South African fixed-line operator Telkom has confirmed that talks are “still ongoing” regarding its takeover by a consortium led by the Mvelaphanda Group, and the divesture of its 50 percent stake in mobile operator Vodacom to co-owner Vodafone. The two deals are linked: the Mvelaphanda bid for Telkom’s entire share capital is dependent on Telkom offloading its stake in Vodacom. Statements from Telkom yesterday gave no indication of when the situation will be resolved. Talks have been ongoing since June. In the same month Telkom CEO Reuben September hinted that the disposal of the Vodacom stake would enable Telkom to re-enter the country’s mobile market; its alliance with Vodafone had barred it from doing so previously. The company has reportedly invested ZAR1.7 billion (US$219 million) in W-CDMA technology from Huawei, allowing it to offer mobile data alongside fixed and ‘fixed-wireless’ voice services.

In separate news from Vodacom, South Africa’s largest mobile operator has acquired 51 percent of Storage Technologies Services, a managed enterprise data centre services company providing storage and security services. Meanwhile, Vodacom is aiming to launch commercial WiMAX services in partnership with Wireless Business Solutions (iBurst) at the beginning of October, reports Mybroadband.co.za. Fixed wireless services will reportedly be mainly aimed at business customers in the Western Cape, Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng regions, with full mobility planned for future rollout.