Mexico
Four Mexican wireless telephone operators-Baja Cellular, Movitel, Norcel and Cedetel-signed a $66 million expansion contract with Motorola Inc. to provide an end-to-end Code Division Multiple Access network solution. The contract calls for $46 million in infrastructure expansion, including SC4812T base transceiver stations, controllers and electronic mobile exchange digital switches, and services. The remaining $20 million is set aside for digital dual-mode Motorola handsets.
Laos
Millicom International Cellular S.A. reported approval in principle of its application to provide nationwide cellular telephony in Laos. The license is expected to be granted after the protection clause with existing cellular operators expires in October 2001. Laos has a population of 5.4 million people and a cellular telephony penetration rate of .2 percent, which has grown 118 percent in the last 12 months.
Turkey
Sonera Corp. plans to sell about 10 percent of the Turkcell shares it owns in connection with Turkcell’s initial public offering, set to launch today. The board of directors of Sonera authorized Sonera Holding B.V. to sell some of the shares it owns in the Turkish carrier-about a 41.5-percent stake. After the IPO, Sonera’s ownership is estimated to be around 37 percent. Turkcell plans to sell around 10 percent of the company’s shares through the IPO. The company has about 68 percent of Turkey’s mobile market, although two new competitors are expected to enter the market this year.
France
Formus Communications France SAS said it signed a letter of intent to pursue a partnership agreement with CS Communications & Systemes, a French system integrator. CS and Formus want to offer broadband access and networking infrastructure and services in France, Formus said. The agreement also allows the companies to expand into other European countries. Formus Communications France recently submitted bids for broadband wireless local loop and telephony licenses in 10 regions in France, which will be awarded before July 31.
