France Telecom optimistic on Swiss link

France Telecom confident the merger of its Swiss mobile operations with those of Denmark’s TDC to challenge Swisscom will meet competition rules

• European View: Lombard produces Swiss rabbit from his hat
• Lex: European mobile telecoms

Telefónica buys Digital Plus stake

The Spanish telecommunications group is acquiring a 21% holding in the satellite television business of Prisa, the country’s largest media group, worth €470m

Vodafone plans to end final salary scheme

Vodafone plans to close £755m final salary pension scheme to 4,000 employees, becoming one of the largest employers to propose such a move

Tesco to sell iPhone by Christmas

Tesco Mobile, the supermarket group’s joint venture with O2, plans to start offering the 3G and 3GS models ‘shortly’ in a move that could spark a price war over the popular smartphone

Lex: Vivendi Frères

The deal machine is being put through its paces again with Jean-Bernard Lévy embroiled in transactions on at least three continents

Private equity owners eye TDC share sale

Buy-out groups that own the Danish telecoms operator start a strategic review that is expected to result in a big public issue next year

Inmarsat buys Segovia of US for $110m

The satellite-based phone network operator agrees to acquire Segovia – the mixed satellite and terrestrial networks group – in order to provide more services to the US government

Creditors sweeten Wind Hellas bid

Creditors increase their bid in a final attempt to take over the Greek mobile telephone operator