Oman based mobile network operator, Nawras has posted a modest rise in its second-quarter revenues, but saw its profits plunge by nearly a quarter.

Revenues rose by 3.7 per cent to reach OMR50.2 million (US$130 million), driven by increases in both fixed and mobile data revenues offset by decreases in SMS and national voice revenue.

Net profit however fell by 22.7 per cent to OMR7.5 million, which the company said was due to lower EBITDA and higher depreciation cost due to network modernisation.

The total number of customers grew by 13.1 per cent, to 2.29 million at the end of the first half of 2013 compared to 2.03 million a year ago.

Alcatel-Lucent has reported that its quarterly losses more than doubled in Q213 due to write-downs despite seeing an improvement in its revenues.

The company posted a net loss of €885 million (US$1.17 billion) for the three months to the end of June, which included a write down of €552 million on the value of its assets, along with €194 million of restructuring charges and a financial loss of €180 million.

Revenues were however up slightly at €3.6 billion, a rise of 1.9 per cent over the previous year. Of the total, the networks division posted revenues of €3.06 billion, although there was a slight decline in wireless networks sales.

The gross margin was 31.9 per cent, similar to last year and improving compared to Q113 as a result of higher volumes and a more favourable product mix.

Commenting on the Q2 results, Michel Combes, CEO Alcatel-Lucent said: "We are at the beginning of our journey towards 2015 and cash remains a challenge. Looking ahead, our clear focus will be maintaining a strict and disciplined approach to implementing The Shift Plan across all of its industrial, operational and financial dimensions."

African tower network operator, IHS Towers say that it has raised US$522 million in fresh debt and equity, led by new and existing lenders and shareholders.

The combined transaction, which represents one of the largest capital expansion initiatives in Africa during the last 12 months, brings the total financing raised by IHS Towers to over US$1 billion.

IHS said that it will utilise the proceeds to finance the construction of more than 1,000 build-to-suit towers in Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, to invest in solar and energy efficiency solutions, and to fund further expansion into new markets.

The company did not name the new shareholder other than to say it was an Asian sovereign wealth fund.

IHS Towers currently has 8,500 towers in its tower portfolio and has built over 3,000 for its clients, making it Africa’s largest independent mobile infrastructure provider.

Zain Saudi Arabia has announced that it has successfully extended the maturity date of its syndicated Murabaha facility for five years to July 31, 2018.The facility has been restructured as an amortising facility, 25 per cent of which will be due during years four and five of the life of the facility, with 75 per cent due at maturity. The company has partially repaid the facility, utilising a portion of its internal cash resources, and the current outstanding principal stands at US$2.3 billion (SAR8.63 billion).

The new facility arrangement will carry a decreased profit margin by around 18 per cent compared to the previous agreement, with the possibility for further reduction in line with the improving credit metrics.

This extension represents the final stage of the balance sheet reorganisation of the operator, following the US$325 million Export Credit Agency Facility in June 2012, the capital restructuring and rights issue in July 2012 and the US$600 million junior debt facility in June 2013.

Zain Group reported that revenues in H113 to June 30 amounted to KWD612 million (US$2.16 billion), down 10 per cent year-on-year, while net income came in at KWD113, down 22 per cent.

Consolidated EBITDA for the same period reached KWD 265 million, down 13 per cent year-on-year, reflecting an EBITDA margin of 43.3%, down from 45.1 per cent a year earlier.

Total active subscribers numbered 44.4 million, up seven per cent year-on-year, with the operator explaining that adverse currency translation impact predominantly in the Republic of Sudan, cost the company the equivalent of US$347 million in revenues, US$150 million in EBITDA and US$80 million in net profit for the six month period.

Group data revenues as a percentage of overall service revenues constitute 13 per cent of group revenues, up 19 per cent from a year ago.

Zain country operational six-month highlights included:

· Kuwait: Year-on-year customer growth of 11 per cent reaching 2.4 million, launched nationwide 4G LTE with data currently representing 28 per cent of revenues

· Bahrain: Customer base grew by 36 per cent; recently launched 4G LTE

· Iraq: Customer base grew by eight per cent to 13.9 million as operation expands network to North Iraq

· Jordan: Maintains customer and value leadership through dynamic marketing campaigns

· Lebanon: Management contract extended to 30 September 2013

· Saudi Arabia: 4G LTE network and aggressive marketing campaigns contribute to12% customer growth to reach 8.3 million, revenue growth of 12 per cent

· Sudan: In SDG currency terms, revenues grew by 23 per cent year-on-year, with healthy EBITDA growth of 26 per cent with 12.5 million customers served

· South Sudan: Customer base grew by 27 per cent while revenues grew by 36 per cent in US dollar terms