Pan-regional prospects

In the middle of January, Dubai-based mobile virtual network operator Friendi Mobile entered into an agreement with Zain’s Jordanian unit to launch services in the country. This marks the second country in the region, and the second that Friendi has been able to agree MVNO terms, suggesting the tide may be turning for mobile resellers in the Middle East

Friendi - Mikkel Vinter CEO

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When in Roam…

‘Explosive’ is a word that best describes the growth of Africa’s mobile ecosystem. Demand for mobile broadband, with 400,000 new HSPA connections added every month, as well as competition among large, established operators and a wave of new market entrants, has created one of the most competitive markets in the world. Africa truly is a region burgeoning with opportunities for those who look beyond their network’s borders.

Syniverse - Eugene Bergen HenegouwenEugene Bergen Henegouwen is Syniverse’s executive vice president, EMEA

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Taking stock

The reporting of Q4 and full-year financial results for 2009 has been a highly anticipated time given the economic turbulence experienced during the course of last year. A sample of results from the region and other emerging markets confirms the resilience of the telecom sector, driven mainly by mobile and broadband operations, and augers well for the year ahead as operators seek to drive new revenue streams

US dollars 

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The LTE connection

Launched by Alcatel-Lucent in April 2009, the NG Connect Program aims to bring together members of the digital media value chain including infrastructure, device, application, and content companies into an end-to-end ecosystem, powered by next generation broadband networks. There is no better manifestation of this effort than the Connected Car, which was showcased in Velizy on the outskirts of Paris. Comm. was there

Alcatel-Lucent LTE car 1

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The king is dead

Over the past seven years as MTC and then Zain managing director, Saad Al Barrak has presided over the most high-profile cellular operator in the Middle East. His resignation at the beginning of February, prompted by frustration with unilateral shareholder action leaves Zain bereft of its inexorable leader, and the Middle East losing one of its brightest corporate managers

Saad Al BarrakAl Barrak and his managementeam have added tens of billions to Zain’s valuation over the years, and there are fears that some key executives may now also exit

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