Africa & Middle East Telecom weekly news

February 7th to February 14th 2008

AFGHANISTAN:
Roshan pioneers mobile payment service 

AFRICA:
Celtel to go the Zain way in Africa too 

ANGOLA:
Alcatel-Lucent wins GSM/EDGE expansion contract from Unitel 

BAHRAIN:
Batelco releases annual ’07 results (Updated)
Zain Bahrain plans on floating an IPO 

BOTSWANA:
IFC to advice on BTC privatisation 

EGYPT:
Etisalat to acquire stakes in Telecom ISPs 

GHANA:
GT aims to improve services in the upper east region 

NIGERIA:
Celtel Nigeria to embark on network enhancement drive
ederal government seeks new investor for NITEL/Mtel
MTN Group reduces stake in MTN Nigeria
NCC bans GSM sales promotions 

OMAN:
Omantel board proposes to offer 100 percent cash dividend to shareholders 

QATAR:
Qtel Group launches The Global Qtel 

RWANDA:
MTN Rwanda reduces tariffs for the first time 

SAUDI ARABIA:
Mobily begins 3.5G network expansion plan
Saudi Zain to float IPO to raise funds 

SOUTH AFRICA:
MTN introduces new MTN Zone tariff plan 

UGANDA:
UCC approves Celtel’s licence extension
Warid offers subscribers reduced calling options 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:
du, Al-Futtaim to jointly launch WI-Fi service in Dubai Festival City
Etisalat collaborates with I-ME-WE cable consortium
Etisalat facilitates Internet access in UAE hotels
Internet services restored ahead of scheduled time
Wasel subscribers to avail connection renewal at AED 9 per month 

YEMEN:
Alcatel-Lucent to upgrade MTN’s GSM/EDGE mobile network 

ZAMBIA:
Zambia refuses to accept licence bid applications 

ZIMBABWE:
Telecom carriers hike tariffs by 800 percent