BT announced today launching a local point of presence (PoP) of its global Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network in Saudi Arabia, in partnership with BT. The new PoP will be operated by STC in conjunction with its national and regional MPLS network.

BT’s MPLS platform is available in more than 170 countries around the world through BT and local licensed partners such as STC. As one of the largest global Internet Protocol (IP-based) networks, it underpins mission critical applications for leading global enterprises from a variety of industry sectors, including financial services, manufacturing, logistics, as well as oil & gas and pharmaceutical industry.

STC’s MPLS network is based on the latest state-of-art technology and is available to enterprises throughout the kingdom as well as outside via its numerous PoPs in the Middle East region.

Around 20 banks are considering participating in the US$12 billion loan that Etisalat is seeking in order to fund its acquisition of a 46 per cent stake in Zain Group, an investment banking source told Comm. The banker said the operator is looking for a group of 12 lenders to underwrite US$1 billion each. Amongst the banks believed to be pitching for the deal are: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi; BNP Paribas; Citigroup; Credit Agricole; HSBC; Societe Generale; Standard Chartered Bank; National Bank of Abu Dhabi; National Bank of Kuwait; and Royal Bank of Scotland.

He said the deal would include an 18-month bridge loan of US$6 billion, which would be refinanced by the issuance of bonds, which are part of Etisalat’s creation of an issuance programme of US$8 billion in November.

Additional reports, quoting individuals said to be familiar with the situation, suggest that Etisalat also plans to raise US$3 billion in a three-year loan and another US$3 billion for five years.

It has been suggested that Etisalat has secured a US$12 billion loan to finance its acquisition of a 46 per cent stake in Zain. Research house Frost & Sullivan believes that this move will effectively entrench Etisalat as the leading Middle East operator in terms of operational size and footprint. It is also indicative of a need for operators to act swiftly to take advantage of low-hanging growth opportunities while they are in reach.

Qtel is in talks to form a joint investment venture with the country’s sovereign wealth fund, according to a report from Reuters.

“The company confirms that it is in discussion with the Qatar Investment Authority regarding the establishment of a joint investment vehicle, the details of which are yet to be finalised,” Qtel said in an emailed statement.

“The potential fund would not, however, represent any change to Qtel’s existing strategy and would be focussed on telecom and telecom-related ventures. Further details will be released in due course,” the statement added.

Qtel operates in 17 countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and is 55 per cent owned by the Qatar Investment Authority.

Du has announced that it will be deploying Alcatel-Lucent supplied femtocells for its fixed and mobile converged services, scheduled for launch by the end of 2010. Leveraging its existing fixed and mobile infrastructure assets, Du will now deploy Alcatel-Lucent’s small cells technology to help its customers overcome indoor mobile coverage issues.

Alcatel-Lucent will provide its end-to-end Femto-based 9360 Small Cell portfolio – consisting of the 9361 Home Cell, the 9362 Enterprise Cell, the 9366 Small Cell Gateway, and Small Cell Management & Customer Care systems.

In October 2010 Etisalat announced the deployment of the first femtocell live project in the country, also provided by Alcatel-Lucent.