telecommunications — english language news service
16.07.2008« [telecommunications — телекоммуникация — telekommunikation]
usa — sk telecom and sprint; partnership or acquistion?
A report originating from American news provider CNBC has suggested that Korean cellco SK Telecom (SKT) is in talks to acquire US mobile operator Sprint Nextel. Indications are that any talks are in the preliminary stages, with any possible deal unlikely to be announced for some considerable time. Sprint rejected an investment offer from SKT in November 2007, when the the Korean company, in partnership with private equity firms, tabled an offer of USD5 billion. However, both Reuters and The Wall Street Journal have stated that sources close to the talks have claimed that the discussions relate only to possible technology collaborations between the two firms. Neither company has commented directly on the rumours. Sprint, currently third in the US mobile market, saw its subscriber base drop by a million to 52.76 million in the first three months of 2008. SKT is currently the leader in its region, claiming market share of 50.49% at March 2008.
Source: TeleGeography's CommsUpdate
sk telecom
SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (SK Telecom) is a wireless telecommunications services provider in Korea. The Company’s offerings include cellular services, providing its subscribers with code division multiple access (CDMA) service; wired and wireless Internet integrated portal services under its NATE brand name, which allow its wireless subscribers to access various Websites designed for cellular and personal digital assistant (PDA) use, such as access to entertainment-related contents and services; mobile multimedia service, ranging from television programs to entertainment content such as movies, music, animation, games and sports under the brand name June; global roaming service for long distance calls; network service, offering general and Internet lease lines, as well as ubiquitous and automobile digital convergance services, such as satellite digital multimedia broadcasting.
sprint nextel
Sprint Nextel Corporation (Sprint Nextel) is a global communication company offering a range of wireless and wireline communications products and services for individual consumers, businesses and government customers. The Company conducts its operations through two segments: Wireless and Wireline. The Company, together with three third party affiliates (PCS Affiliates) offers digital wireless service in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands under the Sprint brand name utilizing wireless code division multiple access (CDMA) technology. The Company offers digital wireless services under its Nextel brand name using integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN) technology. It also offers wireless services that focus on the youth market, including its Boost Mobile prepaid wireless service on its iDEN network and Boost Unlimited, a local calling prepaid service on its CDMA network. On August 1, 2007, the Company acquired Northern PCS Services, LLC.
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