Vivendi plans €2 billion offer for Brazilian Internet and telecommunications company GVT

September 11th, 2009 MUMBAI - Sterlite Industries, with interest in non-ferrous metals and mining, Friday said it has revised its offer for purchase of US-based copper miner Asarco to $2.56 billion from its earlier bid of $2.13 billion. "After extensive discussion and review, in order to provide full cash payment to asbestos creditors, Sterlite increased its offer from $2.13 billion to $2.56 billion cash," the company said in a regulatory statement.

September 1st, 2009 Vivendi net profit slips 3 percent in first halfPARIS — Vivendi SA said Tuesday its net profit slipped 3 percent in the first half as the economic slowdown hit earnings at its core music and mobile telecommunications businesses. Paris-based Vivendi, one of the world's largest media and entertainment companies with holdings ranging from Universal Music Group to the Canal Plus pay television service, said net profit in the six months ending June 30 was €1.19 billion ($1.7 billion), down from €1.22 billion a year earlier.

August 27th, 2009 Brazil may contribute up to $53B to Petrobras-rptNEW YORK — The Brazilian federal government may pump up to 100 billion real ($53 billion) into the state-run oil company Petrobras to bolster the company's exploration strength, a business newspaper reported Thursday. According to Valor Economico, the move would increase the government's stake in the company to between 65 percent and 70 percent, from its current 56 percent interest, should minority shareholders not subscribe to the issuance.

August 14th, 2009 Typhoon disrupts Asia Internet, telephone serviceTAIPEI, Taiwan — Seabed movements believed caused by Typhoon Morakat damaged seven undersea cables linking Asian nations, disrupting Internet and telephone services, a Taiwanese telephone company said Friday. Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom, which jointly operates four cables in the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines, said service has been slow since the typhoon pummeled Taiwan last weekend.

August 13th, 2009 Hutchison to sell Partner Communications stakeWASHINGTON — Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. said it has reached an agreement to sell its 51.3 percent stake in Israeli wireless carrier Partner Communications Co.

July 30th, 2009 France Telecom H1 profit down 4.3 percentPARIS — Telecommunications company France Telecom said Thursday that first half net profit fell 4.3 percent as the economic crisis caused customers cut back on phone calls and data transfers — and warned that conditions will get tougher in the second half. The company, whose largest shareholder is the French state, reported net profit of euro2.56 billion ($3.60 billion) in the six months through June compared with euro2.67 billion in the first half of 2008.

July 27th, 2009 Silverman leaving NBC to head multimedia ventureNEW YORK — Ben Silverman will be leaving his job as co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Movie Studios to head a new venture with Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp focusing on producing and distributing multimedia content. NBC named Jeff Gaspin, president and chief operating officer of the company's cable entertainment group, to replace him.

July 27th, 2009 Verizon gives free Wi-Fi to Internet customersNEW YORK — Verizon is giving some of its home broadband customers free access to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots in airports and other public places, taking a page from competitors that already offer wireless Internet access. The offer excludes Verizon Communications Inc.

July 1st, 2009 Visa sells shares of Brazilian business under IPOSAN FRANCISCO — Visa Inc. on Wednesday said that through its international subsidiary, it has sold roughly 136.5 million shares of its Brazilian business in connection with its initial public offering.

June 29th, 2009 Comcast to offer wireless Internet servicePHILADELPHIA — Comcast is rolling out wireless Internet service Tuesday in Portland, Ore., with plans to add three other cities by the end of the year. Comcast is the first major cable operator to roll out wireless broadband.

May 8th, 2009 Embarq's 1Q profit falls 18 percentKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Embarq Corp., the nation's fourth-largest traditional telephone company, said Wednesday its first-quarter profit fell 18 percent as business customers dropped service and the company lost money on the sale of its logistics unit.

April 22nd, 2009 MUMBAI - After buying 31 percent of scam-tainted Satyam Computer Services, Tech Mahindra Wednesday announced an 'open offer' to acquire a further 20 percent stake so that it can get a controlling stake. As per the next steps laid out by the Satyam board, Tech Mahindra announced the 'open offer' to obtain 20 percent at Rs.58 per share for 199,079,413 shares of Satyam, the company said in a regulatory filing.

March 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The 26 percent stake sale in telecommunications major Tata Teleservices to Japanese telecom company NTT DoCoMo has been completed, the Indian company's parent Tata Sons said Thursday. 'DoCoMo has also completed its payment obligations under the tender offer and is preparing to acquire approximately 12 percent of the common shares of Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd through an open offer,' Tata Sons said in a regulatory statement.

March 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Hong Kong-based telecommunications major Pacnet Tuesday said it has increased its stake in its joint venture with FutureWorld India to 74 percent and will shortly apply for international long-distance (ILD) and national long-distance (NLD) licences. 'Together with our joint venture partner, FutureWorld, we have further capitalised Pacific Internet to support our network roll-out in India after receipt of ILD and NLD licences,' Pacnet chief executive Bill Barney told reporters here.

March 24th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Hong Kong-based Pacnet, one of Asia's leading telecommunications service providers, Tuesday said it will invest $200-300 million in India over the next two-three years. The company also said it has increased its stake in its Indian joint venture, Pacific Internet India, from 55 percent to 74 percent, and that it would shortly apply for international long-distance (ILD) and national long-distance (NLD) licences.