Telecoms
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
Categories
Du launches credit transfer scheme
UAE telecom operator Du has launched its new One2One service which enables all Du Pay as You Go and Visitor Mobile Line subscribers to transfer credit to other users on the same network. The service allows the transfer of a minimum of Dhs2 and a maximum of Dhs200 per transaction. Credit transfer is allowed from the 'more time' and 'more credit' balances. There is no charge when customers transfer credit from their 'more time' account. A 15% transaction fee is applicable when they transfer from their 'more credit' account. The transferred credit is always given in the 'more time' account of the recipient and is valid for life. Transfers can be made and received while roaming abroad as well.
Zain to sell Africa operations
Kuwait's Mobile Telecommunications Co. (Zain) is looking to sell its African operations to Europe's largest entertainment group Vivendi, Reuters reported citing The Business Day Nigerian newspaper. Zain is waiting for a reply from Vivendi on the sale of Zain Nigeria this week, but if the deal is not settled, Zain will study bids made by other companies, the newspaper said.
Mobily expands WiMAX in Samsung deal
Mobily has inked a SR375m deal with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. for the expansion of its WiMAX services, High-speed broadband service will be extended to 20 cities in KSA through Bayanat Al Oula, a subsidiary of Mobily. Samsung will provide WiMAX Wave2 products including base station, access service network gateways and all related equipment and services.
Middle East mobile revenue growth slows
Mobile operator revenue growth in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) has slowed down in the first quarter of 2009, although it continues to outperform other world regions. According to a report by Strategy Analytics, while Q1 service revenues grew an average 3% worldwide for operators (down from 8% for the same period last year), in this region growth was 9.5%.
Etisalat inks Huawei financing deal
Huawei Technologies has announced it has signed a Global Framework Agreement (GFA) and Financing Memorandum of Understanding with Etisalat to further support its business expansion. Under this Financing MoU, as the strategic partner, Huawei will provide the optimal financing solution to Etisalat, while the GFA will help Etisalat and Huawei improve their business efficiency. Both the Financing MoU and GFA will further support Etisalat's expansion in the future. The two firms will jointly establish an Application Innovation Centre to help the operator introduce more customised solutions and applications.
Du unveils single global tariff
UAE-based telecom operator Du has announced the launch of its "One World, One Rate" roaming tariff aimed at offering users more value, simplicity and convenience while roaming abroad. 'With 'One World, One Rate', Du customers roaming abroad will pay a flat rate of Dhs1.25 per minute for incoming calls. All Du postpaid customers who have activated roaming service will automatically get the benefit of 'One World One rate' tariff," a company statement said. All Du prepaid customers will also get the benefit of the offer.
Orascom declares 1 EGP dividend
Egypt's Orascom Telecom has announced a 2008 dividend of one Egyptian pound ($0.18) per share. The mobile operator said that shareholders will have the option to receive either a cash dividend or its stock equivalent.
Wataniya launches Blackberry solution in Kuwait
Kuwait's Wataniya telecom, in association with Emitac Mobile Solutions and Research In Motion has announced the launch of the Watiniya BlackBerry in Kuwait. The company said its prepaid users can subscribe to the BlackBerry service without converting their line to postpaid subscription, adding that it will provide its customers with a choice of different tariffs for both types of subscriptions.
Ericsson inks deal to operate Zain networks in Nigeria
Ericsson has signed a five-year deal to operate Zain's nationwide GSM/WCDMA networks in Nigeria. Under the agreement, Ericsson will be responsible for the network operations, field operations including optimization, third-party vendor management for Zain's GSM/WCDMA networks, and business support systems. Ericsson will serve more than 4000 sites across Nigeria on behalf of Zain. As part of the agreement, about 450 employees will be transferred, under their existing terms and conditions of service, from Zain to Ericsson, where they will undergo further training in the latest wireless technologies.
Etisalat, du to block SMS spam
Mohamed Al Ghanim, director-general of the UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has said that spam SMSs that broadcast files to be downloaded by the mobile holder are considered a hacking tool, and that subscribers are advised not to accept such files. He said that Etisalat has already provided a service to block spam messages, while Du is working on a similar solution. 'We advise subscribers not to give their phone numbers to entities and parties that are unknown to them,' he added.
Ittihad Atheeb expands SR178m WiMax service
Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Ahmad, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's Ittihad Atheeb Telecom, has signed a SR178m contract for the second stage of the company's WiMax network expansion. Five major cities were covered by the service including Riyadh, Makkah, Madina, Jeddah and Dammam, he said. 'Throughout a short period after we received the permit we've launched a trial operation of the WiMax service and 100,000 customers have initially registered for it,' he added.
Mobily upgrades 40 sites to 3G
Mobily has upgraded 40 more of its sites to 3G, 3.5G and 3.75G, in Saudi Arabia's eastern region including Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran and the Jubail Industrial City and the Dammam Port, as well as the towns of Sihat, Qatif and Kalabia in Ahsaa. Mobily has 3G deals with 62 operators in 36 countries.
Jordan rejects Orange 3G licence bid
The telecom regulator in Jordan has rejected a bid by Orange for a 3G licence in the country. The only company to bid for a licence, the regulator said it was rejected because Orange had not complied with the tender's financial and technical rules, including the presentation of a JD10m bond. Orange said it was surprised by the decision and felt it had complied with bid rules.
STC lowers roaming rates 75%
Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) has announced a 75% discount on its international roaming rates including data, Jawal Net, MMS, e-mail and Blackberry services for all customers from June 1. STC said that this was achieved through strategic partnerships with international operators in 30 countries, in order to provide the best services with the lowest price for STC customers.
Etisalat adds two new data centres
Etisalat announced the opening of 2 new data centres taking the total centers to 8. The centres in Al Ain and Dubai add 10,000 sq feet of premium data centre floor space to expand the company's total commercial hosting capacity to 50,000 sq feet, the largest in the GCC. Etisalat plans to double capacity to add 100,000 sq feet of data centre space in the next three years.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds