Etisalat Group reported first quarter revenue of AED8.205 billion (US$2.235 billion), an increase of two per cent over the same period in 2011. Revenue generated from international operations grew 21 per cent year-on-year, with the telco reporting operating profit before federal royalty of AED3.43 billion, representing a margin of 42 per cent.

Net profit for the period amounted to AED1.809 billion, flat from the AED1.8 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2011. Aggregate active subscribers increased from 135 million at the end of Q111 to 169 million at the end of Q112, representing a growth rate of 25 per cent.

India’s telecom regulator, the TRAI has set a reserve price for 2G radio spectrum auctions that is 10 times higher than the level previously set by the disgraced former telecom minister, A Raja.

Although expected to be higher, the scale of the increase has surprised commentators.

A pan-Indian licence in the 1800MHz band would cost around Rs3,622 crore (US$680 million) if approved. The TRAI has recommended a reserve price for 800MHz and 900MHz bands that will be at least double that set for the 1800MHz band.

A licence in the 900MHz band would cost Rs7,244 crore.

The radio spectrum auction is taking place after the Supreme Court earlier voided 122 licences that had been awarded in 2008 in controversial circumstances, which it ordered to be resold via auction.

The proposals, which still need to be approved by the government would however also liberalise the spectrum from technology constraints, which would – in theory – enable bidders to run 3G services over the 900 and 1800MHz bands.

Those holding 1800MHz spectrum – or likely to acquire it – will also be able to make a payment to liberalise it from being restricted to GSM services only.

However, there will be a re-farming of the 900MHz spectrum held by the existing networks so that it can be offered to their rivals – which they have repeatedly objected to. The re-auction of the 900MHz spectrum is then proposed for the first half of next year.

The auction of 1800MHz bands should be carried out "as early as possible", the regulator wrote – which could enable it to meet the time limit imposed by the Supreme Court.

Further blocks of 1800MHz spectrum that can be re-farmed, as well as 2.1GHz spectrum will be sold off in second half of next year.

Huawei released its audited financial results for 2011, and reported an 11.7 per cent rise in revenues over 2010, of CNY 203.9 billion (US$32.4 billion).

Huawei however saw its profits more than halved (-53%) to CNY 11.6 billion compared to CNY 24.7 billion in 2010.

The decline in net profit was largely attributable to an exchange loss of CNY4.88 billion in 2011 due to the constant appreciation of the Chinese currency. Adjusted for the effects of exchange rates, net profit declined by 36.6 per cent year-on-year, which was in line with expectations.

Huawei recorded sales revenues of CNY 44.6 billion in the consumer business, an increase of 44.3 per cent over 2010. In particular, the consumer business group saw robust growth in the smart devices segment, shipping close to 150 million units last year. Huawei’s enterprise business group increased sales revenues by 57.1 per cent year-on-year, generating CNY 9.2 billion in its first full year of operation as one of Huawei’s core business groups.

Huawei generated sales revenues of CNY 65.57 billion, up 5.5 per cent, from the domestic market; and CNY 138.4 billion sales revenues, an increase of 14.9 per cent, from overseas markets.

Vodafone has confirmed that it is to make a takeover bid for the UK based Cable & Wireless Worldwide and will be offering £1.044 billion (US$1.7 billion) for the company.

The offer of 38 pence per CWW share represents a 92 per cent premium over the share price the day before speculation of a takeover bid was confirmed on February 10 – although it is far below what the shares were worth on their demerger in March 2010.

Vodafone said that the acquisition will strengthen its enterprise business in the UK and internationally and presents attractive network and other cost saving opportunities for Vodafone Group.

CWW has an extensive UK fibre network that fits well with the location of Vodafone’s UK base stations. The company also has an international network that Vodafone expects to exploit for its own IP based traffic needs.

Vodafone has already secured approvals from corporate shareholders holding 18.6 per cent of the company shares.

STC Group has reported a 12 per cent rise in its first quarter revenues of SAR14.7 billion (US$3.9 billion), while net profit jumped by 60 per cent to SAR1.57 billion.

EBITDA increased 12 per cent to SAR5.37 billion.

The increase in net income for the quarter is attributed to the 12 per cent increase in operating revenue which came as a result to the growth in all of the group’s services revenues, including PSTN, mobile, business and wholesale sectors. In addition, the overall improvement in operational efficiency contributed to this increase.

Domestic revenues from mobile broadband services grew 145 per cent year-on-year, with the number of domestic mobile subscribers having increased by 14 per cent in the period.