Operators

Telefonica has stated that it is “exploring strategic options” that may lead to the sale of its Czech operations.

China Unicom and China Telecom have reportedly been allocated spectrum that can be used to offer FDD-LTE services.

India’s Department of Telecoms has awarded Idea Cellular a Unified Licence for 7 of the country’s 22 telecom circles – Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Kolkata, North East, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Indian operator Reliance Jio Infocomm has received approval from the country’s telecoms ministry to use its nationwide 4G spectrum to provide high-speed LTE services for voice and mobile broadband.

Following suggestions that TIM’s Brazilian operations could be acquired by Vodafone, Telecom Italia has dispelled claims that it is negotiating a sale of the operator in order to reduce its debt.

Brazil’s largest telco Oi has agreed to merge with its major stakeholder Portugal Telecom (PT) to create a combined entity called CorpCo.

French group Vivendi has extended its deadline for a binding offer on its 53% stake in Maroc Telecom, as talks with Etisalat progress.

The mobile phone company Tigo announced this week that it has acquired more than 250,000 new customers in less than three months following its return to two troubled eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Axiata has confirmed that it has agreed a deal to acquire the Indonesian operator Axis, having struck a “conditional sale and purchase agreement” with Axis’ current owner STC.

The Pakistani arm of China Mobile has stated that it is interested in acquiring local operator Warid Telecom, which is already the target of some major operators looking to consolidate their position in the Pakistani market.

Singaporean operator SingTel has confirmed its enthusiasm for consolidation in the Indian market, stating its express hope that the current number one Bharti Airtel will lead the charge.

Korean operator KT has stated that it is currently negotiating a potential acquisition of a 35% stake in Tunisian state operator Tunisie Telecom.

Myanmar’s incumbent operator is reportedly considering partnerships with several foreign operators – most notably Orange.

Beleaguered Thai fixed and mobile operator True Corp may be forced to downsize its proposed infrastructure fund IPO by around 17%.

The Indian market leading operator Bharti Airtel is believed to be in discussions to buy a smaller rival operator, Loop Mobile.

China Telecom has confirmed that its LTE network will support both TD and FDD strains.

Orange is looking to increase competition in South Africa’s mobile market by setting up an MVNO, and may also be joining a Wi-Fi consortium that aims to deploy an extensive network across the country.

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has confirmed its plans to continue with the proposed sale of its 84% stake in the Indonesian operator Axis Telekom. Earlier reports had claimed that a clash between STC and three banks over a $1.2 billion loan to Axis could derail the sale.

The Russian fixed-line operator Rostelecom is implementing a “strategic change of direction” which will incorporate a strong shift towards mobile.

Vodafone India has asserted its position that the 800MHz frequencies used for CDMA technology in the market would be better utilised for GSM services.

The government of Uzbekistan is offering assets seized from Russian operator MTS to the firm’s creditors, following unsuccessful attempts to find a party interested in acquiring them.

Thailand’s state-controlled operator TOT has put on hold plans to extend its 3G network due to concerns over financing.

Five mobile operators have applied to bid in Bangladesh’s impending 3G auctions.

The Fitch Ratings agency has expressed the opinion that MegaFon will be “at the top of a three-tier market in the provision of next-generation mobile services in Russia” if its proposed acquisition of Scartel goes ahead...

China Unicom has stated its intentions of trialling TD-LTE technology alongside the more popular FDD LTE...

Russian operator MegaFon is looking to purchase a 100% in Scartel/Yota, the country’s only operator currently running a multicity 4G/LTE network. MegaFon will acquire the stake from controlling shareholder Garsdale, which has expressed its support for the deal.

Two major operators in the Czech Republic could be on the verge of entering into a network-sharing agreement.

Indonesia’s third-largest operator XL Axiata could soon move into second place if negotiations to acquire rival Axis Telekom are successful.

Pakistan Telecommunications, a leading operator in Pakistan affiliated with Etisalat, has expressed an interest in a merger with Warid Telecom.