Telecoms & ITC
MTC Atheer and Iraqna merge in Zain-Iraq
Ali al-Dahwi, general director of Zain-Iraq, has announced the merger of Iraqna and MTC Atheer for mobile communications in a step towards the company's plans to develop an international portfolio. Zain now owns 17 operating networks in Iraq to cover more than 80 percent of the residential areas, attracting attention to the company that intends to incorporate Kurdistan Province into its range of coverage this year.
Nokia-Siemens, Huawei to build Mobinil's wireless infrastructure
Nokia-Siemens and Huawei of China will implement the first phase of the 3G wireless network for the Egyptian Company of Mobile Phone Services (Mobinil), which plans to launch 3G services by May 2008. In special remarks to Noozz, Mobinil's chief executive said investments in the first phase would amount to US$200m. Nokia-Siemens would implement infrastructure throughout the country except for Greater Cairo, where Huawei would build the network's infrastructure.
UAE to launch communications satellite in 2010
The first step has been taken by an Abu Dhabi company to launch the UAE's first communications satellite. A letter of intent has been signed by Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, with Arianespace, the world's leading launch service and solutions company, to launch the Yahsat 1A. The satellite is currently being manufactured by the consortium of EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space. The expected launch date is second half 2010. The letter of intent was signed between the CEO of Arianespace, Jean-Yves Le Gall.
Warid launches third mobile operator in Congo
The United Arab Emirates' Warid Telecom launched services as Congo Republic's third mobile phone operator, forecasting investment of US$95m over the next six years. The Abu Dhabi company has already spent US$79m to launch services in 44 locations in the central African country.
GCC e-common market debuts at SAR37.5m
The Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FGCCC) has inaugurated the electronic GCC Common Market project, following the last bloc summit in Doha which stipulated launching the project on January 1, 2008. The e-Common Market is being implemented in collaboration with member-states and under the supervision of a joint Saudi-GCC company under a US$10m (SAR37.5m) agreement.
ITIDA set to launch bid for capacity building of Egyptian IT firms
Exports of Egyptian information technology industry hit US$450m in 2007, according to the new chief executive of the IT Industry Development Agency (ITIDA). Hazem Abdul Azim, the new CEO of ITIDA, said growth in the industry's exports in 2007 was part of an overall government plan to boost IT exports to US$1.1 billion by 2010, including US$500m in technical support and contact centre services.
Infrastructure sharing: Opportunities and threats for MENA telecom operators
With advancing market liberalisation in the MENA region, Booz Allen Hamilton foresees a drive for further infrastructure sharing deals reshaping the relationship between competing telecom operators and accelerating telecom markets development. Different forms of infrastructure sharing are possible, ranging from basic unbundling and national roaming, to advanced forms like collocation and spectrum sharing.
Thuraya announces launch of third satellite
Gulf telecom company Thuraya said its third satellite had been successfully launched into geosynchronous orbit by US-based Sea Launch Co, allowing it to expand into the Asia-Pacific region.
