Telefonica Moviles said it has suspended its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services in Germany after only seven months of operations, blaming the delay of UMTS technology and current market conditions. Group 3G, which operated under the Quam brand name, ceased the GSM/GPRS service it began at the end of 2001. Group 3G had 197,000 customers at the end of June. It is owned 57.2 percent by Telefonica Moviles, with Finland's Sonera holding the remaining 42.8-percent stake. Sonera also said the Board of Directors of Group 3G has decided to halt the company's current business operations, according to AFX. The company's current business strategy is no longer feasible," Sonera said.
