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DSI to expand into telecom sector
Drake & Scull International (DSI) is expanding its existing Infrastructure, Water and Power (IWP) operations to encompass infrastructure solutions for the telecommunication sector to diversify its business. The company has recruited Nick Di-Marcello as general manager to oversee DSI's planned expansion by establishing and developing the business.
Qtel sells $1.5bn notes
Qtel International Finance, a unit of Qatar Telecommunications, has sold $900m of five-year notes priced to yield 415 basis points over comparable US Treasuries, and $600m ten-year notes, yielding 435 basis points more than Treasuries, Reuters reported. The notes were sold in the rule 144a private placement market.
Qtel mulls Meditel stake
A spokesperson of Qatar Telecommunications Co (Qtel) has said the telco is still considering whether to make a bid for a stake in Morocco's Meditel. 'At this stage it is too early to confirm a definitive interest in Meditel," said the spokesman told Reuters. 'We try to be aware of activity in our region and at the moment there is nothing specific.'
Mobinil investors 'willing to sell'
France Telecom SA has said a number of investors in the Egyptian Co. for Mobile Services (MobiNil) have agreed to sell more than 3% of the share capital in Egypt's biggest mobile phone operator, according to Bloomberg. The stockholders will sell their stake to France Telecom's Orange unit for $41 a share, 22% higher than last week's closing price. The deal is subject to the approval of Egypt's Capital Markets Authority.
Qtel launches $5bn bond programme
Qatar Telecom has launched a $5bn global medium-term note program on the London Stock Exchange to fund the company's corporate operations. 'The company is holding meetings with global fixed income investors to ascertain investor interest,' the telecom operator said in a statement today.
Etisalat launches new messaging service
Etisalat announced yesterday the launch of Etisalat Messenger, the company's new messaging service. The service allows subscribers to exchange instant messages between Etisalat mobile phones, and between phones and personal computers. It also allows multicast services between personal computers. Etisalat Messenger is similar to internet chatting applications, such as Yahoo Messenger, MSN, Google Talk and others.
Zain Bahrain offers service in Hindi
Zain Bahrain is now offering an interactive voice response service in Hindi. The telco's consumer sales and customer services director, Haitham Sabbah, said customers calling its call centre on 107 will have their queries and concerns answered by agents proficient in Hindi.
Iraq set for 4th mobile license
Awaiting government approval, Verizon Communications Inc., Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS and Etihad Etisalat Co. are vying to bid for Iraq's fourth mobile phone license, Bloomberg has reported. bids will be opened for all Arab and foreign companies, according to Iraq's communication minister, expecting the approval within the next three months.
Iraq to fine Zain $18.6m
Ali al-Dabbagh, spokesman for the Iraqi government has said the Cabinet has decided to fine Kuwait's Mobile Telecommunications Co. (Zain) $18.6m for poor mobile phone service, with both Korek and Asiacell receiving a little over $1m in fines each, for failing to meet minimum standards of service. Zain had previously been fined $9m, Finance Minister Bayan Jabor told Reuters in April.
Batelco ups broadband to 14.4Mbps
Bahrain's Batelco O-net customers and those with HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access) enabled devices, are now able to access the internet at speeds of up to 14.4Mbps. Batelco offers an O-net prepaid package which enables customers to monitor their usage by requesting their balance to be sent via SMS, while customers with HSDPA enabled mobile handsets, can utilize the new service by subscribing to Batelco's Freetime 2000 plus package.
Qtel to issue $5bn bonds
Qatar Telecommunications (Qtel) has said that it plans to issue up to $5bn in bonds, partly to help refinance debts, including borrowings which will start maturing later this year. The company said Qtel International Finance will issue the bonds on its behalf in tranches, without giving details on the size. Royal Bank of Scotland was named by Qtel as arranger for the notes, while Barclays Capital, BNP Paribas and QNB Capital were among dealers.
MTC Touch launches discounts
MTC Touch, the Lebanese Zain affiliate, has announced a reduction of 33% on the MMS service for its 'magic' prepaid lines, in addition to offering the CLIR service to prepaid line holders for a monthly fee of $10. The company is also offering a 50% reduction on MMS service for its 'touch' prepaid lines and on the monthly fee of the CLIR service. 'Touch' users have also received tariff reductions on Internet connectivity.
Vodafone Qatar inks Aramex deal
Aramex has signed an agreement with Vodafone Qatar to provide network logistics, retail distribution, logistics management, various express and freight shipping, inventory management, provision of warehouse space for storage of handsets, SIM cards and marketing material. Furthermore, Aramex will provide Vodafone Qatar with a break bulk facility at Vodafone's main station fully equipped with steel shelves, CCTV system and smoke detectors, as well as packing and dispatch.
Etisalat cuts mobile internet costs
UAE-based telecom provider Etisalat has lowered the cost of its high-speed mobile internet access in a bid to boost its customer base in the UAE market. The company is now offering a new series of mobile broadband packages that offer data download rates up to 25 times cheaper than their predecessors. Etisalat estimates that there are more than two million internet-enabled 'smart' phones in use in the UAE.
Telecom Egypt eyes investments overseas
Telecom Egypt plans to expand its investments inside Egypt and abroad in the coming months, a company's senior executive told the Alalam Alyoum newspaper. Currently, the company is studying the acquisition of regional telecom companies which combine mobile phone and land lines services.
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