Ooredoo is selling its Saudi Arabian iDEN mobile network, Bravo, to STC for an undisclosed amount.

Bravo is owned by Ooredoo subsidiary, Wataniya Group and has been operating a "Push-to-Talk" mobile service in Saudi Arabia since 2005.

In 2005, Bravo entered into a build operate transfer agreement with STC for 15 years to provide wireless communication services using iDEN technology.

Ooredoo said that the iDEN standard is no longer core to its group’s strategy.

In the final settlement of Bravo’s obligations to STC, it has been agreed that Bravo will make a settlement payment for STC dues, and Wataniya will transfer all the shares of Bravo and its assets to STC.

Etisalat today said it has signed with Vivendi a share purchase agreement for the acquisition of Vivendi’s 53 per cent stake in Itissalat Al Maghrib (Maroc Telecom).

Etisalat made a binding offer that valued each Maroc Telecom share at MAD92.6 (US$11.16), amounting to a consideration of €3.9 billion (US$5.27 billion) for Vivendi’s 53 per cent stake in Maroc Telecom. The consideration does not include the dividend received by Vivendi from Maroc Telecom in respect of the 2012 financial year, equivalent to MAD7.40 per share, which will also be for the benefit of Etisalat. At closing, Etisalat will pay Vivendi the cash value of such 2012 dividend of €300 million.

Closing of the acquisition of Vivendi’s stake in Maroc Telecom by Etisalat is subject to a number of conditions. These include, among others, the execution of a shareholders’ agreement with the Morocco government regarding Maroc Telecom, securing competition and regulatory approvals in Morocco, and certain other relevant jurisdictions in Maroc Telecom’s footprint.

BlackBerry has abandoned its plans for a sell off, its CEO has resigned, and the company will seek an additional US$1 billion in funding.

The company’s largest single shareholder, Fairfax Holdings had proposed a US$4.7 billion buyout of the company, but was unable to secure the necessary funding for its highly conditional offer.

Other rumoured bidders also failed to materialise by the November 04 deadline.

Instead, the company will raise US$1 billion in fresh funding, of which a quarter will be provided by Fairfax Holdings.

The company’s CEO Thorsten Heins is also stepping down and former Sybase CEO, John Chen will serve as interim chief executive while a long-term replacement is found.

Another company director, David Kerr has also resigned.

BlackBerry currently has a market value of around US$5 billion and has some US$3 billion in cash and equivalents. The fresh funding will lift its cash to around $4 billion, giving whoever takes on the role of CEO more time to try and turn the company around.

"The BlackBerry board conducted a thorough review of strategic alternatives and pursued the course of action that it concluded is in the best interests of BlackBerry and its constituents, including its shareholders. This financing provides an immediate cash injection on terms favourable to BlackBerry, enhancing our substantial cash position." said Barbara Stymiest, chairperson of BlackBerry’s board.

Ooredoo has passed the milestone of more than one million mobile money customers across its global footprint. Mobile money enables customers to use their mobile phones to access a comprehensive suite of mobile financial services. The service, which Ooredoo Group companies offer in Qatar, Indonesia, and Tunisia, is a low-cost alternative for customers who do not have bank accounts, or do not have easy access to financial services.

Ooredoo Qatar has partnered with QNB and MoneyGram on Ooredoo Mobile Money, which enables customers to send money in 197 countries around the world. Ooredoo Qatar has seen strong take-up by international workers.

In Indonesia, Indosat has partnered with QNB Kesawan on the Dompetku service, enabling customers to use their mobile at more than 200 local organisations, including banks and retail chains. Indosat is planning to expand the programme by offering debit cards linked to Dompetkuso that customers without bank accounts can withdraw money from ATMs.

In Tunisia, Tunisiana Ooredoo and Tunisian Mail (La Poste Tunisienne) have partnered on mobiflouss, which enables customers to top-up their airtime account, transfer money and pay bills via their mobile. Through mobiflouss, Tunisiana also launched the first mobile G2P (Government-to-Person) service in the region, allowing Tunisian students to receive scholarships awarded by the government directly into their mobile wallet.

Myanmar, where Ooredoo recently won a mobile network licence, will be a key area of focus for implementing mobile money solutions in the near future. Myanmar’s large, rural population of 60 million people has limited access to financial services, but will have widespread mobile phone access as Ooredoo rolls out its network over the coming years.

India’s Bharti Airtel is looking to expand its African footprint and is said to be in talks to buy Warid Group’s mobile network in the Republic of Congo.

Sources close to the negotiations told media in India that the nature of the deal is to be finalised but the two companies have agreed for a strategic partnership in Congo.

Meetings have also been held with government officials in Congo to reassure them about the potential transaction and seek regulatory approval.

Regulatory approval is especially important as a previous deal by Warid to sell the local network to the Essar Group collapsed due to regulatory difficulties.

Sources added that there are other companies eyeing the Congolese mobile network.