Denmark
Tele2 entered an agreement with Sonofon to become a mobile virtual network operator (VNO) in Denmark. Sonofon is the first operator to open its networks to mobile VNOs, according to Tele2’s parent company, NetCom.
Finland
Sonera said it is in talks about a merger or partnership with about six serious contenders, according to international press reports. The company declined to name the groups or a timetable.
Italy
Deutsche Telekom signed an agreement to sell its 24.5-percent stake in Wind, its joint venture in Italy, to Enel and France Telecom for about US$2.5 billion. After the transaction, Enel’s stake in Wind will increase to 56.6 percent, and France Telecom’s holding will increase to 43.5 percent.
Norway
Tele Danmark and partner SBC Communications agreed to sell their combined 40-percent stake in Norway’s NetCom to Sweden’s Telia. Tele Danmark agreed to sell its stake following mounting pressure from Telia and approval by the Norwegian government for the Telia acquisition.
Russia
Moscow Cellular Communications (MCC) announced it obtained official permission from the State Commission for Radio Frequencies (SCRF) to use radio frequencies in the 400 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum bands for GSM service trials. MCC said it hopes to receive a commercial license to offer services on the dual-band GSM network by the end of this year. The carrier plans to invest US$100 million in the digital network. MCC said its analog NMT 450 network will continue to operate through 2004, when the license expires.
United Kingdom
An executive of British Telecom said the significant costs associated with acquiring a third-generation (3G) license and building a 3G infrastructure will directly affect how it will price mobile tariffs.
