Plus there's news of investment plans, contract awards, and more potential 3G postponements from other markets in the APAC region.
Telstra, like many other national operators, is looking to build an international as well as a domestic business. It recently announced the expansion of its MPLS capabilities around the Asia/Pacific, and has also been linked to a return to the Indian services market. (See Telstra Expands Asia/Pacific Network.)
Almost immediately after the reorganization was unveiled, Telstra announced plans to reduce its stake in one of its Chinese online operations, SouFun Holdings Ltd., through an IPO, Reuters reports. (See Telstra Cuts Chinese Firms.)
Thodey's reorganization comes as Telstra faces pressure from the Australian government to separate its retail business from its network and wholesale operations, and as the incumbent seeks a way to play a major role in the planned National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout. (See Telstra Reacts to Split Proposal, Telstra Puts AU$1B Price on Separation, Australia Unveils $31B FTTP Plan, and Quigley Named NBN Chief.)
According to an unconfirmed Financial Times report, Maxis intends to invest $6 billion in Aircel during the next few years. Aircel, India's seventh largest mobile operator with nearly 28 million customers, plans to expand its own network of mobile towers and secure some 3G spectrum (if it ever becomes available). (See India Adds 16.7M Mobile Lines in October, India Faces Further 3G Delay, and A Guide to India's Telecom Market.)
The report also suggests Maxis, which has just reported its third-quarter financial results, will challenge Telekom Malaysia Berhad and WiMax players such as Packet One Networks (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. (P1) in the broadband services market. (See Maxis Reports Q3, Telekom Malaysia Faces WiMax Challenge, and P1 to Roll out in East Malaysia.)
Other news worth noting from the Asia/Pacific region includes:
- India Adds 16.7M Mobile Lines in October
- IBM Targets Telcos' Apps Dev Needs
- Pyramid: Mobile to Dominate Hong Kong
- TEIN3 Expands Across APAC
- Sigma Systems Expands in APAC
- SingTel, KVH Team Up
- Huawei Wins in Vietnam
- Tejas Adds to Board
- C&W Boosts China Presence
- NZ Church Fined for Cellphone Blocking
- AlcaLu Wins BSS Deal in Vietnam
- AlcaLu Forges Oz Partnership
- China Tel Uses AlcaLu Gateway
- ZTE Does IMS Videoconferencing
- Anevia, BNS Team on IPTV
- CSL Touts LTE Developments
- DoCoMo Monitors Environment