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Mobile operators owe Iraq $2bn
The Iraqi government is owed almost $2bn by mobile phone companies operating in the country. Abdulhadi al-Hassani, a member of the Iraqi parliament's economic committee, has demanded that the Finance Ministry should take measures to collect the money and ensure operators abide by their contracts, as it will boost the country's budget and decrease its deficit.
Kulacom launches WiMAX in Jordan
Kulacom Jordan has teamed up with SK Telecom (SKT) of Korea to launch internet services in Jordan using the Wimax technology. The company is now offering end to end wireless Wave II network, a next generation wireless communications technology. The company has secured frequency license in Jordan in January 2008, positioning its offers in wireless telecommunications including WiMAX, pre-paid voice, data storage and data management services.
Qtel warns of new fraud
Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has issued a warning to its customers about a highly sophisticated fraud involving a text message telling them they have won a grand prize in a European lottery, and providing them with an international number to call in an attempt to steal personal details, including bank and credit card numbers. Qtel has warned customers not to fall for lottery offers and to never share bank details or financial passwords with unknown persons on phone.
Orange makes bid for Egyptian Co. for Mobile Services
France Telecom SA's Orange unit has offered to buy the remaining shares of Egyptian Co. for Mobile Services, reported Bloomberg. France Telecom won an arbitration ruling in April forcing Orascom Telecom to sell its stake in MobiNil Telecom, which, in turn, controls 51% of Egyptian Co. for Mobile Services. France Telecom owns 71.25 percent of MobiNil Telecom, while Orascom Telecom, the biggest mobile-phone company in the Middle East, holds 28.75 percent. Orascom Telecom also holds a 20 percent stake in Egyptian Co. for Mobile Services.
Qtel to double broadband speed
Qatar Telecom (Qtel) yesterday announced it had doubled broadband speeds for its customers free of charge. Qtel plans to gradually phase out the 512 Kbps service, and deliver 1 Mbps high speed Internet as standard. Khalil Al Emadi, Qtel Executive Director, Networks said that Qtel has upgraded its overall network, migrating to an improved RLU and enhancing the cache and router service.
Jordan landline numbers drop
Jordan's Department of Statistics has said in a report that the number of fixed landline subscribers in Jordan has dropped from 0.6 million in 2004 to 0.5 million subscribers in 2008 in favour of mobile subscriptions. The number of mobile service subscribers has increased from 1,624 million in 2004 to 5,300 million in 2008. The report also showed that 94% of Jordanian households owned cell phones in 2008, compared to 86% in 2007, and about 22% were connected to the internet in 2008, compared with about 16% in 2007. The number of Jordanian households who have ADSL service rose by 29% in 2008 compared to 2007.
Zain buys stake in Palestinian telco
Kuwait's Mobile Telecommunications Co (Zain) has bought a 56.3% stake in Palestine Telecommunication (PalTel) in a share swap, reported Reuters. PalTel operates in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and its profit this year has reached record hights.
Orascom aims to cut costs
Orascom Telecom Holding is decreasing its capital expenditures in its Pakistan and Bangladesh operations, where falling currencies and social instability have hit profitability hard, while aiming to cut overall operational spending across the group by 10% this year, said the company's CFO, Aldo Mareuse. He said competition with bullish government-backed operators from the Gulf had pushed Orascom to be more alert and disciplined, reported The National.
Etisalat to bid for Meditel stake
The chairman of UAE-based Etisalat said the telecom firm will bid for a stake in Morocco's Meditel as part of a plan to expand in the Middle East and Africa. Etisalat will also continue to pursue the telecom licence in Iran it lost last week, Mohammed Hassan Omran told Bloomberg on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at the Dead Sea in Jordan.
Orascom continues interest in Meditel stake
Naguib Sawiris, chairman and CEO of Egypt's Orascom Telecom Holding, has said the company is still interested in buying the 32% stake in Morocco's Medi Telecom (Meditel). Being sold by Portugal Telecom, he added that the company would also consider buying Spanish telco Telefonica's stake in Medi Telecom if it were offered. The UAE's Etisalat has also expressed interest in Medi Telecom.
Mobily blames STC for number port outage
Mobily has said that its Mobile Number Port-in service has been stopped because of "technical problems" with Saudi Telecom (STC). The telco said it has received more than 16,000 complaints from customers whose port-in requests could not be processed and has filed a complaint with the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission.
Etisalat eyes stake in Meditel
Emirates Telecommunications plans to bid for a stake in Morocco's Medi Telecom (Meditel) and still plans continue to pursue expansion into Iran, after it was stripped of its licence last week. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at the Dead Sea in Jordan.
Nomura optimistic on Mobily
A recent report by Nomura Bank's Global Equity Research arm has offered a 'Buy' recommendation for Mobily's stock, estimating the target price to be at SR53.4, as compared to its actual market value of SR36.3 at the end of April. Saudi Telecom (STC) received a 'Neutral' recommendation with a target price of SR63.8, as compared to its end of April stock price of SR76, while Zain KSA was awarded 'Reduce' target price recommendation down to SR9, as compared to its end of April share price of SR10.55.
Batelco acquires 49% stake in Indian firm
The chairman of Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) has announced that the company has completed all formalities to acquire a 49% stake in Indian telecom company S Tel Limited for $225m. S Tel has licences to operate in 6 Indian states - Bihar, Orissa, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, North East and Assam.
Zain launches cross-border data services
Mobile operator Zain has launched cross-border data services across the Middle East and East Africa on its One Network platform. The GRX-based data access is provided to Zain customers roaming in other markets where the company is active and provides for data use at the local country rate. The One Network already offers local pricing for voice and SMS, with no charges for incoming calls while roaming on another Zain network. Customers can also top-up using local country vouchers.
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