Africa & Middle East Telecom weekly news

May 15th to May 22nd 2008

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST:
iPhone for Orange interests in Africa

AFRICA:
Africa mobile investment to touch USD 55 billion by 2012
African telecom market adds 70 million mobile connections
Ericsson, Zain collaborate for Rural Africa penetration
Etisalat acquires additional 12 percent stake in Atlantique Telecom
Telecom associations to assist Africa in expanding networks

BAHRAIN:
Batelco mulls acquiring an Indian mobile firm

EGYPT:
Orascom sets up division to manage investments in Africa and Asia
Telecom Egypt reports 4.8 percent decline in net profit in 1Q ’08

IRAN:
Etisalat in talks with Iranian government

ISRAEL:
012 Smile.Communications announces 1Q 2008 results
Cellcom Israel posts 1Q ’08 revenues at ILS 1.6 billion
Internet Gold reports 1Q ’08 revenues at ILS 280 million

JORDAN:
Umniah signs agreement with OnAir; to offer geographical barrier-free communication

KENYA:
Alcatel-Lucent to supply SDM system to Telkom

KUWAIT:
Kharafi Group raises stake in Zain
Zain to launch IPO by mid-2009

MALAWI:
Macra announces Malawi’s fourth mobile licence

MOZAMBIQUE:
Vodacom Mozambique to invest USD 50 million in upgrading rural infrastructure

NIGERIA:
Celtel launches RAI to boost rural business
Globacom, Alcatel-Lucent sign contract to expand mobile and fixed networks

OMAN:
Omantel reports 59.8 percent increase in net profit after tax

QATAR:
Qtel launches promotional offer on new landline connections

TURKEY:
Amaracos Holding to acquire 50 percent stake in Areeba
Turkcell, Bubble Motion collaborate to offer voice SMS

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:
du gets USD 816 million loan