Orange consortium bags Spanish 3G licence

A consortium that includes mobile operator, Orange, has been successful in winning one of the four third-generation UMTS licences in Spain.

As part of the Xfera Moviles Consortium, Orange teamed up with ACS, ACESA, Ahorro Corporacion, Mercapital, and most importantly, Mannesmann. However, Orange has said it will remain part of the 3G Group rather than be replaced by new parent Vodafone, which bought old parent Mannesmann earlier this year.

Orange is the target of several suitors at the moment (it must be divested by Vodafone), and there is speculation it may yet go it alone again.

In related news, the Italian government has said it intends to raise $1.5bn to $2bn through the sale of no more than five UMTS licences in May, according to reports citing Communications Minister Salvatore Cardinale.