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January 3, 2007

News for telecom industry leaders

News of the Day

Essar bid for Hutchison may squeeze out Vodafone
Essar Teleholdings reportedly is at odds with Hutchison Telecom over a right of refusal clause relating to the sale of Hutchison Telecom's 67% stake in the joint venture. Essar's reported $11 billion bid is believed to decrease Vodafone's chance of acquiring the stake. The Guardian (London) (1/3) , Business Standard (India) (1/3)

Business & Industry Watch

AT&T named "Company of the Year" by Forbes
Forbes named AT&T "Company of the Year" for its push into the digital video revolution and for Chairman and CEO Edward E. Whitacre Jr.'s drive to create a powerhouse through calculated acquisitions. "I think I've assembled what we need going forward ... We're in this for the long haul," Whitacre said. Forbes (1/8)

Cisco taking a bigger stand in India
Cisco's chief globalization officer, Wim Elfrink, will relocate 20% of the company's top executives, including himself, to Bangalore, India, within the next five years. Viewing India as an important "global strategy," Cisco hopes to find success in the country that has "emerged as the largest telecom market today." BusinessWeek (1/2)

Report: France tops IPTV subscriber totals
Western Europe holds 68% of the world's IPTV subscribers, with France logging 896,000 IPTV viewers, according to Dittberner, which calculates Asia accounts for 28% of the total customer base. The U.S. does not register on the list of top 10 IPTV markets. Telephony Online (1/2)

BT approaches 10 million broadband subscribers
BT expects to end the week with 10 million broadband customers, as the majority of new customers are buying BT lines, according to the company. A recently signed deal with Vodafone also is expected to give the company a boost. Silicon.com (1/2)

Will consumers go for convergence gadgetry?
Electronics marketers have varied outlooks on what sorts of devices consumers will use to access and program converged online media and television. Approaches include video game consoles, DVRs with an online component, a fully-integrated personal computer for the living room and an adapter to connect the PC with the TV. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (1/2)

HBO turns to SK Telecom for mobile VOD
HBO launched a trial with SK Telecom in Korea that will give wireless customers on-demand access to the channel's programming, including "Six Feet Under" and "Sex and the City." HBO has similar deals with Cingular Wireless in the U.S. and Vodafone in Europe. The Hollywood Reporter (1/3)

Technology Trends

Analysts: Mobile ads won't go mainstream in 2007
Verizon Wireless' decision to accept ads on its network is viewed as a sign of mobile's viability as an ad medium. However, the category is expected to grow at a steady, but not spectacular, pace this year, largely over concerns there could be a consumer backlash. Adweek (1/2)

Italy to sell WiMAX licenses
The Italian Communications Ministry has set plans in motion to make WiMAX licenses available for auction in June. Tiscali, Fastweb and Telecom Italia are expected to be among the interested bidders. America's Network (1/3)

The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)

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IP Download

Analysis: Consolidation expected as VoIP companies focus on businesses
Providers of Internet-based phone service are likely to consolidate in 2007, as Vonage remains the only VoIP provider to have emerged for residential customers. About 200 providers have been targeting small to medium-sized businesses, a business consulting firm found, and customers are expected to increasingly adopt to the VoIP technology. Seattle Post-Intelligencer/The Denver Post (1/3)

Regulatory & Legislative

FCC chairman appoints new wireless bureau chief
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced that Fred Campbell will step in as wireless bureau chief. Acting wireless chief Catherine Seidel has been tapped to oversee consumer and governmental affairs. Broadcasting & Cable (1/2)

LeadQuote

I personally think we developed language because of our deep inner need to complain."

--Jane Wagner,
writer, director and playwright

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