Africa & Middle East Telecom weekly news

June 5th to June 12th 2008

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST:
Loop Telecom attracts several Middle East and African firms

AFRICA:
Huawei eyes expansion of operations in East Africa

BAHRAIN:
Batelco reduces international call tariffs
TRA to alter competition and tariff notification guidelines

BENIN:
Globacom launches services in Benin

BOTSWANA:
Tech Mahindra to provide telecom solutions to BTC

IRAQ:
Asiacell outlines USD 1 billion investment for network expansion
Kalimat Telecom introduces 3.5G network

ISRAEL:
012 Smile.Communications applies for extension of mobile WiMAX trials in Ramat Gan

KENYA:
Flashcom reduces call tariffs
France Telecom to retain Telkom name for operations in Kenya

KUWAIT:
Kharafi Group raises stake in Zain
Zain expresses interest in fourth South African mobile licence

MAURITIUS:
ICTA directs telcos to reduce call tariffs

MOROCCO:
Wana launches nationwide roaming service

QATAR:
Qtel to acquire ST Telemedia’s stake in Indosat

SOUTH AFRICA:
MTN bids ZAR 1.4 billion for Verizon Business South African unit
RCom seeks PE partnership to bid for MTN
Telkom posts decline in profits
Vodacom CEO to resign in September

SYRIA:
Makhlouf denies Syriatel stake sale negotiations

TANZANIA:
HiTS Tanzania signs contract with Huawei for network deployment

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:
Etisalat closes deal talks with Spice
Etisalat, NBD to introduce mobile payments in 3Q 2009

ZAMBIA:
Celtel to invest USD 200 million for network expansion and enhancement
Zambia calls for private sector participation for rural development

ZIMBABWE:
Operators continue to battle rampant inflation