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Egyptian mobile subscribers exceed 51 million
The Egyptian Cabinet Information and Decision Support Centre has said that Egyptian mobile phone subscriber growth had continued in August, with 1.4 million new accounts added, bringing the total number to 51.477 million, Reuters has reported. More than a million accounts have been created every month since late last year, the centre said.
Etisalat launches self-branded mobile device
Etisalat today unveiled its first self-branded mobile device. The company is aiming the Etisalat 211 FM at its price-conscious customers, who can purchase the device bundled for as low as Dhs265. Etisalat has also bundled the device with a Wasel SIM card along with Dhs165 of free airtime credit for international calls, over a period of 3 months.
Libya license sought by Etisalat
Jamal Al Jarwan, CEO of Emirates Telecommunications Corp (Etisalat) has said the firm has submitted an offer for one billion Libyan dinars ($825m) for the right to operate Libya's third mobile-telephone license, Bloomberg has reported. 'We have a technical, financial and commercial offer and the investment could reach near 1 billion dinars,' he told the news service.
Etisalat buys stake in SoftAtHome
Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) has announced it has acquired a 16.6% stake in SoftAtHome, a software provider of home operating platforms that helps service providers deliver convergent applications for the digital home. The acquisition will enable Etisalat to develop and provide holistic digital home solutions to its customers.
Etisalat to invest in Millicom growth
Etisalat, which fully acquired Millicom's Sri Lankan mobile operations, has said that it plans to invest in the firm in an effort to dominate the Asian country's market, Reuters has reported. 'Plans to invest in this company to ensure that it has the dynamism to take the leading position in the market in the next few years,' Chairman Mohammed Hassan Omran said.
Etisalat buys Millicom's mobile unit in Sri Lanka
UAE's Etisalat has agreed to buy from Luxembourg-based Millicom its Sri Lankan mobile operations, AFP has reported. The sale to Etisalat is expected to be completed by October 20. In a separate statement, Etisalat has announced Etisalat its 100% stake acquisition of 'Tigo Sri Lanka' has enterprise value of $207m. The company has a market share of 21%, the second-largest mobile phone operator in Sri Lanka, with 2.25 million subscribers.
Du, Apple ink deal to offer new iPhone
Du has said in a statement, it reached an agreement with Apple to offer iPhone to the UAE by end of October. Its latest iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, will be available to qualifying customers where customers can pre-book their iPhone online starting Oct. 17. or in any Du or Axiom shop or at any authorized retail outlet across the UAE.
Qatar invites VSAT pre-qualification bids
Qatar's Supreme Council for Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) has issued an invitation to all interested parties to participate in the pre-qualification stage of the licensing process for three additional VSAT licenses in the Qatari market. The licenses will authorize the operation of a VSAT network and the provision of VSAT services to Closed User Groups. The VSAT operators would not be able to provide public telecommunications services to businesses or consumers.
Telecom Egypt launches triple play fibres
Telecom Egypt (TE) has announced the launch of its first fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) implementation in Egypt, in the Cairo suburb of Qatamiya. The operator has started implementing FTTx access networks in the new suburbs around Cairo and Alexandria, and the Qatamiya area is now the first to receive triple-play services over the new network, Telecompaper has reported. TE has said it will target high-end and business customers with the new fibre services.
Etisalat plans bond sale
Salem al-Sharhan, CEO of Emirates Telecommunications Corp. (Etisalat) has said that the company is finalizing a bond programme, which could see its first $500m tranche sold by the end of the year or early next year, to help finance overseas expansion, Reuters has reported. The bond programme would enable Etisalat to sell both Islamic and conventional bonds, Sharhan said, adding that no banks had yet been mandated for the sale.
Cisco to buy Starent for $2.9bn
Cisco has announced plans to buy mobile network infrastrucutre provider Starent Networks for $2.9bn. Starent provides carriers with equipment for multimedia intelligence, core network functions and services to manage access from any mobile or wireless network to a mobile operator's packet core network. The company is based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts and has approximately 1,000 employees worldwide. The company reported revenue of $254.1m in 2008, up 74% from the prior year.
Etisalat's rating cut to 'A plus' by Fitch
Fitch Ratings agency has lowered its long-term issuer default rating on UAE's Etisalat to 'A plus' with a 'stable' outlook, citing the weakening of the Emirate's credit profile, The National has reported. 'Fitch's view is that the credit profile of the sovereign entity has weakened and there is uncertainty as to how any government support may be provided,' the credit agency said in its report.
du inks deal with iBwave
Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) has signed an agreement with iBwave Solutions to plan high-tech indoor wireless networks on high-rise buildings in the UAE. 'iBwave's RF-vu software and solutions will enable us optimize network efficiency to deliver reliable and innovative services that fulfill our promise to enable better user experience of various services for our customers,' du's Senior Vice President - Network Development, Hatem Bamatraf said.
UAE mobile providers to offer 'number portability'
Mobile subscribers in the UAE will soon be able to retain their same phone number when switching between service providers du and etisalat. The number portability will also help them to retain the respective codes. Arabic daily Al Ittihad reported that the facility has been approved by the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority and will be on offer early 2010.
Etisalat tops telco asset figures
According to a report on the Gulfs telecom sector, Etisalat has the largest headroom for corporate action in the region, with $16.4bn (Dhs60bn) in the bank, followed by STC with $8.8bn and Qtel with $1.1bn, MAC Capital has reported. Etisalat reported a positive net cash position of Dhs10.6bn at the end of H1 2009, the group said.
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