Chungwa Telcom, Taiwan, had made an investment of a NT$11.31 billion (US$365 million) to establish new or to expand existing infrastructure during H1′08, out of which 12.7% was for the mobile networks.
The operator has also posted H1′08 earnings, where it recorded an EBITDA margin rate of 51.1%.
The telco had 2.894 million 3G subscribers and 5.885 million 2G subscribers for H1′08. In terms of total revenue from mobile communication services during the first half of 2008, CHT recorded a market share of 33.6%.
On 08.29.08, In Mobile, By Editor
On 08.29.08, In Mobile, By Editor
The mobile market is dominated by a triopoly of providers with relatively low MVNO competition. The number of mobile subscribers, in Q2′08, in France rose by 303,300 to 56.034 million at the end of June. The postpaid subscribers added 607,000, while the prepaid base fell by 303,700. At the end of June, a decline was seen in MVNOs, as their market share went down to 4.67%. 88% of the french population owns a mobile phone now, up from 83.2%. The calling hours rose by 5.2%, to 35.419 billion minutes. The total revenues generated, by the mobile sector were of EUR 5.318 billion during the quarter, up from EUR 5.261 billion a year ago.
Orange France is making efforts in enhancing its profile in the country’s IPTV market, introducing five new free TV channels, as well as a number of additional pay-TV options.
Bouygues posted a 15% rise in first-half sales to $22.93 billion. The telco reported a 5.5% in network revenues and said its mobile subscriber base reached 9.318 million, of which 74.7% were on post-paid contacts.
Tele2 Mobile, French MVNO, reported that it is close to the 500,000 subscriber mark. In Q2′08 Tele2 Mobile posted a turnover of EUR1 billion (USD1.55 billion) and net income of EUR12 million. It is the second largest MVNO in France after Virgin Mobile, with 465,000 registered subscribers at the end of June.
Mobile Operator Subscribers
* Bouygues Télécom 9.318 million
* SFR (Vivendi and Vodafone) 18.8 million
* Orange (France Telecom) 24.226million
Mobile Virtual Network Operators
* Darty * A Mobile (Auchan Telecom)
* Télé2 mobile (Tele2) * Carrefour mobile (Carrefour)
* Ten * Breizh mobile
* NRJ mobile * M6 mobile
* Débitel * Universal Music Mobile
* Virgin mobile * TF1 mobile
* Neuf mobile
Notable highlights of the France Mobile Forecast include:
- Although it is still relatively low compared to other European countries, the wireless penetration level in France is increasing. The wireless penetration levels will reach 96% in 2010. Its is forecasted that total subscribers in France will increase from 57.4 million to 60.3 million between 2008 and 2010.
- Market shares (by subscribers) of major operators will remain roughly the same over the next several years in France. In 2010, the largest operator will continue to be Orange with a forecasted 43.5% of total subscribers, followed by SFR (Vodafone) with 32.6% and Bouygues with 16.9%.
- In 2010, SFR will be enjoying the largest EBITDA margin in France at 38.1%. On the other hand, Bouygues will have the lowest EBITDA margin at 28.4%.
- The operator with the highest ARPU in 2010 will be SFR at US$ 58.48 per month while Orange will receive the lowest ARPU of US$ 48.30 per month. The average ARPU in the country of US$ 50.12 per month in 2010 will be one of the highest in Europe.
On 08.29.08, In Mobile, By Editor
Wataniya Palestine Mobile Telecommunications Company (Wataniya) has signed a deal with Ericsson to help build the infrastructure for a second Palestinian cellular network, a media report. The agreement covers the purchase of network equipment, including base stations and towers, the provision of hardware and software documentation and staff training. No financial details of the contract have been disclosed. Wataniya has recently confirmed that the spectrum needed to launch services has been released and the operator expects to launch commercially in early 2009, a report said.
On 08.29.08, In Mobile, By Editor
According to a local media report, Globacom owner Mike Adenuga has approached Telkom South Africa with a proposal to merge Telkom’s 50% stake in Vodacom with Globacom, creating a pan-African firm called ‘Vodalgo’ worth around USD18 billion. No financial details have been disclosed. This bid could disrupt the plans by Vodafone to increase its stake in Vodacom.
On 08.29.08, In Mobile, By Editor
Serbia’s government seems in no mood to begin discussions on the sales of Telekom Srbija’s majority stake until early 2009. Deutsche Telekom has reportedly shown interest in the acquisition of stake. Belgrade is expected to select a privatisation consultant to advise on the sale of the telco in the next few days; seven international investment banks are believed to be competing for the contract.
On 08.29.08, In Mobile, By Editor
K-Telecom is repotedly planning to launch its 3G netowrk by early 2009. The initial launch will take place in the country’s capital Yerevan and two other cities, Gyumri and Vanadzor which will offer a great deal of high speed mobile services and data transmission.
Along with K-Telekom, ArmTel is also planning to launch 3G services in 2009.
On 08.29.08, In Mobile, By Editor
Movistar and Entel PCS, Chile, have planned to fight a legal battle against the anti-trust commission (FNE), together.
The commission had ruled that the implementation of number portability (NP) is a prerequisite for 3G licence auctions to go ahead.
The two operators have been joined by digital trunking operator Nextel, cable operator VTR and the telecoms watchdog Subtel, who already filed a complaint with the SC.
The pair agrees to the Subtel’s argument that introducing number portability is a regulatory issue for Subtel alone to decide. The companies argue that NP implementation will take at least another two years to complete, therefore it is unecessary to delay 3G auctions.
On 08.29.08, In Mobile, By Editor
Swan Telecom has been awarded GSM spectrum for the Delhi circle, reports a local media. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar, Idea and MTNL will be joined by Swan Telecom to provide services in the region. Swan pounds other interested companies including Datacom and Tata Teleservices to bag the licence. At the time when Swan applied for licence, RCOM was holding a 9.9% stake. But it has been confirmed that RCOM has sold its stake in the venture.
On 08.29.08, In Mobile, By Editor
Four Polish wireless network operator have reportedly taken a lead on the other prospective bidders in order to secure a mobile TV licence. For the following licence the tender is due in October.
The four operators, P4 (Play), Orange Poland, Polkomtel and PTC, in a joint bid, are planning to make a future mobile TV service unconditionally available to broadcasters.
On 08.29.08, In Mobile, By Editor
According to a local media report, Telecel (Tigo) has launched commercial 3G services in Bolivia, with the operator offering services including videocalling, high speed mobile broadband and music and video downloads. No details of network coverage have been disclosed, although the operator has stated its intention to eventually roll out 3G services nationwide. Tigo had 1.19 million mobile telephony subscribers at the end of the second quarter. Presently, operator is migrating its few remaining TDMA customers across to its GSM network.