Webwire: Vivendi buys out SFR; CAT pulls DTAC's 3G nod

Vivendi will buy the 44% stake in French mobile operator SFR it does not own from Vodafone for €7.95 billion ($11.31 billion). Vodafone plans to use €4.5 billion of the proceeds for a share buyback.

Bloomberg  

 

CAT pulls DTAC's 3G nod over concession row  

CAT Telecom has pulled its approval for DTAC to provide 3G wireless broadband services, after DTAC refused to agree not to seek compensation if its concession is pulled due to the dispute over revenue sharing. Most of CAT's board has quit in recent weeks for fear of legal reprisals over the issue. 

Bangkok Post  

 

NBN Co delays construction tender  

Australia's NBN Co has indefinitely delayed the construction tender process after receiving higher than expected bids from every infrastructure contractor participating. Communications minister Stephen Conroy said he understands the state-owned company will try to go a different route.  

ABC News   

 

Ericsson is suing ZTE alleging infringement of GSM and W-CDMA patents. ZTE has revealed it will file complaints with China's State Intellectual Property Organization in response, claiming violation of its own patents.  

ZTE  

 

Only two players remain in Syria's auction for a third mobile license, after Etisalat, Turkcell and France Telecom withdrew from the bidding process in protest of the license terms.  

DP-News  

 

CenturyLink completes Qwest acquisition  

The USA's CenturyLink has completed its acquisition of Qwest, after paying $12 billion in stock and assuming nearly $12 billion in debt, and is now the nation's third largest fixed line operator.  

Denver Post   

 

NTC to probe PLDT-Digitel deal   

Philippine regulator NTC will review  the planned purchase of Digitel by PLDT amid concerns that the deal could create a duopoly in the market, driving prices up for consumers. 

Malaya Business Insight   

 

US weighs in on India's 2G scandal  

India's 2G spectrum scandal is creating uncertainty for both foreign and domestic companies and investors, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has warned.