Fixed-line to decline in 2009

Industry analysts, Analysys Mason, expects the three main retail lines of business of fixed telecoms to face problems, which will only be exacerbated by the economic downturn, states Telecoms.

Broadband service revenue is slowing to low single-digit growth, at the same time as the sector faces the need to invest to differentiate itself from mobile propositions, making funding harder to justify, the analyst says.

It says legacy voice will see revenue decline even faster relative to mobile as the economic crisis tightens its grip. Analysys predicts that unemployment and lower incomes will accelerate households' decisions to give up fixed voice services for good.

Three China Mobile branches have begun upgrading its regional fixed-line networks with an eye to securing fixed-line telephone and broadband customers, says Interfax China.

China Mobile's Jiangsu branch is upgrading its local FTTB (fibre to the building) network to 1 000Mbps. The upgrade will enable high-definition IPTV as well as other interactive services.

In Guangdong, China Mobile's local branch is expanding the local FTTB and FTTH (fibre to the home) networks to more buildings and households, while the Chongqing branch is upgrading its combined FTTH, FTTB and Ethernet network.

Strax has bought the accessories division of French distributor Vivanco for an undisclosed fee, reports Mobile News.

Strax France takes control of Vivanco's customer accounts, which include a distribution contract with French operators Orange and Bouygues Telecom. The US-based distributer says the Orange deal will strengthen its accessories distribution in other Orange markets too.

Strax said the deal covers convergence and fixed-line products, as well as mobile accessories from manufacturer names and own-label brands.