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Zain Bahrain plans network upgrade
Zain Bahrain has said that its network is to be completely upgraded and modernised by Nokia Siemens Networks. The Long Term Evolution (LTE) project will provide customers with faster data downloads and an overall enhanced mobile experience and make the company 'future proof', the firm has said.
Report: MegaFon wins Iranian mobile licence
Russian telco MegaFon is believed to have been awarded a mobile licence to operate in Iran. According to a report in Tehran Times, it has been given the green light to build a GSM network in the country. Iran currently has two mobile phone networks, Iran Telecommunication, which is state-controlled, and MTN Group.
Mobinil upgraded to 'buy'
HC Brokerage has upgraded Egypt's mobile operator Mobinil to 'buy' from 'sell,' Reuters has reported. The brokerage firm has said the firm's new on-net offer would further stimulate usage and improve margins, driving its market penetration rate to higher-than-expected levels. The brokerage has also raised its price target on the stock 33.3% to EGP263.37, citing lower weighted average cost of capital following rate cuts by the Monetary Policy Committee.
Inmarsat posts 9.2% H1 growth
Mobile satellite communication service provider Inmarsat has reported a 9.2% growth in managed security service for the half year ended June 30, 2009, Emirates Business has reported. The land mobile sector saw broadband global area network, which offers a global mobile phone calls and broadband data connection, revenue increase 32% in the first half and a growth of 4,261 additional subscribers.
Batelco warns on transfer scam
Bahrain Telecommunications Co. (Batelco) has advised its customers in the kingdom to ignore requests from an international phone number to transfer money to a specific overseas location, the Gulf Daily News has reported. A number of Batelco's customers had reported calls by the unidentified number informing them that they had won a significant amount of money. 'Such phone calls are not legitimate and under no circumstance should customers be tricked into parting with any money,' Batelco has said.
Mobily extends 3G coverage
Saudi Arabia's Etihad Etisalat Co. (Mobily) has said it has added a number of the kingdom's Northern Province's cities and villages to its advanced 3G network (3.5G and 3.75G) coverage. This latest addition brings to 326 the total number of cities and villages which come under Mobily's 3.5G and 3.75G coverage.
Du launches SME business plans
Du has announced the launch of its 'Business Super Plan', a new mobile plan for small and medium enterprises (SME), which slashes all international call charges by 50% to Dhs1 per minute, as part of an included international minutes bundle. The new plan also feature a one-rate on all incoming calls while roaming; a 50% discount on calls within a business; Blackberry offers; and Pay by the Second billing on all outgoing calls from the UAE. Du offers two Business Super Plan options; Business Super 150 at a monthly rate of Dhs150 for Dhs150 in international minutes and Dhs150 in local minutes; and the Business Super 300 at a monthly rate of Dhs300 for Dhs300 in international minutes and Dhs300 in local minutes.
Oman Mobile offers new broadband packages
Oman Mobile has announced five mobile broadband Internet packages to post-paid Mada customers. The packages include two hourly-based packages; an unlimited download, 10-hour packaged costing RO5 and a 30-hour, unlimited package costing RO10. The company also offers three data packages, 1GB for RO19, 15GB for RO34 and 30GB for RO59 - all with unlimited usage.
Qtel completes FTTH trial phase
Qatar Telecoms announced today it has completed its trial phase of its Fiber to the Home (FTTH) service. Qtel is working with several developers in Qatar to provide the service in Mesaieed and West Lagoon areas. The company has said it plans to make the service available by end of the year. FTTH uses optical fibres to deliver internet, phone and digital TV directly to homes.
Iraq most competive Middle East mobile market
Iraq has become the Arab world's most competitive mobile market, replacing Jordan. A study by the Arab Advisors Group has devised its Cellular Competition Intensity Index in order to rate and properly assess the level of competition in Middle East markets, and found that Iraq's came out top, with a score of 91%. It has five working operators, three of which run a national mobile licence, while the remaining two are regional operators in the Kurdistan region. "While Iraq's largest operator (Zain) has a substantial market share of more than 50%, Iraq's score benefited from the availability of corporate offers, operational ILD competition and 3G services,' the report said.
Omantel posts small fall in H1 net profit
Oman Telecommunications (Omantel) has reported a 2% decline in net profit after tax and excluding minority interest, to RO73.038m for H1 2009, compared with a net profit after tax of RO74.777m for the same period last year. Total revenue as of June 2009 declined by 1% to RO198.497m, compared to RO201.080m last year. Operating expenses increased by 1% to RO119.932m, compared to last year's figure of RO118.391m.
Vodafone pushes for Qatar telecoms ombudsman
Grahame Maher, CEO of Vodafone Qatar, has an ombudsman should be appointed in the country to ensure "proper business practices" in Qatar's telecom sector. The ombudsman should be independent of ictQatar, the country's supreme telecom regulator, with the mandate of guaranteeing "customer fair trade practices," he said. If a customer in Qatar is treated badly by either Vodafone or Qtel, that customer can directly approach the statutory body to get their grievances redressed, Maher added.
Egypt rejects France Telecom's Mobinil share-buy bid
The Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority has rejected France Telecom's appeal to buy the remaining shares of the Egyptian Co. for Mobile Services (MobiNil), Bloomberg has reported. France Telecom plans to challenge the decision in the Egyptian Supreme Court, Bertrand Deronchaine, a France Telecom spokesman said.
IPTV offers 'unique' MENA telco opportunity
Internet protocol television (IPTV) offers a 'unique' growth and revenue opportunity for MENA telecom operators, providing they overcome challenges such as broadband penetration and having good content available for subscribers. A report by Booz & Company found that the 'lack of interactive services and negligible competition from cable makes the MENA region well positioned to leverage the advantages IPTV offers'. But it warns that the biggest challenge operators face is the high penetration of free to air and illegal satellite services. "IPTV allows operators to boost average revenue per user (ARPU) and can increase Internet and broadband penetration," said Ghassan Hasbani, partner at Booz & Company.
Jordan Telecom profits down
Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) has said its H1 2009 net profit had declined by 2.6% to JD51.2m, compared to JD52.6m during the same period last year, the Jordan Times has reported. Operating expenses had climbed 3.4% to JD109.1m at the end of last June, while gross operating margin had dropped by 3.8% as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation stood at JD87.3m, compared to JD90.7m at the end of June 2008. Capital expenditures were lower by 31.6% as they totalled JD14.9m during the first half of this year, compared to JD21.8min the same period of last year, JTG has said.
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