Nokia is reported to be planning to sell its luxury brand handset subsidiary, Vertu as the company refocuses on smartphones and entry level devices for developing markets.

Vertu was established in 1998 to tap into the extreme luxury end of the market where decoration and service were more important than raw features.

Nokia has appointed Goldman Sachs to oversee the sale the Financial Times reported, citing a source close to the matter, although the sale process is at an early stage.

Nokia does not break out the revenues from Vertu in its financial results, so estimates are wide, but between US$270-$400 million.

Khaled Bichara, the outgoing executive chairman of Orascom Telecom is due to leave the company before the end of the month, following the announcement of his planned departure in the middle of November.

Bichara joined the Orascom Telecom 12 years ago as chief Internet strategist and CEO of LinkdotNet and moved up to fill the positions of COO and then CEO, before becoming executive chairman in 2009.

Bichara said that he planned to move on to pursue new business opportunities. “I am happy to leave having secured the targeted synergies from the merger between Wind Telecom and VimpelCom and with the execution of the synergy roadmap and the targets for technology procurement and commercial development to benefit Orascom Telecom Holding from this merger being well on track,” he added.

Gateway Business has unveiled its brand to key customers, staff, regulators and other strategic partners. Going forward the business will operate under the Vodacom Business brand, completing the integration into its shareholders, the Vodacom Group, and aligning its brand promise to the Vodacom slogan ‘Power to You’.

Vodacom Business provides customers with a wide portfolio of enterprise ICT solutions ranging from pure access solutions to fully outsourced managed network services and managed hosted services. As more functions move towards cloud based services, Vodacom Business aims to launch competitive products that will transform the African landscape.

The rebrand is expected to accelerate Vodacom Business’ operations with customers in the banking and finance, oil and gas, mining and FMCG sectors – key markets earmarked for expansion. The company’s widespread terrestrial pan-African MPLS network that spans over 40 African countries and expands across the globe is key to delivering upon this objective.

Last month it was reported that Gateway parent company Vodacom Group was in discussions to sell the carrier business of Gateway Communications, as it was looking to exit the loss-making division.

Vodacom is looking to maintain the convergence operations of the business, which provides data services, with the remaining business being incorporated into the global enterprises portfolio of Vodafone, Vodacom’s parent company.

Vodacom acquired Gateway three years ago for US$675 million with the aim to provide wholesale carrier services, including Internet and voice, to telcos and enterprises.

Saudi Arabia will issue three mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) licences in 2012, the country’s telecom regulator told Reuters.

A spokesman for the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) confirmed the regulator would sell the MVNO licences next year, but did not provide more details.

The regulator’s move to allow MVNOs instead of granting a fourth telecom licence is a sign Saudi operators are moving towards competing on service rather than focussing on building their own infrastructure.

Etisalat Group has announced the appointment of Ahmed Mohammed Alhosani as acting CEO Etisalat Afghanistan and Ahmed Khalfan Al Mutawa as CFO of Etisalat Zantel in Tanzania.

Alhosani, who replaces former Etisalat Afghanistan CEO Saeed Al Hamli has held various management positions since he joined Etisalat in 1992, and has served as the deputy CEO of Etisalat Afghanistan since 2010.

Ahmed Al Mutawa has held numerous roles within Etisalat including financial affairs and auditing since his employment in 2001. Prior to his promotion to CFO of Etisalat Zantel, he served as VP for financial affairs at Emirates Data Clearing House (EDCH), an arm of Etisalat.