Europe

Dutch operator KPN reported first-quarter revenues of EUR3.40 billion, down 4.9 percent from a year earlier, reports Telecompaper.

Telecom Italia reported first-quarter revenues of EUR6.79 billion, down 6.7 percent from a year ago, and EBITDA fell 4.9 percent to EUR2.80 billion, reports Telecompaper.

The European Commission yesterday called for a huge cut in mobile termination rates, a move that saw Vodafone's stock experience its sharpest fall in six months.

According to Telecompaper, Telecom Italia has denied rumours of plans to merge with Spanish operator Telefonica. The statement follows earlier press reports in local newspaper Corriere della Sera claiming the possibility of a high-profile merger between the two operators.

The French government has confirmed that it will launch the tender for the country's long-awaited fourth 3G license this summer, but warned that the process would not be completed by year-end.

French media conglomerate Vivendi reported a 6.9 percent decline in adjusted net income to EUR649 million for first-quarter 2009, but reported solid results at SFR, the French mobile operator that it jointly-owns with Vodafone.

UK fixed-line operator BT and mobile operator 3 UK have partnered to launch the 'Terminate the Rate' campaign, aimed at a sharp reduction in mobile termination rates, notes Telecompaper.