Entries from July 2008 ↓

The second showing of the Middle East Communications (MECOM) exhibition and conference in Abu Dhabi at the end of May was an opportunity for the region’s telecoms sector to discuss and assess the critical issues being faced by the wider community in the region. Convergence, in all of its manifestations, was a key theme and appears likely to play a critical role in the industry’s next phase of development

MECOM was the platform upon which the GETMO Middle content delivery system was announced

One of the most exciting announcements made at MECOM 2008, epitomised the importance of convergence in the telecoms industry and beyond. Arvato Middle East Sales (AMES) and Abu Dhabi Media Company, a diversified media corporation, detailed plans to form a joint venture initiative aimed at bringing digital media solutions to the Middle East and north African regions.

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According to industry analysts, there were almost 80 million voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) subscribers worldwide in 2007, with the global market’s worth expected to rise to US$48.9 billion by 2010. Michelle Mills investigates what slice of this growth operators in the region are likely to enjoy as third-party provision of VoIP is liberalised over time

Etisalcom’s Al Snan says the entry of third-party VoIP providers is inevitable in every telecoms market and incumbents and regulators ought to prepare for that

The region’s VoIP community assembled at a conference in Dubai last month, which reinforced the impression that there remains no universal strategy among regional regulators as to how best to accommodate the use of web-based and third-party provided VoIP services.

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Saudi Telecom (STC) confirmed yesterday it is keen to acquire a 25 per cent stake in Omantel. The shareholding is being sold as part of a privatisation programme initiated by the Omani government, the value of which has been estimated at US$1.1 billion.

Omantel’s privatisation started earlier this month with the ministry of finance soliciting expressions of interest by July 18, with the partial sale expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of this year.

If STC acquires a 25 stake in Omantel, it will be the Saudi operator’s fourth acquisition after Oger Telecom, Malaysia’s Maxis and Kuwait’s third mobile operator.

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After continued setbacks, Malawi’s regulator has finally awarded the licence for a third mobile operator to Global Advanced Integrated Networks Limited (GAIN), just days after bids for a fourth licence closed.

Malawian consumers will soon have more choice when a third mobile operator and second fixed-line provider begin operations within the next year.

Malawi’s Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) had previously been criticised for not announcing the winner of the third licence when applications closed in March, instead inviting bids for a fourth licence closing July 25.

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The UAE’s second communications provider du has reported revenues of AED908 million (US$247 million) for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, an increase of 20 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 200 per cent year-on-year.

Du faces the ongoing challenge of adding and retaining subscribers in a highly penetrated market

Mobile revenue accounted for 74 percent of du’s overall revenue in Q208 to end-June, representing an increase of 20 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 341 per cent year-on-year.

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