spectrum

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OVETEL Claro hints at consortium plan to bid for 1800MHz spectrum

Telcel offers lower MTRs to both fixed and mobile rivals

Telcel, the Mexican wireless subsidiary of Latin American telecoms giant America Movil (AM), has reportedly agreed to reduce mobile termination rates (MTRs) for incoming calls from both rival cellular operators and local fixed line providers, the Wall Street Journal reports. It is understood that Telcel has already signed new agreements for the lower rates with NII Holdings subsidiary Nextel de Mexico and alternative fixed line operator Marcatel, while the terms of interconnection with fixed line incumbent and fellow AM subsidiary Telefonos de Mexico have also been revised

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OVETEL Telcel offers lower MTRs to both fixed and mobile rivals

Liberty posts widening Q3 losses on higher OPEX

Liberty Telecom, the holding company of Filipino WiMAX operator Wi-tribe Telecoms Inc, has posted a 26.2% rise in net losses for the three months to 30 September 2011, driven by higher operating expenses as it raced to sign up new subscribers. The telco booked a net loss of PHP415.91 million (USD9.61 million) in the period under review, up from a loss of PHP329.62 million in 3Q10. The latest results increased the operator’s year-to-date losses to PHP1.13 billion, compared to PHP741 million in the first nine months last year

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OVETEL Liberty posts widening Q3 losses on higher OPEX

iiNet confirms TransACT acquisition

Alternative Australian broadband provider iiNet has confirmed the purchase of rival operator TransACT, less than a week after reports that the two had entered the final stages of a deal. According to iTnews, iiNet will spend AUD60 million (USD60 million) on the acquisition of the Canberra-based provider, and the deal is expected to be completed by the end of this month. Once finalised, iiNet will gain around 40,000 additional subscribers, as well as major infrastructure elements, including a hybrid-fibre coaxial (HFC) network in Victoria and fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks at a number of Canberra housing estates.

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OVETEL iiNet confirms TransACT acquisition

Eircom extends restructuring deadline

The independent directors of struggling Irish former monopoly operator Eircom have extended the deadline for proposals on how to restructure the company’s EUR3.75 billion (USD5.07 billion) of debt, by two weeks to 2 December. The telco, which is majority-owned by Temasek Holding’s Singapore Technologies Telemedia (STT) unit, has been holding talks about the restructuring of Eircom’s debt for several months, and in September agreed a plan to waive debt covenants until 15 December, thus averting a possible default.

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OVETEL Eircom extends restructuring deadline

Numericable corners four-fifths of fibre market, Arcep says

A report published by the French telecoms regulator Arcep says that cableco Numericable had connected 450,000 of the country’s 550,000 ultra-high speed broadband internet customers to its fibre-optic network by the end of Q3 2011. Telecompaper notes that the announcement supports Numericable’s claim to be a leading player in the French fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) segment, and a key developer of triple-play and fibre-based services outside very densely populated areas.

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OVETEL Numericable corners four-fifths of fibre market, Arcep says

NT installs new equipment to improve ADSL service

Nepal’s state-owned incumbent operator Nepal Doorsanchar Company Limited (Nepal Telecom, or NT) is deploying broadband remote access servers (BRAS) on its networks to improve the quality of its ADSL services.

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OVETEL NT installs new equipment to improve ADSL service

Licensing to be based on quality of service

Uganda’s cellcos have been warned that quality of service (QoS) will, from next year, form the basis of licence renewal applications and also represent a key condition for the issuance of future concessions, reports local paper Daily Monitor.

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OVETEL Licensing to be based on quality of service

Vodacom Congo sale back on the cards

Congo Wireless Networks (CWN) has withdrawn its petition to block the sale of Vodacom’s 51% stake in its Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) operation, Vodacom Congo, in which CWN owns the remaining 49%, reports Bloomberg. Alieu Conteh, the chairman and founder of CWN said: ‘I’ve instructed my lawyers to withdraw the case against Vodacom

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OVETEL Vodacom Congo sale back on the cards

Azercell launches 3G services

Azerbaijan’s largest mobile operator by subscribers, Azercell, launched 3G services on Friday, just over two weeks after receiving its concession from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).

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OVETEL Azercell launches 3G services

Verizon has no objections to AT, T-Mobile merger

US mobile giant Verizon Wireless – the market’s largest wireless operator in terms of subscribers – has broken its silence on the controversial USD39 billion would-be merger between AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile USA, declaring that it sees no problem with the tie-up, as long as it does not involve increased regulation for the market as a whole.

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OVETEL Verizon has no objections to AT&T, T-Mobile merger

Virgin Mexican MVNO launch approved

Virgin Mobile Latin America (VMLA) has reportedly been given the nod by Mexico’s Secretario de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) to launch as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Cellular News reports. It is understood that VMLA aims to inaugurate commercial services in around six months time, by which date it expects to have finalised a wholesale agreement with one of the country’s mobile network operators

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OVETEL Virgin Mexican MVNO launch approved

House of Representatives seeks to cage Chinese telecoms ‘gorilla’

A key US House of Representatives committee has confirmed that it has launched an official investigation into the national security threat posed by Chinese-owned telecoms equipment vendors operating in the US market, such as Huawei Technologies and ZTE. House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Rogers, a Republican, and his opposite number, Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger, intend to explore the whether or not Beijing is able to use those assets for economic or military espionage purposes.

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OVETEL House of Representatives seeks to cage Chinese telecoms ‘gorilla’

Changing roams; Entel splashes out on makeover for cell towers

Entel Chile will spend USD45 million to improve the appearance of 400 of its towers in urban, residential areas over the next five years, reports the Santiago Times.

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OVETEL Changing roams; Entel splashes out on makeover for cell towers

Claro upgrades to HSPA+

Mexican-backed cellco Claro has launched an HSPA+ network in Peru, reports Next Wireless LATAM. The company has invested USD15 million in developing the new network, which covers approximately 54% of the population and is capable of providing downlink speeds of 5Mbps. According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, at the end of September 2011 Claro had signed up 10.756 million subscribers, around 10% of which were 3G customers.

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OVETEL Claro upgrades to HSPA+

KPN sees value in German consolidation

The CEO of Dutch telecoms company KPN has said that a merger between its German subsidiary E-Plus with Telefonica Germany (O2) – the country’s third and fourth largest mobile operators by subscribers, respectively – could make sense, but stressed that neither KPN nor Telefonica are willing to sell their German units.

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OVETEL KPN sees value in German consolidation

TDC may boost mobile investment to stay on top

Henrik Poulsen, the chief executive of Denmark’s incumbent telecoms operator TDC, has said the company may have to increase investment in its wireless infrastructure in order to stay ahead of its main rivals TeliaSonera and Telenor. ‘There could be a situation whereby for a period of time we would have to accelerate our mobile investments to make sure we maintain the leading mobile infrastructure in Denmark,’ Dow Jones Newswires quoted Poulsen as saying at the Morgan Stanley TMT Summit in Barcelona, adding: ‘Therefore, I don't want to create any expectation that our capex-to-revenue ratio is coming down.’ The executive’s comments follow the signing of an agreement between TDC’s main competitors, Telenor Denmark and Telia Denmark, to operate a shared mobile network – involving 2G, 3G and 4G LTE infrastructure – in June 2011

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OVETEL TDC may boost mobile investment to stay on top

New telecoms policy expected in January

India’s telecoms secretary R Chandrasekhar has told reporters that the country’s new telecoms policy should be formally unveiled in January. As previously reported by CommsUpdate, the new proposals include: allowing cellcos to share spectrum; a further easing of regulation governing M&A activity; the release of 300MHz of additional spectrum in 2017 and a further 200MHz in 2020; and forcing operators to provide roaming between the country’s telecoms ‘circles’. The new policy comes in the wake of the licensing scandal of 2008/09 which may have cost the state up to USD39 billion in lost revenue.

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OVETEL New telecoms policy expected in January

RACSA reduces FTTH plans after losing partner

Plans for state-owned Radiografica Costarricense (RACSA) to roll out fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband services to more than 80,000 households in San Jose have been scaled back, after the telco failed at the eleventh hour to secure an agreement with its intended partner, Sweden’s Via Europa. According to Inside Costa Rica, the president of parent company ICE, Teofilo de la Torre claimed that negotiations with the Swedish vendor were complicated, and that an agreement could not be reached, but did not specify the source of the difficulties.*Without the financial backing or assistance of Via Europa, RACSA has been forced to abandon its plans and fall back to a more cost-effective strategy of rolling out mixed infrastructure.

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OVETEL RACSA reduces FTTH plans after losing partner

KPN rumoured to be looking for buyers for Simyo Spain

Following initial local media reports, an unnamed source has confirmed to Reuters that KPN is in talks with prospective purchasers for its Spanish unit of the MVNO Simyo. Vodafone has been heavily tipped as a likely buyer but has so far declined to comment. Simyo offers low-cost pre-paid services in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Spain

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OVETEL KPN rumoured to be looking for buyers for Simyo Spain

Indosat maintains 2012 CAPEX level at USD721m

Indonesian telecoms operator PT Indosat will keep its capital expenditure level for fiscal 2012 at around IDR6.5 trillion (USD721 million), the same level as this year. Indosat president Harry Sasongko said that whilst the proposed CAPEX is unchanged on this year’s spend, the company is committed to increasing its spending in the coming years.

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OVETEL Indosat maintains 2012 CAPEX level at USD721m