Telecoms & ITC

News Analysis: Zain takes control of Iraq mobile market

Major changes are transforming Iraq's mobile phone industry. With Orascom giving up its licence and investments in the space of a few months, Kuwait's Zain now controls 75% of the market.  At the beginning of December, Kuwait's biggest telephony operator Zain paid US$1.2 billion for Iraqna, the Iraqi operation of its main Middle Eastern rival Orascom.

Iraq plans to overhaul its shattered telecommunications sector

There is no doubt that the communications sector, in its various forms, has now become one of the most important services which nobody can do without. Moreover, huge developments have taken place, making it one of the most important service sectors for the citizens of Iraq.
 
This has opened the doors for specialist telecoms and technology firms to provide a range of modern telecommunications services, with many having already staked a claim in what they see as an untapped and potentially lucrative market in the near future.

Orange announces lab in Egypt

Orange, a brand of France Telecom, has announced that it has created Cairo Orange Lab, which will allow the company to expand its presence in Egypt, a country whose presence has been established since 1998 through Mobinil and Orange Business Services.

OT sells remaining stake in Hutchison Telecom

Orascom Telecom has reached an agreement to sell off its remaining 14.2 per cent stake in Hutchison Telecom at HK$11 per share in a deal that totals around US$950m.   

In a statement, OT Holding Company said it would sell its stake to Hutchison Whampoa Limited, which would purchase 441m shares, and Yuda Ltd that would buy 239m shares.

Vodafone group beats AT&T in Qatar mobile phone bid

Britain's Vodafone Group Plc led a group that beat rivals, including AT&T, to win Qatar's second mobile phone licence and end the last Arab telecom monopoly.

Qatar's telecom regulator declined to say how much Vodafone's group, which includes the Qatar Foundation, paid for the licence to operate in the OPEC oil producer with the world's third largest natural gas reserves.

Bahrain Bay to become a digitally connected community

Bahrain Bay, the US$2.5 billion landmark waterfront community located in the heart of Manama, announced its plans to become the region's most connected urban community.

As part of its vision to establish and maintain a new standard of urban centre, Bahrain Bay is implementing a detailed design for amenities in its public spaces, which will include high speed broadband connectivity, integration with cultural centres, a curated public arts programme, a community events calendar and a rigorous maintenance regime for the whole community.