Things are moving again in the telecom sector
Things are moving again in in the French telecom sector. The forth mobile licence has been confirmed and the main fixed line operators are actively preparing their new box. It is time give some thought on what should happen.
Mr Murdoch is the bad guy again
The British press is now in battle order against Mr Murdoch. Everybody who is somebody and not in News Corp’s team is now fighting against Mr Murdoch’s move to squeeze out BskyB. This may not be good news for the investor who has already factored in BskyB’s share price a significant amount of any potential bid premium. Yet the argument is interesting. Is New Corp’s move threatening the plurality of the British media?
IPAD's competition is alive and well
Competition with the IPAD for the tablet market is now alive and well and it seems that Apple’s main competitor will be Google. I have counted at least six tablets just in the last few weeks (the Dell Streak, Viewsonic’s Viewpad, the Hannspree tablet, Velocity Micro’s Cruz tablet, Motorala’s next product, Interpad’s E-Noa). All of them work on Androïd.
Orange to withdraw from content
Stéphane Richard confirmed the information this morning: France Telecom is to withdraw from its private channels, Orange Cinema Series and Orange Sport. This is absolutely logical. We always had doubts on expected synergies between content and carriers. This model has never worked in any place (including the US) or with any medium.
Going away
Good bye dear reader. I am leaving for the rest of the month and going to far away places in Southern Africa. I wish you very good summertime and hopes to serve you again when I come back from the big five countries.
Poker game between Vivendi and Lagardere
Lagardere has just announced that it was considering floating its 20% minority interest in Canal+ France. This is not really a surprise. A few days ago, Vivendi refused Lagardere’s offer on a valuation of €1.35bn. With very few other potential buyers, floating the paper is the only credible alternative.
Cannes Festival signals change in TV
Unlike last year when emerging markets made a big impression, Cannes lions winners mainly come from developed countries this year. What is interesting is that the shift from TV to Internet is now official. Every commentator announces the end of the 30 second TV spot as the king format.
French Industrial disaster in South Africa
The magnificent Mexican victory against the French team is creating problems in
Microsoft's kinect will change entertainment again
I am not usually that fond of Microsoft, but this time I must admit they have a point. If the consumer's experience is at the level shown in this video, Kinect will change the entertainment world just like the iPhone changed the mobile world.
Crises push Europe forward
Interesting things are happening these days in Europe. First the European stability fund is expected to exist soon. Then, the finance ministers have started discussing economic governance, including ex ante budget approval. Last but not least, the finance governing body will then be at the head of state level. All this is expected to be officially announced following the Union’s executives meeting on June 18th. This is not yet a European treasury but it starts to look like it.