France Telecom To Launch Fixed-Mobile Handset In Spain

MADRID -(Dow Jones)- The Spanish unit of French telecommunications operator France Telecom will launch December a new phone which combines fixed-line and mobile applications, a top company official said Monday.

The new Unico phone, similar to the Unik product slated for launch in France later this week, can be used as a normal fixed-line phone - with Internet-protocol capabilities - while at home, and as a mobile while away.

Belarmino Garcia, Chief Executive of France Telecom's Spanish unit, said that Unico is in the testing stage in Spain, and declined to provide additional details over the launch.

Garcia made the announcement during the presentation of the switch of all the company's operations in Spain, until now comprising two different brands, into the Orange brand. The process is starting Monday and will be completed before the end of this year.

Garcia said that France Telecom plans to invest EUR1.5 billion in capital expenditure to develop networks and services in Spain over the next three years.

He added the company will seek to expand third-generation mobile coverage to 74% of Spain's population by the end of the year, from the current 68%.

France Telecom has over 11 million customers in Spain, and operates the country's third-largest mobile operator and the second-largest high-speed Internet and fixed-line telephony provider.

Company Web site: http://www.orange.es

-By David Roman, Dow Jones Newswires, 34 913958125, david.roman@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 2nd October 2006