2007
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Kuwait mobile penetration at 72.9%
A report by the Arab Advisors Group has revealed that there were around 2.3m mobile subscribers in Kuwait at the end of H1 this year. The effective mobile penetration rate has been calculated at 72.9%, with just over 11% of users having more than one line - significantly lower than the multiple line rates in Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Gulf computer sales soar
Sales of desktop computers, notebooks and servers across the Gulf rose by 29% in Q2, according to figures published by market research firm IDC and cited by Gulf News. The UAE led the way with a 43% increase in sales across all products and a total of 287,000 units sold. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia witnessed a 30% jump in sales, with 256,000 units sold.
Kuwait telco deadline set
The establishing committee for Kuwait's third mobile telecommunications company has issued a tender document providing interested bidders with details of the final public auction process for a 26% stake in the firm. Companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) and foreign telco operators can participate in the auction either individually or as part of a consortium. Bids must be filed no later than 6.00pm on November 18.
Iran telco privatisation
Iran's Deputy Communications and Information Technology Minister Vafa Ghaffarian has said that 51% of the Telecommunication Company of Iran is to be privatised between now and the end of the Iranian year on March 19, reported the Tehran Times. Ghaffarian said the government will retain a 20% holding in the firm and revealed there were no restrictions on ownership for domestic or foreign investors.
Siemens to launch unit
Siemens is to launch a unit focusing on IT integration projects in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen from next month, reported Gulf News. Siemens IT Solutions and Services, which was formed in January, will target a market of around $528m and will seek deals from the aviation and public sectors.
Gitex Shopper sales rise
This year's Gitex Shopper event which took place earlier this month generated sales of $26.2m, a 16% rise on last year's $22.7m, reported Gulf News. The exhibition attracted fewer people this year, however, with 125,538 visitors, when compared with over 132,000 in 2006. The drop was in spite of more selling space and longer opening hours.
Mobily buys local data provider
Saudi mobile phone operator Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) has signed a deal to buy 99.9% of local data provider Bayanat al-Oula for $400m, reported Reuters. Bayanat is one of two firms licensed to deploy a WiMax wireless network in the kingdom. WiMax allows anyone with a WiMax enabled laptop or media device to download songs and movies over distances of up to 50 km.
Seven bidders for Qatar license
Qatar's telecommunications regulatory authority, ictQATAR, said the number of bidders for Qatar's second mobile telephone licence has been reduced from 12 to seven, after the deadline to submit bids lapsed on September 16, reported the Peninsula. The deadline had been extended by two weeks. The seven bidders are ACE Consortium (including Airtel), Argos Consortium (including Verizon), AT&T, Batelco, Etisalat, MTC (Zain) and Vodafone.
Zain to move HQ to Bahrain
In a setback to Kuwait's efforts to diversify its economy and attract foreign investors, the country's largest listed company, Zain, said it will be moving its international headquarters to Bahrain, reported Reuters. Analysts said the move by the mobile operator, whose biggest shareholder is the Kuwaiti government, showed that parliament and government need to work harder to attract foreign investment and open up the oil-dominated economy.
Dubai bans Saudi proxy server
Dubai's Telecom Regulatory Authority has ordered telecom firms etisalat and du to block a website that offered internet users a way to view unauthorised pages, reported Emirates Today. Saudi Arabia's proxy server Proxy1Arabia had given UAE Web users the ability to view any page they wish, but TRA ordered the site bannned, saying it is illegal to bypass the national proxy.
Lotus Connections makes debut
IBM Lotus Connections, the industry's first integrated social software offering for business, is now available in the region for the first time. Featuring a suite of five Web 2.0-based components -- activities, communities, Dogear (bookmarking), profiles and blogs -- Lotus Connections helps people quickly connect and build new relationships based on business needs.
Etisalat, Zain make Qatar bid
Emirates Telecommunications Corp (Etisalat) and Kuwait's Mobile Telecommunications (Zain) have both said they will bid for Qatar's second mobile phone licence, reported Reuters. Etisalat, Zain, and 10 other firms had until Sunday to bid for the licence that will break the mobile phone monopoly of state-owned Qatar Telecommunications Co. The bid amounts were not disclosed.
Mena's WiMAX on track
Bahrain's Mena Telecom is on track to begin rolling out its WiMAX network before the end of 2007. Mena Telecom's WiMAX network is based on 802.16e technology and it will be deployed in two stages, with a full range of options, including broadband Internet and telephone services, expected to be available from Manama to the Seef area in January 2008. It was revealed in July that Motorola is installing the network.
du ties up with Emirates Post
du has entered into an agreement with Emirates Post which will see the latter offer 'Pay as You Go' lines, Visitor mobile lines and recharge cards through more than 80 post offices across the UAE from September 18. Emirates Post's counter staff have been trained to provide guidance and information to customers interested in the products.
Batelco Ramadan offer
Batelco has launched a Ramadan promotion, offering reduced rates for off-peak mobile phone calls. Every day throughout the month, between 9pm and 8am, post-paid mobile customers making a local call will be charged an unspecified 'minimum amount per minute', after the first minute of talk time. To find out more customers can visit any Batelco shop or log on to the telco firm's website
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