2007
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Raya eyes fixed line deal
Egypt's Raya Technology and Communication may bid for the North African nation's second fixed line licence when it is sold next year, according to Reuters. The firm may look to a tie-up with an international operator and the UK's BT has been mentioned in some reports. Chairman Medhat Khalil said the decision regarding the bid will depend on the conditions of the licence and whether it will include international calls.
Etisalat reductions for new year
Etisalat is offering all international calls at off peak rates on January 1 to mark the start of the new year. The reduced rates will apply to calls made from both mobile phones and fixed lines until 7am on Wednesday, January 2.
Mobily post-paid offer extended
Saudi Arabian mobile operator Mobily has offered new subscribers to its Khatty, Khatty Plus and Mada post-paid packages no subscription fees for a year if they sign on before January 18. The offer also applies to users who move their existing mobile numbers across to Mobily from Al Jawal, utilising the Raqme service. The zero subscription promotion had been due to end on December 28.
Etisalat extends offer
Etisalat has decided to extend the introductory discount offer period for its new voice SMS service until the end of February. The cost of sending a voice SMS will therefore remain at 18 fils and will not revert to 30 fils until March 1. The UAE based telco firm revealed last week that it had clocked up 500,000 voice SMS since the service was introduced earlier this month.
i2 set for 2008 IPO
Dr Karim Al Solh, the CEO of Abu Dhabi based private equity firm, Gulf Capital, which owns a 15% stake in Saudi Arabian mobile phone retailer i2, has said the telco firm is set for an initial public offering (IPO) late in 2008, reported Gulf News. Al Solh said the Saudi Capital Markets Authority will regulate on how much of the firm can be sold in the IPO.
Qtel eyes Lebanon
Qatar Telecom (Qtel) is planning to bid for a stake in one of two Lebanese mobile phone firms which will be sold next February, reported Reuters. The Lebanese government is hoping to raise $7bn from the sale of controlling stakes in MTC Touch and Alfa as well as from share offerings. Qtel has yet to decide which specific firm to bid for as it looks to expand across the Mena region.
UAE tops the Arab world in the number of Internet users
The UAE tops the Arab world in the number of Internet users per thousand, while Bahrain ranks second in the use of cellular phone, reported WAM news agency. A 2007-2008 human development report issued by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) says the UAE tops all Arab countries in the Internet access, with 308 users per every 1000 people. Kuwait ranks second with 276 users per 1000 people, followed by Qatar with 269, and Bahrain with 213. Lebanon ranks fifth with 196 users per every 1000 people, while Oman ranks eighth with 111 users and Saudi Arabia at 11th position with 70 users.
Etisalat increases Internet speed limit 4Mbps
Catering to the needs of people with high-speed Internet requirements in their homes and on the move, UAE telecom operator Etisalat, introduced for a 4Mbps Al Shamil broadband package. This is double the currently available maximum speed for residential packages, and will help enhance home Internet access .Etisalat is also enabling its high-bandwidth broadband Al Shamil customers with high-speed connectivity when they are outside their homes, with monthly 4-hour free usage at Etisalat Hotspots included with their subscriptions.
Etisalat hits 500,000 voice SMS
Etisalat has revealed that around 500,000 voice SMS have been sent since the product was launched less than ten days ago. The service enables customers to send messages of up to 30 seconds in duration, in their own language, to other Etisalat mobile customers. Etisalat's subscribers can store up to 20 voice messages.
34% of Saudis opt for WiFi
A survey carried out by Jordan's Arab Advisors Group has suggested that 34.3% of Internet users in Saudi Arabia use WiFi hotspots. The research, which was carried out between October and November, also revealed that 46.4% of users in Saudi have Internet access at work, while 36.6% take advantage of the facilities at Internet cafes. The survey involved more than 1,900 respondents.
Injazat, Textura form JV
Injazat Data Systems, a firm which specialises in information technology and business process outsourcing, has established a strategic partnership with the US based Textura Corporation, a provider of online construction payment management, to set up Textura Middle East. The joint venture (JV) will subsequently offer firms in the Middle East's construction sector an Internet based project payment and invoicing project management solution.
$190m Unicorn, Open-Silicon deal
Bahrain's Unicorn Investment Bank has bought a 75% equity stake in Open-Silicon, a firm based in Milpitas, California, for $190m. Established in 2003 by the founders of Intel Microelectronics, a subsidiary of Intel, Open-Silicon designs and manufactures application specific integrated chips for a range of clients in the consumer electronics and telecom sectors. Open-Silicon has a presence in six locations in the US, the UK, India and Taiwan.
MCCI has 21.5m customers
Vahid Sadouqi, the MD of the Mobile Communications Company of Iran (MCCI), has revealed that the firm has 21.5m 'regular' and prepaid SIM card subscribers, reported the Iran Daily. Sadouqi added that, regionally, the telco firm is second only to Turkcell for the total number of mobile subscribers, with the Turkish firm having 34m customers. Sadouqi added that rival Irancell now has 5.7m subscribers, while Iran's mobile penetration rate is 33%.
Nokia E51 into Qatar
The Consolidated Gulf Company, a mobile phone and IT solutions provider, has launched the Nokia E51 handset in Qatar. The phone, which features 3G and WLAN connectivity, is equipped with various applications including an FM radio, music and multimedia players, a two megapixel camera and browser. It also has up to 130 megabytes of user data memory.
Population boosts telco sector
A report by Egyptian bank EFG-Hermes has said the UAE's rapidly expanding population will drive the growth of the telecommunications sector into next year and beyond, according to Gulf News. The bank expects the mobile segment to grow at a rate of 10.2% next year, down from this year's estimate of 29.5%, while fixed line penetration, currently at 30%, will increase gradually over the next five years.
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