Saudi Telecom Q2 Profit Up 6.7%

Higher revenues from international operations boosted the telecoms operator’s profits.

Etisalat Gets New Chairman

Eissa Al Suwaidi has been appointed as the new head of the UAE telecoms company, replacing Mohammad Omran.

Qtel Bids For Wataniya Stake

The Qatar-based telecoms operator plans to buy the remaining majority stake in Wataniya for $1.9 billion.

Qtel Announces New Group COO

The Qatar-based telecommunications firm promotes Ahmed Al-Derbesti to chief operating officer.

Du Offers Fastest UAE Service

The mobile operator plans to launch a 4G broadband service, four times faster than it’s current speed.

Friendi Secures Virgin Deal

The Dubai-based operator has agreed a partnership with Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, extending into South Africa.

Qtel Raises Asiacell Stake

Qatar Telecom will pay $1.47 billion to increase its stake in Iraqi operator Asiacell to 60 per cent.

Saudi Needs Spectrum Change

Freeing up spectrum for Saudi’s telecoms operators may add $95.5 billion to the economy by 2025, said GSMA.

Etisalat To Cut Rates By 30%

UAE telecoms operator Etisalat will reduce international call tariffs from the second half of 2012.

Du Posts 62% Q1 Profit Hike

The telecoms operator posted a net profit of Dhs333.1 million during the first quarter of the year.

Zain Reports 2% Increase In Q1 Net Profit

The Kuwaiti telecoms operator made a net profit of $255 million during the first quarter of this year.

Omantel Posts 12.9% Q1 Net Profit Rise

The Omani telecoms company reported a net profit of $75.58 million during the first quarter of the year.

Etisalat Reports Flat Q1 Profit

The UAE-based telecoms operator reported net profit of Dhs1.81 billion during the first quarter of the year.

Nokia Has 46% ME Handset Share

Nokia leads handset sales, but Apple secures top spot for mobile advertising impressions.

BT Expands MENA Presence

The UK-based telco sets its sights on the region’s young and growing population.

Batelco Eyes Acquisitions In 2012

The Bahraini telecoms operator hopes that new acquisitions will bring in revenues to compensate domestic losses.

Zain Confirms Dividend Issue

The Kuwait telco also said it would back a subscription by its Saudi affiliate.

Etisalat Offers 3G In Afghanistan

The UAE based telecoms operator said that it was the first operator to provide 3G services in the country.

Zain Names New CEO

The indebted telco has appointed Fraser Curley as chief executive, its third CEO in six months.

STC Eyes Local Partner

The Saudi Arabia-based telecoms operator is keen to build a domestic partnership with a mobile virtual network operator.

Du’s Profits Fall On Royalty Fees

The telecoms operator reported a net profit excluding royalty of Dhs1.8 billion in 2011, a 47.8 per cent rise over the previous year.

Etisalat To Outsource Services

The telecoms operator will not let go of any UAE citizens as part of the move, which is part of a restructuring plan to cut costs.

Etisalat To Shut Down India JV

The decision follows the ruling of an Indian court to cancel 122 telecoms licences in the country amid a corruption scandal.

Etisalat May Restructure

The telecoms operator said it is discussing restructuring options as it struggles to stall dropping profits.

Microsoft Will Not Take Over Nokia

The Finnish telco partnered with Microsoft in a bid to claw back market share last year

Batelco Sells STel Stake

The Bahraini telecoms operator will receive $174.5 million, the same amount that it paid to purchase the stake in the Indian firm.

Etisalat May Sell African Towers

The telecoms operator might also share infrastructure facilities with other carriers.

Batelco Records 8% Fall In 2011 Profits

The Bahraini firm saw its subscriber base increase by 20 per cent year-on-year in 2011.

Calling For Growth

Regional telcos are throwing cash at data investments and looking further afield as high penetration levels squeeze profits.