Africa & Middle East Telecom weekly news

August 28th to September 4th 2008

AFRICA:
Sonus considers expansion in Africa

BURKINO FASO:
Atlantique bows out of Telecel

EGYPT:
MobiNil announces dividend of EGP 6 per share
Orascom Telecom posts fading profits
Telcos to meet to discuss interconnection rates

GUINEA:
Sotelgui to get new investor after TM exits

IRAN:
Iran licence attracts interest of leading telcos

ISRAEL:
Wataniya contracts Ericsson for Palestinian network infrastructure

KENYA:
France Telecom outlines annual investment of KES 7 billion for Telkom Kenya

KUWAIT:
Zain looks to get into the Loop

MALAWI:
Zain to invest MWK 13 billion

MALI:
Government shortlists 18 companies for Sotelma bidding

NAMIBIA:
Telecom, Cell One accuse MTC of exorbitant fees

NIGERIA:
Alheri to commence 3G services in December
Etisalat to commercially launch operations soon
Globacom partners with state governments for telecom provision

OMAN:
Six bidders shortlisted for second fixed-line licence

QATAR:
Qtel gears up for rapid expansion

SAUDI ARABIA:
Zain outlines investment of USD 1.5 billion in Saudi Arabia

SIERRA LEONE:
Sierratel wins 5 year extension in gateway contract

SOUTH AFRICA:
Altech to deploy new telecom network
MTN reports improved 1H ’08 results
Vodacom acquires Gateway for USD 700 million
Vodacom plans October ’08 launch of commercial WiMAX broadband services  

TURKEY:
Avea to bid for 3G licence
Turk Telekom bids for stake in Kyrgyztelecom
Turkcell acquires 80 percent stake in BeST

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:
du to develop Web portal for NGOs