du : du’s Smart New Generation
UAE’s major broadband and telecom provider, du now serves more than eight million individual costumers, 80,000 businesses and proudly retains a mobile subscriber market share of 46.5 percent.
Leading Communications Firm Expands Location-Based Services in MENA Region
TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (TSC), a world leader in secure and highly reliable wireless communication technology, has expanded its presence in the Middle East by adding two of the largest mobile network operators in the region to its customer portfolio. With more than 22 million mobile subscribers combined, the two mobile network operators are utilising TCS' Location-Based Services (LBS) solutions to meet the rapidly growing demand for mobile internet offerings in one of the strongest markets for smartphone growth worldwide. The combined value of the two contracts is approximately $3 million. The announcement comes as a reaction to a rise in smartphone shipments across the MENA region, which totalled 155 million units in 2015; increasing 66 percent year-on-year during the first quarter of last year, according to recent figures announced by the International Data Corporation (IDC). Research conducted by GSMA Intelligence’s research division supports this trend, predicting in its 2014 report that Middle East and North Africa will become the fastest growing market in the world for mobile data traffic; with an anticipated 70 percent compound annual growth rate from 2013 to 2018. Recognised by Frost & Sullivan as the only true end-to-end LBS provider globally, TCS provides a time-tested, comprehensive and flexible solution that includes applications, infrastructure, mapping and content. ABI Research and Informa Telecoms & Media rank TCS as the second largest global provider of location infrastructure. With one of the two mobile operators, TCS has also deployed its Location Gateway product with Middleware functions, as well as its Operations Support System (OSS). With the second mobile operator, TCS has partnered to deploy a Passive…
Nokia Networks Sign Capacity-Enhancing Deal in Middle East
Nokia Networks has won a deal with Ooredoo Qatar to deploy its small cells in hotspots across the Middle Eastern country.
How Telecoms are Shooting Down Skype with VoLTE Technology
VoLTE kills two birds with one stone by lowering their costs as well as offering higher quality and new services to end consumers.
Telefónica Agrees Sale of O2 to Hutchison Whampoa
Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL), parent company Three, has entered into an agreement with Telefónica to buy its UK subsidiary, O2 UK.
EE to Provide 4G Coverage for 90% of the UK by 2017
The UK’s largest mobile operator, EE, has new plans to bring 4G speeds of 60 Mbps to 90 percent of the UK by 2017. In addition, 20 of the UK’s busiest cities will get a boost up to 150 Mbps speeds during the same time frame. EE has set aside £1.5 billion to fund the project. The telecoms giant also has ambitious plans to bring 4G overage to 99 percent of the country by 2017. Boosting 4G up to 60 Mbps will mean that the majority of users will see their speeds double. “Stage one of our network strategy saw us overhaul UK mobile networks, launching 4G and changing the way people and businesses use their smart devices. This revolution of the mobile landscape has made the UK a leader in global communications once again,” EE Chief Executive, Olaf Swantee, said. “Today we’re announcing the next stage with a commitment to once again radically improve mobile coverage, this time with a strong focus on rural UK, all while continuing to increase speeds and capacity with deeper coverage in more cities. Smart devices are playing an ever-increasing part in our customers’ lives in every part of the UK,” he added.
BT Agrees to Talks Over $19.5 Billion EE Mobile Deal
BT, the U.K. telecoms giant, has announced that it has entered into exclusive talks with Deutsche Telekom and Orange to acquire their mobile business EE, a move which is set to spark a wave of consolidation in the U.K. telecoms market. BT announced in a statement that key terms would include a purchase price of £12.5 billion ($19.5 billion). "The proposed acquisition would enable BT to accelerate its existing mobility strategy whereby customers will benefit from innovative, seamless services that combine the power of fibre broadband, Wi-Fi and 4G," the company said in a statement. "BT would own the UK's most advanced 4G network, giving it greater control in terms of future investment and product innovation." The exclusivity period would last several weeks, BT said in the statement, in which time the UK telecoms giant would complete due diligence and conclude negotiations. BT was also in negotiations with Telefonica over its mobile arm O2, which may now become the focus of other takeover deals. Consumers are increasingly interested in so-called "quad play" deals, offering television, internet, landline and mobile phone contracts in one package. In the U.K., Virgin is the only phone company currently offering these deals, but BT, the country's biggest telecoms company, is expected to start following the deal with Deutsche Telekom and Orange. SOURCE: http://www.cnbc.com/id/102267602
EU Approves Facebook Buyout of WhatsApp
European Union regulators on Friday (Oct 3) cleared the buyout of the WhatsApp mobile messaging service by Facebook.
United Internet to Buy Versatel from KKR
United Internet AG (UTDI) agreed to buy full control of network operator Versatel GmbH to challenge rivals such as Deutsche Telekom AG.
Dixons Retail to Divest Electroworld Business in Central Europe
UK’s Dixons Retail has agreed to divest its loss-making Electroworld business in central Europe to local rival NAY, ahead of its £3.7bn merger with telecommunication retailer Carphone Warehouse.
