Deutsche Telekom eyes fixed-mobile convergence

wireless unit for $39 billion in March, may acquire fixed-line assets in European markets such as Poland, reports Bloomberg.

Europe's biggest phone company is evaluating whether to add traditional phone-line or broadband businesses to its mobile operations in Poland, the Netherlands and Austria, according to Roland Mahler, the Deutsche Telekom head of Europe excluding Germany.

He says: “Fixed-mobile convergence is a precondition to be able to leverage the market and certainly to serve the customer best by offering fixed, broadband, TV or IPTV.”

Global Telecoms Business reveals Deutsche Telekom is in discussions with the government of Slovakia to purchase the 49% stake it does not already own in Slovak Telekom.

According to Mobile Business Briefing, by bundling fixed and mobile services, operators can create a more valuable relationship with customers, while also reducing the likelihood of churn.