Supporting 300 telecoms operators in 130 countries.

Its products and services have been deployed in more than 140 countries and it currently serves 45 of the world's 50 largest telecoms operators.

Challenges to the introduction of convergent charging & billing include migration from existing billing systems for an incumbent telecoms operator.

It also acquired the second largest telecoms operator in the Italian business market, Albacom.

In 1998 he joined Deutsche Telekom, Europe's largest telecoms operator.

"Today most Americans get fast Internet access from cable suppliers rather than telecoms operators," Ms. Reding said.

At the end of the day, what we want for the benefit of European consumers, let alone European telecoms operators, is sustainable, robust, facilities-based competition.

Now the reform goes to the heart of the problem; it paves the way for a true single market for telecoms operators and consumers alike.

Other firms are also considering more positive steps, including European telecoms operators who last week held a workshop on improving transparency in their supply chains.

In 1995 Olivetti cancelled all its commercial telecommunications products as part of its strategy of transformation into a telecoms operator.