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Orascom launches Pakistan mobile banking
Egypt's Orascom Telecom (OT) has launched a mobile banking operation via its Pakistani subsidiary Mobilink, Reuters has reported. The new service, which would be provided in association with Citibank, will enable customers to open branchless bank accounts via authorized agents, maintain their accounts via phone and transfer money to other Mobilink customers via SMS, the firm said.
STC reduces rates on calls to US
Saudi Telecoms Company (STC) has announced it is giving discounted rates on calls to the US starting 12am on July 4 to 12am July 5. The rates apply to all Al Jawal customers.
Iran turns down Zain
Iran has turned down negotiations with Kuwaiti mobile operator Zain in its bid to become the country's third mobile network. Local press has quoted Iran's telecommunications minister as saying Zain had 'failed to fulfill its obligations'. Zain was invited to become Iran's third operator after the UAE's Etisalat was stripped of its licence.
Zain to consult UBS
Kuwait's Zain has said it is cooperating with UBS AG and other advisers to study and review the company's strategy to maximize shareholder value. UBS was asked to consider a possible sale of Zain's African division, which it values at about $10bn, Bloomberg has said. Zain is yet to decide on a sale, which would exclude its Sudanese operations.
Etisalat offers 100% cash back on new connections
Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) has launched a special summer promotion in which new and existing pre-paid 'Wasel' subscribers will get 100% money back on new Wasel connections, Wasel renewals, and reactivations to be used on international calls. The Dhs165 credit for new subscribers and Dhs100 credit for renewals and reactivations will be granted over a three-month period and are valid for 30 days each, the company said. The offer starts July 1, 2009 and is valid till September 30, 2009. Customers can dial *121*4# to check their free international credit balance for renewing their Wasel accounts.
Zain mulls offers for African unit
Zain Group's Assistant Chief Executive for Business Development and Government Relations, Barrak al-Subeih has told Kuwaiti daily al-Anbaa that the company may consider selling a stake in its African operations if the price is right. The firm has received offers from Europe's largest entertainment group Vivendi and other major telecom firms, he said.
Vodafone Qatar faces legal action
Vodafone Qatar is going to court for installing repeater stations and communication equipment in the Qatari capital, Doha, without proper permits, Al-Sharq Arabic daily has reported. Attempts to resolve the issue amicably have failed which then forced inspectors to refer the matter to the court, the report said.
Universal mobile phone charger to be standard in Europe
Major mobile phone makers including Apple, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Research In Motion, Samsung and Sony Ericsson have struck a deal with the European Commission to start selling phones with universal mobile phone chargers starting next year. Chipset makers, such as NEC, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments have also agreed to the deal. Under the agreement, manufacturers would start using micro-USB connections for phone chargers used for smartphones. Although the standardized chargers will be compatible only with European phones, industry analysts believe it is likely to become standard in other markets as well.
Batelco inks deal with Tata unit
Batelco has signed a new one-stop-shop agreement with India-based Tata Communications. This brings Batelco's total number of OSS agreements to 32. Batelco says the OSS agreements complement its range of International connectivity services such as IPLC (international private leased circuits) and GMPLS (global-MPLS). IPLC and GMPLS services are dedicated secure international circuits that ensure an instant connection to transmit data.
Zain Group extends deal with Globitel
Kuwait's Zain Group has extended its relationship with Globitel, to provide advanced roaming to its mobile operations in the Middle East, GCC and Africa. "We were impressed with the experience we had with Globitel in the past years," said Mohammed Rafi, Zain Group CIO. "The initial decision we made has been sustained and boosted by the ability of delivery."
3 Italia seeks Middle East investment
3 Italia, a 3G mobile phone network based in the country, has said it is in talks with interested Middle East investors and companies in the Arab world to enter into a shareholding agreement, Reuters has reported. "If a few months ago we were ready to evaluate different solutions, today it is no longer the case," Vincenzo Novari, CEO of 3 Italia said.
Ericsson eyes to launch 4G in Middle East
Ericsson has announced it is negotiating with mobile operators in the Middle East to launch the fourth generation (4G) mobile network, also known as the world's first commercial Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network in the region. LTE will enable operators to offer enhanced wireless broadband services as well as Internet TV, mobile video blogging, on-line video games and the mobile office environment.
Qtel builds on 2m mobile subscribers
Qtel has announced it is building on reaching a record of two million mobile customers in Qatar within the next two weeks, increasing its marketing campaigns for customers to sign-up for its Hala and Shahry plans. The telecoms company is banking on the new record which will mark a penetration rate of 121%.
Wataniya to reverse provisions
Kuwait's mobile phone company, which is controlled by Qatar Telecom, National Mobile Telecoms (Wataniya) has decided to reverse KD58.4m ($202.8m) in provisions after winning a court case filed by the country's Communications Ministry. The adjustment will be included in Q2 results, Wataniya has said.
One million iphone 3G S sold first weekend
Apple has announced that the company has sold one million new iPhone 3G S units its launch weekend. Additionally, over six million customers have downloaded the new iPhone 3.0 software in its first 5 days of release, choosing to upgrade their iPhone or iPod Touch.
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