Orange

GENEVA-With the world’s first third-generation (3G) mobile systems due to come online in Japan in less than a year, Europe’s wireless operators are gearing up for an intense round of bidding for the right to be among the first to …

Bulgaria Ote Telecom won Bulgaria’s third mobile-phone license for US$135 million, beating out Telecom Italia Mobile through an auction. Ote plans to partner with Bulgarian Telecommunications Co. (BTC), the country’s fixed-line provider, to build out the GSM network. France Martin …

As likely winners begin to emerge in the re-auction of NextWave Telecom Inc.’s PCS licenses, it looks like these permits will be used in large part by major wireless players to shore up more spectrum, either to meet capacity needs …

PARIS-France Telecom announced plans to float up to 15 percent of its mobile subsidiary, Orange SA, in an effort to reduce its debt. The float will take place by the end of January on the Paris and London stock exchanges. …

LONDON-Vodafone Group plc added 13.2 million customers worldwide to its subscriber base during the quarter ended Dec. 31, helped by record sales in the United Kingdom and strong sales in Italy and Germany. “These figures show strong underlying growth from …

ROSH HA’AYIN, ISRAEL-Partner Communications, the only GSM mobile telephone network operator in Israel, announced the launch of High Speed Circuit Switched Data service, named orange high speed. The service will provide subscribers with data speeds of up to 28.8 kilobits …

CHINA Under a new deal, Comverse Technology Inc. will provide short messaging service, cell broadcasting and expanded voice mail to Chinese mobile operator Heilongjiang Mobile Communications Co. Ltd. Comverse will also provide a variety of value-added services, including text messages, …

The millennium is off to a good start for Vodafone Group. The U.K.-based carrier began 2000 with a hostile takeover of Mannesmann, parent of its rival Orange, and continued with a spending spree for third-generation (3G) licenses across Europe. The …

Band-X Stephen Beynon was hired as Band-X’s new chief executive officer. He was previously in a management position in the data and business services division of Cable & Wireless Optus. Electrofuel Patrick R. McCool was appointed the vice president of …

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-In a surprise announcement, the Swedish government awarded four Universal Mobile Telecommunications System licenses on Dec. 16, dismissing a proposal from Telia, the country’s current mobile leader. Sweden’s other two incumbent operators, NetCom and Europolitan, won licenses through a …

BRUSSELS, Belgium-KPN Mobile will acquire 50 percent of Belgium operator KPN Orange Belgium from France Telecom for $443.5 million, giving KPN 100-percent ownership. France Telecom had to divest its KPN Orange ownership, which it acquired through its acquisition of Orange …

Chris Gent has had quite a year. For the chief executive of Vodafone Group plc, 2000 began with a hostile takeover of Mannesmann AG, parent of its rival Orange plc, and continued with a spending spree for third-generation licenses across …

NEW YORK-Following similar moves a few weeks earlier by Spain’s Telefonica Moviles and Telekom Austria, Telenor ASA of Norway had to discount its initial public offering in order to get the deal sold Dec. 4. In a transaction lead managed …

BIENNE, Switzerland-The auction of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System licenses in Switzerland ended quickly last week, with only four companies bidding on four licenses, raising $120 million for the government. Swisscom; dSpeed, the combined diAx and Sunrise Telecom; and Team 3G, …

GENEVA-The Financial Times reported the Swiss government will resume its auction of four Universal Mobile Telecommunications System licenses on Dec. 6. The report said the decision was made after the government found no evidence a move by Tele Danmark to …

OSLO, Norway-The Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications announced the winners of the country’s four Universal Mobile Telecommunications System licenses, which were awarded through a beauty contest. The license winners are Broadband Mobile, an Enitel ASA and Sonera Corp. consortium; …

BIENNE, Switzerland-Two of the five companies left to bid in a Swiss third-generation license auction merged, causing the Swiss government to postpone the auction of four licenses. Four companies are left in a race for just four licenses. “Virtually all …

LONDON-Vodafone Group plc and France Telecom’s Orange both acquired stakes in the Swiss wireless market ahead of the country’s Universal Mobile Telecommunications System auction, set to begin next week. Vodafone Group acquired 25 percent of the equity of Swisscom Mobile …

BERNE, Switzerland-Only five bidders will compete for four Universal Mobile Telecommunications System licenses in Switzerland, as three contenders dropped out late last week, down from an original 10 interested companies. The licenses could bring a much lower amount than originally …

VIENNA, Austria-Europe’s fifth auction of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System licenses ended after less than two days of bidding. All six participants gained licenses to operate UMTS systems in Austria, drawing about $728 million, much less than anticipated. The auction came …

VIENNA, Austria-The Austrian auction of third-generation licenses began today, amid investigations into illegal activities among some of the already-completed European 3G auctions. In Austria, six bidders are competing for 12 licenses. Companies are expected to acquire up to three licenses. …

BERNE, Switzerland-The Federal Communications Commission of Switzerland canceled the auction of additional frequencies for mobile services based on the GSM standard. The agency accepted applications from the three remaining candidates and will distribute the frequencies according to an allocation procedure. …

WASHINGTON-The chief wireless regulator in the United States has been spreading the message of auctions as a key licensing tool in various overseas trips during the last year. “You are struck when you travel that people are interested in the …

Alcatel Europe. With Orange as a strategic supplier for its third-generation networks throughout Europe. Value: Undisclosed Italy. With Wind Telecomunicazioni as a preferred third-generation network supplier. Value: Undisclosed Ericsson China. With China Telecom and Guangdong Mobile Communications to build a …

BURLINGAME, Calif.-NewsTakes Inc. introduced a service that repurposes existing Web content for various wireless devices last week, naming Dow Jones and Orange as customers. Dow Jones Newswires chose the technology to extend its content to wireless users, while Orange has …