Ad-funded, youth-oriented mobile virtual network operator Blyk has raised an impressive E40 million round from its existing investors. CEO Pekka Ala-Pietilä warned that, "like everyone else, [we] are feeling the impact of the world's financial situation" and Blyk has "taken decisive steps to cut costs and streamline our organisation." Since its launch in September 2007, […]

The FTTH Council Europe has concluded its input into the European Commission's public consultation exercise on regulatory approaches to Next Generation Access (NGA) networks. Joeri Van Bogaert, President of the FTTH Council Europe explains the guiding principles of the response: "The FTTH Council Europe believes that, where feasible, competition based on access to passive infrastructures […]

Project Kangaroo, the JV between ITV, the BBC and Channel 4, is planning a test launch in January ahead of a competition ruling that will decide its ultimate fate. It is currently the subject of a Competition Commission investigation assessing its impact on the online video-on-demand market, but is forging ahead with technical development of […]

From David Del Valle in Madrid SES Astra is to make a formal complaint before the European competition authorities against the Spanish Government for its alleged preferential treatment to Abertis Telecom in the deployment of DTT in the country. The Luxembourg-based company has accused the Spanish Administration of helping out its main competitor in the […]

GE has declared its interest in buying media assets in a sign that a slumping economy has not shaken General Electric's confidence in its television and film business, NBC Universal. Jerry Immelt, GE chief executive, told the FT the company had the resources to capitalise on bargains as it wades through the downturn. "There are […]

IPTV platform supplier Amino Communications is to acquire Swedish vendor Tilgin AB’s IPTV set-top box (STB) division in a £2.5 million (€3.17m). The company says the purchase of Tilgin IPTV, which offers a range of H.264 HD IPTV STBs within its ‘Mood’ product line, will further enhance Amino’s award-winning product portfolio and add new software […]

Teracom has become the sole shareholder of Boxer, the Swedish DTT operating company, after buying out the 30 per cent of private equity firm 3i. Crister Fritzson, CEO of Teracom, who previously held the same position with Boxer said there would be no change of direction. “Teracom has always been the main shareholder in Boxer […]

UK telco BT has announced it will be cutting 10,000 jobs following a gloomy Q2 report. The company said it had already cut 4,000 jobs, leaving a further 6,000 to go between now and March, adding that it was not planning any compulsory redundancies. BT said it was reducing its dependence on consultants and contractors, […]

The continuing costs related to the hacking of its encryption system took Premiere to its fourth consecutive quarterly loss in the third quarter. A negative EBITDA of E27.2 million in Q3 2008 compared to the positive E22m in the same quarter of last year. Increased costs on transmission, hardware and sales pushed operating costs up […]

Intelsat has reported revenue of $598.5 million and a net loss of $179.3 million for the three months ended September 30th, 2008. The company also reported EBITDA of $406.3 million. “Intelsat’s third quarter results showed strength and stability as we improved revenue by 10 percent, grew Adjusted EBITDA by 11 percent, and increased our contract […]