Zain

Vivendi confirms interest in Zain Africa

French conglomerate Vivendi has ended weeks of speculation with the confirmation that it is in talks to acquire a majority stake in Zain’s African operations.

Zain fuels African sale rumours

Speculation that aspiring global carrier Zain is looking to sell off its African portfolio was fuelled further this week, after it emerged that Swiss bank UBS has been appointed to help the firm assess its operations.

Vivendi named as Zain suitor in Nigerian press

Nigerian newspaper Business Day has named French telecoms carrier Vivendi as the firm looking to build a deal with pan-MEA mobile operator Zain, after reports emerged last week that the Kuwaiti firm was looking to offload its African operations.

Zain to offload African portfolio?

Rumours abound this week that aspiring global carrier Zain could be looking to sell its entire African portfolio. This goes against pretty much every noise the firm has ever made about its strategic ambitions.

Zain merges Jordan operation with Paltel

Emerging markets telecoms giant Zain is to take a majority interest in Palestinian operator Paltel in a share swap deal which will merge Paltel with Zain Jordan.

Zain cuts 2,000 jobs

Kuwait-based carrier Zain announced a cost cutting plan this week, which it claims will propel the company toward its target of being a top ten operator by 2011.

Mada expands into Jordan

Kuwait-headquartered Mada Telecom Group, in partnership with Zain Telecom Jordan, has announced the launch of an 802.16e network in Jordan.

Zain sets sights on Morocco

Kuwaiti carrier Zain has teamed up with an investment fund to acquire 31 per cent of Moroccan operator Wana.

Zain moves into Palestine

This week Kuwaiti headquartered carrier Zain has been negotiating the purchase of a stake in Palestinian carrier Palestine Telecommunication Company (PalTel). Paltel operates in the conflict-ridden West Bank and Gaza strip, where a fragile ceasefire is currently in place. Zain CEO Dr. Saad H. Al Barrak was in closed door meetings in the final week […]

Zain takes control of Iraqi operator

Middle Eastern carrier Zain has increased its ownership stake in Zain Iraq from 30 per cent to 62 per cent, the company said over the weekend. Zain increased its stake through a pre-agreed call option with the owners of Athir National in Bahrain, which is one of the three founders of Atheer Telecom Iraq, now […]

“Let the buying begin,” says telecoms analyst

Despite the economic chaos, telecoms firms should not let a sensible attitude of caution turn into a bunker mentality. For those with tangible resources available, analysts say a more aggressive strategy is advisable. This week, industry analyst Ovum predicted that the financial crisis will force a sea change in the telecoms landscape, largely outdating the […]

Growing Zain

Kuwaiti headquartered Zain is an operator with ambition. The firm’s stated aim is to become one of the world’s top ten international operators – judged by a range of parameters from market capitalisation and revenue to the size of its overall subscriber base. Today the firm operates in 22 markets across the Middle East and Africa, which it says positions it as the fourth largest player in the world in terms of footprint.

Zain reports record profits

Middle Eastern carrier Zain announced that in the fiscal year 2007 it recorded the highest ever net profits in Kuwait’s private sector history. The operator, formerly known as MTC, repotded consolidated revenues of $5.91bn (KD1.677bn) for 2007, an increase of 32 per cent compared to 2006. The consolidated EBITDA increased by 25 per cent compared to […]

Nokia Siemens wins $1bn Saudi contract

It’s a happy new year for Nokia, as the Finnish vendor said Monday that it has bagged a $1bn contract to deliver kit and services to Saudi Arabian operator Zain. Nokia Siemens Networks said it has been tapped to supply a full turnkey 2G and 3G mobile network, including core and radio networks, operations and […]

Zain acquires Iraqna for $1.2 bn

Zain, the Kuwaiti operator formerly known as MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Company), announced on Saturday that it will buy Orascom Iraq-based subsidiary Iraqna Company for Mobile Phone Services for $1.2bn. In August 2007, Zain’s existing Iraq-based subsidiary, MTC-Atheer, made a successful bid of $1.25bn to secure one of three 15-year nationwide licences awarded by the Iraqi […]

Mobile operators to invest $50bn in Sub-Saharan Africa

A group of mobile operators announced a substantial investment drive in the continent’s sub-Saharan region on Monday. The GSM Association revealed that a group of carriers including MTN, Orange, Vodacom and Kuwaiti carrier Zain are to plough more than $50bn into the region over the next five years in a bid to extend mobile coverage […]

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