Africa & Middle East Telecom weekly news

July 17th to July 24th 2008

EGYPT:
OT to set up new Canadian wireless operator

GHANA:
Ghana Parliament delays decision on Vodafone-GT deal
NCA formally awards sixth mobile phone licence to Glo Mobile

ISRAEL:
Ministry of Communication denies discounts to IDF
ELRO selects ECI to establish WiMAX network in Denmark

KUWAIT:
Government gives approval to third mobile phone carrier to initiate services

MALAWI:
TNM outlines USD 28 million investment plan

MALI:
Mali to launch Sotelma privatisation tender offer by year-end

NIGERIA:
Celtel to offer international roaming service to pre-paid customers
Globacom to install 300,000 fixed-lines

OMAN:
Nawras upgrades broadband offering
Oman to offload 25 percent stake in Omantel
Omantel and MENA sign USD 400 million agreement to improve telecom efficiency

QATAR:
QFMA commences application processing to list Wataniya Telecom shares at DSM

SAUDI ARABIA:
HITS Telecom acquires MVNO operations in Spain
Mobily posts 47 percent hike in 2Q profits
Mobily to compensate customers for service interruption
STC posts improved 1H and 2Q 2008 results

SOUTH AFRICA:
MTN-RCOM no deal; MTN looks to Latin America
Solidarity negotiates 10.5 percent pay hike for Telkom members
Telkom South Africa considering media unit stake sale

TANZANIA:
TTCL workers raise voice against Celtel contract

TURKEY:
Turk Telekom to bid for Kyrgyztelecom

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:
Etisalat to distribute 25 percent dividends for 1H 2008
Etisalat withdraws Tata Teleservices equity talks