Is T-Mobile and Orange about to get the go ahead in UK? If so, say hello to your new biggest operator

The proposed merger between T-Mobile and Orange in the UK has caused a whole bucket full of regulatory winces. At the start of this month, GoMo News reported how the UK Office of Fair Trading, which was investigating the merger, passed it up to the European Commission to see if the entire process could be sped up. Now both operators are claiming that the EC is on the verge of approving the merger. In which case you could see a new joint-venture between the French and German operators go ahead in the next few months.

Is T-Mobile and Orange merger being put on the fast-track? UK asks EU to step in

Remember this? It was huge during the middle of last year - T-Mobile UK was basically forced by its German parent company Deutsche Telekom to sell its UK operations. The eventual buyer was Orange. This caused raised eyebrows because Orange is owned by French operator France Telecom. More than one question was raised about the wisdom of having the largest operator in England being a French/German joint venture. Evidently this matter has exhausted the UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT), because it has asked the European Commission to take over the matter.

Who cares what mobile network you’re on; NRJ says why not be on more than one?

Here’s an interesting development. A mobile network in France called NRJ has announced a new ability that will make life much easier for itself and its customers. NRJ doesn’t own it’s own cell towers, and depending on where you are France it can run on either Orange or SFR towers… and quite often both. So NRJ has been working with mobile software company Sicap to turn its position straddling two different operators from a disadvantage into an advantage.

Is Orange and T-Mobile venture really as final as it looks?

So here it is. We have received “final confirmation” of the joint-venture that is to be launched in the UK between France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom - merging their UK operations Orange and T-Mobile. After months of speculation, the decision was initially announced in September, and the final seal has been stamped today.

It’s official: T-Mobile chooses Orange for merger

After months of speculation, the decision has finally been made. Deutsche Telekom announced this morning that its UK division, T-Mobile, will be merging with French-owned Orange. The merger will result in the largest mobile operator in the UK.

The T-Mobile sale story: where will talks with UKs Top 3 mobile operators lead?

The long drawn-out sale of Deutsche Telekoms UK branch T-Mobile has entered a new phase. Reports today say that the unprofitable operator, which is the fourth largest in the UK, is now in talks with three different companies. And those three companies just happen to be the three largest mobile operators in the UK.

France Telecom: Revenues down but customer numbers up

France Telecom showed resilience in the first half 2009 despite increased regulatory pressure and continued deterioration in the economic environment

France Telecom Subsidiary Almerys Acquires Enora

Almerys, an entity of Orange Business Services specializing in health services, is broadening its expertise with the 100 % acquisition of Enora Technologies, producer of electronic solutions for the health monitoring of “A-List” athletes.
Orange Business Services reinforces its position and extends its range of services and solutions in the healthcare and insurance fields (social security, [...]

First Orange Technocentre opened in the UK

Rating: New innovation centre set to open in January 09

The first Technocentre to be built in the UK should begin operation at the start of next year. The Technocentres seem to act as market forecasters and planners for Orange, identifying changes in industry, culture and customer behaviour. They keep abreast of any developing trends in [...]

Les Echos articles - Telia Sonera “Non” to France Telecom

Interesting read from French paper Les Echos (translated)
TeliaSonera did not want to merge with France Telecom?  “Too bad, we shall start by taking modest actions, which will not be on the front page of newspapers but rather in page 25″……Invited yesterday to a conference organized by Les Echos, the CEO of France Telecom, Didier Lombard, described [...]

Etisalat and France Telecom agree on a partnership covering strategic technological and marketing fields

Memorandum of Understanding executed in Paris today between Mohammed Hassan Omran, Chairman, Etisalat, and Didier Lombard, Chairman and CEO, France Telecom

􀂃 Partnership focused on
- Home networking solutions and Multiplay services
- Content acquisition and distribution
- International roaming
- Joint investments in submarines cables
􀂃 Etisalat intends to become shareholder of SoftAtHome
􀂃 Etisalat and Studio 37 to jointly invest [...]

Mobile web behind France Telecom’s interest in TeliaSonera

Rating: More about mobile surfers than African subscribers
It seems that reports which first surfaced in Le Figaro that France Telecom is looking to acquire TeliaSonera are true. What other observers may have got wrong is the motivation behind the move.
Some suggest it is TeliaSonera’s interests in emerging markets. I think it has more to do [...]

M6 Mobile by Orange offers new unlimited TV offer and Inside M6 Mobile Portal

M6 the multi-brand form Orange is apparently re-inventing entertainment by offers unlimited access to six M6 (own branded ) TV stations.
These include: M6, W9, M6 Music Hits, M6 Music Rock and Fun TV.

On top of that tomorrow a new M6 Mobile portal will launch called Inside M6 Mobile.
Details of the offer:
M6 Mobile, with even more [...]

France Telecom aquires online media group Cityvox

France Telecom has acuired 100% of Cityvox.  This is in line with Orange’s strategy to develop its internet services and the audience on its portals, consolidating its current position in France as number three for audience and number one for advertising on the web.

What is Cityvox?
Cityvox is a leading outings and leisure site.
 
It was founded in 1999 by [...]

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