SK Telecom ‘world’s first tri-band LTE-A’ ads banned
A South Korean court has banned SK Telecom from advertising claims that it has commercialized the first tri-band LTE-Advanced service. The ruling comes after KT and LG Uplus filed complaints claiming that the ads were false and misleading.
KT claimed that SK Telecom’s highly advertised service was restricted to a single device with limited rate coverage and should not be considered as commercialized tri-band LTE-A.
The court ruled that SK Telecom’s LTE advertising was false and excessive, citing that the carrier did not commercialize tri-band LTE-A for the first time in the world. The court also concluded that the advertising may prevent customers from making rational decisions when choosing a carrier. The court ordered that the ads be pulled immediately.
Hutchison Whampoa in exclusive talks to buy O2 UK
Hutchison Whampoa, parent company of United Kingdom operator Three UK, has confirmed that it is in exclusive negotiations with Telefónica S.A. over the acquisition of Telefónica’s U.K. subsidiary, O2 UK.
Hutchison said if approved, the deal will have a price of more than $13 billion, which would be paid after closing. Telefónica would also receive interest sharing payments of more than $1 billion after the combined businesses reach an agreed threshold.
The deal remains subject to satisfactory due diligence, agreement on terms and corporate and regulatory approvals. O2 and Three, if merged, would become the largest mobile carrier in the U.K. with more than 31 million subscribers.
Telenor Group, Vodafone applying for banking permits in India
The Economic Times reports that Telenor and Vodafone will apply for payment banking permits in India. The carriers will have to team up with a local partner due to guidelines that don’t allow foreign companies to fully own a bank.
Vodafone partners with NTT DoCoMo in Guam
Vodafone announced it has signed a deal with NTT DoCoMo Pacific, which covers Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The partnership allows NTT DoCoMo to become Vodafone’s preferred partner in the region, and will allow the two carriers to offer new products and services.
